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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT

Facility Number: 406217524
Report Date: 09/11/2025
Date Signed: 09/11/2025 02:41:02 PM

Document Has Been Signed on 09/11/2025 02:41 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
SANTA BARBARA CC RO, 6500 HOLLISTER AVE., SUITE 200
GOLETA, CA 93117
FACILITY NAME:STEPPING STONE UNIVERSITY PRESCHOOLFACILITY NUMBER:
406217524
ADMINISTRATOR/
DIRECTOR:		BIXLER, ASHTANEFACILITY TYPE:
860
ADDRESS:10333 EL CAMINO REAL #510, 501TELEPHONE:
(805) 452-1086
CITY:ATASCADEROSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
93422
CAPACITY: 44TOTAL ENROLLED CHILDREN: 44CENSUS: 0DATE:
09/11/2025
TYPE OF VISIT:PrelicensingANNOUNCEDTIME VISIT/
INSPECTION BEGAN:
11:30 AM
MET WITH:Ashtane Bixler and Diane CopelandTIME VISIT/
INSPECTION COMPLETED:
02:50 PM
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On September 11th, 2025, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Rosie Breault conducted an announced pre-licensing inspection at the above-mentioned facility to ensure that health, safety, and personal rights as requires by Title 22 and Health and Safety Regulations governing California Child Care Centers will be met. A relocation application was received for single license, requesting to provide care for 37 children: 8 infants age 4 months to 18 months; 12 toddlers age 18 months to 36 months; and 17 preschoolers aged 3 years to 6 years. The facility will operate Monday – Friday 7:30AM-5:30PM. Facility is located on the grounds of Atascadero State Hospital.

LPA met with applicant Ashtane Bixler and assistant director Diane Copeland and together toured and measured the on-limits areas and classrooms located at the facility. The children will be utilizing 2 modular classrooms, Room # 510 for preschoolers and toddlers, Room #501 for infants. Each age component has its own separated indoor classrooms and outdoor play space.

LPA observed regulation postings placed in a prominent location, and the facility will utilize written logs for purposes of signing in and out. Both structures are equipped with a staff break room with a sink and toilet to isolate and care for any child who becomes ill during the day, not located in or near the food or general toilet area.

At the time of the inspection, the facility was observed to be clean, safe, and sanitary. LPA advised applicant that facility is to always remain in good repair to ensure the safety and well-being of children, employees, and visitors. Floors of all rooms have a surface that is safe and clean. All classroom furniture and equipment were observed to be in good condition, free of sharp, loose, or pointed parts. Furniture and equipment were observed to be located so that no exit is blocked. LPA advised applicant cots and mats used for napping may not hinder any exit(s). Tables and chairs were observed to be meet the needs of the children. All play equipment and materials used by children were observed to be age appropriate, and personal cubby space is available to children. Facility houses a total of 7 sinks and 6 toilets.

NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Deborah Lowe
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Maryrose Breault
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE: DATE: 09/11/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE: DATE: 09/11/2025
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
SANTA BARBARA CC RO, 6500 HOLLISTER AVE., SUITE 200
GOLETA, CA 93117
FACILITY NAME: STEPPING STONE UNIVERSITY PRESCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 406217524
VISIT DATE: 09/11/2025
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The infant classroom provides a variety of soft play materials for visual and tactile stimulation, comfortable temperature, and waste bins to have tight fitted lids. Classroom contains a kitchen for preparing bottles, sanitizing and storing food (milk). LPA observed the kitchen to be clean and in good working order. The sleeping area for infants is physically separated from the indoor activity space by a half wall. The napping area is open to provide visibility and chairs available for staff to watch children while at rest. At the time of the inspection, LPA observed cribs to have tight fitted sheets to match the size of the mattress. LPA observed both infant and toddler rooms to have changing tables with a padded surface no less than one-inch thick and covered with washable vinyl or plastic. Toddlers will utilize cots for sleeping and LPA observed sufficient quantity.

Preschool classrooms contain a variety of activities for children, comfortable temperature, and ample ventilation. Children will rest on cots which LPA observed present. LPA observed waste receptacles to have tightfitting covers, in good repair, leakproof and rodent-proof. LPA observed disinfectants, cleaning solutions, poisons and other items that could pose a danger located in a locked closet outside the classroom area. LPA observed first aid kits, carbon monoxide detectors present and functioning at the time of the inspection, and fire extinguisher last serviced on 3/5/2025. Per applicant, no firearms or ammunition are present on facility property.

LPA observed 4 play yards as to which 1 yard (off infant classroom) will not be used at this time. All yards are separated and gated from one another by regulation fencing. Play areas provide ample shade, age-appropriate toys and equipment, soft material to absorb falls, clean sandboxes, and accessibility to water. Per director, no bodies of water are present on property.

Facility provides AM/PM snack and filtered water available, parents to provide lunches.

Office of State Fire Marshall cleared facility on 9/2/2025.

Drinking water from a noncontaminating 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.

NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Deborah Lowe
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Maryrose Breault
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/11/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/11/2025
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
SANTA BARBARA CC RO, 6500 HOLLISTER AVE., SUITE 200
GOLETA, CA 93117
FACILITY NAME: STEPPING STONE UNIVERSITY PRESCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 406217524
VISIT DATE: 09/11/2025
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Incidental Medical Services (IMS) policy was discussed. For IMS information see Evaluator Manual - Regulation Interpretations and Procedures for Child Care Centers Sections 101173 and 101226. 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)/ (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

Applicant 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.

Applicant was informed of the MyChildCarePlan.org site, a consumer education website that helps families obtain childcare by connecting them to childcare 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.

Infant classroom totals 701.28 sq. ft. and outdoor area measures 720.15 sq. ft. which will accommodate applicant’s request for 8 infants.

Preschool indoor classroom measures 602.23 sq. ft. and outdoor area measures 2909.03 which will accommodate applicant’s request for 17 preschoolers. The toddler indoor classroom measures 602.23 sq. ft. outdoor measures 4180.00 sq. ft. which will accommodate applicant’s request for 12 toddlers.

An exit interview conducted with applicant Ashtane Bixler, copy of report to be emailed.

NOTICE OF SITE VISIT GIVEN AND TO REMAIN POSTED IN A PROMINENT LOCATION FOR 30 DAYS.

NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Deborah Lowe
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Maryrose Breault
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/11/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/11/2025
LIC809 (FAS) - (06/04)
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