Incident investigation·November 7, 2023

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Amy Strother made an unannounced case management visit to the facility after receiving an Unusual Incident Report (UIR) from the facility on 10/27/23, stating that a three year old child, C1 eloped from the facility on 10/26/2023. LPA met with facility representative, Blanca Hernandez (D1) to discuss the UIR. D1 stated, as written in the UIR, that C1 wandered away from the outdoor playground, where two staff, D1 and S1 were present. D1 stated that one staff, (S2) was inside of the classroom changing a diaper and another staff (S3) was cooking lunch in the kitchen. During today's visit, LPA conducted an interview with D1 who stated that on 10/26/23 she had been assisting C1, helping to put on C1\342\200\231s socks and shoes, when she observed a child across the yard in the sandbox display unsafe behavior toward another child. S1 stated that she ran across the yard from to prevent an incident from occurring in the sandbox and left C1's side. At the time this occurred, D1 stated that S1 was pushing children on the swing. D1 stated that when she turned back to make contact with C1, she did not see C1 on the play yard. Based on today's interview with D1, D1 immediately asked S1 if she had seen C1, who said "no", S1 looked inside the closed "blue room" classroom located outside and after not seeing C1, called for help from S2 & S3 through the open classroom window. D1 stated that while S1 was doing that, she went out the outdoor gate that leads to the parking lot, which was closed at the time. D1 stated that the door to the classroom from the yard was closed during the time C1 was not visible and the door is only accessible to open with a code entered by staff. D1 stated that once she got out the gate she could see down then driveway from the parking lot and observed C1 to be down the driveway standing with a passerby (A1). A1 did not give his name, but identified himself as a neighbor living near the school, stating that he was walking home from the store and noticed C1 alone in the driveway. D1 reunited with C1, who had not sustained any injuries. D1 one stated during today's interview that the whole incident was less than one minute. LPA and D1 measured the distance from the gate to the area C1 was found, the distance measured 100 feet. Continue on LIC809-C A review of sign-in/sign-out records indicate that 16 children were in care on 10/26/23, proofing that the facility was operating within the required supervision ratios when the incident occurred. Based on interview conducted and measurements taken, C1 left the play ground alone and was without supervision, about 100 feet away, for less than 1 minute. The following violation of the California Code of Regulations, Title 22; Division 12, has occurred: see LIC 809D. Appeal Rights were provided. LPA Strother informed facility representative Blanca Hernandez that this report dated 11/07/23 documents one of Type A citation. Type A citations shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there is immediate risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care. Also, LPA Strother informed the facility representative to provide a copy of this licensing report dated 11/07/23 that documents any Type A citation(s) to parents/guardians of all children currently enrolled by the next business day or the next day the children are in care, and to any newly enrolled parents/guardians for 12 months from the date of this report. A signed Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Report (LIC 9224), or other written statement, must be placed in the child's file for verification.