Lead safety check·March 6, 2024

On March 6, 2024 at approximately 2:15pm, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Catrina Quimbo conducted an unannounced, case management visit in regard to lead testing in childcare centers. LPA met with director, Veronica Vasquez, and explained the purpose of the visit. At time of LPA's visit, children were sleeping. Present during visit included director, 5 teaching staff and 41 preschool children. Program operates in 3 classrooms: Chicks (2-3 year olds), Pandas (3-4 year olds), and Caterpillars (4-5 year olds). Food service is provided to preschool children that included morning and afternoon snack. Food is prepared in facility's kitchen. Drinking water is made available to children, indoors and outdoors, with children's individual water containers. Water can be refilled, through water pitchers that are refilled on site. 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. As of this date, facility is not completed lead water testing that is in accordance to the Written Directives outlined in PIN 21-21.1-CCP. Per director, facility may have been built in 2009 or 2010. Documentation proving when building was constructed was not available during LPA's visit. LPA referred director 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 requirement prior to due date. A plan of correction was discussed and appeal rights were provided. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with director, Veronica Vasquez.