Incident investigation·March 13, 2024

On March 13, 2024, at 10:10am., Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Vicky Williamson and Angela Nguyen conducted an unannounced case management inspection regarding a self reported incident. LPAs met with Lead Teacher, Tracy Herron. LPAs discussed the purpose of the inspection and was led on a tour of the facility. At 10:50am, Director, Delia Salcido arrived to the facility. There were 63 children present with nine (9) staff members. Director reported that on 2/22/2024 at 3:00pm there were three staff and 18 children in the Youth Center Room preparing to transition downstairs to the bathroom. Director stated that at 3:11pm, Staff 1 (S1), Staff 2 (S2), Staff 3 (S3) and 17 children began transitioning from the Youth Center Room room located upstairs to the bathrooms downstairs. Director stated that the bathrooms are located in the main preschool building directly below the Youth Center Room. Director stated that Child (C1) was left alone upstairs in the Youth Center Room for approximately 5 minutes without supervision. Director stated that C1 called out to the authorized representative of another daycare child and advised her to tell the staff that they left her upstairs. The authorized representative notified S1 that a child was left upstairs and standing outside of the door of the Youth Center Room. S1 immediately went upstairs and retrieved C1. Interviews were conducted with the director, staff, a witness, C1, and C1's authorized representative. LPA reviewed staff and children files and obtained related documentation. Interviews with staff disclosed that they lined the children up to transition downstairs, but did not count the number of children prior to leaving the room. S2 stated that she realized that C1 was left upstairs at around 3:15pm. Director and staff stated that C1 last seen sitting on her napping mat behind a petition in the Youth Center Room putting on her shoes. C1 disclosed that she was on her napping mat putting on her shoes when the staff and children transitioned out of the Youth Center Room. See LIC 809C Continuation... Director stated that she has retrained staff on counting the children before and after transitioning and utilizing the daily charts to assure that ratios are accurate. Based on interviews, one (1) Type A deficiency of California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 1, is being cited on the attached LIC 809D. LPA informed Director, Delia Salcido that this report dated March 13, 2024 documents one (1) Type A citation, which shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there is an immediate risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care. An immediate civil penalty of $500 was assessed for absence of supervision. Also, LPA informed Director, Delia Salcido to provide a copy of this licensing report dated March 13, 2024 that documents a Type A citation to parents/guardians of all children currently enrolled by the next business day or the next day the children are in care, and to any newly enrolled parents/guardians for 12 months from the date of this report. A signed Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Report (LIC 9224), or other written statement, must be placed in the child's file for verification. LPA provided Director, Delia Salcido with form LIC 9224. A copy of this report along with the Appeals Rights (LIC 9058) were provided. A Notice of Site Visit was provided and is required to be posted for 30 days. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100. LPA observed Director post Notice of Site Visit on the bulletin board. Exit interview conducted with Director, Delia Salcido.