Pre-licensing visit·October 9, 2024

On October 9, 2024, at approximately 8:55am, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Maria Olguin-Leon conducted a pre-licensing visit to Challenge School Preschool program. LPA met with Director Hanan Gheith and explained the purpose of the visit, which was an unannounced Case Management inspection to add a Toddler Component to existing preschool license. Owner Grace Yee arrived during inspection. Present during today\342\200\231s visit was Owner, Directors, 13 staff and 42 preschool children. Program is currently licensed for a preschool program with a capacity of 88 children through facility #414002960. Applicant requested to add a toddler option component to licensed program. Applicant requested to add 12 toddler option children (18 months to 36 months) with 76 preschoolers (2 yrs. to 5 yrs. old). Currently, preschool program operates in lower level of building in the following classrooms: Room #3 which is divided into two classrooms, which consist of Ladybugs classroom and Butterflies classroom, Caterpillar classroom is in Room #1. On February 22, 2024, Classroom #1 was measured 466.43 sq. ft. allowing for a capacity of 13 children. Room #2 will be designated as the Toddler classroom. Toddler option request was submitted to office September 4, 2024. Fire inspection clearance was granted of October 3, 2024, from San Mateo Consolidated Fire department. LPA inspected toddler classroom that is to be added to preschool license. LPA inspected classroom for health and safety hazards and measured space to calculate capacity. Toddler classroom was previously the office area and a multipurpose room for children. Two swing doors have been installed in toddler room with child proof latches for inaccessibility to hallways and other classrooms. The wall previously behind office/multipurpose room has had a door frame installed and opens into toddler bathroom. Office area was moved to room #4. Entrance to facility has been moved to right side of building where new office area is located. Previous entrance into preschool program is now entrance to school age program only and door leading into toddler room will remain closed.. Cont. page 2\342\200\246 Page 2... Director was reminded preschool children and toddler option enrolled children must be kept physically separate and cannot commingle. Director was also reminded toddler option children must have written permission/consent from their authorized representatives to participate in toddler option component. Indoors: Facility will be using room #2 for the toddler classroom, which was previously used for the preschool program. Facility has four classrooms; the toddler classroom is located in middle of building. There are two low swinging doors installed in toddler classroom, which will remain closed for children to avoid comingling. The toddler option classroom is room #2 and was measured for 422.22 sq. ft. allowing for a capacity of 12 toddlers. The total useable indoor square footage equals 422.22 sq. ft. divided by 35 sq. ft. allowing for a total capacity of 12 toddlers. Outdoor : Toddler component will share the outdoor playground which is located behind toddler classroom. Facility has submitted shared playground waiver to share playground area with caterpillar classroom. Playground is surrounded with a 5 ft. metal fence and separate from the preschool outdoor playground. The off-limits toy storage area is barricaded with a 5 ft. metal fence. There are gazebos to provide shade for children. Outdoor areas consist of artificial grass, rubber tiles and tanbark to cushions falls and cement walkways. Playground is equipped with age-appropriate outdoor toys such: as a sand box, ride on toys, and small slide play structure all in good condition. The toddler option playground was previously measured for 1464.70 sq. ft. allowing for a capacity of 20 toddlers. Total useable outdoor square footage is 1464.70 sq. ft. divided by 75 sq. ft. allowing for a total capacity of 20 toddlers . The toddler areas were observed to be well ventilated with appropriate temperature. Flooring in classroom includes tile flooring, and rugs. LPA observed flooring in classroom to be clean. LPA reminded Director, that garbage bins must be equipped with tight fitting lids. There is a children restroom located next to classroom and is equipped with two child size sinks, a changing table, and not toilet. Per Director, toddler potty training children will use butterfly restroom next to toddler room on a scheduled basis. Changing table is next to sink and is equipped with diaper changing paper and bottom cabinets are equipped with child safety latches. LPA observed children\342\200\231s cubbies and sleeping cots to be stored in restroom. Cont. page 3... Page 3... Classroom is equipped with a working carbon monoxide detector and smoke alarm is integrated into fire alarm system. There are sufficient storage cubbies for children to store belonging which located in toddler restroom. Classroom is equipped with toys, books, and child size furniture that was observed to be in good repair and age appropriate. LPA did not observe any accessible poisons, cleaning solutions in the area. LPA observed electrical outlets in facility to be made inaccessible with child proof outlets and furniture. Toddlers will use sleeping cots for napping and napping cots will be stored in classroom restroom. Parents will provide sheets for sleeping cots and will be sent home weekly for washing. LPA reminded director children's sheets must be stored so that they are not touching each other. Medications with children's individual names and required documentation will be stored in a classroom emergency backpack located in each classroom. Facility will provide catered lunches for children in care, lunches are delivered daily from a local restaurant. LPA observed kitchen to be clean and snack to be properly stored to avoid contamination or spoiling. Menus are posted. 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 . The requirement for Lead Water Testing was discussed (H&S Code 1597.16). LPA advised applicant to review PIN 21-21-CCP. Facility has completed lead testing and use water from sinks to provide water to children in care. Applicant was reminded emergency disaster drills are to be conducted every six months and properly documented. Program signs children into and out of program using a Bright Wheel app and QR code are posted outside and inside of facility for parents to scan and sign children in to facility. Parents are assigned individual codes. Cont. page 4... Page 4... LPA reviewed with director, the LIC311A, Records to Be Maintained at The Facility, for child\342\200\231s records, personnel records, administrative records, and documents to be posted. Director was informed of the MyChildCarePlan.org site, a consumer education website that helps families obtain childcare by connecting them to childcare providers and Resource and Referral Agencies (R&Rs) throughout California. Director 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. 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-andresources/safe-sleep as an additional resource. LPA also informed applicant and director 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. LPA reminded Director to keep 15-minute sleep logs for all children under the age of 24 months. Based on visit today, the previously licensed preschool classrooms will allow for 76 preschool age children in classrooms #1(caterpillar), classroom #3 (butterflies & ladybugs) and toddler component will be added to classroom #2 for 12 toddler children. For a total capacity of 88 children. LPA will approve toddler option component with preschool license effective today,October 9, 2024. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Director, Hanan Gheith.