Castle Head Start, Atwater CA: inspection record

Inspection record overview

Past 36 months · checked Nov 5, 2026

Critical findings on record

3 critical and 3 minor findings across 12 visits. Most recent critical finding: Jan 8, 2026. Latest visit Mar 26, 2026, details unavailable.

Critical findings3 · Atwater median 0

27% of Atwater licensed centers have at least one

Serious findings0 · Atwater median 0

20% of Atwater licensed centers have at least one

What inspectors found

The 3 most serious visits in the window. Titles use the state's own standard names, in plain English where we have a reviewed translation.

Jan 8, 2026Other visitCriticalSign-in and sign-out not keptCalifornia: Responsibility for Providing Care and Supervision · Type ACorrection due Jan 9, 2026

“This requirement is not met as evidenced by: Based on the record review and interviews conducted, it was confirmed that C1 was left unsupervised in the playground for seven minutes without adult supervision.”California CCLD inspector, Jan 8, 2026 report. Quoted verbatim.

Feb 27, 2025Other visitCriticalChild's personal rights not respectedCalifornia: Personal Rights · Type ACorrection due Mar 14, 2025

Feb 8, 2024InspectionCriticalChild's personal rights not respectedCalifornia: Personal Rights · Type ACorrection due Feb 29, 2024

6findings in 36 months0verified corrected by California0corrected during the visit6with a plan or deadline only

Everything above is quoted or counted from California CCLD records; nothing is generated. This is not a safety rating.

Read all 12 visits →

Provider details

HoursNot listedConfirm days with provider

Ages servedNot listedConfirm classroom age requirements

License type: Licensed
County: Merced
License number: 243808261
Date issued: Feb 6, 2006
Licensed capacity: 76 children

Fees, assistance & availability →Programs, services & policies →

About this provider

Provider profile

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Outdoor area

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Learning spaces

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Drop-in rate: Not provided
After-school tuition: Not provided
Registration, deposits & other fees: Not provided

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Programs & learning

Learning approach

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Services & accommodations

Daily activity or program schedule

The daily schedule has not been supplied. Ask about arrival, meals, outdoor play, rest, learning activities, and pickup.

People, policies & environment

Director

Maria Rosie Martinez

Licensee

Merced Co Office of Education Regional Head Start

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The parent briefing

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Nov 6, 2023–Nov 6, 2026 · 36 months

Latest recorded visit

Mar 26, 2026 · Inspection

Outcome or report details unavailable

12 recorded visits · 6 available findings.

2 visits indicate findings with missing details; expand the visits for reported versus available counts.
3 visits have conflicting outcomes or finding counts.

3Critical findings

0Serious findings

3Minor findings

0Severity N/A

Source checked Nov 5, 2026 · Inspection history is not a safety rating.

Visits in the past 12 months

5 visits

Newest first, grouped by year. Expand a visit to read the findings.

20265 visits · 2 recorded findings

Mar 26, 2026Inspection
Report details unavailable
The state lists 1 findings; details for 0 are available.
Missing or pending details are not evidence of no findings.
Mar 19, 2026Other visit1 finding
Standard 101223(a)(2)
Minor
Based on the record review and interviews conducted, it was determined that staff failed to ensure that C1’s personal rights were protected by not ensuring C1’s safety. C1 should not have been allowed to climb up from the bottom of the slide, which resulted in C1 losing balance, falling, and sustaining an injury. This failure poses a potential risk to the health, safety, and personal rights of children in care.
A correction plan is recorded. No state verification date is shown.
Recorded plan of correction
Site supervisor agrees to submit proof to the Department that staff training will be conducted on the topic of playground supervision and safety, with a focus on the proper use of the slide for children in care. Site supervisor will submit proof of the play structure manufacturer’s information, along with the training topics and attendance, to the Department by 04/02/2026. Kari McWilliams Ka Vang DATE: 03/19/2026 DATE: 03/19/2026 Page: 4 of 4
Standard 101223(a)(2)
State severity
Type B
Corrected at visit
Not recorded
Correction due
Apr 2, 2026
Technical assistance
Not recorded
Finding source ID
ca:243808261:2026-03-26:101223(a)(2):1
Visit source ID
ca:243808261:2026-03-26:inspection
The visit outcome or reported count conflicts with the available finding details. The findings remain visible.
Mar 5, 2026Other visit
No findings recorded
Feb 3, 2026Other visit
No findings recorded
Jan 8, 2026Other visit1 finding
Standard 101229(a)(1)
Critical
This requirement is not met as evidenced by: Based on the record review and interviews conducted, it was confirmed that C1 was left unsupervised in the playground for seven minutes without adult supervision. This poses an immediate risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care.
A correction plan is recorded. No state verification date is shown.
Recorded plan of correction
The Education Coordinator was informed of the childcare training videos available on the Community Care Licensing (CCL) website at www.ccld.childcarevideos.org. The Education Coordinator and staff will view the following trainings: Supervising Children in Child Care Centers, Children’s Personal Rights in Child Care, and Health and Safety Training. By 01/12/2026, the facility will submit copies of staff attendance sign in sheets, including dates of completion, to verify that all staff members have received training and understand children’s supervision requirements, children’s personal rights, and health and safety practices for children in care. Kari McWilliams Ka Vang DATE: 01/08/2026 DATE: 01/08/2026 Page: 3 of 4 CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION FRESNO CC RO, 1310 E. SHAW AVE, FRESNO, CA 93710 FACILITY NUMBER: 243808261 VISIT DATE: 01/08/2026 Interviews confirmed that C1 was left on the playground for approximately seven minutes without staff supervision. Although C1 did not appear distraught; however, C1 was not being properly supervised during this time. It was also confirmed that when S2 brought C1 to Preschool Classroom #3, the staff assigned to Classroom #3 were unaware that C1 had remained on the playground. During this unannounced inspection, LPA conducted interviews and reviewed facility records. Based on the information obtained, it was determined that C1 was left unsupervised for approximately seven minutes in the outdoor playground. Per Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 1, of the California Code of Regulations, there is deficiency being cited during today’s inspection. (See page LIC809-D for additional information). Upon receipt of a Type A violation, Education Coordinator shall post and provide copies of this licensing report to parents/guardians of children in care at the facility and to parents/guardians of children newly enrolled at the facility during the next 12 months. A copy of the Fact Sheet - Child Care Parent Notification Requirements and a copy of LIC 9224 Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Reports was given to Education Coordinator. Education Coordinator was provided with a copy of appeal rights. A notice of site visit (LIC 9213) was given and must remain posted for 30 days. This report shall be made available to the public upon request. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Education Coordinator. DATE: 01/08/2026 DATE: 01/08/2026 Page: 4 of 4
Standard 101229(a)(1)
State severity
Type A
Corrected at visit
Not recorded
Correction due
Jan 9, 2026
Technical assistance
Not recorded
Finding source ID
ca:243808261:2026-01-08:101229(a)(1):1
Visit source ID
ca:243808261:2026-01-08:other
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Older records · before Nov 6, 2023

Not included in the 36-month briefing.

Jul 7, 2023Other visit
No findings recorded
Mar 2, 2023Inspection
1 finding
Lead Testing
Minor
Based on record reviewed, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above. As of today's date 03/02/2023 facility has not provided Community Care Licensing with evidence of testing the water used for drinking or food preparation for lead contamination as required, therefore facility is out of compliance which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
A correction plan is recorded. No state verification date is shown.
Recorded plan of correction
Facility representative agrees to submit evidence of testing water used for drinking or food preparation for lead contamination as required by regulation to Community Care Licensing (CCL)-Fresno Office by 04/03/2023.
Standard 1597.16(a)(1) · Lead Testing
State severity
Type B
Corrected at visit
Not recorded
Correction due
Apr 3, 2023
Technical assistance
Not recorded
Finding source ID
ca:243808261:2023-03-02:1597.16(a)(1):1
Visit source ID
ca:243808261:2023-03-02:inspection
Jan 18, 2022Other visit
No findings recorded

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Mar 26, 2026 · Inspection

12 recorded visits · 6 available findings.

Visits in the past 12 months

Standard 101223(a)(2)

Recorded plan of correction

Standard 101229(a)(1)

Recorded plan of correction

Lead Testing

Recorded plan of correction

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Mar 26, 2026 · Inspection

12 recorded visits · 6 available findings.

Visits in the past 12 months

Standard 101223(a)(2)

Recorded plan of correction

Standard 101229(a)(1)

Recorded plan of correction

Lead Testing

Recorded plan of correction

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