Incident investigation·October 7, 2022

An unannounced case management visit was made to the facility by Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Y. Yang and C. Fernandes-Goes in response to a self reported, lack of supervision incident involving child C1 and C2 and staff S1 and staff S2 that occurred on 09/27/22. During today’s visit, the LPA met with the center director, Alex Pepper to discuss the incident. It was reported by center director Pepper that on 09/27/22, while on the center's main preschool playground, child C1 and C2 separated from their classmates and returned to the “preschool classroom” without the supervision or escort of a staff member. The center director stated that the preschool classroom is adjacent to the main preschool play yard and has its own unlocked door that leads from the classroom to the play yard. The center director reported that based on the “Child Supervision Record” (CSR) for the day, Staff S1 and S2 were supervising a total of 21 children at the time. The center director reported that as S1 and S2 were attending to a child who was having a behavioral episode on the play yard, C1 and C2 opened the door to the adjacent classroom and went inside without the staff’s knowledge. The center director stated that C1 and C2 were in the classroom without staff supervision for approximately 10-15 minutes before being spotted by a staff member (S3) walking by the classroom. The center director reported that S3 then escorted C1 and C2 back to their group, on the play yard. The center director stated that staff are required to perform “name to face” checks at every transition and update the CSR. The center director reported that the checks were completed during the indoor to outdoor transition and while in the play yard. However, the center director reported that a second head count was not completed after the child’s behavioral incident. This self reported incident was reported to CCLD as required per regulations. During today’s case management visit, no children were observed to be left without supervision. Based on available information, it has been determined that preschool staff S1 and S2 did not provide adequate supervision to child C1 and C2 during the incident on 09/27/2022. The following violation of the California Code of Regulations, Title 22; Division 12, was observed: see LIC 809D. This is a repeat violation, and a civil penalty will be assessed. This report was read and reviewed with the center director, Alex Pepper. Notice of site visit shall be posted for 30 days. Appeal rights provided.