Routine inspection·October 15, 2025

On October 15th, 2025, at approximately 12:35 PM, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Janet Gil conducted an unannounced, annual inspection. LPA met with director, Maria Julie Picardal and explained the purpose of the visit. Preschool program operates at Our Lady of Mercy School in classrooms: Preschool Room A (Caterpillars), Preschool Room B (Wise Owls A) and Preschool Room C (Wise Owls B) classrooms. On day of inspection, preschool program is currently operating in two classrooms only: The Caterpillars (2.5 years to 3 years old) in Preschool Room A and Wise Owls (3.5 years old to 4 years old) in Preschool Room B. Per director, Preschool Room C (Wise Owls B), is used when outdoor area has hot or rainy weather conditions. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, with extended care hours from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM available. Present during LPA's visit included 4 staff (including director) and 17 preschool children. Program is operating within capacity limits and ratio during LPA's visit. All teaching staff present have fingerprint clearance on file. LPA inspected day care areas for health and safety hazards with the director. LPA observed classrooms to be clean and organized. Classrooms include a variety of toys, materials, and furniture that are age appropriate and in working condition. Per director, toys and materials are sanitized daily after each use. Storage for children's belongings are located inside the classroom, labeled with children's individual names. LPA observed cleaning solutions and chemicals to be inaccessible in classrooms' high shelves. Children nap in Wise Owls A classroom on cots. Sheets are provided by the facility. Children's families provide blankets if they wish to do so. All sheets are washed weekly by the facility. Personal blankets are taken home to be laundered. Facility does not provide a food service. Children's families or authorized representatives provide all foods. All restrooms for children's use were observed to be in working condition. Restrooms include appropriate sanitation and toileting equipment. Per director, there are enrolled children in diapers. Children's families provide diapers and wipes. LPA observed children's diapers and wipes to be appropriately stored and labeled with their individual names. LPA observed garbage cans in all classrooms to have tight fitting lids. Continue on Page 2... Continued, Page 2... LPA observed all classrooms to be equipped with a fully charged fire extinguisher, smoke alarm, smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector. LPA tested carbon monoxide detectors in in Preschool A (Caterpillars), and Preschool B (Wise Owls A), which were observed to be working. All classrooms contain a fully stocked first aide backpack. Outdoor area is fully enclosed and fenced. LPA observed outdoor area to have a variety of outdoor toys and materials in working condition. LPA did not observe any pools, spas, or bodies of water in day care areas. Drinking water is available both in doors and outdoors with children's individual water bottles that can be refilled on site through water bottles (if needed). Children are signed into and out of program with authorized representatives' written signatures. LPA observed children to be appropriately signed in. LPA reviewed 7 children's records. Children's records are complete with emergency contact information and admission agreements. LPA reviewed 4 teaching staff's files, which were also complete. All present staff have a current CPR/First Aid certification. All teaching staff present have proof of their required immunization. Teaching staff also have a current Mandated Reporter certification on file. Licensing documents are properly posted and available for review in each classroom. Emergency disaster drills are conducted monthly and are appropriately documented. Last disaster drill was conducted 9/19/2025. A child care roster was made available for LPA's review during visit. Facility was informed that as of September 1, 2016, a person may not be employed or volunteer at a child care facility unless he or she has been immunized against influenza, pertussis, and measles or qualifies for an exemption pursuant to Health and Safety code 1596.7995 and 1597.662. Director is aware that all staff is required to complete Mandated Reporter Training every two years. The training can be obtained online at www.mandatedreporterca.com . LPA observed the completed certificate on file. LPA encourages the director to frequently visit our website at www.ccld.ca.gov for licensing regulations and new updates. 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. Continue on Page 3... Continued, Page 3... 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 Facility representative 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. 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-carecenters/ . 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. No deficiencies were cited today under CCR, Title 22, Div. 12, Chapt. 1. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the director, Maria Julie Picardal.