Children's Choice Academy · 12464 Woodside Avenue, Infant Center, Lakeside

A licensed child day care center located in a building constructed before January 1, 2010, ... drinking water tested for lead contamination. For a license issued before July 1, 2022, initial testing ... and posted before January 1, 2023.Based on 1 The Director states that they will arrange for testing of all applicable drinking-water and food-preparation outlets by a certified external water sampler using an accredited Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program laboratory. record review and interview with the Director, the facility did not complete the required lead testing of its drinking-water by January 1, 2023. This poses a potential risk to the health and safety of children in care. 8 The facility will submit documentation showing that the required testing has been completed, including the laboratory results, to the Department by 10/8/26.

Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that the facility has not had a emergency drill since 10/2025 which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in 3 out of 5 children did not have the paperwork signed which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

Based on interviews and record review, C1 was left unattended in a classroom for an undisclosed amount of time after S1 left the classroom. S2 stated she became aware S1 had left the room and attempted to direct C1 into her classroom until S3 retrieved C1 and took C1 to the Director’s office. The facility did not report the incident to the Department by the next working day or submit a written report within seven days. This poses a potential risk to the health and safety of children in care.

Based on staff interview and record review, the lead teacher of the toddler classroom was caring for children while missing education requirements and without proof of registration for the missing coursework. This poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to the children in care. 8 Director Elizabeth Smith stated she will provide written plan or correction by 1/5/26, via e-mail, which will ensure that infant/toddler qualifications are met. Email: Gerald.Poindexter@dss.ca.gov

Based on interviews, record review and observation, the toddler “Honeybees” class was supervised by a lead teacher who is missing education requirements and one aide, effectively placing the classroom out of ratio. This poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to the children in care.

Based on interview an infant was placed in a baby rocker (for about 10 minutes) to nap due to a medical condition.

Based on record review, facility failed to associate staff Sarah Oconnell to the facility.

Based on records review, S3 was missing immunizations records, S2-S3 were missing Health Screenings (LIC503), and S3 was missing Mandated Reporter Certificates which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

Based on written statements of witnesses that described staff made a child bite himself because he bit another child. Same staff made a child pull his hair because he pulled another child's hair.

Based on LPA's interviews with staff, the facility commingles infant and toddler children during 6:00am-7:00am and 5:00pm-6:00pm. This poses a potential health & safety risk to children in care.

Staff are not using proper napping equipment.

Children were inappropriately disciplined while in care.