Routine inspection·April 10, 2025

On 4/10/25 AT 10:00 AM, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Gerald Poindexter, met with Erica Castaneda, center director, for the purpose of an unannounced annual inspection. There were 38 children present with 8 teachers in 4 classrooms. Facility is within ratio and capacity. LPA toured the facility. The rooms were clean, orderly and a comfortable temperature during this visit. Adequate ventilation and heating are available. The furniture, books, games, and toys are safe, age-appropriate and in good repair. There are a variety of activities available throughout the day. All required forms were posted. All storage containers and trashes containing solid waste have tight fitting lids and are in good repair. There is staff kitchen in the main building. There is an additional kitchen/classroom (called the “Atelier”) located in a separate building across the parking lot. This kitchen/classroom is used as part of a food education program included within the curriculum. Snacks/lunches are prepared there and transported to the main facility. LPA toured the kitchen, which is clean and sanitary. Food is stored in covered containers at 45 degrees or less and there is no expired or contaminated food present. Staff preparing food are using proper personal hygiene and food service practices. The food meets the nutritional requirements per regulation and is of good quality and proper quantity. The lunch/snack menu is posted, changes are recorded, and menus are stored for 30 days. Food has been stored separately from any chemicals or cleaning products. Drinking water is readily available. Napping equipment is sufficient for each child, bedding is stored separately, and mats/cots are disinfected after use. Facility has ensured that there is adequate space between mats/cots for easy passage and they are not blocking entrances or exits. Hand washing and toileting areas are in a safe, sanitary, and operating condition. Any wastewater used to clean is being discarded after use. Medications are kept in cabinets in each classroom, inaccessible to CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 children. Poisons, disinfectants, cleaning solutions and other items that are dangerous to children have been made inaccessible. There is no evidence of rodent or insect activity. Outdoor play area is fully fenced with sufficient cushioning and adequate shade. Age-appropriate playground equipment and outdoor surfaces are in a safe condition with any equipment securely bolted to the ground. Portable water is used outdoors. There are no bodies of water, firearms, or ammunition on the property. The carbon monoxide detector is operational. The facility has a written disaster plan in place that meets regulatory requirement and has been conducting and documenting evacuation drills every six months. The facility does not transport children. LPA reviewed sign in/out sheets, a sample of personnel records and a sample of children's records. There is at least one staff present with current CPR and First Aid certification. Facility is reminded the Mandated Reporter Training is to be retaken every two years and can be accessed at the following website: www.mandatedreporterca.com . 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 front lobby. Reporting requirements for positive Covid-19 results in children or staff were discussed to include contact with County Department of Public Health for guidance (619-692-8499) and Licensing (619-767-2248) to report the unusual incident for three or more cases. This facility provides Incidental Medical Services – IMS. LPA reviewed storage of “medication and equipment/supplies, and reviewed children’s, 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-carecenters/ . The center director 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. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 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. LPA verified that the lead testing was completed in accordance to the Written Directives outlined in PIN 21-21.1-CCP. The center director 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. During the exit interview, the center director confirmed that there are no Registered Sex Offenders working at the facility and LPA completed the RSO profile in FAS. Center director is advised to sign up for Quarterly Updates and Provider Information Notices (PINs) for one or more programs on our website: www.ccld.ca.gov . Select “Child Care” then “Quick Links” and Quarterly Updates. Select “Receive Important Updates” then put the email address in and choose which program(s) you would like to subscribe to and select “subscribe.” 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 or CARE tools, please send 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/inspection-process . See LIC 809D for deficiencies cited. LPA conducted child care quality management interview with Erica Castaneda, center director. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Ms. Castaneda. Appeal Rights provided. A NOTICE OF SITE VISIT WAS GIVEN AND WILL REMAIN POSTED FOR 30 DAYS. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100.