Inspector’s narrative
What the inspector wrote
On 03/25/2025 at 11:30 A.M, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Edleen Montesa, and Licensing Program Manager (LPM) Joelle Redding, visited the facility to conduct an unannounced, Annual Inspection. When LPA and LPM initially arrived at the facility to begin the inspection for the infant license and while looking for the entrance to the facility, LPA and LPM noticed through the fence that there was a child (C1) left walking towards Room 101. Within approximately thirty seconds, LPA and LPM noticed another unsupervised child (C2) was coming down from the stairs near Room 201, also walking towards Room 101. No staff was present and the door to Room 101 was closed. It is noted that the kitchen door was open at the time and there were accessible hazards present (see LIC 809D pages)
Upon arrival LPA and LPM met with the facility staff and proceeded to tour the facility. Licensee/Director Alexandra Ellam arrived at approximately 10 a.m. During today's inspection, there were 26 children with 5 staff in 3 classrooms, as indicated: Room 202 (18-36 mos) : 7 children to 1 teacher and an aide; Room 101 (2-5 y.o classroom): 13 children to 1 teacher and an aide; Room 201 (2 y.o classroom): 6 children to 1 teacher. Facility is within ratio and capacity. LPA and LPM left the premises from 2:10 P.M. to 4:15 P.M and continued to work off site as Director needed to step out of the facility temporarily.
LPA and LPM noticed the licensed room Room 103 was vacant and unlicensed Room 101 was being used instead. Licensee she stated that they have only been using Room 101 recently due to facility maintenance. All rooms have adequate heating, lighting, ventilation. The furniture and age-appropriate equipment is in good condition. Drinking water is readily accessible. Upon inspection of the children\342\200\231s bathroom, LPA and LPM noticed dirty floors, sink and toilet bowl. (See cont. on LIC 809-C...)
The toilets are operational and the water from the faucet had appropriate temperature. Bathroom is lighted and has ventilation.
Food storage area is located in the kitchen and during the inspection LPA and LPM noticed that the kitchen floors and appliances were dirty and food debris was present. There was an unlocked and accessible cabinet in the kitchen that contained cleaning chemicals and disinfectants. It is important to note that the door to the kitchen was wide open, and the kitchen was accessible. LPA locked the cabinet where the chemicals were found, and LPM closed the kitchen door after the area inspection to make the room inaccessible to children. Menu is posted on Bright Wheel. Adequate food is available for meals and meets nutritional requirements per regulation. Storage containers for solid waste have tight-fitting covers and are kept in good repair. There are no firearms, ammunition, or other weapons on the premises. All foods/beverages capable of spoiling are stored in covered containers at 45 F or less. There is enough napping equipment for each child, with bedding stored separately, and cots disinfected after each use. There is an operational carbon monoxide detector at the facility. Upon inspection of Room 202 classroom, LPA and LPM noticed an unlocked cabinet containing cleaning chemicals and disinfectants. No children were present in the classroom at the time as they had gone to the playground. LPA locked the cabinet and made it inaccessible to children. LPA advised assigned teacher to the classroom of the hazard that was present and corrected. Last emergency drill was conducted on December 10, 2024. The facility has a written disaster plan that complies with regulatory requirements. A range of activity is offered to daycare children throughout the day. All required postings were displayed at the facility.
The outdoor play area is securely fenced, with adequate cushioning and ample shade. There is a water fountain located on the property, outside the fenced enclose of the preschool. Per Director, and as observed during the visit, the exit near the water fountain remains locked to make the water fountain inaccessible to children. LPA advised Director, per the pre-licensing report, the water fountain should have no water collected. Director stated that she will make sure to check the fountain to prevent this from happening. Climbing structures, swings and slides are securely fixed to the ground. Equipment is age appropriate. During the inspection of the pre-school playground (Playground 2) LPA & LPM noticed that there are unsafe broken pieces of plastic sand toys that are on the woodchips area.
(See cont. on LIC 809-C...)
The bikes that the toddlers were using were found to be in disrepair due to the missing handle bars and cracked plastic. LPA brought this to the attention of the Director. LPA also saw about a gap under the fence measuring about a foot towards the backside of the playground which children may be able to crawl through. Director stated that she will have maintenance fix the gap. Supervision will remain in place in the meantime. Area has drinking water readily accessible, and grounds are free of debris or potential hazards. There is a playground waiver on file that allows toddlers attending the toddler option to share the infant playground at different times. LPA reviewed medication storage, and per Director, there are no children at the facility that requires any medication at the moment. Children are evaluated upon entry and monitored throughout the day for signs of illness. The isolation area for ill children awaiting pick up is the Director\342\200\231s office. Personnel records contain health screening documentation and at least one staff member has current CPR and First Aid certifications. During staff file review, LPA found that most staff have completed mandated reporter training and LPA found that one staff did not have s required immunizations, health screening, and TB test on file. Most personnel record contains documentation of educational background and training. Sign in/out documents were reviewed. The facility uses Brightwheel to document school attendance. Children\342\200\231s records contain admission agreements and medical assessment. A review of staff records on this date indicates that all facility staff or other individuals who require caregiver background checks have received criminal record and child abuse clearances or exemptions.
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) 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. The facility holds an infant license with a maximum capacity for nine infants.
Licensee was reminded that all adults 18 and over, 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 Child Care Center. 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. (See cont. on LIC 809-C...)
Licensee 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.
Assembly Bill (AB) 2370, Chapter 676, Statutes of 2018
, requires all licensed Child Care Centers (CCCs) constructed before January 1, 2010, to test their water (used for drinking and food preparation) for lead contamination before January 1, 2023, and then every 5-years after the date of the first test.
For child care center licenses issued after July 1, 2022, the licensee shall test their water for lead within 180 days of licensure pursuant to Written Directives section 101700 (PIN 21-21.1- CCP).
LPA verified that the lead testing was completed in accordance to the Written Directives outlined in
PIN 21-21.1-CCP
.
\342\200\242 CCC DID NOT COMPLETE TESTING PRIOR TO THEIR DEADLINE, facility was licensed 12/29/22. LPA provided the mentioned PIN and provided licensee a hard copy. LPA advised licensee that center must submit proof of the Lead Water Testing within 30 days from today.
Incidental Medical Services (IMS) policy was discussed. For IMS information see
PIN 22-02- CCP
. When any IMS is provided, an updated Plan of Operation that includes 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) 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-care-centers/
. There is no Incidental Medical Services in place.
To improve the quality and value of the new inspection process, a survey will 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 tools, please send them by email 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/process
.
(See cont. on LIC 809-C...)
LPA
Edleen Montesa i
nformed licensee, Alexandra Ellam, that this report date
d
03/25/2025
document
101229(a)(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.
Also, LPA
Edleen Montesa
informed the licensee to provide a copy of this licensing report dated
03/25/2025
that documents any 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.
Pursuant to Title 22 of the CA Code of Regulations, deficiencies were cited on the accompanying LIC 809-D pages
During the file review, LPA noticed that there are unpaid outstanding fees. LPA advised Licensee of the amount owed, provided the PIN for the account, and the fee due date. Licensee stated that she will take care of the fees and pay it online. An updated LIC 500 will be provided later on today.
Visit was not completed today due to Licensee needing to leave facility promptly at 6:10 P.M. Exit interview was conducted with Licensee and a Notice of Site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Report was reviewed with the Licensee, Alexandra Ellam at the office visit on 3/26/25.
