Pre-licensing visit·September 27, 2023

On September 27, 2023 at approximately 8:30am, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Catrina Quimbo conducted a scheduled pre-licensing inspection. LPA met with with applicant, Barbara Graves, and center director, Teresa Wertman, and explained the purpose of the visit. The Stratford School application was received August 16, 2023. Fire inspection was conducted September 26, 2023. Department received fire clearance September 27, 2023. The applicant is requesting for a preschool program with a capacity of 144 preschool children. Applicant is planning to serve children ages 2 years old to entry into Kindergarten. The facility will operate Monday through Friday 7:00am to 6:00pm. Applicant plans for children to be signed in and out of facility with authorized representatives' electronic signatures via an electronic application. Hard copy of sign in/out sheets are also made available if needed. The designated director for the facility will be Teresa Wertman. The facility was inspected indoors and outdoors, for health and safety hazards, and measured to calculate capacity. Indoors: There are 6 classrooms that will be utilized for the preschool program: Classroom #1 to Classroom #6. The facility also includes a lobby area, a main office, staff room, kitchen, and "sick room". Classroom #1 was measured for 858.9 sq. ft. allowing for a capacity of 24 children. Classroom #2 was measured for 883.4 sq. ft. allowing for a capacity of 25 children. Classroom #3 was measured for 888.3 sq. ft. allowing for a capacity of 25 children. Classroom #4 was measured for 868.4 sq. ft. allowing for a capacity of 24 children. Classroom #5 was measured for 830.4 sq. ft. allowing for a capacity of 23 children. Classroom #6 was measured for 908.2 sq. ft. allowing for a capacity of 25 children. Total indoor square footage equals 5,237.6 sq. ft. allowing for a total capacity of 149 children. (Continue Report on Page 2...) (Continued, Page 2...) LPA observed each classroom to be well ventilated with appropriate temperature. Each classroom is equipped with furniture, toys and materials that were age appropriate and in good working condition. Flooring in classrooms were observed to be clean with new carpets. There is sufficient storage space for children's personal belongings located inside each classroom. LPA observed cubbies and shelves to be properly labeled with children's names. LPA observed electrical outlets in each classroom to be made inaccessible, with child safety covers. Poisons, cleaning supplies, and hazardous materials were observed to be stored in classrooms' high shelves, properly labeled. Classrooms are equipped with first aid kits, emergency backpacks and children's emergency contact information. Per director, staff are to bring emergency backpacks with children's emergency contact information from indoors to outdoor area daily. Classrooms are equipped with fire sprinklers, smoke detectors and dual smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, located in classrooms' high ceilings. LPA was unable to test detectors during visit. LPA observed detectors in classrooms' high ceilings. Medication for children will be stored in main office with required documentation. This facility plans to provide Incidental Medical Services \342\200\223 IMS. For IMS information, see PIN 22-02-CCP. A Plan of Operation that includes IMS must be submitted to the Department. The following information regarding ADA was provided: US Department of Justice (USDOJ) tollfree 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, available at: http://www.ada.gov/childqanda.htm . Program plans to provide napping children with cots, that will be stored in the classroom. Children's families are to provide sheets and blankets for napping children. Sheets and blankets will be stored in children's cubbies, located in the classroom. Per director, sheets will be sent home weekly or as needed. Director plans for cots to be sanitized daily. Applicant plans for isolation area to be the "Sick Room" located in facility. LPA observed sick room to include a separate bathroom and children's cot, if needed. Program's discipline policy was discussed. Director plans for children to be supported by staff with a social emotional curriculum, and communicating with families. (Continue Report on Page 3...) (Continued, Page 3...) Each classroom includes 2 sinks that are accessible to children and 2 toilets. There are 12 children's sinks and 12 toilets. Total allowable capacity for sinks is 180 children. Total allowable capacity for toilets is 180 children. LPA observed sinks and toilets to be in proper working condition. Sinks children have access to do not provider water that is warmer than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. LPA observed each bathroom located in classroom to have a closed door. LPA advised doors to be removed from bathrooms for staff to maintain supervision on children. Classrooms include a garbage bin with a tight fitting lid. Program plans to provide a food service that includes morning and afternoon snack only. Children's families are to provide lunch that will be brought in children's individual lunch boxes that will be stored in children's individual cubbies. Microwaves are located in each classroom that staff can reheat children's lunches. LPA observed kitchen in facility to be clean and properly equipped with a refrigerator and sink. LPA did not observe poisons or cleaning solutions to be stored in kitchen. Water is made available throughout the facility with drinking fountains. Each classroom will also have a filtered water pitcher that can be refilled in classrooms' sinks. The requirement for Lead Water Testing was discussed (H&S Code 1597.16). Applicant was reminded a facility licensed after July 1, 2022, must have their water fixtures tested for lead 180 days after licensure and every 5 years thereafter. LPA advised applicant to review PIN 21-21-CCP. Outdoor: Access to the outdoor area is located through the door between Classroom #1 and Classroom #6. Total outdoor area measures for 3,614 sq. ft. allowing for a capacity of 48 children. Applicant plans to submit an outdoor rotational waiver. Outdoor area is equipped with a variety of outdoor toys and materials that were observed to be in good working condition. There is a play structure that was observed to have resilient padding underneath. Outdoor flooring includes an area with artificial turf and concrete for tricycle riding. LPA observed outdoor area to be fully fenced and provide adequate shade. LPA reviewed with applicant and director, the LIC 311A, Records to Be Maintained At The Facility, for child\342\200\231s records, personnel records, administrative records, and documents to be posted. (Continue Report on Page 4...) (Continued, Page 4...) Applicant and director are aware emergency disaster drills must be conducted and documented at least once every six months. LPA observed required licensing documentation to be properly posted and available for review in facility lobby. Applicant was reminded that all adults 18 and over responsible for administration or direct supervision of staff, persons who provides care and supervision to children, and staff who have contact with children, 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. Applicant was informed of the MyChildCarePlan.org site, 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. Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) regularly sends information to licensed facilities, providers, and stakeholders by way of Provider Information Notices (PIN), Program Quarterly Update Newsletters and other important information communication platforms. To receive important licensed related information to licensed facilities, visit the CCLD Important Information website at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/community-carelicensing/ subscribe and select the Child Care option to receive email communication. Based on fire clearance, maximum number program can be licensed for is 144 preschool children. During visit, LPA received outdoor waiver request. Prior to recommended licensure, following must be completed: -Submission and approval of Monthly Operating Statements (LIC401). Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the applicant, Barbara Graves.