Incident investigation·December 1, 2022

On December 1, 2022 at 8:25 a.m. Licensing Program Analyst, Leilani Curtis, conducted an unannounced inspection to follow up on a self-reported incident that occurred on 11/15/22, wherein a 3-year-old child (C1) was left unattended on the playground. LPA met with Director Sara Gibbs and proceeded to tour the facility. There were 50 children with 17 staff members present. Appropriate ratio/capacity was observed. Staff members have the required background clearances. All staff members are associated to the facility except for staff member Najat Abid Matti. The director states that today, 12/1/22, is Ms. Matti's first day at the facility. LPA interviewed the director and staff #1 (S1) via telephone from the facility. On 11/15/22 at approximately 4:22 p.m. S1 was supervising four children on the playground. The parent/guardian of three of those children picked up and signed their children out. S1 cleaned the playground and went back to her classroom at approximately 4:46 p.m. without the remaining child. The parent of C1 arrived at the facility and found her child alone on the playground. The parent (P1) took C1 to the classroom and signed the child out at 4:31 p.m. P1 advised the center director of the incident the next day, 11/16/22. C1 was not injured. The director and S1 state that P1 was able to retrieve her child from the playground because the perimeter facility gate is not locked during the day. P1 entered the facility unannounced, picked up her child and took him to the classroom. The director states that she met with the parent and the staff member regarding the incident. On 11/19/22 S1 was provided training on active supervision, and proper procedures to ensure that children are never left unattended. After the individual meeting with S1 a meeting was also held on 11/19/22 for all staff to discuss supervision. The director provided LPA with a copy of S1\342\200\231s written statement about the incident and other confidential information. See LIC809D for cited deficiency. A civil penalty has been assessed. LPA Curtis informed Director Gibbs that this report dated 12/1/22 documents one Type A citation. A Type A citation must be posted for 30 consecutive days as there is/are immediate risk(s) to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care. Also, LPA Curtis informed Director Gibbs to provide a copy of this licensing report dated 12/1/22 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. An exit interview was conducted with the director and appeal rights (LIC 9058) were discussed. The director\342\200\231s signature on this form acknowledges receipt of these rights. LIC 9213 NOTICE OF SITE VISIT FORM IS REQUIRED TO BE POSTED FOR 30 DAYS. LPA observed the director post notice of site visit.