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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198401143
Report Date: 07/29/2025
Date Signed: 07/29/2025 03:53:38 PM

Document Has Been Signed on 07/29/2025 03:53 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:LAKEWOOD LITTLE MINDS PRESCHOOLFACILITY NUMBER:
198401143
ADMINISTRATOR/
DIRECTOR:		PERLA ZAVALA BENITEZFACILITY TYPE:
860
ADDRESS:4300 BELLFLOWER BLVDTELEPHONE:
(562) 377-1300
CITY:LAKEWOODSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
90713
CAPACITY: 74TOTAL ENROLLED CHILDREN: 27CENSUS: 18DATE:
07/29/2025
TYPE OF VISIT:PrelicensingANNOUNCEDTIME VISIT/
INSPECTION BEGAN:
09:30 AM
MET WITH:Perla Zavala Benitez and Leslie WangTIME VISIT/
INSPECTION COMPLETED:
04:15 PM
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On 07/29/2025 at 9:30 am, Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs), Elka Chavez and Andrea Carter conducted an announced Pre-Licensing inspection for Change of Ownership. This location is currently operating as Edu Care Preschool (198006164), which is licensed for a capacity of (69) preschoolers from ages 2 to entry into first grade in (4) classrooms: The two-year-old room, The three-year-old room, The Pre-K room, and the Kinder room. Upon arrival, LPAs met with Applicant Representatives, Perla Zavala Benitez and Leslie Wang. The Applicant, Lakewood Little Minds LLC., has requested to be licensed for (73) preschoolers ages 2 to 6 years old in (6) classrooms: 113,114,115,116,117 and 118. The hours of operation will be Monday to Friday from 7am to 6pm.

LPAs observed the facility is located in the premises of Lakewood First United Methodist Church. All indoor and outdoor activity space utilized for the children was inspected today. LPAs informed Perla Zavala Benitez that staff are required to maintain direct visual supervision of the children at all times during indoor and outdoor activities. When medications are on site, Perla Zavala Benitez stated that they will be kept in the director’s office. A fully equipped first aid kit is located within each classroom. There is an operational carbon monoxide detector on site located classroom 116. All required licensing documents were observed posted in the entrance next to classroom 117. LPAs observed parents can also gain access to the facility from the parking entrance. Parents enter a code to open the gate to gain access to the facility from the parking area. Children will be signed in and out next to classroom 117 and the entrance next to the parking.



LPAs continued to tour the facility and measured all indoor and outdoor activity space.

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NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Monica Cuddy
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Elka Chavez
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE: DATE: 07/29/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE: DATE: 07/29/2025
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 5
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: LAKEWOOD LITTLE MINDS PRESCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 198401143
VISIT DATE: 07/29/2025
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Total indoor activity space measured 2,570.10 square feet, which is sufficient to accommodate the requested 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. Drinking water is available in the classrooms via a water pitcher filled with bottled water and children will use their own bottles of water. 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 07/01/2025. No cooking allowed on site was listed under special conditions of the fire safety inspection request received by the Department.

LPAs observed a total of (8) sinks, (2) urinals and (7) toilets available for children’s use. These are sufficient to accommodate the requested overall capacity of (73) children. LPAs observed the restrooms located next to Baker Hall were not age appropriate. There is a separate staff restroom equipped with a toilet and a sink. The isolation area for children who are ill will be the directors office. The ill child will use the staff restroom as needed.



Facility will provide AM/PM snacks. Parents will provide their child lunch. The kitchen area currently includes 2 refrigerators, 2 freezers, dishwasher, stove, oven, microwave, toaster and food preparation counter. The kitchen area and food storage areas were observed to be free of rodents and/or vermin. Food was observed to be properly stored separate from cleaning materials. Hazardous items in the kitchen are inaccessible to children via door.

The facility currently has a fully fenced playground. Fencing is wrought iron and brick and is at least four feet high. The total square footage for all the outdoor activity space for the preschool is 9,757.00 square feet, which is sufficient to accommodate the requested capacity. Shade is provided via shade structure. There are sufficient outdoor age-appropriate toys and play equipment available on the playground. LPAs observed a climbing dome located in the playground outdoor area which was missing sections in the bottom of the structure and the edges were tapped with masking tape. LPAs also observed some parts of the climbing structure were not sturdy and easily manipulated. LPAs did not observe the dome to be anchored. LPAs also observed a climbing structure in the playground area. LPAs did not observe a manufacturer’s sticker. There is adequate cushioning in fall zones of climbers provided by rubber mulch. Drinking water is available via a

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

DATE: 07/29/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/29/2025
LIC809 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 5
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: LAKEWOOD LITTLE MINDS PRESCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 198401143
VISIT DATE: 07/29/2025
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water pitcher filled with bottled water. Children bring their own water bottles to be filled. LPAs observed the exit door located next to the patio area by the church office has an iron gate with a latch that is approximately 4 feet from the ground. LPAs observed a door that is approximately 5 steps away from the gate which leads directly to Harvey Way. LPAs observed that the door is kept open. Per church staff the door is kept open for parishioners, the pastor and for deliveries. Applicant representative Perla Zavala Benitez 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).



Applicant representative was reminded that all adults 18 and over responsible for administration or direct supervision of staff, persons who provides care and supervision to children, and staff who have contact with children, 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.

Incidental Medical Services (IMS) policy was discussed. For IMS information see PIN 22-02-CCP. When any IMS is provided, an updated Plan of Operation that includes 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) or (800) 514-0383 (TTY) and link to publication: Commonly Asked Questions about Child Care Centers and the ADA, available at: http://www.ada.gov/childqanda.htm

LPAs reviewed with Applicant representative the LIC 311A, Records to Be Maintained at The Facility, for child’s records, personnel records, administrative records, and documents to be posted.

Applicant representative 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.



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

DATE: 07/29/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/29/2025
LIC809 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 5
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: LAKEWOOD LITTLE MINDS PRESCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 198401143
VISIT DATE: 07/29/2025
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Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) regularly sends information to licensed facilities, providers, and stakeholders by way of Provider Information Notices (PIN), Program Quarterly Update Newsletters and other important information communication platforms. To receive important licensed related information to licensed facilities, visit the CCLD Important Information website at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/community-care-licensing/subscribe and select the Child Care option to receive email communication.


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

• The Applicant will need to make restrooms located next to Baker Hall age appropriate.
• The Applicant will need to put an alert alarm on the exit door that leads to Harvey Way
• The Applicant will need to anchor climbing equipment
• The Applicant will need to make the climbing dome safe for climbing.


Applicant Representative, Perla Zavala Benitez understands that all proof of corrections must be provided to the Department within 30 days, or the application may be denied. Upon a final file review, a license for 72 preschool children will be granted.


Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the Perla Zavala Benitez.

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

DATE: 07/29/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/29/2025
LIC809 (FAS) - (06/04)
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