Facility-requested visit·August 19, 2024

On 08/19/2024 at 11:45am, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Selina Siao conducted an unannounced Case Management inspection for an increase in capacity. Upon arrival, LPA met with Assistant Director Latasha Hall and during the inspection LPA met with co -Director Crystal Stringer and Director/Administrator Thilinie Messinger. Facility is currently licensed to care for 10 toddlers ages 18 to 36 months in room 4A and 46 preschool children ages 2 to kindergarten in rooms 1, 2 and 3. Licensee is requesting to be licensed for 12 toddlers ages 18 to 36 months in room 5 and 68 preschoolers ages 2 to kindergarten in classrooms 1, 2, 3 and 4. Facility operates Monday to Friday 7:30am to 5:30pm. Present during today\342\200\231s inspection were 52 children with 8 staff members in classrooms 1, 2, 3, 4A and 4B. 4B was previously licensed as the infant room and it's not licensed to be use for the preschool. Facility has requested to closed the infant license on 03/05/2024. Appropriate ratios and supervision were observed. All staff members have the required background clearances and are associated to the facility. All indoor and outdoor activity space utilized for the children were inspected today. LPA informed Director/Administrator that staff are required to maintain direct visual supervision of the children at all times during indoor and outdoor activities. LPA continued to tour the facility and measured new additional indoor and outdoor activity space. Total preschool indoor activity space rooms 1, 2, 3 and 4 measured to be 2471.53 square feet, which is sufficient to accommodate the requested capacity of 68 children. The toddler room #5 measured to be 404.96 square feet, which is only sufficient for 11 children. LPA observed all indoor activity space to be complete with safe, age-appropriate furniture and equipment, including tables, chairs, cubbies, napping cots/mats, bookshelves, and other activity supplies for the children. Drinking water is available in the classrooms via the filtered sink water in each classroom. LPA observed all hazardous items to be inaccessible to children. Director stated that there are no bodies of water or weapons on the property. Fire clearance was granted on 07/12/2024 but LPA needs to submit an updated one due to the changes of the requested capacity and room number. LPA observed a total of 6 sinks and 5 toilets available for preschool children\342\200\231s use. Facility is in the process of adding a new toilet and sink in the connecting area between room 4 and room 5. The new toilet and sink will be for toddler children only. The toddler room has a changing table within reach of the sink in the room. The facility currently has a fully fenced playground area. The preschool playground fencing is a chain link and wrought iron fencing that is at least four feet high. LPA measured the upper preschool playground that also has a smaller fenced in area. The total square footage for the preschool playground is 4286.24 square feet, which is only sufficient to accommodate up to 57 children at one time insufficient for the requested capacity of 68 children. A playground waiver to share the playground at different times in the AM and PM due to limited square footage shall be submitted and approved prior to the approve of the capacity change. The toddler playground measured to be 891.18 square feet and it has a wrought iron fence that is at least four feet high. The total square footage for the toddler playground measured to be 891.18 square feet, which is only sufficient to accommodate 11 children at one time. Shade is provided via trees and large canopy at the preschool playground and the toddler playground has two large tarps use as shade. There are sufficient outdoor age-appropriate toys and play equipment available on both playgrounds. There is a climbing structure on the preschool playground that appears to be age for preschool children. There is adequate cushioning in fall zones of climber provided by square rubber matting. Drinking water is available via the children's own water bottles when the children are at the playground. LPA observed all hazardous items on the playground to be inaccessible to children. Director/administrator was reminded that any changes to the facility must be reported to and approved by Community Care Licensing. Director was reminded that all adults 18 and over responsible for administration or direct supervision of staff, persons who provides care and supervision to children, and staff who have contact with children, 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. A license for 11 toddlers ages 18 to 36 months in room 5 and 70 preschool children ages 2 to kindergarten in room 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be granted upon a final file review. The following corrections are needed prior to the issuance of the capacity increase: An updated fire clearance shall be approved for the updated capacity request of 11 toddlers and 70 preschool children. Director/Administrator shall submit a picture of the new toilet and sink located in room #5 upon completion. Obtain an approved waiver for the outdoor activity space from the department. Submit an updated change of Director packet for Crystal Stringer. An updated application LIC200A and the updated sketch was obtained from the facility during today's inspection. Administrator also submit the outdoor playground waiver to LPA during today's inspection. See LIC809D for type B citations issue. Administrator understands that all proof of corrections must be provided to the Department within 30 days, or the application may be denied. Notice of site visit shall be posted for 30 days. LPA provided appeal rights to facility representatives today.