State Licensing Surprise visit today!!!

Working in a preschool, we always have worry about the possibility of a surprise, unannounced visit from State Licensing (the guard dogs from the California Department of Social Services Community Care licensing division). They literally spend several hours poking and prodding through your files, emergency kits, snack shelves, etc, etc, looking for something to write the school up on (which is usually the way they earn their money).  Being a parent-cooperative since 1947, we've made it so that everyone has responsibilities, which pretty much cover's each of the licensing requirements, such as making sure the weeky menu is posted, or that allergies are posted (as well as all their required poster's), etc, etc.  With each parent holding specific jobs, we always cross our fingers once licensing arrives (once every 2 or 3 years) in hopes that everyone has done their job and is on top of it today especially. Unfortunately we never know until the end of the visit, when we have to read her printed report and sign it.

 a lot of trust which takes place  Licensing is sort of like the health department for food places or osha for places where safety might be of concern, and also like the board of equalization for hair salon's.

Well, yesterday, Friday, just before coming in to work earlier than usual so that our Director could follow up with a dentist appointment, I arrive at work and am informed of our lovely guest. She was pretty cool, considering she is the one feared by all. She literally goes to many school per day and try's to make sure everyone's operating by their rules and the children are safe, etc. etc.

Well pretty much every single time licensing has come in it coincidentally happens when I'm there, so I've gotten better at these nerve racking visits by keeping my eyes and ears alert and making sure everyone is nice and safe.

Feeling the pressure as she types up her report was quite stressful due to the uncertain anticipation of the potential outcome, but I'm proud to say that our amazing school is 100% compliant, and that my friends, is a major relief...... indeed waaaaaaaay good news. Whoo hoo!!!