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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT

Facility Number: 243810250
Report Date: 03/03/2025
Date Signed: 03/03/2025 10:59:24 AM

Document Has Been Signed on 03/03/2025 10:59 AM - It Cannot Be Edited

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
FRESNO CC RO, 1310 E. SHAW AVE,
FRESNO, CA 93710
FACILITY NAME:MERCED EARLY LEARNING CENTERFACILITY NUMBER:
243810250
ADMINISTRATOR/
DIRECTOR:		CYNTHIA JAMESFACILITY TYPE:
860
ADDRESS:1850 WARDROBE AVETELEPHONE:
(209) 381-4005
CITY:MERCEDSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
95341
CAPACITY: 41TOTAL ENROLLED CHILDREN: 41CENSUS: 0DATE:
03/03/2025
TYPE OF VISIT:Case Management - Licensee InitiatedANNOUNCEDTIME VISIT/
INSPECTION BEGAN:
09:00 AM
MET WITH:Paula Smith - Assistant Director TIME VISIT/
INSPECTION COMPLETED:
11:15 AM
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On 3/3/25, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Joseph Pacheco conducted an announced Case Management inspection and met with Merced County Office of Education (MCOE) Assistant Head Start Director (Assistant Director), Paula Smith. The licensee is Merced County Office of Education. Facility is currently licensed for 20 preschool children ages 2-5 in building H, classroom 4 and 21 infant children ages 0-24 months in building H classrooms 1 and 2. Licensee is requesting to increase its preschool capacity to 44 by adding classroom 1 in building I and increase its infant capacity to 27 by adding classroom 4 in building I. Licensee is also requesting to be licensed for 24 toddlers ages 18 months – 36 months in classrooms 2 and 3 in building I. This program currently operates year round Monday – Friday 7:30 am – 5:30 pm. LPA toured the inside and outside of the facility.
Assistant Director stated that facility will provide lunch, AM snack and PM snack. The kitchenette area currently includes a refrigerator and freezer. Food is prepared offsite at the MCOE centralized kitchen and delivered to the facility daily. Ill children will be isolated in the staff office of each classroom and utilize the staff bathroom adjacent to Classroom 1 in Building H. Cleaning supplies are inaccessible to children. The classrooms were observed to be clean and free of toxins. LPA observed that the furniture and equipment in the classrooms appeared to be safe and in good condition. The facility has working carbon monoxide detectors in each classroom in Buidling H. LPA observed that there are plenty of tables, chairs and cubbies. LPA observed plenty of age-appropriate items & toys.
Room measurements for all classrooms were taken and reviewed with Assistant Director. The total inside area of all preschool classrooms measured to an approximate 1,494 square feet which will only accommodate up to 42 preschool children based on Title 22 requirements of 35 square feet per child. The total inside area of all infant classrooms measured to an approximate 1,566 square feet which will accommodate the requested capacity of 27 infant children. The total inside area of all toddler classrooms measured to an approximate 1,363 square feet which will accommodate the requested capacity of 24 toddler children.
There is a total of 4 sinks/hand washing fixtures and 6 toilets for preschool children which will accommodate the updated capacity of 42.
CONTINUED ON LIC809-C
SUPERVISORS NAME: Deborah Lowe
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Joseph Pacheco
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE: DATE: 03/03/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE: DATE: 03/03/2025
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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STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
FRESNO CC RO, 1310 E. SHAW AVE,
FRESNO, CA 93710
FACILITY NAME: MERCED EARLY LEARNING CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 243810250
VISIT DATE: 03/03/2025
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There is a total of 4 sinks/hand washing fixtures and 3 of toilets for infant children which will accommodate the requested capacity of 27. There is a total of 4 sinks/hand washing fixtures and 6 toilets for toddler children which will accommodate the requested capacity of 24. Drinking water is available via filtered water outlets in the outdoor area and in the kitchenette area adjacent to classroom 2 in building H. Staff will fill igloo jugs from the faucets and utilize the igloo jugs to provide water during indoor activities. Facility will provide paper cups from a paper cup dispenser. Drinking water is available during outdoor activities via Igloo jugs that contain water from the filtered water outlets which staff will bring out during outdoor activities. Children will use paper cups from a cup dispenser to consume water.
Currently there is only one outdoor activity space. Licensee has submitted a waiver request to have the infants, toddlers and preschool children share the outdoor activity space at separate times. Assistant Director understands that infants, toddlers and preschool children are never to be commingled in the outdoor activity space. The outdoor activity area measured to an approximate 4,514 square feet which will accommodate the requested capacity of 42 preschool children, 27 infant children and 24 toddler children at separate times.
No high climbing play equipment was observed. Shade is provided by shade canopies. The equipment observed appeared to be age appropriate. LPA reminded Assistant Director to make sure they maintain visual supervision of children at all times.

A fire clearance for 44 preschool children in classroom 4 in building H and classroom 1 in building I; 27 infant children in classrooms 1 and 2 in building H and classroom 4 in building I; and 24 toddlers in classrooms 2 and 3 in building I was granted by the City of Merced Fire Department on 12/20/24.

Pending a final file review and management approval of the outdoor waiver, a recommendation will be made to license the above facility for a capacity of 42 preschool children, 27 infant children and 24 toddler children.

Per Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 1, of the California Code of Regulations, no deficiencies are cited.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Assistant Director, Paula Smith.

A notice of site visit was given to Assistant Director and must remain posted on, or immediately adjacent to, the interior side of the main door for 30 days. A copy of this report is to remain in the facility for public review. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Deborah Lowe
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Joseph Pacheco
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/03/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/03/2025
LIC809 (FAS) - (06/04)
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