Pre-licensing visit·November 10, 2025

On 11/10/2025 at 9:15 am, Licensing Program Analysts (LPA), Griselda Castellon, announced a pre-licensing inspection for the addition of the infant and toddler component. The current facility, number 374845455, will be closed once the licensee has satisfied the licensing requirements. Upon arrival, LPA met with Estrellita Moore, Program Director, and Sandra Romero, Site Supervisor. Sandra is requesting to be licensed for 9 infants (0-18 months) in classroom Seahorses, 16 toddlers (18-36 months) in classroom Seaweed, and 60 preschoolers (2– 5 years old) in classrooms Sea Turtles, Sea Stars, and Sea Lions . The hours of operation will be Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The center submitted an updated 200A to reflect the following changes: Name of facility Growing Minds West Mission and are requesting only infants and preschool children. They are requesting 24 (0-2 years old) infants in classrooms Seahorse and Seaweed and 60 preschoolers in classrooms (2–5 years old) in classrooms Sea Turtles, Sea Stars, and Sea Lions. Days and hours of operation Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM. All indoor and outdoor activity space utilized by the children was inspected today. LPA informed Sandra that staff are required to maintain direct visual supervision of the children at all times, both during indoor and outdoor activities. When medications are on site, Sandra stated that they will be in a higher cabinet located in each classroom inside a locked box . If medication needs to be refrigerated it will be stored inside a locked box. Each classroom has a fully equipped first aid kit stored inside a backpack. There is an operational plug-in carbon monoxide detector on site located in the hallway adjacent to the kitchen. All required licensing documents were obs erved posted in the hallway next to the lobby . Children will be signed in and out at in the lobby . Parents/Guardians sign in and out their children using Care Connect App. If the the App is not working the center will have physical sign-in and out sheets. LPA continued touring the facility and measured all indoor and outdoor activity spaces for the infant, and preschool areas. The total indoor activity space measured 856.53 square feet for infants, and 2386.10 square feet for preschoolers. These measurements are sufficient to accommodate the requested capacity for each age group. LPA observed that all indoor activity spaces were complete with safe, age-appropriate furniture and equipment for infants, and preschool children. This includes tables, chairs, cubbies, napping cots, bookshelves, and other activity supplies for the children. Feeding chairs have broad-based legs, plastic seats are in good repair, and trays lock onto chairs. Feeding chairs are made of washable, moisture-resistant material. Changing tables have at least 1” of padding covered with moisture-resistant, washable material. The sides of the changing table are at least 3” high, and the changing table is within arm’s reach of a sink. The diapering sink is not used for meal preparation or dishwashing. Cribs meet regulatory requirements. The crib area is separated from the activity space via a vinyl and wooden barrier.This barrier is at least four feet high, made of sound-absorbing material, and allows for supervision of napping children. There are a total of 3 cribs in the napping area. The facility has 2 cribs in storage and will add them in the napping area. The sleep logs are kept in the classroom inside the napping area. Needs and Services Plans, as well as Sleep Plans, are kept in a binder inside the classroom. Drinking water is available in infants, and preschool classrooms via water dispensers with disposable cups. LPA observed that all hazardous items were inaccessible to children. There are no bodies of water or weapons on the property.Fire clearance was granted on 06/03/2025. LPA observed adequate restrooms and sinks for all age groups. Infants have 5 sinks and 3 toilets, and preschoolers have 11 sinks and 6 toilets. All meet the required capacity. There is a separate staff restroom equipped with a toilet and a sink located next to the preschool children restroom. The isolation area for children who are ill will be the site supervisor office. The facility will provide breakfast, lunch and snacks. The kitchen area currently includes 1 microwave, 2 industrial refrigerators, 1 industrial freezer, 2 sinks, 1 electric stove, 1 oven, and 1 dishwasher. The kitchen area and food storage areas were observed free of rodents and/or vermin. Food was observed to be properly stored separately from cleaning materials. Hazardous items in the kitchen are inaccessible to children via a pony door. The facility currently has a fully fenced playground area for all components. Fencing brick wall is at least four feet high. The total square footage for the infant outdoor activity space is 1,459.00, which is not sufficient to accommodate the requested capacity. A playground waiver must be submitted and approved prior to licensure to share the playground at different times in the morning and afternoon due to limited square footage. Shade in the infant playground is provided via two permanent canopies. There are sufficient outdoor age-appropriate toys and play equipment available on the playground. There are no climbing structure on the playground. The total square footage for the preschool outdoor activity space is 2,576.00, which is not sufficient to accommodate the requested capacity. A playground waiver must be submitted and approved prior to licensure to share the playground at different times in the morning and afternoon due to limited square footage. Shade in the preschool playground is provided via three permanent canopies. There are sufficient outdoor age-appropriate toys and play equipment available on the playground. There is a rock climbing wall structure on the playground for children ages 2-12 years old which is properly anchored. There is adequate cushioning in the fall zones of the climber provided by rubber matting. Drinking water is available via an Igloo Water Dispenser with disposable cups when children are outside. LPA observed that all hazardous items on the playgrounds were inaccessible to children. Sandra was reminded that any changes to the facility must be reported to and approved by Community Care Licensing. For childcare center licenses issued after July 1, 2022, the licensee shall test their water for lead within 180 days of licensure, as per Written Directives section 101700 (PIN 21-21.1- CCP). The facility has had a lead test completed within the last five years from the pre-licensing visit date (03/18/2023) and is using the same outlets, you may submit a waiver request from the lead testing requirement to the Regional Office. A license for 24 infant s ( 0 weeks-2 years old) in r ooms Seahorse and Seaweed , and 60 preschoolers in classrooms (2–5 years old) in classrooms Sea Turtles, Sea Stars, and Sea Lions will be granted upon a final file review. The following corrections are needed prior to the issuance of the license: Submit photographs showing each completed correction. Infant Seahorses 1. Add a portable sink for changing table. 2. Napping wall/barrier must be at least 4 ft tall. Infant Seaweed 1. Add a portable sink for changing table. Preschool Sea Stars 1. Fish Tank Cover. Preschool Sea Lions 1. Add a strap on the hamster cage cover. 2. Add a sink for child use. Other 1. Add key locks on cabinets used to store hazardous cleaning products. Sandra Romero understands that all proof of corrections must be provided to the Department within 30 days, or the application may be denied. Sandra 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. This facility plans to provide Incidental Medical Services – IMS. For IMS information, see PIN 22-02-CCP. A 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, available at: http://www.ada.gov/childqanda.htm . LPA reviewed with Sandra the LIC 311A, Records to Be Maintained at The Facility, for the child’s records, personnel records, administrative records, and documents to be posted. LPA discussed the safe sleep regulations with Sandra and provided the Child Care Licensing Safe Sleep webpage at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing/public-information-and-resources/safe-sleep as an additional resource. LPA also informed Sandra 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 that they register all infant devices with the CPSC to be notified of any recalls on their purchased equipment. Sandra was informed of the MyChildCarePlan.org site, a consumer education website that helps families obtain childcare by connecting them to childcare providers and Resource and Referral Agencies (R&Rs) throughout California. An exit interview was conducted, and the report was reviewed with Director Sandra Romero. The Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) regularly sends information to licensed facilities, providers, and stakeholders via Provider Information Notices (PINs), Program Quarterly Update Newsletters, and other important communication platforms. To receive important licensed-related information to licensed facilities, visit the CCLD Important Information website at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/community-care-licensing/subscribe and select the Child Care option to receive email communication.