Routine inspection·October 17, 2024

On 10/17/2024 , Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Carol Heath conducted an unannounced Required annual inspection at the Muller Family Childcare Home. Upon arrival, the LPA met with the licensee, Summer Muller, who guided the LPA on a tour of the facility. Individuals that reside in the home include 2 adults (licensee, licensee’s fiancé). Per Guardian, all adults in this facility obtain a criminal record clearance. This is a large family childcare facility. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 P.m. During the inspection, LPA observed 6 childcare children (2 infants and 4 young children) with Licensee and her assistant (#2). Per the Licensing Information System, annual facility fees were current. Incidental Medical Services (IMS) were discussed. Per the licensee, she does not have children who need IMS at this time. The home is set up as follows: This is a two-story home with 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a kitchen/ Formal dining room, and an attached garage. Per the Licensee, the living room, formal dining room, and 1 bathroom, are being utilized for family childcare. Off-limit areas of the home are the upstairs, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, Family room (on the other side of the house), Kitchen, laundry room, and garage, which is locked. A barricade is on the bottom and top staircase; the licensee is reminded that barricades (s) must remain in place during daycare hours if children under 5 years old are in care. Living room: In the playroom (Living room), the designated playroom, there are adequate age-appropriate toys, books, games, and napping mats/hygienic diaper changing equipment. LPA observed age-appropriate toys and furniture for the children. There are games and books on the premises of this facility. The carpets and other materials were observed to be in good condition. Children's bathroom: Children will use the bathroom near the front door. The bathroom was the tour. The bathroom was clean, sanitized, and in good repair. The toilet was inspected, and the sink/toilet is in operable condition. The toilet and faucets are clean, safe, and operable. The bathroom was observed to be free and clear of hazardous items. Backyard: The backyard was inspected; the children use the outdoor backyard for outside play. The backyard is gated all around. The outdoor play area was observed to be free of hazards and loose and sharp parts. There is a grass and concrete area for active play. There are two sheds with key locks, roses are screened, the barbecue grill has a cover, and the area on the left rear is gated (storing toys). LPA observed 2 big dogs and 2 small dogs in the other side of the backyard. LPA reminded the licensee to supervise the children at the whole time. Kitchen/Dining Room (Off-limit): The kitchen was inspected to ensure dangerous items were inaccessible to children (Safety latches). All sharp utensils, poisons, and medications are unavailable to children in the kitchen, with child safety latches on cabinet doors and drawers. Sharp knives are kept in a butcher block in the gated kitchen. The children have to walk by dining room to go outside. Other: The AC/Heating unit, located on the right side of the home, the AC unit blocked by barrels. Although there is no water in the decorative fountain, the licensee confirmed the presence of a spa (body of water) on the premises. LPA noted that pool covers strong enough to support an adult’s weight. LPA observed the spa is locked when the pool is not in use. All unused electrical outlets are plugged and inaccessible to children. The licensee, who is enrolled in the Food Program, provides breakfast, lunch, and snacks, or children may bring food from home, with containers labeled and properly stored or refrigerated. A 2A10BC fire extinguisher, located in the kitchen and reading in the green, meets State Fire Marshall standards and is inaccessible to children. A fireplace is located in the family room, an off-limits area secured by a safety gate, and is screened to prevent child access. All window blind cords are out of reach of children. In case of illness, children will be isolated from others. Cleaning supplies are stored in an upper kitchen cabinet, while medications are kept in an off-limits bedroom, both inaccessible to children. Children nap in designated areas under adult supervision, and LPA observed 10 mats in the closet. The licensee does not provide overnight care. There are 4 dogs (2 small, two large) on the premises. During today’s inspection, the small dog (chihuahua) was in the childcare area. The big dogs in the backyard do not interact with children during daycare hours. The licensee was unable to provide the vaccine record. The home has a working phone line, and both smoke detectors and carbon monoxide devices are operable. The First Aid kit, located under the sink in the adult bathroom, contains all necessary supplies and a manual. The licensee provides transportation for children and has a valid California driver’s license, vehicle insurance, and registration. The licensee confirmed the presence of firearms at the facility (see LIC812 for more information). LPA reviewed the following Documentation: Child files: LPA observed that 5 children's files and the documents were found to be in order. CPR/First Aid: LPA observed that the licensee has current Pediatric CPR and First Aid Training with an expiration date (9/2024) . The licensee stated she took the training and is waiting for the trainer to email the certification. Fire Drill and Disaster Drill: Per the licensee, fire and disaster drills are conducted every 6 months; the last drill was documented and performed on 6/11/2024 Immunization: The licensee and her assistant have the required immunizations (MMR and DTaP). The licensee and her assistant provided a written statement declining the influenza vaccination. Infant Sleeping Plan (LIC 9227) and Sleeping Log: LPA observed 2 infants have LIC 9227, and the Sleeping log is also in each infant's file, The licensee posted all required information. Mandated Reporter Training: The licensee has completed and renewed the online mandated reporter training at www.mandatedreporterca.com on 1/16/23. Staff Personnel File: LPA observed 2 staff information. The files contained all required licensing documents. The following information was discussed with the licensee: o A baby walker shall not be allowed on the premises of a family child care home in accordance with Health and Safety Code sections 1596.848(b) and (c). State law prohibits baby walkers, bouncy seats, exersaucer, and other items that fall into that category. o Capacity requirements, Roster requirements, Posting requirements, and Documentation requirements for disaster drills (fire and earthquake). Mandatory Forms for the children's and provider's files and Safe Sleep Awareness. The role and responsibilities of being a mandated reporter were reviewed. The licensee was reminded that supervision is always required for children in care. o The licensee was advised of the requirement to report unusual incidents and/or injuries to the parent/guardian and Licensing within the time frame specified by the regulation and on the form LIC624B o Licensee was advised to visit the CCL website ( www.ccld.ca.gov ) to obtain updates on courses and updates/changes to the regulations. Licensee was made aware that it is their responsibility to know the regulations as well as anyone who assists in providing care. The licensee was advised that the inaccessibility of hazards must be constantly reassessed depending on the children in care. Licensing must always have the facility's phone number; if the phone number is changed, licensing must be notified. o Mandatory Forms for the children's files and provider's files. o Our Quarterly updates come out every 3 months. They are also now in Spanish. Please log in to the CCLD website, or you can email our advocates to have the quarterly updates sent directly to your email. Child Care Advocates information: www.childcareadvocatesprogram@cdss.ca.gov o Posting Requirements: Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100. o Requirements for fire drills, earthquake drills, and documentation for both. o The Duty Worker is available for questions Monday through Friday at (661) 202-3318 from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. o The licensee is reminded that 100% supervision is required for children at all times. o The licensee was informed of the responsibility to report suspected Child Abuse by calling the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-540-4000. Also, call the CCL office and follow up with a written Unusual Incident/Injury Report (LIC 624B). o The regulation prohibits the smoking of tobacco in a private residence that is licensed as a family childcare home and in those areas of the family childcare home where children are present (24/7 ban). ü LPA discussed the safe sleep regulations with licensee [or facility representative] and discussed the Child Care Licensing Safe Sleep webpage at https:// www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing/public-information-and- resources/safe-sleep as an additional resource. LPA also informed licensee [or facility representative] of the importance of checking for recalled infant devices on the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website at https:// www.cpsc.gov/ and recommended they register all infant devices with the CPSC to be notified of any recalls on their purchased equipment. ü Licensee [or facility representative] was reminded that all adults 18 and over living or working in the home, including employees and volunteers, except as specified in Health and Safety Code section 1596.871, must obtain a criminal record clearance or exemption, or transfer their existing clearance or exemption, prior to initial presence in a licensed Family Child Care Home. A civil penalty of $100.00 minimum/day for a maximum of 5 days or, if the penalty is for a repeat violation, for a maximum of 30 days per person will be assessed if this regulation is violated. ü IF THERE IS NO CHILD AT THE FACILITY THAT CURRENTLY NEEDS IMS, USE AS FOLLOWS: Incidental Medical Services (IMS) policy was discussed. For IMS information see PIN 22-02- CCP. When any IMS is provided, a Plan for Providing IMS must be submitted to the Department. The following information regarding ADA was provided: US Department of Justice (USDOJ) toll-free ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 (voice)/ (800) 514-0383 (TTY) and link to publication: Commonly Asked Questions about Child Care Centers and the ADA, available at: https://www.ada.gov/resources/child-care-centers/ . ü Centers and Family Child Care Homes Licensee [or facility representative] was informed of the MyChildCarePlan.org website, a consumer education website that helps families obtain child care by connecting them to child care providers and Resource and Referral Agencies (R&Rs) throughout California. ü Family Child Care Homes During the exit interview, the LICENSEE ****, confirmed that there are no Registered Sex Offenders living in the facility and LPA completed the RSO profile in FAS. ü Family Child Care Homes A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. ü To improve the quality and value of the new inspection process, a survey may be sent to the email address provided. Please complete the survey and share your inspection experience. If you have any questions regarding the process or CARE tools, please send email inquiries to inspectionprocess@dss.ca.gov. For additional information regarding the inspection and its tools and methods, please visit the Program website at www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/community-carelicensing/ inspection-process. No deficiencies are being cited at this time. An exit interview was conducted, and the report was reviewed with the licensee, Summer Muller.