Incident investigation·June 10, 2025

On June 10, 2025, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Annelise Villa met with Licensee Tierra Burrell, who guided LPA on a tour of the facility. The purpose of this visit was to conduct a Case Management - Incident inspection regarding an incident that occurred on May 30, 2025. This Unusual Incident was self-reported. LPA discussed reporting requirements, pursuant to California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 22, Section 102416.2 to ensure all reportable unusual incidents are reported within specified time frames. Upon arrival LPA observed 13 children in care, along with 3 staff including the Licensee caring for them. Description of incident #1: On May 30, 2025, at approximately 12:15 Parent #1, came to the family childcare home to drop off items for child #2. Upon arrival, child #1 heard their parent\342\200\231s voice (Adult #1), and became distressed when Adult #1 left. Child #1 began to scream and cry. Staff #1 consoled Child #1, however, Child #1 began scratching themself and pulling their hair. Staff #1 consoled Child #1 and provided Child #1 with a snack and placed in a highchair. Due to Child #1 harming themself by scratching thier face and pulling their hair. During the tantrum, Child #1 was placed in the highchair to eat and prevent further injury. Staff #1 stated Child #1 was no longer harming himself but still crying and squirming in the highchair. After about 10 minutes, Child #1 was calm and a diaper change was conducted. Child #1 was then placed back into the highchair to watch a movie, and fell asleep. Staff stated child #1 remained asleep in the highchair and proceeded with the rest of the day as normal. At night, Parent #1 reported to Licensee Child #1 had two bruises on their upper thighs. Staff #1 and Licensee stated the bruising was consistent with the tray from the highchair when Child #1 was sitting in. LPA took pictures of the highchair and obtained photographs of the bruising. During the inspection, LPA interviewed staff, Licensee, and children and gathered documents to aide in the unusual incident follow up. Interview with Licensee and Staff #1 revealed high chairs are not regularly used for children and was not intended to restrain child, rather to provide a safe space to calm down while eating. Licensee acknowledged that Child #1 should have been moved and will refrain from utilizing the highchair in this manner. Licensee has been proactive and is currently taking courses on managing difficult behaviors in children and will continue to apply new strategies and methods to prevent similar incidents in the future. Licensee communicates best practices to staff and will provide training with staff on managing challenging behaviors. A type B citation was given as a result of Child #1 sleeping in the highchair without being moved to a cot or mat. Exit interview conducted, and report was reviewed with the licensee. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. No citation was given today as a result of this inspection.