Facility-requested visit·September 27, 2023

On 09/27/2023, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Nancy Her conducted an unannounced case management inspection and met with Director of Early Education, Rebecca Ortega-Ortiz. LPA reviewed the reason of the inspection and a tour of the center was conducted both inside and outside. The center is at 534 North E Street in Porterville 93257. Licensee is requesting an increase of capacity from 48 to 96 preschool children. This program currently operates a full-day component in Classroom 3 and 4 that operates year-round, Monday - Friday - 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM AND a Part-Day component in Classroom 1 and 2 that operates on a traditional school year schedule; Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM and 12:15 PM - 3:15 PM. 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 verified that the lead testing was completed in accordance to the Written Directives outlined in PIN 21-21.1-CCP. Ms. Ortega-Ortiz stated that the center will provide breakfast, lunch and snacks. Food gets delivered to the preschool from a kitchen off-site. Children eat meals in the classrooms. Staff will utilize the office bathroom. Ill children will be isolated in the office and utilize the staff bathroom. The classrooms were observed to be clean and free of toxins. LPA observed that the furniture and equipment appeared to be safe and in good condition. The shelving units are anchored to prevent tipping onto children in care. There are enough tables, cubbies, chairs, mats and plenty of toys for children to play. LPA also reminded Director to not store anything on top of high bookcases that could potentially fall on children. There are working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in classrooms. LPA reviewed with Ms. Ortega-Ortiz, that any future changes to the classrooms are required to ensure that furniture does not tip over on to children, the furniture are to be anchored or situated that tipping does not occur. Classroom changes of furniture shall be situated that 100% visual supervision is always provided to children in care. There is a restroom in each classroom with two toilets and two sinks. Room measurements were taken and reviewed with Center Director, Angelica Arroyo. The total inside preschool area measured to an approximate 3360 square feet which will only accommodate the requested capacity of 96 preschool children at a time. There is adequate storage space available for children's belongings in the classroom. Director understands that children's equipment needs to match the capacity she is licensed for. Toys and equipment appear to be age appropriate. There is a total of 8 toilets and 12 sinks/hand washing fixtures which will accommodate the requested capacity of 96 preschool children. The center is providing water bottles to children to provide inside and outside drinking water. The approximate outside square footage for the preschool area is 10024 which will accommodate requested capacity of 96 preschool children. The preschool play area is gated all around. There is no play structure. There is a sandbox and plenty of age appropriate toys for children to play with. There is shade available where children can rest and get water. LPA reminded Ms, Ortega-Ortiz, to provide adequate supervision at all times. The first fire clearance of 96 was received on 09/15//23. Fire clearance was limited to only classrooms 2 and 3 by Porterville FD Fire Prevention. A new fire clearance will need to be requested or classrooms 1 and 4. This facility plans to provide Incidental Medical Services \342\200\223 IMS. For IMS information, see Evaluator Manual - Regulation Interpretations and Procedures for Child Care Centers Sections 101173 and 101226. 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) 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/childqanda.htm . Applicant was informed of the MyChildCarePlan.org site, a consumer education website that helps families obtain child care by connecting them to child care providers and Resource and Referral Agencies (R&Rs) throughout California. Pending a final file review, a recommendation will be made to license the above facility for the requested capacity of 96 preschool children. LPA reviewed with Director of Early Education, Rebecca Ortega-Ortiz, the LIC 311A, Records To Be Maintained At The Facility, for child\342\200\231s records, personnel records, administrative records, and documents to be posted. The following documents should be posted at the facility: * PUB 269- Child passenger restraint systems poster 101225(f) Transportation * Pub 393- Notification of Parents Rights 101218.1(c) Admission Procedures * License 101160(a) License * Menus 101227(a)(6) Food Services * LIC 613A- Personal Rights form 101223(b)(2) Personal Rights * LIC 610- Disaster Plan 101174(a) * LIC 9148- Earthquake Preparedness Checklist 101174(b) * Activity Schedule * Lead Poisoning brochure Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) regularly sends information to licensed facilities, providers, and stakeholders by way of Provider Information Notices (PIN), Program Quarterly Update Newsletters and other important information communication platform. To receive important licensed-related information to licensed facilities, visit the CCLD Important Information website at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/community-care-licensing/subscribe and select the Child Care option to receive email communication. Per Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 1, of the California Code of Regulations, no deficiencies are cited. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the facility representative Rebecca Ortega-Ortiz. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days.