Lead safety check·January 15, 2026

On January 15, 2026 at approximately 12:30pm, Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Quimbo and Garcia conducted an unannounced, case management visit in regards to facility's lead testing. LPAs met with director, Viktoriya Beissekova, and explained the purpose of the visit. Present during visit included 25 preschool children with 4 teaching staff (including director). All teaching staff have fingerprint clearance on file and are associated to facility. Alpha Kids Academy is located on a single level facility that operates at Juniperro Serra Playground clubhouse in two classrooms. Preschool program provides a food service that includes morning and afternoon snack only. Disposable plates and materials are utilized. Children's families provide lunch. Drinking water is available to preschool children through a filtered water station with purchased water jugs. 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. Licensee, Natella Shtern, arrived at approximately 1:00pm. Licensee submitted an attestation to the department June 2023, stating water fixtures on site were not used for food preparation nor drinking. An approved attestation from the department was provided October 2023. Subsequently, facility tested their water fixtures for lead contamination March 2024. Per licensee, fixture was tested as a backup resource. Water fixtures tested are below the 5.5 ppb threshold. Due to the attestation being submitted to the department after the due date of January 1, 2023, facility did not follow Written Directives by due date. Licensee submitted water attestation June 2023. Facility also tested their water fixture after the due date of January 1, 2023. LPAs referred licensee to the Department website for lead: Toxicity Prevention and Water Testing Information. Facility is being cited a Type B citation for not completing lead water testing that is within accordance to Written Directives by due date. Appeal Rights were provided during visit. Deficiency will be cleared during today's visit as testing was completed. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with licensee, Natella Shtern.