Incident investigation·May 31, 2024

On May 31st, 2024 at approximately 9:50am, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) April Wright arrived for Case Management visit and met with Center Director Dan Kong. Purpose of today's visit was to follow up to an unusual incident report submitted by the facility on via email on 5/10/2024 regarding a personal rights violation. There were 50 preschool age children and 10 staff personnel present which includes the Director during today's visit. LPA conducted a health and safety inspection. Per the incident report received via phone from the Center Director, it stated that, "Emma joined the school on April 8. Since joining she cries at drop off sometimes she cries a lot sometimes she cries and stops. Parents will usually drop her off and she will cry, teacher will comfort her and she will stop. On Tuesday, May 7 Emma was dropped off. She was crying and wouldn't stop crying. Teacher, Linda Mills, tried to comfort Emma but Emma started to turn red and warm and kept scratching all over. To get Emma to calm/cool down Teacher Linda Mills sprayed Emma in the face with a water bottle. Emma's parents were concerned about why their daughter was afraid to go to school so they spoke with Emma's teacher. Emma's teacher informed the parents that she sprayed Emma in the face with water. Emma's parents were upset and had a meeting with the Director. Director spoke with Teacher Linda Mills and Teacher Mills apologized to the parents but the parents are still very upset. Director informed DD of the day that no other teachers were present in the room at the time." LPA interviewed Center Director and S2 via Facetime regarding the incident. S2 admitted to LPA that they indeed sprayed water in the face of C1 in an attempt to calm the child down and prevent them from hurting or injuring themselves. S2 stated that the C1 has had these "tantrums" since they began attending the school on 4/8/2024 and has them daily. Center Director and S2 both stated that the parents were made aware of C1 "tantrums" and a meeting was held on 5/10 with C1,C1 parents, S2 and Center Director to discuss incident and for S2 to apologize to C1 and parents.. S2 also stated they realize it was not the best practice in trying to calm C1 down using the spray bottle and has apologized to family before being placed on personal leave by the Center School Board. See LIC809C for continuance. Based on the interviews and admission, a child's personal rights were violated. This facility is being issued a Type B violation with a Plan of Correction - California Code or Regulations Title 22, Division 12 - Chapter 1 - Article 06 - Section 101223(a)(3) have been cited on the attached LIC809D. Plan of correction for this violation is due by 6/14/2024. Notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Report read and appeal rights given to Center Director Dan Kong.