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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT

Facility Number: 376700136
Report Date: 09/18/2025
Date Signed: 09/18/2025 02:07:21 PM

Document Has Been Signed on 09/18/2025 02:07 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 DIEGO CC RO, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR., STE 110
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108
FACILITY NAME:LMSVSD-MARYLAND AVENUE SMART STEPSFACILITY NUMBER:
376700136
ADMINISTRATOR/
DIRECTOR:		CHARMAINE LAWSONFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:5400 MARYLAND AVENUETELEPHONE:
(619) 668-5744
CITY:LA MESASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
91942
CAPACITY: 24TOTAL ENROLLED CHILDREN: 24CENSUS: 10DATE:
09/18/2025
TYPE OF VISIT:Annual/RandomUNANNOUNCEDTIME VISIT/
INSPECTION BEGAN:
12:20 PM
MET WITH:Jennifer CasadyTIME VISIT/
INSPECTION COMPLETED:
02:30 PM
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On 09/18/25 at 12:20 PM, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Dana Stevens conducted an unannounced annual inspection and met with teacher, Jennifer Casady. LPA disclosed the purpose of the inspection and toured the indoors and outdoors of the facility. This program operates a morning session from 8:05 AM - 11:05 AM, and an afternoon session from 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM, Monday - Friday. The following ratios were observed: 10 preschool children present in Room 11 with one (1) teacher and one (1) assistant.

Furniture and equipment are in good condition. Playground equipment is in safe condition. The surface of the outdoor activity space is maintained in a safe condition and is free of hazards. Areas around high climbing equipment and the slide have cushioning material to absorb falls. Toilets and handwashing facilities are in safe and sanitary operating condition. Floors in the facility are clean and safe. Breakfast, lunch and snack are provided by the District and menus are posted monthly. Food is protected against contamination and any contaminated food is discarded immediately. Solid waste storage containers have tight-fitting covers and are in good repair. Children bring their own labeled, water bottles and bottled water is available at the facility. Facility has a functioning carbon monoxide detector that meets requirements. Fire drill conducted on 06/11/2025.
Director stated there are no swimming pools or other bodies of water on the premises. Director stated there are no firearms or ammunition allowed or stored on the premises. Disinfectants, cleaning solutions, medication and other hazardous items are made inaccessible to children.
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Cynthia Biszant
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Dana Stevens
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE: DATE: 09/18/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE: DATE: 09/18/2025
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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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
SAN DIEGO CC RO, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR., STE 110
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108
FACILITY NAME: LMSVSD-MARYLAND AVENUE SMART STEPS
FACILITY NUMBER: 376700136
VISIT DATE: 09/18/2025
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A review of staff records on this date indicates facility staff or other individuals who require caregiver background checks have received criminal record and child abuse clearances or exemptions. Director was reminded that all adults 18 and over, including employees and volunteers, 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 up to $500.00 maximum per day/per person will be assessed if this regulation is violated.

At least one person trained in CPR and Pediatric First Aid is present when children are at the facility or at offsite activities. The name of the child care center facility representative or fully - qualified teacher designated to act in the facility representative’s absence has been reported to the Department. The person who signs the child in/out of the facility shall use their full legal signature and record the time of day. Children are under supervision, including visual supervision, of a teacher at all times. Facility maintains a ratio of one teacher supervising no more than 12 children in care. LPA reviewed a sample of children’s files and observed files were complete with contact information for authorized representative and or relatives or others who can assume responsibility for the child and medical assessment. LPA reviewed a sample of staff files and observed files were complete with health screening, immunization records.

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 are available at: https://www.ada.gov/resources/child-care-centers/



Facility representative was informed of the MyChildCarePlan.org website; 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..

No deficiencies cited.

Exit interview conducted and copy of this report and appeal rights provided. Notice of Site Visit must be posted for 30 days.
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Cynthia Biszant
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Dana Stevens
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/18/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/18/2025
LIC809 (FAS) - (06/04)
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