Complaint·July 13, 2023

Per the center director’s own admission on 04/28/23, the center did not obtain signed LIC9224 “Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Reports” from parents and guardians of each child receiving services in this facility. The center director acknowledged that there was one instance in April 2023 where a child (child C1) cut their own hair while in the “Blue Bear” classroom. The center director stated that this classroom was not C1’s assigned classroom but is used during morning drop off as an “opening room.” The center director stated that the Blue Bear room is reserved for older preschool age children during the day. The center director stated that C1 obtained a pair of children’s scissors from storage inside the classroom and then proceeded to cut their own hair. The center director stated that this incident was not observed by any staff member in the classroom but was observed by a child, who then reported it to a staff member. The center director stated that C1’s authorized representatives were notified of the incident as well. The center director stated that children are not allowed to use scissors without staff supervision. The facility’s staff (S2-S6) were interviewed on 04/28/23 regarding this incident. T he staff members corroborated the center director’s statements. Based on information obtained from interviews, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met; therefore, the above allegations are found to be substantiated. California Code of Regulations, Title 22, is being cited on the attached LIC 9099-D. This is a repeat violation, and a civil penalty will be assessed. Appeal rights were provided. An exit interview was conducted, and this report was read and discussed with the center director, Tamara Wanink. The Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 days. The assistant director stated that between 09:00am-09:05am, a teacher rang a “cow bell” to signal to children that it was time to line up according to their respective classroom and prepare to transition indoors. The assistant director stated that while still on the playground, C1’s teacher performed a “name to face” head count and noticed that C1 was missing from the line. The assistant director stated that C1’s teacher then alerted her that C1 was missing from the lineup. The assistant director stated that she then walked outside to the playground from the adjacent main lobby and within approximately 30 seconds located C1 “hiding behind the playground border wall.” The assistant director stated that all other classrooms transitioned indoors except for C1’s classroom and teacher, who were still on the playground. The assistant director stated that although C1’s teacher was not aware of C1’s exact whereabouts during the line up, C1’s classmates and C1’s teacher was still on the fully fenced playground and C1 was never left unattended. The assistant director stated that C1 was not in distress or appear to be upset. The assistant director stated that C1’s authorized representatives were notified of the incident at 09:18am that day. An Unusual Incident Report (UIR) regarding the incident was received by the Chico Child Care Regional Office. Staff members that were interviewed stated that any time children are on the playground, teachers spread out around the play yard and provide active supervision and are frequently “scanning” the yard with their eyes, listening, observing, anticipating behaviors, and engaging and redirecting children. During the LPA’s site visit, the LPA toured the playground and observed that the entire playground is fully enclosed and has a chain link perimeter fence that is at least 5 feet tall. The LPA observed that the “playground border wall” is an approximately two feet tall border made of lumber that surrounds the perimeter of the main play structure to retain protective surfacing materials. It was alleged that on an unspecified date in October 2022, child C1 locked themselves in their classroom’s bathroom for an unspecified amount of time due to a lack of supervision. This center uses Dutch doors for its children’s bathrooms. Staff members that were interviewed all stated that the top half of the door is never engaged and is always left open so that teachers can monitor children in the bathroom. The LPA observed that the door handle on the bottom half of the Dutch door has a push lock that can be unlocked by reaching over the half door. Staff members stated that children who are potty trained are permitted to use the classroom’s bathroom without permission or the escort of a teacher. Staff stated that if a teacher notices that a child is taking longer than usual in the bathroom, they will check on the child and offer assistance. The staff member that was assigned to C1’s classroom at the time of this alleged incident could not be reached for comment as she is no longer employed by the center. The center director, assistant director, and all staff interviewed stated that they were not aware of this alleged incident. (Continued on LIC9099-C) The center director stated that any time there is an unusual incident or serious injury at the facility involving a child, the incident is reported to Community Care Licensing and the child’s authorized representatives. The center director stated that less serious incidents are reported to the child’s authorized representative, only. The center director stated that the facility uses the Bright Wheel app to communicate with children’s authorized representatives. It has been alleged that the facility did not address a slipping hazard in a timely manner. Specifically, it was alleged that on a specified date in April 2023, a child’s vomit in the main hallway was not cleaned up in a timely manner by staff members and posed a slipping hazard. Assistant Director Brittany Anselmo stated that she recalls one recent incident in which a child was vomiting as they were being carried down the hallway by their authorized representative. The assistant director stated that she assisted the child’s authorized representative and offered the child a trash can to vomit into. The assistant director stated that she then cleaned up the vomit from the floor. The assistant director stated that this event occurred early in the morning when many of the center’s children were not on the premises, yet. The center director, assistant director, and all staff interviewed stated that there have been no recent communicable disease outbreaks at the facility. The center director stated that in the event of an outbreak, families of children in care are notified along with Community Care Licensing and the local public health department. Based on available information, although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove alleged violations did or did not occur, therefore, the allegations are determined to be unsubstantiated at this time. Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 days from today's visit. All Licensing reports are public information and must be made available upon request for at least three years. This report was read and reviewed with Center Director Tamara Wanink. Appeal rights and Licensee’s rights were provided.