Routine inspection·September 12, 2025

On September 12, 2025, at approx. 12:35 pm Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Maria Olguin-Leon conducted an unannounced, annual inspection at Menlo Park City School District Early Learning Program. LPA met with Bilingual Program Manager Cynthia Nava and explained the purpose of the inspection. Director Chana Stewart arrived during inspection. Present in the facility today were the Bilingual Program Manager, Director and 8 staff caring for 31 children. Criminal Background clearances for staff working at the facility are completed by Menlo Park City School District. Facility is operating within capacity and in compliance with staff/child ratio. The facility operates a full-time preschool program Monday -Friday 7:45am \342\200\223 5:30pm, following the school year calendar. LPA toured the indoors and outdoors of the facility for health and safety hazards. Preschool program operates on the site of Lower Laurel School Campus. Preschool program operates in three classrooms: G2(Quails), G3, (Wren) and G5(Colibries), G4 is currently not being used as a classroom. Classrooms are clean and orderly with proper temperature and ventilation. LPA observed a variety of age-appropriate toys, child size furniture, a loft (G5 & G3), learning materials, indoor dramatic play areas and sleeping mats/cots all in good repair. Storage cubbies are available for children to store personal items and belongings. Each classroom has a restroom with a working toilet and sinks with no running hot water. LPA observed a diaper changing table in G3 restroom. A separate restroom is available for staff use. Trash containers in restrooms and classrooms have tight fitted lids. All cleaning products, chemicals and toxins are stored and locked in cabinets and inaccessible to children. LPA observed sleeping mats and cots labeled with children\342\200\231s names. Bedding used for sleeping is sent home weekly for laundering. Each classroom has its own outside play area (Lanai) and three separate shared yards that include Prairie, Meadow and River playgrounds, which are used on a scheduled time. LPA observed plenty of age-appropriate toys, sand play areas, play structures, climbing dome and ride one toy, all in good condition. LPA observed an umbrella and sunshades for providing shade for children in care. Entire outdoor play areas are enclosed with a 3 ft. fence. LPA did not observe any pools, spas, or other similar bodies of water on the premises. Cont. Page 2... Page 2... The facility provides lunch and two snacks for children in care. Meals are provided by the Lunch Master Program and delivered daily. LPA observed menus posted. LPA observed the kitchen area to be clean, and food stored properly to prevent contamination. Children bring their own water bottles from home and are labeled with children\342\200\231s names. Facility refills water bottles from classroom sink water faucets. First aid kits are fully stocked with medical supplies. Incidental Medical Services were discussed. Sick children are isolated in the office area and away from other children. Per Director, there are no weapons or firearms on the premises. Children are signed in and out electronically using the Bright Wheel app. Parents use QR code to sign children in and out. Parents have a unique PIN# to sign into app and provide a signature on Bright wheel for signing in and out. Classrooms are equipped with fully charged fire extinguishers. LPA observed each classroom equipped with a thermostat with a CO2 reader. The facility has a fire alarm system in each classroom. Per Director, fire department inspected fire alarm during the summer. Classrooms are equipped with landline phones and walkie talkies for communication purposes. LPA reviewed 5 children\342\200\231s files and 6 staff files; all files were complete with necessary documents. Children\342\200\231s files are kept electronically on the Bright Wheel app. The facility has all necessary paperwork posted, Facility License, Notification of Parent's Rights, Notification of Personal Rights, Car Seat Law, and Emergency Disaster Plan. Technical assistance was provided for posting of current menus. The last emergency drill was conducted on August 28, 2025, and is properly documented. This facility provides Incidental Medical Services \342\200\223 IMS. LPA reviewed storage of \342\200\234medication 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/ . Cont. page 3... Page 3... LPA discussed the safe sleep regulations with Director and discussed the Child Care Licensing Safe Sleep webpage at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing/public-information-and-resources/safe-sleep as an additional resource. LPA also informed licensee [or facility representative] of the importance of checking for 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. 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. 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. For child care center licenses issued after July 1, 2022, the licensee shall test their water for lead within 180 days of licensure pursuant to Written Directives section 101700 (PIN 21-21.1-CCP). LPA verified that the lead testing was completed in accordance to the Written Directives outlined in PIN 21-21.1-CCP. 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 encourages the director to frequently visit our website at www.ccld.ca.gov for licensing regulations and new updates. 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. Cont. page 4... Page 4... 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 During LPA\342\200\231s visit no deficiencies were issued in accordance with Title 22 regulations. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Failure to comply with posting requirements may result in an immediate civil penalty of $100. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the Director, Chana Stewart.