Inspector’s narrative
What the inspector wrote
Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Kelly Gerth conducted an unannounced annual inspection for a large family childcare on the above date and time. LPA met with Licensee Valerie Bankhead Burks, who guided LPA on a tour of the home. There was 08 child present with Licensee and Assistant when LPA arrived.
The facility operates Monday through Friday from 07:00 AM to 05:00PM each day. Certain areas are off-limits, including entire second floor, living room, kitchen and garage. The facility is licensed as a large Family Child Care Home (FCCH) with a maximum capacity of fourteen children and is operating within the licensed capacity of the license. The fire clearance for a large family childcare was approved 03/04/2015 by Oceanside Fire Department
A working telephone is available, and the current phone number on file is correct. A fully charged fire extinguisher (2A:10BC) was observed, along with a functioning smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector. All hazardous items, including toxins, are stored securely and are inaccessible to children. Stairs are barricaded with a baby gate when children are in care, Licensee was reminded to ensure a barricade for the stairs is in place at all times during daycare hours.
No weapons are present per Licensee Valerie Bankhead Burks. The Licensee understands that all firearms, weapons, and ammunition must be locked separately and made inaccessible as per Title 22 Regulations.
There are
no
any pools, spas, or other bodies of water, confirmed by the Licensee. Licensee Valerie Bankhead Burks understands that all bodies of water including ponds, above ground pools, spas, and some fountains must be properly covered or fenced per Title 22 Regulations. The Department must be notified before and after installation of the above types of bodies of water. In addition, all wading pools or similar products must be emptied immediately after use and stored in an upright position.
The facility provides clean, safe, and age-appropriate toys for children.
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Licensee currently has
13 children enrolled,
which is reflected on the roster.
The required postings, including the Facility Sketch, Emergency Disaster Plan, and Notification of Parent\342\200\231s Rights, are displayed. Fire and disaster drill documentation is maintained, with the last drill conducted on
02/06/2026.
Both children's and employees' records were reviewed. The Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification expires on
08/30/2027
. Licensee Health and Safety Certificate was completed on
07/14/2013.
Resident and staff records were reviewed, and all adults requiring caregiver background checks have received the necessary clearances and exemptions.
Licensee Valerie Bankhead Burks was reminded that all adults 18 and over living in the home, persons who provide 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 licensed Family Child Care Home. 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.
LPA discussed the safe sleep regulations with Licensee Valerie Bankhead Burks 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/Facility Representative, of the importance of checking for and removing 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.
This facility provides Incidental Medical Services \342\200\223 IMS. LPA reviewed storage of medication and equipment/supplies, and reviewed children\342\200\231s, personnel, and administrative records. For IMS information see
PIN 22-02-CCP
. 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/
Licensee Valerie Bankhead Burks 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.
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Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) regularly sends information to licensed facilities, providers, and stakeholders by way of Provider Information Notices (PIN), Program Quarterly Update Newsletters, and other important information communication platforms. To receive important licensed related information to licensed facilities, visit the CCLD Important Information website at
https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/communitycare-licensing/subscribe
and select the Child Care option to receive email communication.
To improve the quality and value of the new inspection process, a survey may be sent to the email address provided. Please complete the survey and share your inspection experience. If you have any questions regarding the process for CARE tools, please send the email inquiries 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
.
On this date,
03/06/2026,
the California Attorney General - Megan\342\200\231s Law website was searched for information on sex offenders required to register with local law enforcement under California's Megan's Law. No registered sex offenders were found at the facility address. Under state law, some registered sex offenders are not subject to public disclosure; therefore, they may not have been included in this search. However, the Department conducts a monthly cross reference of each address on record for all registered sex offenders against all CCLD facility addresses pursuant to information shared by California DOJ. During the exit interview, Licensee Valerie Bankhead Burks confirmed that there are no Registered Sex Offenders living in the facility and LPA completed the RSO profile in FAS.
The Duty Officer is available to answer questions Monday \342\200\223 Friday; 8:00am to 5:00pm at: 951-782-4200. All Unusual Incident Reports can be submitted online at
UnusualIncidentReportsDO10@dss.ca.gov
.
See 809-D page for deficiencies cited
A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. An exit interview was conducted, and a copy of this this report was reviewed with and handed to Licensee Valerie Bankhead Burks Appeal rights were discussed and provided during the exit interview.