Routine inspection·June 30, 2025

On 06/30/2025 at 9:00am, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Jialing \342\200\234Julianne\342\200\235 Zhu met with Director Cynthia \342\200\234Cindy\342\200\235 Alvarez for an unannounced annual inspection . Present during the inspection were Executive Director Dibjot Gill, Director, four (4) fingerprint-cleared staff, and 39 children (4 toddlers and 35 preschool-age) in care. One additional staff who is not associated to the facility was also present. Upon arrival, LPA provided director a copy of the Entrance Checklist (LIC 125). The facility was toured to conduct a Health and Safety Inspection. The facility\342\200\231s current hours of operation are Monday - Friday from 7:45am - 5:30pm. The facility is a preschool licensed with a toddler (18-36 months of age) component to serve a maximum of 10 toddlers. LPA observed the indoor and outdoor spaces for the toddler component are physically separate from the preschool license. However, LPA observed toddlers and preschool-aged children were comingled for AM snack and nap time. Classrooms: This facility is licensed with three (3) classrooms and a common space. The layout of the classrooms are open concept with the exception of one (1) classroom. Classrooms were inspected for age-appropriate furnishings, equipment, and adequate storage for children\342\200\231s belongings. LPA observed the cleanliness of floors and surfaces. The facility is equipped with telephone service, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, pull-down fire alarms, and fully charged 3A40BC fire extinguishers that are accessible throughout the facility. Per director, the alarms are serviced annually by the Palo Alto Fire Department. Fully stocked first-aid kits are available in the classrooms. LPA inspected the napping equipment (sleep cots.mats and bedding) and observed them to be stored in a healthful manner. Bedding is brought from home and returned home to be washed weekly. Drinking water is accessible by children in the classrooms. The isolation area for when a child is sick is by the director\342\200\231s desk. Infant Safe Sleep (ages 0-24 months): Toddlers (18-24 months) sleep on cots/mats. 15-minute sleep checks are conducted and documented. Page 1 of 4. See LIC 809C. Food Service Areas: The facility provides AM/PM snacks to children in care. Children bring meals from home, which can be heated up in the off-limits kitchen. All center provided food items are properly labeled and stored separately from cleaning supplies. Food prep area is clean, adequately equipped, and free from hazardous materials. Snack menus are posted and were reviewed. Solid waste bins are equipped with tight fitting lids. Bathrooms and Changing Stations: Facility has separate staff and child designated bathrooms. Toilets and faucets are in safe, sanitary, and operating condition. The children are able to reach the sinks, toilets, and supplies. Changing stations are set-up and maintained according to Title 22 regulations. Outdoor Play Area: There are three (3) main outdoor play areas on premises, with the \342\200\234backyard\342\200\235 as the designated area for toddlers. The outdoor play areas are fully fenced. All equipment and surfaces are free from hazards. There is ample shade available. There are age-appropriate outdoor toys and materials for the children. The play structures are securely installed into the ground. The ground surrounding the play structure is sufficiently padded with sand/mulch and in good condition for safety. Drinking water is accessible by children when outside. There are no pools or other bodies of water on premises. Files and Record Keeping Review: LPA was able to review the facility roster and personnel report during today\342\200\231s inspection; Director will email copies to LPA after the inspection. LPA reviewed five (5) staff files. One staff on site did not have a complete file readily available for review. At least one opening/closing staff member has a current Pediatric CPR/First-Aid Certification. Director\342\200\231s CPR/First-Aid Certificate is current and expires on 06/22/2026. Mandated Reporter Training certificates were reviewed and current. Director\342\200\231s Mandated Reporter training certificate expires on 08/19/2026. LPA reviewed five (5) children\342\200\231s files. Children\342\200\231s files were complete. The center utilizes an electronic sign-in/out system and is in compliance with sign-in/out procedures. The last fire/disaster drills was a fire drill conducted on 06/11/2025. Per director, there are no firearms on the premises. All required documents are posted in a publicly accessible area. Page 2 of 4. See LIC 809C. Record Keeping and Reporting Requirements: Director was reminded that EMSA approved Pediatric CPR & First Aid training must be completed every two (2) years. Mandated Reporter Training ("Child Care Providers") is required for all staff and is to be renewed every 2 years by visiting https://mandatedreporterca.com/ . Facility roster and personnel report must be properly maintained, and fire/disaster drills must be conducted at least every six (6) months and documented. Effective August 1, 2003 California Law requires Child Care Licensees to report unusual incidents or injuries to children in care to child\342\200\231s parents and to the Department of Social Services using the Unusual Incident/Injury Form (LIC 624). Incidents must be reported within 24 hours to the regional office by phone and the written report, LIC 624, within seven (7) business days. LPA informed Director that all forms can be downloaded at www.ccld.ca.gov . Criminal Record Clearance: 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. Lead Testing: 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 referred director to the Department website for lead: Lead Toxicity Prevention and Water Testing Information. This facility\342\200\231s latest lead testing was completed on 02/21/2023 with no lead exceedances. Incidental Medical Services (IMS): This facility does provide Incidental Medical Services (IMS). LPA observed medications are stored securely and are made inaccessible to children in care. A sample of children\342\200\231s medications were inspected to ensure that they are properly labeled and in compliance with expiration dates. 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)/ (800) 514-0383 (TTY) and link to publication: Commonly Asked Questions about Child Care Centers and the ADA, available at http://www.ada.gov/resources/child-care-centers/ . Page 3 of 4. See LIC 809C. CCLD Inspection Process: To improve the quality and value of the new inspection process, a survey will 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 tools, please send them by email 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/process . Four (4) deficiencies were cited during today\342\200\231s inspection: One (1) Type A Deficiency: 1 of 7 staff present at the facility during the inspection did not have a fingerprint clearance associated to the facility and was providing care and supervision to the children. Three (3) Type B Deficiencies: 2 of 7 staff present at the facility did not have a completed file readily available for LPA to review during the inspection; the facility is operating over-ratio as there are not enough teachers and fully-qualified teachers; LPA observed toddlers comingling with preschool-age children during snack and nap time. As a result of the Type A deficiency cited during today\342\200\231s inspection, a copy of this report and LIC 9224 Acknowledgment of Receipt of Licensing Reports must be provided to parents/guardians of current enrolled children in care and all children newly enrolled following a 12-month period of this report. The LIC 9224 must be signed within the next business day the children are in care and is to be kept in the children\342\200\231s files. Civil penalties were also issued for repeat violations. A Notice of Site Visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview was conducted, report was reviewed, and Appeal Rights were provided to Director Cindy Alvarez. Page 4 of 4. End of Report.