Children's Choice Academy

101212(d)(1)(C) · Reporting Requirements:Upon the occurrence ... of any unusual incident. that threatens....safety of any child, a report ... to the Department by telephone ... In addition, a written report shall be submitted .. within seven days ... This standard was not met as evidenced by The Director stated that they will submit a written statement to the Department confirming that all unusual incidents or child absences that threaten the physical or emotional health or safety of children will be reported to the Department by the next working day and followed by a written LIC 624 within seven days. The statement is due on May 22, 2026.

Based on interviews and record review, C1 was left unattended in a classroom for an undisclosed amount of time after S1 left the classroom. S2 stated she became aware S1 had left the room and attempted to direct C1 into her classroom until S3 retrieved C1 and took C1 to the Director’s office. The facility did not report the incident to the Department by the next working day or submit a written report within seven days. This poses a potential risk to the health and safety of children in care Joelle Redding NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Jennifer Irving NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE: DATE: 05/11/2026 I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.

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101416.2(c)(1)(a) · 101416.2 (c )(1) (a) - Infant Care Teacher Qualifications and Duties (c)To be a fully qualified infant care teacher, a teacher shall have the following: Completion, with passing grades, of 12 postsecondary semester or equivalent quarter units in early childhood...(A) At least three of the units required in (c)(1) above shall be related to the care of infants or shall contain instruction specific to infants.

The Director put a qualified teacher, Nikol Howell, in the Toddler option “Honeybees” classroom before end of visit on 12/18/25 and will maintain this arrangement, moving forward. Based on staff interview and record review, the lead teacher of the toddler classroom was caring for children while missing education requirements and without proof of registration for the missing coursework. This poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to the children in care. Director Elizabeth Smith stated she will provide written plan or correction by 1/5/26, via e-mail, which will ensure that infant/toddler qualifications are met. Email: Gerald.Poindexter@dss.ca.gov

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101416.5(b) · STAFF-INFANT RATIO. 101416.5 (b) There shall be a ratio of one teacher for every four infants in attendance.

This was corrected today by placing a fully qualified teacher in the toddler classroom. Director Elizabeth Smith stated that staff Nikol Howell will be the primary teacher until Gicel Valle-Gonzalez provides proof of completed education requirements. Based on interviews, record review and observation, the toddler “Honeybees” class was supervised by a lead teacher who is missing education requirements and one aide, effectively placing the classroom out of ratio. This poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to the children in care.

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101170(e)(2) · CRIMINAL RECORD CLEARANCE. All individuals subject to a criminal record review pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 1596.871 shall prior to working,..Request a transfer of a criminal record clearance ...

CORRECTED TODAY. Staff was associated to the facility on 3/19/2025. Based on record review, facility failed to associate staff Sarah Oconnell to the facility. SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Joelle Redding

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101430(a)(3)(E) · INFANT CARE ACTIVITIES. If an infant falls asleep before being placed in a crib, staff shall move the infant to a crib as soon as possible.

Site Director will meet with her infant teachers to let them know once a child falls asleep or seems to be sleepy to move them to a crib immediately. Site Director will submit proof of correction in writing with staff signatures no later than 3/26/2025. Based on interview an infant was placed in a baby rocker (for about 10 minutes) to nap due to a medical condition.

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101223(a)(3) · PERSONAL RIGHTS. To be free from corporal or unusual punishment infliction of pain, humiliation, intimidation, ridicule, coercion, threat, mental abuse or other actions of a punitive nature... This regulation was not met as evidenced by Ms. Spencer stated that staff in question was immediately terminated. She will conduct an all staff training and discuss "Child's Personal Rights". She will submit a copy of topics covered and a copy of sign-in sheet to the department no later 9/19/2022. Based on written statements of witnesses that described staff made a child bite himself because he bit another child. Same staff made a child pull his hair because he pulled another child's hair.

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101216.4(a)(2) · Child day care centers serving infants; optional toddler program; departmental guidelines and regulations - (2) The toddler program shall be conducted in areas physically separate from those used by older or younger children.

Director states they will submit a written statement saying that they understand they cannot commingle infants/toddlers and that they will cease such practices. Letter to be submitted by POC date. Based on LPA's interviews with staff, the facility commingles infant and toddler children during 6:00am-7:00am and 5:00pm-6:00pm. This poses a potential health & safety risk to children in care. SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Tashima Daniel

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