Inspector’s narrative
What the inspector wrote
On 11/06/2025, at 10:07 AM PST, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Seena Parsapour conducted an unannounced Annual/Random inspection of the above-mentioned Family Child Care Home (FCCH). LPA met with licensee Catrina Melendez-Santos. LPA explained to licensee the purpose of the inspection and, in the company of the Licensee, toured the interior and exterior of the FCCH in its entirety. The home consists of three (3) bedrooms, two (2) bathrooms, living room, kitchen, dining area, and backyard. LPA notes that the day care services occur in the living room, dining area, one (1) bathroom, and backyard, with off-limits areas enforced by various means including childproof gates. At the beginning of the inspection
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LPA observed, and was informed by Licensee, that there were ten (10) daycare children in care, and one (1) assistant present, who was the licensee\342\200\231s husband.
LPA also notes that the Licensee\342\200\231s thirteen-year-old daughter was in the home at the time of the inspection.
At 10:12 AM PST, by interview and observation, LPA confirmed that, of the three (3) total infants and seven (7) total remaining children present at the time of the inspection, two (2) of the infants and one (1) three-year old child were sleeping in cribs located inside of a bedroom (daycare room), with the bedroom being separated by walls & out of sight from the living room area, where the remaining six (6) children were playing, while the assistant of the daycare (Licensee's husband) was in a separate (off-limits) bedroom inside the home, and while the Licensee stepped away to provide care to the children inside the daycare room. LPA informed licensee on requirements pertaining to safe sleep, as well as care & supervision, per regulations, and discussed plan of correction for deficiencies being issued.
The bathroom for the FCCH was observed to be clean and hazard-free. Toys, furniture and equipment observed in the FCCH were found to be age-appropriate.
LPA observed required licensing forms and documents posted on a bulletin board near the entrance of the FCCH.
(Cont. 809-C, Page 2)
A dual smoke & carbon monoxide detector was present in the FCCH, and was tested at 10:29AM, and found to be operational. At 10:36AM PST, by observation and interview, LPA found that both of the two (2) fire extinguishers present on the property (both of type 3A40BC), were last purchased on 5/14/2024, and had not been serviced since this date. LPA notes that Licensee's husband purchased and installed a regulation fire extinguisher (of type 3A40BC) during the inspection, thereby correcting this deficiency on-site. LPA reminded the Licensee to either service or purchase a regulation fire extinguisher annually. The backyard/outdoor area is accessible for daycare purposes, is fully enclosed, and consists of various toys & play equipment. LPA reminded licensee of the types of equipment which are prohibited from use at FCCHs. LPA reminded licensee that care and supervision are required at all times when children are inside or outside of the FCCH. Age-appropriate toys & play equipment were observed in the backyard area. LPA reminded Licensee to replace toys and play equipment when such items begin to degrade or are not in good repair. LPA observed no bodies of water on site, and confirmed this was the case with Licensee. LPA notes that there are multiple locked sheds containing household items, and five (5) dogs kept in enclosed cages in the backyard, which have current vaccinations. Licensee advised LPA that children in care are not permitted to interact with the dogs. LPA notes that two active fish tanks are located inside of the living room area. LPA notes there is a school bus in the driveway of the FCCH, which Licensee advises is being converted into a motorhome. Licensee advises the school bus remains locked during daycare hours.
Children\342\200\231s records were reviewed for all ten (10) children in care at the time of the inspection. At 12:33PM PST, by record review and interview, LPA discovered that Licensee has on file their own version of the LIC 627 \342\200\223 Consent for Emergency Medical Treatment form for all enrolled children, but that no mention of emergency dental care is made on the form. After LPA discussed with Licensee, Licensee agreed that they will begin using the Department's LIC 627 form for all children enrolled currently & in the future at the FCCH, to ensure compliance. At 12:49PM PST, by interview and record review, LPA confirmed that the LIC 282 - Affadavit Regarding Liability Insurance for Family Child Care Home, was not on file for any of the children in care at the time of the inspection. LPA also reviewed 15-minute safe sleep check logs for all three (3) infants present
at the time of the inspection (C1, C8, & C10). At 11:16AM PST, by observation, record review, and interview
, LPA confirmed that 15-minute safe sleep checks were not conducted and/or documented for Child #01 (C1), who LPA observed asleep in a crib located inside of the daycare room at the time of the inspection.
(Cont. 809-C, Page 3).
The children\342\200\231s records were found to otherwise be current & complete. Licensee was reminded of their responsibility to ensure that a separate, complete, and current record is maintained for each child in care. The Licensee\342\200\231s and Assistant\342\200\231s records were reviewed, and were found to be current and complete. At 11:03 AM PST, by record review and interview, LPA confirmed that a fire or disaster drill was not conducted and/or documented as having been completed within the last six (6) months as required. LPA notes that a fire drill was completed & documented during the inspection. LPA reminded licensee of the requirement to conduct & document such drills every 6 months. Licensee states there are no firearms or ammunition stored on site.
LPA observed cleaning supplies, family medications, knives, and other hazardous items stored in areas inaccessible to children in care. Since drawers and cabinets in the kitchen were not latched or locked, LPA reminded licensee of the requirement to ensure that childproof gates remain closed during operating hours.
Incidental Medical Services (IMS) policy was discussed. For IMS information see PIN 22-02- CCP. 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)/ (800) 514-0383 (TTY) and link to publication: Commonly Asked Questions about Child Care Centers and the ADA, available at:
https://www.ada.gov/resources/child-care-centers/
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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.
Licensee was informed of the MyChildCarePlan.org website; 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.
(Cont. 809-C, Page 4)
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. If you have any questions regarding the process or CARE tools, please send email inquiries 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/inspection-process
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During today's visit, two (2) Type A deficiencies and four (4) Type B deficiencies were cited under Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations and Health and Safety Codes (see LIC 809-D). One (1) Technical Violation (TV) was also issued.
Upon receipt, Licensee was informed that they must provide copies of this licensing report to each parent/guardian of enrolled children, and to parents/guardians of newly enrolled children during the next 12 months. Acknowledgement of Receipt LIC 9224 form shall be used for this purpose. LIC 9224, once completed, shall be maintained in each child's file. (LIC 9224 was provided to Licensee).
Appeal Rights were provided to Licensee. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the Licensee, Catrina Melendez-Santos.
