434417457-10-1-2025-07-CC-JCRZ-DM2RQK-20251001131336

Community Care Licensing

FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT

Facility Number: 434417457
Report Date: 10/01/2025
Date Signed: 10/01/2025 01:13:47 PM

Document Has Been Signed on 10/01/2025 01:13 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
SAN JOSE CC RO, 2580 N FIRST STREET, STE. 300
SAN JOSE, CA 95131

FACILITY NAME:	GENIUS KIDS SANTA TERESA		FACILITY NUMBER:	434417457
ADMINISTRATOR/ DIRECTOR:	RENUKA KAREKAR		FACILITY TYPE:	860
ADDRESS:	7132 SANTA TERESA BOULEVARD		TELEPHONE:	(408) 224-8890
CITY:	SAN JOSE	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	95139
CAPACITY: 80	TOTAL ENROLLED CHILDREN: 17	CENSUS: 14	DATE:	10/01/2025
TYPE OF VISIT:	Case Management - Licensee Initiated	UNANNOUNCED	TIME VISIT/ INSPECTION BEGAN:	08:57 AM
MET WITH:	Renuka Karekar and Shraddah Joshi		TIME VISIT/ INSPECTION COMPLETED:	01:45 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 10/01/25, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Janette Cruz met with Renuka Karekar, Shraddha Joshi and Sameer Pathak, Applicant representatives. The purpose of the visit was an unannounced case management inspection to add an infant and toddler component. This facility has an existing preschool program with a single license. Facility requested to be licensed for 9 infants (ages 0 - 24 months) in infant room #5, 32 toddlers (18 months – 36 months) in toddler room 2 and 34 preschool children (2 to 6 years old) in rooms 1, 4 & 6. The child care center will operate Monday–Friday 8:00AM – 6:00PM, The fire clearance was approved on July 15, 2025. There are children present, and the teacher-to-child ratio complies with regulations during today’s inspection. This facility uses classroom #6 for an after school program for school-age children under the California Department of Education Heritage Schools. LPA toured and measured the on-limits areas and classrooms located at the facility. The facility has a total of 5 classrooms. Preschool Classrooms measurements are: The Indoor total measurements contain a total of {1204.34} square feet, which will accommodate Applicant's request for 34 preschool children. Toddler Classroom measurements are: The Indoor total measurements contain a total of {1121.60} square feet, which will accommodate Applicant's request for 32 toddlers Infant Classroom measurements are: The Indoor total measurements contain a total of {325.48} square feet, which will accommodate Applicant's request for 9 infants Preschool Outdoor Play measurements are: Outdoor total measurements contain a total of {2388.33 square feet), which will not accommodate Applicant’s request for 34 preschool children.

NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Deborah Lowe
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Janette Cruz
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:	DATE: 10/01/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/01/2025

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)

Page: 2 of 5

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN JOSE CC RO, 2580 N FIRST STREET, STE. 300
SAN JOSE, CA 95131

FACILITY NAME: GENIUS KIDS SANTA TERESA	FACILITY NUMBER: 434417457
	VISIT DATE: 10/01/2025

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
26
27
28
29
30
31
32

Toddler Outdoor Play measurements are:
Outdoor total measurements contain a total of {678.60 square feet), which will not accommodate Applicant’s request for 32 toddlers.
Infant Outdoor Play measurements are:
Outdoor total measurements contain a total of {685.60), which will accommodate Applicant’s request for 9 infants.
Toddlers will be sharing the infant playground, Applicants will submit a waiver for shared playground use for preschool, toddlers and infants.

LPA observed all classrooms to be clean, safe, sanitary and in good repair. A comfortable temperature for children shall be maintained at all times. Furniture and equipment were observed to be maintained in good condition, free of sharp, loose or pointed parts. All materials and surfaces accessible to children, including toys, shall be free of toxic substances. All play equipment and materials used by children were observed to be age-appropriate. LPA observed no fireplace or open face heaters. LPA observed fully charged fire extinguisher, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the facility. There are 95 chairs, 14 tables, 40 cubbies, 42 cots/mats, 10 toilets, 3 potty chairs, 3 changing tables and 11 sinks for preschool children. Staff have separate bathroom that can be utilized by sick children if needed. Sick children will be isolated in the office area of the facility. LPA observed that items that may pose a danger to children were stored in locked storage rooms inaccessible to children. LPA observed containers with tight-fitting lids for the disposal of solid wastes. LPA advised that Applicants maintain first-aid supplies in a location accessible to staff but inaccessible to children.

Facility has one infant and one toddler classroom. LPA observed infant changing tables within arm’s reach to the sink. Applicant stated that parents will provide food and milk bottles for infants. LPAs advised Applicants that as per Title 22 regulations, bottles and dishes shall be rinsed for sanitizing at the end of each day.

Lunch and snacks shall be provided by parents. Applicants were advised that full-day programs shall ensure that each child has a lunch and children shall be free to drink as they wish. Drinking water is readily available for the children via water fountains. Children can bring their own water bottles outdoors. LPA observed a kitchen/ food-preparation area kept clean, free of litter and rubbish and shall be kept off limits to children; Applicants were advised that measures shall be taken to keep kitchen areas free of rodents and other vermin.

NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Deborah Lowe
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Janette Cruz
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:	DATE: 10/01/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/01/2025

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
SAN JOSE CC RO, 2580 N FIRST STREET, STE. 300
SAN JOSE, CA 95131

FACILITY NAME: GENIUS KIDS SANTA TERESA	FACILITY NUMBER: 434417457
	VISIT DATE: 10/01/2025

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
26
27
28
29
30
31
32

Applicant was reminded that a child who is between 18 months and 36 months of age may participate in the toddler program with written permission from the child's authorized representative. 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.

LPA observed outdoor area for children were free of hazards including, holes, broken glass dry grasses, and other debris that pose a fire hazard. Preschool outdoor activity space is physically separate from toddler and infant's outdoor activity space. Shade was provided by trees and building overhang. The areas around and under high climbing equipment had cushioned with material (poured rubber) that absorb falls. LPA observed playground equipment were securely anchored to the ground. The playground is enclosed by a fence at least four feet high to protect children and to keep them in the outdoor activity area. Any construction or equipment that could pose a hazard in the outdoor activity area shall be made inaccessible to children in care. LPA observed no bodies of water.

Drinking water from a non-contaminating fixture or container shall be readily available both indoors and in the outdoor activity area. LPA advised per Health and Safety Code 1597.16(a)(1) Lead Testing and PIN-21-21-CCP Assembly Bill (AB) 2370, Chapter 676, Statutes of 2018, requires all licensed Child Care Centers (CCCs) constructed before January 1, 2010 to test their drinking water for lead contamination between January 1, 2020 and January 1, 2023, and then every 5 years after the date of the first test.
Per Written Directive 100700(c)(1) Written Directives for Lead Testing (1) For a license issued on or after July 1, 2022, initial testing results shall be received and posted within 180 days of licensure.

This facility plans to provide Incidental Medical Services – IMS. For IMS information, see PIN 22-02-CCP. A 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.

LPA discussed the safe sleep regulations with Director 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 Applicant of the importance of checking for 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.

NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Deborah Lowe
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Janette Cruz
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:	DATE: 10/01/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/01/2025

LIC809 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 5 of 5

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN JOSE CC RO, 2580 N FIRST STREET, STE. 300
SAN JOSE, CA 95131

FACILITY NAME: GENIUS KIDS SANTA TERESA	FACILITY NUMBER: 434417457
	VISIT DATE: 10/01/2025

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
26
27
28
29
30
31
32

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

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 before a licensure will be considered.

1. Approval of outdoor waiver request for preschool,infants and toddler shared playground use.
2. Proof of preshool playground structure is age appropriate (age sticker).
3. Fire clearance to reflect updated capacity and components
4. Proof of infant yard is equipped with a variety of age appropriate toys and equipment.
5. Proof of designation of space between toddler and preschool yard, must show that toddler yard is
equipped with a variety of age appropriate toys and equipment.
6. Proof of infant and toddler rooms are equipped with a variety of age appropriate toys and equipment.

An exit interview was conducted with the above item discussed. This report was provided to Renuka Karekar, Shraddha Joshi and Sameer Pathak, Applicant Representatives. Final license determination will be made upon review by the Licensing Program Manager.

NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Deborah Lowe
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Janette Cruz
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:	DATE: 10/01/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/01/2025

LIC809 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 3 of 5