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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198401103
Report Date: 05/09/2025
Date Signed: 05/09/2025 02:45:28 PM

Document Has Been Signed on 05/09/2025 02:45 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
MONTEREY PARK SW RO, 1000 CORPORATE CENTER DR 200B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754
FACILITY NAME:GARFIELD ELEMENTARYFACILITY NUMBER:
198401103
ADMINISTRATOR/
DIRECTOR:		HARDAWAY, STEPHANIEFACILITY TYPE:
860
ADDRESS:7425 S GARFIELD AVETELEPHONE:
(562) 927-1915
CITY:BELL GARDENSSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
90201
CAPACITY: 26TOTAL ENROLLED CHILDREN: 18CENSUS: 18DATE:
05/09/2025
TYPE OF VISIT:PrelicensingUNANNOUNCEDTIME VISIT/
INSPECTION BEGAN:
10:00 AM
MET WITH:Maria GaritaTIME VISIT/
INSPECTION COMPLETED:
03:00 PM
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On 05/09/2025 at 10:00 am, Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs), Elka Chavez and Susann Sanchez conducted an unannounced Pre-Licensing inspection requesting to add a new Toddler/Early Head Start Preschool Program and to convert the existing Head Start Preschool Program (191598106) into a Single License. LPAs met with Facility Representative, Maria Garita. Jackie Ellingson, Education Specialist arrived at the facility during this inspection. This location is currently licensed to operate as a Head Start Preschool Program (191598106) with the capacity of 41 children from ages 3 until entry into kindergarten in (2) classrooms: Room O-01 and Room O-02.

The licensee, Montebello Unified School District, is requesting to decrease the licensed capacity to (26) children and adding a new Toddler program with a capacity of (8) children from ages 18 to 36 months old in (1) classroom: GAE Early Head Start EHS -01; and the Preschool/ Early Head Start program capacity will be decreased to (18) children from ages 3 to 5 in (1) classroom: GAE- Head Start HS-01. Hours of operation will be Monday to Friday from 8:15 am to 2:15 pm for the Head Start Program and 8:15 am to 3:15 pm for the Early Head Start Program.

Due to Assembly Bill (AB) 605, this location will be converted into a single License which is the conversion of currently licensed Childcare Centers with multiple licenses and is owned and operated by one licensee at a common address for different age components.

This Facility is located on the premises of the Garfield Elementary School. There were 18 children present with 4 staff members during today’s inspection. All indoor and outdoor activity space utilized for the children was inspected today. LPAs informed Facility staff that staff are required to maintain direct visual supervision of the children at all times during indoor and outdoor activities.

Report Continues Page 1 of 3

NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Monica Cuddy
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Elka Chavez
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE: DATE: 05/09/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE: DATE: 05/09/2025
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.

LIC809 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 1 of 4
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
MONTEREY PARK SW RO, 1000 CORPORATE CENTER DR 200B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754
FACILITY NAME: GARFIELD ELEMENTARY
FACILITY NUMBER: 198401103
VISIT DATE: 05/09/2025
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When medications are on site, Facility Representative stated that they will be located in a designated top shelf cabinet in the staff area. A fully equipped first aid kit is located within the staff area. There is an operational carbon monoxide detector in each classroom. All required licensing documents were observed posted near the front entrance of each classroom. Children will be signed in and out at the entrance to the Early Head Start Program.

LPAs continued to tour the facility and measured the indoor activity space. LPAs observed the bungalow is divided into two separate classrooms. LPAs observed the kitchen, staff area, staff restroom and children’s restroom are located in the center of the bungalow. The total toddler indoor activity space measured is 669.99 square feet, which is sufficient to accommodate the requested toddler capacity of 8 children. The existing preschool classroom total indoor activity space measured is 686.31 square feet, which is sufficient for their licensed capacity. LPAs observed all indoor activity space to be complete with safe, age-appropriate furniture and equipment, including tables, chairs, cubbies, napping cots, bookshelves, and other activity supplies for the children. LPAs observed a box near the exit and next to the water fountain in classroom GAE-EHS 01. LPAs did not observe any children in the designated toddler classroom area (GAE EHS-01). Drinking water is available for the children via water fountain and igloo water jugs. LPAs observed all hazardous items to be inaccessible to children. There are no bodies of water or weapons on the property. Fire clearance was granted on 4/15/2025.

LPAs did not observe separate sinks or toilets available for toddler children’s use. LPAs observed a changing table located within the toddler classroom (GEA EHS-01). LPAs did not observe the changing table to be within arm’s reach of sink. Jackie Ellingson, Education Specialist, stated that they will move the changing table next to the sink. There was a total of (3) sinks and (3) toilets available for preschool children’s use. These are sufficient to accommodate the overall requested capacity of (26) children. A waiver to share the restroom at different times in the AM and PM due to no designated restroom for toddlers shall be submitted and approved prior to licensure. There is a separate staff restroom equipped with a toilet and a sink. The isolation area for children who are ill will be the staff area.

Facility will provide Breakfast, Lunch and PM snack to the children in care. Meals are prepared and delivered from the Elementary School. LPAs observed a kitchen prep area next in the staff area. The kitchen area includes a refrigerator, sink, microwave, and food prep countertop. The kitchen area and food storage areas

Report Continues Page 2 of 3

NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Monica Cuddy
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Elka Chavez
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/09/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/09/2025
LIC809 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 4
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK SW RO, 1000 CORPORATE CENTER DR 200B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754
FACILITY NAME: GARFIELD ELEMENTARY
FACILITY NUMBER: 198401103
VISIT DATE: 05/09/2025
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were observed free of rodents and/or vermin. Food was observed to be properly stored separate from cleaning materials. Hazardous items in kitchen are inaccessible to children via a gate.

The facility currently has a (2) fully fenced playground areas one designated as the Toddler play yard and the Preschool play yard. Fencing is made of wrought iron which is at least four feet high. The total square footage for designated toddler outdoor activity space is 690.48 square feet, which is sufficient to accommodate the requested toddler capacity. The total square footage for designated preschool outdoor activity space is 3,279.67 square feet, which is sufficient to accommodate the licensed preschool capacity. Shade is provided via shade structured canopy. There are sufficient outdoor age-appropriate toys and play equipment available on the playground. There is a climbing structure on the preschool playground for children ages 2 to 5 years old which is properly anchored. There is adequate cushioning in fall zones of climber provided by outdoor surface cushioning. Drinking water is available via igloo water jugs. LPAs observed all hazardous items on the playground to be inaccessible to children. Facility Representative was reminded that any changes to the facility must be reported to and approved by Community Care Licensing.

For childcare 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). Per Facility Representatives, the facility has already completed lead testing and has the results on file. Lead testing was conducted on 10/31/23.

Facility Representatives was informed of the MyChildCarePlan.org site, 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.

The following corrections needed prior to the issuance of the license:

• The Applicant will need to submit a waiver for shared use of the restroom.


• The Applicant will need to place the changing table within arm’s reach of a sink when in use.
• The Applicant will need to remove the boxes from the toddler classroom (GAE EHS-01).

A license for a total of 26 children: (8) toddlers serving ages 18 to 36 months in classroom GAE EHS-01; and (18) preschoolers serving ages 3 to 5 years old in classroom GAE HS-01 be granted upon a final file review.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the Facility Representative, Maria Garita.

Report Ends Page 3 of 3.

NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Monica Cuddy
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Elka Chavez
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/09/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/09/2025
LIC809 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 4