Buena Park Montessori Academy · Infant Center, Buena Park

101161 Limitations on Capacity (a) A licensee shall not operate a child care center beyond the conditions and limitations specified on the license, including the capacity limitation.This requirement was not met: Based on staff interviews it has been There is no plan of correction due to the license being closed effective 11/19/2024. determined toddlers were being placed into the infant room to meet ratios. This poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care. 8

Based on observation, and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above. On this date 03/10/2022, Licensee committed with Department that they installed an alarm system on the facility gates that separate the playground and the facility parking lot due to an incident in which 2 toddlers eloped away from the facility through a fence, to a busy 4 lanes street. During today's visit, when LPAs tested and opened the gates, the facility alarm systems on all 4 gates were not in working order, therefore, the Licensee was not adhere to the plan of correction, this posed an immediate health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

Based on interview and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above. Director confirmed facility has not conducted disaster drill and did not keep documentation of the drills, last disaster drill was conducted on 04/21/2022, which posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

Based on observation, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in 1 out of 2 changing tables. LPA observed Staff #3 was changing diaper for 2 toddlers on a changing table that was not within arm's reach of a washing sink, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

Based on observation, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in 3 out of 4 plastic play structures and 2 out of 5 plastic rocking toys and 1 out of 2 plastic benches in the toodler and infant playground, had broken parts or cracks which posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

(a) There shall be a ratio of one teacher for every four infants in attendance. This requirement was not met as evidence by: Director stated they have hire 3 new staff and plan to hire a couple more staff that are fully qualified teachers. Director has conducted one on one training. Director will submit POC by 4/18/24. Based on interviews conducted with staff, and records reviewed there S1 was out of ratio on 3/12/24, 3/13/24, and 3/14/24. This poses an immediate health and safety risk to the children in care. 8

101182 Issuance/Term of a License (a) The Department shall issue a license... application has been compiled and upon determination that all licensing requirements have been met. (2) A separate license shall be issued for each component of a combination center. This requirement was not met as evidence by: Director stated they have changed staff schedules to make sure there is an opening classroom for infants and preschool age children to make sure that children are not commingling during drop off hours. Director will submit POC by 4/18/24. Based on interviews conducted with staff, and records reviewed S1 was commingling infants and preschool age children on 3/12/24, 3/13/24, and 3/14/24. This poses an immediate health and safety risk to the children in care. 8

Based on children records reviewed 1 out 5 files was missing LIC 9224 achknowledgement receipt dated 3/29/23, 4/6/23, 4/20/23 with Type A citations was not provided to Parent. This is a potential safety risk to the children in care.

Based on observations and interviews conducted with staff, 3 staff disclosed observing S1 use a loud tone of voice. S1 admitted in using a loud voice with the children. This is an immediate risk to the personal rights to the children in care.

101163 False Claims (a) No licensee, officer or employee of a licensee shall make or disseminate any false or misleading statement regarding the child care center or any of the services provided by the center. This requirement was not met: Based on interviews conducted with 14 parents Director provided misleading 1 Licensee shall send an e-mail to all authorized representative for the infant and toddlers moving forward to be more transparent and to be availble to express any concerns they might have. Director will send a copy of the communicate letter to parent and how the copy was delivered by the due date of 4/21/23 by 3:00pm. information by not revealing all the violations that were cited on 3/29/23. Director did not provide the 10-page report dated 3/29/23 to each infant family. On 4/6/23 11 out 20 parents did not have signed acknowledgement receipts in the children’s files. This poses an immediate risk to the safety and health of the children in care. 8 via e-mail carmen.odom@dss.ca.gov

Infant Care Center Fixtures, Furniture, Equipment and Supplies (e) High chairs or low-wheeled feeding tables and any such equipment used for seating an infant shall have broad-base legs.(5) No infant shall be left unattended while in a high chair. The Licensee shall provide additional training on this regulation and submit the agenda for the training along with a role sheet signed by the staff that provide care in the infant classroom. This requirement was not met as evidence by observations of video footage dated 01/23/2023 that S2 left C4 unattended if a high chair from 8:05 AM- 8:37 AM. This poses an immediate risk to the children in care. 8 The licensee will email this requirement by the specified date of 05/02/2023 to LPA Carmen Odom (Business card provided)

Activities-Each center shall provide a variety of daily activities designed to meet the needs of children in care, including but not limited to: (1) Quiet and active play. (4) Toileting. This requirement was not met as evidence by video footage of 01/23/2023 observed 1 The director was interviewed today and stated that she is unaware of the Montesorri way and understands that this requirement was and is not being met at the facility. The Licensee shalll provide a training to the toddler staff of the toddlers daily activities schedule and submit this agenda and role sheet signed by the toddler staff attending to LPA that the toddler S3 and S4 were not following the daily activity scheduled for the program. It was observed that the children were not offered active play or toilet training as specified on the facility activity log posted at the facility. The toddlers only had a handful of legos to play with throughout the duration of the day on 01/23/2023 8 Carmen Odom by the specified date on 05/02/2023 (Business card provided)

1596.8595 reports to be provided to parents or guardian of each child receiving services (3) The licensee shall require each recipient of the licensing document pertaining to a conference to sign a statement indicating that he or she has received the document and the date it was received. 1 The director agrees to have the authorized representatives sign and place form LIC 9224 in the files for reports dated 03/29/2023 C3, C4, C6, C8, C12, C13, C15, C17, C18, C19 and C20 by the next business day or the next time the child is present at the facility. (4) The licensee shall keep verification of receipt in each child's file. This requirement was not met as evidence by records review that 11/20 children present today did not have a LIC 9224 signed and placed in files. This poses a potential risk to the children in care. 8

(f) Cribs shall be free from all loose articles and objects, including blankets and pillows. . The director will provide a training on this regualtion code and provide an agenda and and role sheet of the staff that attended by the specified date of 04/04/2023 via email to LPA stella.gutierrez@dss.ca.gov This requirement was not met as evidence by video footage and obsrvation on the date of 01/06/2023 of 04 infants placed in the crib with lose items. C1, C2, C5 and C6. This is an immediate risk to the children in care 8

(B) No infant shall be forced to sleep, to stay awake or to stay in the designated sleeping area. (D) An infant's head shall not be covered while sleeping. This is an immediate risk to the children in care. The director will provide a training on this regualtion code and provide an agenda and and role sheet of the staff that attended by the specified date of 04/04/2023 via email to LPA stella.gutierrez@dss.ca.gov This requirement was not met as eveidence by video observation for the date of 01/06/2023 of the AD and S1 forcing C5s head down and placing the blanket over C5s head several times. 8 During today's inspection S1 was let go and the director phoned facility where AD now works to advise that AD be terminated as well.

a) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights:(1) To be accorded dignity in his/her personal relationships with staff and other persons.(3) To be free from corporal or unusual punishment, infliction of pain....This requirement was not met as evidence by video 1 During today's inspection the director terminated S1 and S4. The Director arrange for the AD who works at a different facility to be terminated as well. A declaration was provided today for S1 and S4 no longer employed at the facility. This type A citation will be cleared today. footage observation of 01/06/2023- S1 forced a C5s head down 3 times and covered the C5s head with a blanket. On 01/23/2023 AD forced C5s head down for at least 10 minutes while covering C5s head. S4 was observed rough handling 04 different toddlers in the toddler component on 01/23/2023. This poses and immediate risk to the children in care. 8

(a) (1) The infant care center shall obtain written permission from the child's authorized representative for the placement of the child in the toddler program. The director will provide a training on this regualtion code and provide an agenda and and role sheet of the staff that attended by the specified date of 04/04/2023 via email to LPA stella.gutierrez@dss.ca.gov Based on file review C3 and C5 now have written permission from their authorized representative. It was revealed via statements by all staff on 01/24/2023 and reviewed on video footage of C3 and C5 transition to the toddler room on 01/23/2023. During today's inspection C3 and C5 files were reviewed to have a written permission permission received on 01/24/2023. This poses a risk to the children. 8

Staff- Infant ratio (a) In addition to Sections 101216.3 (c), (e), (g) and (h), and notwithstanding Sections 101216.3, (a), (b), (d) and (f), the following shall apply: (b) There shall be a ratio of one teacher for every four infants in attendance. The director will provide a training on this regualtion code and provide an agenda and and role sheet of the staff that attended by the specified date of 04/04/2023 via email to LPA stella.gutierrez@dss.ca.gov This requirement was not met as evidence by video footage of 01/23/2023 the infant room and the toddler room were out of ratio the morning and afternoon of 01/23/2023. This poses an immediate risk to the children in care. 8

(a) In addition to Section 101229, the following shall apply: (1) Each infant shall be constantly supervised and under direct visual observation and supervision by a staff person at all times. The director will provide a training on this regualtion code and provide an agenda and and role sheet of the staff that attended by the specified date of 04/04/2023 via email to LPA stella.gutierrez@dss.ca.gov This requirement was not met as evidence by video footage of 01/23/2023 S2 exited the infant room leaving 3 infants alone wihtout supervision between 8:01:07 and 8:15:05. This poses and immediate rsk to the children in care. 8

1596.956 Child day care centers serving infants; optional toddler program; departmental guidelines and regulations (4) A ratio of six children to each teacher shall be maintained for all children in attendance at the toddler program. An aide who is participating in on-the-job training may be substituted for a teacher when directly supervised by a fully qualified teacher. The director will provide a training on this regualtion code and provide an agenda and and role sheet of the staff that attended by the specified date of 04/04/2023 via email to LPA stella.gutierrez@dss.ca.gov This requirement was not met as evidence by video footage of dated 01/23/2023 the S3 was left alone caring for 10 toddler in the toddler component at 9:00 AM on 01/23/2023. This poses an immediate risk to the children in care. 8

1596.7995(a) (1) person shall not be employed or volunteer at a day care center if he or she has not been immunized against influenza, pertussis, and measles..... This requirement is not met as evidence. 1 Per director, she will email copies of S1 and S2 measles records to LPA by

Based on interviews and statements provided, the facility staff failed to provide adequate supervision resulting in 2 daycare children wandering away from the facility. This poses an immediate risk to the health and safety of the children in care. 8 $500 civil penalty is being assessed during today’s tele inspection.

Facility is not adhering to the Limitations on capacity

Staff did not follow reporting requirements.