Inspector’s narrative
What the inspector wrote
On Tuesday, October 29, 2024 Licensing Program Analyst (LPA)Braddock, conducted an unannounced annual inspection. LPA met with Licensee, Brittany Harris who guided LPA on a tour of the home. People who reside in the home are (Licensee, Licensee’s Mother) who are live scanned and have TB skin test on file and minor children (17,16,15,15,9,8,5,3). The small family childcare home operates Sunday through Saturday 23 hours a day. Licensee was advised that a staff member must always be awake while children are in care (for 23 hour operation). At the time of the visit there were 3 children present with 1 staff member.
This is a one-story house with 4 bedrooms, and 2 bathrooms, living room, laundry room, garage, and kitchen.. Children have access to living room and bathroom. Off-limit areas of the home are the entire backyard, bedrooms #1 through #4 and master bathroom. (Off-limits areas are made inaccessible by safety gate and key locks). LPA did not observe pets at the facility.
There is a swimming pool/body of water on the premises. There is an empty swimming pool in the backyard. The pool is completely enclosed by a 5 ft metal fence. The fence runs all the way down to the concrete on which it sits, leaving no room between the bottom of the fence and the concrete. The pool gate was tested and observed to be self-closing and self-latching. The gate has an installed mechanism containing a key to lock the gate and it is located within 6 inches from the top of the gate. The lever to open the gate is located at the top of the gate. The pool gate opens away from the body of water. All items rendering the fence climbable are moved away from the fence.
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The home was inspected inside for comfort, cleanliness, telephone service, heating and ventilation. There are no medications In the facility. The kitchen knives are stored in the cabinet and made inaccessible by a key lock. Cleaning compounds are stored in a locked cabinet inaccessible to children.
The First Aid kit is located in the master bedroom inaccessible to children. Per licensee, there are no weapons or firearms in the home. LPA did not observe any weapons or firearms. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are in operable condition. The Fire Extinguisher is green, fully charged, and meets the standards of the State Fire Marshal. The licensee’s Pediatric CPR/First Aid expires on 9/16/25. The licensee has the required immunizations against pertussis (TDAP) and measles (MMR) and Influenza The licensee completed the required Mandated Reporter training on 12/19/24.
The required posted documents were posted and located in the entry way to he left: Notification of Parent's Rights Poster (PUB394), Emergency Disaster Plan (LIC610A), and Earthquake Preparedness Checklist (LIC9148).
The following was discussed with the licensee:
The annual fees are due current
Mandatory licensing forms for the children’s files, facility forms/records, and information to be posted in the family child care home; Requirements to conduct fire and disaster drills once every six months and record it; Role and responsibilities of being a mandated reporter were reviewed; The licensee was reminded that 100% supervision is required at all times to children in care; Licensee was made aware that it is her responsibility to know the regulations as well as anyone who assists in providing care; Licensing must have the facility’s phone number at all times; if the phone number is changed, licensing must be notified; Regulation prohibits the smoking of any kind during the operation of the day care.
LPA discussed the safe sleep regulations with licensee and discussed the Child Care Licensing Safe Sleep webpage at
https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing/public-information-andresources/safe-sleep
as an additional resource. LPA also informed licensee of the importance of checking for recalled infant devices on the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
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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.
Licensee 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.
The licensee was advised of the requirement to report Unusual Incidents. A report shall be made to the department by telephone or fax during the department's normal business hours before the close of the next working day following the occurrence during the operation of family day care home. In addition, a written report shall be submitted to the department within seven days following the occurrence of any events specified above. The licensee was informed to utilize the Unusual Incident Report/Injury Report LIC624B when submitting the report to the department.
Beginning on January 1, 2018, Assembly Bill 1207 (2015) requires all licensed providers, licensees, directors, and employees to complete training as specified on their mandated reporter duties and to renew their training every two years. Licensee must meet requirements as a precondition to licensure. New employees shall have 90 days from date of employment to complete training as required. The training may be conducted at the following website
www.mandatedreporterca.com
.
Prior to making alterations or additions to a family childcare home or grounds, the licensee shall notify the Department of the proposed changed, including, but not limited to, the following: Conversion of a garage (either attached or detached) into a "childcare" room; Room additions to the family childcare home. Any change from an area of the family childcare home previously identified as "off limits" to an area where care and supervision will be provided to children in care. The licensee shall provide the Department with a copy of an inspection report when an inspection is required by the local building inspector as a result of the alteration, addition, or construction.
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This facility does not provides Incidental Medical Services – IMS. . For IMS information see PIN 22-02-CCP. The following information regarding ADA was provided: US Department of Justice (USDOJ) toll-free ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 (voice) or (800) 514- 0383 (TTY) and link to publication: Commonly Asked Questions about Child Care Centers and the ADA are available at:
https://www.ada.gov/resources/child-carecenters/
.
Lead Flyer Requirement Health and Safety Code 1596.7996 mandated that effective January 1, 2019, CCC's and FCCH's are required to provide parents and guardians of children enrolling or reenrolling in care with written information on the risks and effects of lead exposure, blood lead testing requirements and recommendations, and options for locations of affordable blood lead tests as specified. A Lead
Poisoning Facts Flyer was created, in partnership with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), to satisfy this requirement.
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-care-licensing/inspection-process
.
Licensee was informed of the MyChildCarePlan.org website; a consumer education website that helps families obtain childcare by connecting them to childcare providers and Resource and Referral Agencies (R&Rs) throughout California.
The licensee was advised it is her responsibility to visit the department's website to access licensing forms, Quarterly Updates and Provider Information Notices (PINs):
www.ccld.ca.gov
LPA confirmed that there are no Registered Sex Offenders living in the facility and completed the RSO profile in FAS during the file review.
This inspection visit was conducted in person. The report was read, and a copy was provided to the licensee, Brittany Harris. Notice of Site Visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview was conducted.