Little Thinkers Montessori Academy · Preschool, Capistrano Beach

Based on records reviewed and interview, The facility did not provide the 03/5/24 licensing report LIC809 and acknowledgement receipt LIC9224 to all families by the next business day. this poses an immediate risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care. 8 children are in care, and to any newly enrolled parents/guardians for 12 months from the 3/5/24. Facility is to provide signed LIC9224 to LPA by8/26/25. A signed Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Report (LIC 9224), or other written statement, must also be placed in the child's file for verification.

To be a fully qualified teacher:12 post-secondary semester... six months of work experience..Based on observation, interview, and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above by means of not meeting the personnel requirements for children in care this poses 1 The diretor stated that staff are working on their units and exceptions are in progress for S3, S5 & S6. The director also stated that they are in the process of interviewing more potential candidates. an immediate risk to children as staff are observed being left alone without a qualified staff member who has either qualifications or experience to care, and supervise children in care poses an immediate health, safety, or personal rights risk to children in care. 8 WD

(o)Playground equipment shall be securely anchored to the ground unless it is portable by design. Based on observation and interviewing the director, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in by means of having an unachored playground equipment in the playground 1 The director stated she would be working on getting it anchored or removed. The director stated that children would not be using it while the structure gets anchored to the ground. which poses an immediate health, safety or personal rights risk to children in care. 8

101216.3(a)There shall be a ratio of one teacher visually observing and supervising no more than 12 children in attendance... Based on LPAs observation during facility tour, the licensee did not comply with the section 1 The director stated she will be working on scheduling teachers to come earlier to avoid ratio issues in the future. cited above by means of having one adult supervising 14 children in the playground... which poses a potential health and safety risk to children in care. 8

101216.4(a)(1) Preschool Program with Toddler Component:No child in the toddler program shall be placed in the preschool program before the age of 30 months without written permission from the child's authorized representative.Based on observation, director interview 1 The director stated she will no longer comingle and will have a staff member in that class. and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above by means of not having written permission and comingling children with preschool classrooms and infant which poses an immediate health and safety to children in care. 8

101238(a)The child care center shall be clean, safe, sanitary and in good repair at all times. Based on observation , the licensee did not comply with the section cited aboveb by means of having a large 1 The licensee stated that he would be moving the shed from the playground today. boxed item (shed) int he preschool playground during hours of operation which poses an immediate health and safety risk to children in care. 8

Effective January 1, 2018, all staff of Child Care Centers and Family Child Care Homes are required to complete the Mandated Reporter Training. New staff have 90 days to complete the training. The training must be renewed every 2 years. 1 The director stated she would have the individual complete mandated reporter this week. The director stated that she would send the certificate to LPA by the end of the month. Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in by means of not having a certificated of complettion for staff working directly with children which poses a potential health and safety risk to 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. Each employee and volunteer shall receive an influenza vaccination between August 1 and December 1 of each year. 1 The director stated she will make sure everyone has their immunization record in file by the end of the month. The director will provide a statement of completion via email to LPA as proof of correcrtion by Aug 31, 2023 Based on LPAs interview and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above by means of not having immunization records in some staff files or file for volunteer observed on 8/14/2023 which poses an immediate health and safety rights risk to children in care. 8

(a) The licensee shall ensure that personnel records are maintained on the licensee, administrator and each employee. Each personnel record shall contain the following information: Based on interview with director and record review the licensee did not comply with the 1 The director stated she would have a file for the volunteer and provide a statement via email to the LPA by the end of the month. section cited above by means of not having a volunteer file or complete files for staff which poses an immediate health and safety risk to children in care.

The director stated she would send a plan of arrangements of teachers so this violation does not happen again. The plan of correction will be sent to LPA's email address by the due date of 4/29/22 conducting interviews, reviewing staff's files, and LPA's observation on the playground at 9:00am with 2 unqualified staff with 24 children. The facility failed to comply with this section of regulations. This is a potential risk to the health and safety of children in care.

Unqualified teachers working at the day care

Facility staff lack qualifications.