Routine inspection·September 28, 2023

On 9/28/23, at 12:30 PM, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Francisca Velazquez conducted a unannounced One Year Required inspection of the Family Child Care Home (FCCH). The inspection is also to address a change of areas accessible to children in care. Licensee has converted her garage into livable space and would like the area to be accessible to children in care. LPA met with Maria Hilda Vargas, Licensee of the FCCH and explained the purpose of the inspection. LPA, in the company of the Licensee, toured the interior and exterior of the FCCH. The primary home consists of kitchen/dining room, living room, daycare area, two (2) bathrooms, three (3) bedrooms and backyard. The home had a garage that was converted to livable space. The converted garage consists of living room, kitchen, bathroom and one (1) bedroom. Licensee reported that moving forward all daycare services will take place in the converted garage and outdoor yard, while the entire primary home will be excluded from daycare services. At the time of the inspection, eight (8) children are present. The home was orderly and void of hazardous items. The bathroom used by the children was observed to be clean and free of toxins. Cleaning compounds are secured under the sink in the kitchen and in the home's laundry room which is excluded from care by means of a gate. Sharps are observed in an elevated cabinet in the kitchen, while medication is secure in another elevated cabinet in the kitchen. Toys, furniture, and equipment observed in the FCCH are age appropriate. LPA inspected the converted garage and observed bathroom is clean and free of toxins. LPA observed an open face heater that is covered and inaccessible to children in care. Cleaning compounds are secured in a locked closet. Per licensee, there will be no sharps or medication in the daycare area. Licensee is planning on preparing food in the primary kitchen of the home and heating up the food in the kitchen in the daycare area. LPA observed a fire extinguisher (2A10BC) in the daycare area which was purchased on 4/3/23. LPA reminded Licensee of the responsibility to service or purchase a regulation fire extinguisher annually. The daycare area has numerous combination smoke/carbon monoxide detectors. CONT 809-C A combination smoke/carbon monoxide detector was tested in the living room of the daycare area at 1:11 PM and found to be operable. The outdoor yard is enclosed by wooden fencing and has plenty of gross mother activities for the children in care. Toys and play equipment observed in backyard are age appropriate and in satisfactory condition. LPA observed two storages that are locked an inaccessible to children. In addition, LPA observed fences and gates making part of the outdoor inaccessible to children in care. There is plenty of shading to afford the children in care. Filtered water is always accessible to children by means of individual water cups. LPA did not observe any bodies of water. LPA reviewed a sampling of children's records. Records reviewed were complete and contained required licensing documentation and forms. The Licensee's records are also current and complete with Pediatric CPR and First Aid certifications expiring on 2/28/24 (EMSA approved). Licensee\342\200\231s Mandated Reporting training is current, with an expiration date of 7/22/24. Licensee reported there are guns and ammunition in the home. LPA observed ammo is stored in a locked fling cabinet. Guns are stored in a large safe that requires a key to open. Per licensee, only licensee and licensee\342\200\231s spouse have the key to open the safe. Licensee has converted her garage into livable space. Licensee has updated facility sketch to reflect the entire primary home to be inaccessible to children in care. In addition, Licensee has submitted city permit reflecting the garage is now a livable space. The Santa Maria Fire Department inspected the converted garage and granted a fire clearance on 8/12/23. Incidental Medical Services (IMS) policy was discussed. For IMS information see PIN 22-02CCP. When any IMS is provided, a Plan for Providing IMS must be submitted to the Department. 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, available at: http://www.ada.gov/childqanda.htm . CONT 809-C Licensee was reminded that all adults 18 and over living in the home, persons who provide 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 licensed Family Child Care Home. 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. During the exit interview, the Licensee confirmed that there are no Registered Sex Offenders living in the facility and LPA completed the RSO profile in FAS on 9/28/23. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the Licensee, Maria Hilda Vargas.