198020451-3-12-2026-33-CC-LBAK-DS4TBT-20260312143539

Community Care Licensing

FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198020451
Report Date: 03/12/2026
Date Signed: 03/12/2026 02:35:52 PM

Document Has Been Signed on 03/12/2026 02:35 PM - It Cannot Be Edited

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
L.A. DAY CARE-EAST, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME:	MULBERRY TREE PRESCHOOL		FACILITY NUMBER:	198020451
ADMINISTRATOR/ DIRECTOR:	MICHELLE BENITEZ		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	13841 CHRISTINE DR.		TELEPHONE:	(562) 696-5114
CITY:	WHITTIER	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	90605
CAPACITY: 28	TOTAL ENROLLED CHILDREN: 14	CENSUS: 12	DATE:	03/12/2026
TYPE OF VISIT:	Annual/Required	UNANNOUNCED	TIME VISIT/ INSPECTION BEGAN:	09:00 AM
MET WITH:	Director, Michelle Benitez		TIME VISIT/ INSPECTION COMPLETED:	12:00 PM

NARRATIVE
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25	On 3/12/26 Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Lilli Babcock conducted an unannounced annual inspection. LPA met with Assistant, Kimberly Figueroa to whom the reason for the visit was explained. Director, Michelle Benitez arrived to the facility at approximately 10:00 am. Director guided LPA on a tour of the facility. This is a preschool program which is currently licensed for a capacity of 28 children and operates Monday – Friday from 6:30 AM – 6:00 PM. Per Director there are 14 children enrolled. Census was taken. LPA observed 12 children with three staff present upon arrival. Teacher-child ratios were observed to be in accordance with Title 22 Regulations. Staff names were recorded. LPA confirmed all individuals present have obtained a criminal record clearance. All children were observed by LPA to be under supervision, including visual supervision, of a teacher at all times. The licensed facility is within the conditions, limitations, and capacity specified on the license. All areas identified on the Facility Sketch were inspected and the following was observed: There is one classroom for the preschool license, which is located behind the facility driveway. The classroom was inspected to ensure that furniture and equipment are age-appropriate and in good repair, and the floors have a surface that is safe and clean. Napping equipment including cots and bedding were inspected for good condition and appropriate storage. Per Director, children take their bedding home to wash weekly. Storage for children's belongings were inspected and LPA observed children have their own Page 1 of 5

NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Brandi VanOosten
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Lilli Babcock
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:	DATE: 03/12/2026

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/12/2026

This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.

LIC809 (FAS) - (06/04)

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California Health & Human Services Agency

California Department of Social Services

FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT California law requires a public report of each licensing visit/inspection. This report is a record for the facility and the licensing agency. This report is available for public review; therefore, care is taken not to disclose personal or confidential information. Inquiries concerning the location, maintenance, and contents of these reports may be directed to the Licensing Program Analyst or Regional Office whose address and telephone number are listed on the front of this form.

DEFICIENCIES A deficiency is an instance of noncompliance with licensing requirements, including applicable statutes, regulations, interim licensing standards, operating standards, and written directives. Applicants/ licensees must be notified in writing of all licensing deficiencies. Deficiencies are listed on the left side of this form, and the applicable licensing requirement upon which the deficiency is identified. There are two types of deficiencies:

Type A deficiencies are violations of licensing requirements that, if not corrected, have a direct and immediate risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of persons in care.

Type B deficiencies are violations of licensing requirements that, without correction, could become a risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of persons in care, a recordkeeping violation that could impact the care of said persons and/or protection of their resources, or a violation that could impact those services required to meet the needs of persons in care.

PLANS OF CORRECTION (POCs) The licensing agency is required to establish a reasonable length of time to correct a deficiency. In order to set the time, the licensing agency must take into consideration the seriousness of the violation, the number of persons in care involved, and the availability of equipment and personnel necessary to correct the violation. Applicants/licensees are requested to provide a specific plan for each violation on the right side of the form across from each deficiency. The more specific the plan, the less chance exists for any misunderstanding in setting time limits and reviewing corrections. The applicant/licensee who encounters problems beyond their control in completing the corrections within the specified time frame may request and may be granted an extension of the correction due date by the licensing agency.

CORRECTION NOTIFICATION The applicant/licensee is responsible for completing all corrections and promptly notifying the licensing agency of corrections. Applicants/licensees are advised to keep a dated copy of any correspondence sent to the licensing agency concerning corrections, or if corrections are telephoned to the licensing agency, the date, person contacted, and information given.

CIVIL PENALTIES The licensing agency is required by law to issue a Penalty Notice, when applicable, to all facilities holding a license issued by the licensing agency, or subject to licensure, except Certified Family Homes, Resource Families, and Foster Family Homes, or any governmental entity.

PENALTY NOTICE GIVEN The statement concerning civil penalties serves as a penalty notice on this Licensing Report and failure to correct cited licensing deficiencies will result in civil penalties. Applicants/ licensees are required to pay civil penalties when administrative appeals have been exhausted and in accordance with any payment arrangements made with the licensing agency.

APPEAL RIGHTS The applicant/licensee has a right without prejudice to discuss any disagreement in this report with the licensing agency concerning the proper application of licensing requirements. The applicant/ licensee may request a formal review by the licensing agency to amend or dismiss the notice of deficiency and/ or civil penalty. Requests for review shall be made in writing within 15 business days of receipt of a deficiency notification or civil penalty assessment. Licensing deficiencies may be appealed pursuant to the procedures in the LIC 9058 Applicant/Licensee Rights.

AGENCY REVIEW The licensing agency review of an appeal may be conducted based upon information provided in writing by the applicant/licensee. The applicant/licensee may request an office meeting to provide additional information. The applicant/licensee will be notified in writing of the results of the agency review within 60 business days of the date when all necessary information has been provided to the licensing agency.

EMAIL REQUIREMENT Adult Community Care Facilities, Residential Care Facilities for the Chronically Ill, and Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly are required to provide and maintain an active email address of record with the licensing agency.

LIC809 (FAS) - (09/23)

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STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
L.A. DAY CARE-EAST, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: MULBERRY TREE PRESCHOOL	FACILITY NUMBER: 198020451
	VISIT DATE: 03/12/2026

NARRATIVE

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cubbies to store their belongings. Per Director, children bring water bottles from home and are allowed to drink freely at any time. Per Director water bottles are refilled as needed throughout the day with bottled water purchased from the store.

LPA observed toys and materials for children in the classroom. Age-appropriate sinks and toilets were inspected for availability and good repair in the restroom used by children. Per Director, the office is used as an isolation area. Per Director, staff provide 100% supervision when ill child is using the isolation room and/or restroom, and parents are contacted immediately when children are determined to be ill and staff are ensuring that children with obvious symptoms of illness are not being accepted.

Food menus were reviewed to ensure that they are being posted at least one week in advance and visible to an authorized representative. Menus for the past 30 days are available upon request. The facility provides AM and PM snack, and children bring lunch from home. All kitchen, food preparation, and food storage areas are clean, free of litter, rubbish, rodents, and other vermin. All food is protected from contamination, and LPA inspected that any contaminated food is discarded immediately. LPA inspected food to be in good quantity and quality.

Disinfectants, cleaning solutions, medication and other items that are dangerous to children were inaccessible to children. Director states that there are no bodies of water, poisons, weapons, or firearms on the premises, and none were observed by LPA on this day. A first aid kit was located in the classroom.

Telephone service, heating, lighting and ventilation were evaluated. Per Director, preschool has their own land line.

LPA observed the facility to have an operable carbon monoxide and smoke detector that meet the standards established in Chapter 8 of Part 2 of Division 12. Fire extinguishers have a service tag date of 3/25/25.

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NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Brandi VanOosten
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Lilli Babcock
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:	DATE: 03/12/2026

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/12/2026

LIC809 (FAS) - (06/04)

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STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
L.A. DAY CARE-EAST, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: MULBERRY TREE PRESCHOOL	FACILITY NUMBER: 198020451
	VISIT DATE: 03/12/2026

NARRATIVE

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The facility has an outdoor play area that is fully fenced. Outdoor playground equipment is in a safe
condition, free of sharp, loose or pointed parts. The surface of the outdoor activity space is maintained in a safe condition and is free of hazards. No high climbing equipment, slides, or similar equipment were observed on this day. There is adequate shade in the play yard. There are safe toys, play equipment and materials observed for children outside on the playground. Per Director, children bring their water bottles outside each time the classroom goes outdoors and are refilled by staff as needed with water purchased from the store. The facility also has a garden in the front of the facility. The garden has a pig and tortoise which roam freely in the garden. Per Director, children do not use the garden at this time.

Sign-in and Sign-out sheets were reviewed to ensure that the person who signs the child in and out uses their full legal signature and records the time of the day. LPA reviewed Disaster Drill log. Last drill was conducted on 2/18/26. LPA observed all required posted forms to be posted in the front office.

Staff Records and Children’s Records reviewed by LPA. Children’s files reviewed contain information including, but not limited to the following: Name, address and telephone number of the child's authorized representative and of relatives or others who can assume responsibility for the child if the authorized representative cannot be reached when necessary.

Facility file contains an attestation from Licensee stating the facility has not ever used and will not use any water outlets used for drinking water or food preparation. Director states facility has only used water bottles brought from child’s home or water purchased from the store since being licensed and the facility has not used and will not use water for food preparation. Director states the facility uses disposable plates and utensils.

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NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Brandi VanOosten
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Lilli Babcock
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:	DATE: 03/12/2026

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/12/2026

LIC809 (FAS) - (06/04)

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STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
L.A. DAY CARE-EAST, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: MULBERRY TREE PRESCHOOL	FACILITY NUMBER: 198020451
	VISIT DATE: 03/12/2026

NARRATIVE

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Facility representative was reminded that all adults 18 and over, 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 Child Care Center. 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.

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 as specified in Health and Safety Code section 1597.16.

For child care center licenses issued after July 1, 2022, the licensee shall test their water for lead within 180 days of licensure pursuant to Written Directives section 101700 (PIN 21-21.1-CCP.).

CCC HAS PROVIDED A WRITTEN ATTESTATION OF TESTING EXEMPTION

LPA discussed the safe sleep regulations with facility representative and discussed the Child Care Licensing Safe Sleep webpage at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing/public-information-and- resources/safe-sleep as an additional resource. LPA also informed facility representative of the importance of checking for and removing any recalled infant devices on the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website at https://www.cpsc.gov/ and recommended they register all infant devices with the CPSC to be notified of any recalls on their purchased equipment.

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NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Brandi VanOosten
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Lilli Babcock
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:	DATE: 03/12/2026

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/12/2026

LIC809 (FAS) - (06/04)

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STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
L.A. DAY CARE-EAST, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: MULBERRY TREE PRESCHOOL	FACILITY NUMBER: 198020451
	VISIT DATE: 03/12/2026

NARRATIVE

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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/.

Facility representative 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.

To improve the quality and value of the new inspection process, a survey may be sent to the email address provided. Please complete the survey and share your inspection experience. 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.

At this time, the licensee is in compliance with California Title 22 Regulations. Therefore, there are no citations being issued today.

A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days.
Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the facility representative, Michelle Benitez.

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NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Brandi VanOosten
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Lilli Babcock
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:	DATE: 03/12/2026

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/12/2026

LIC809 (FAS) - (06/04)

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