complaint·June 29, 2023

W2 stated they witnessed that S3 is rough with the kids and grabbed C5 and tossed C5 on the floor and the incident occurred during nap time. W2 stated that S3 had tossed C5’s nap mat on the floor. LPA asked W2 if C5 was crying and W2 stated no but C5 was scared. LPA interviewed staff (S1-S4) on 4/11/23. LPA asked staff if they had witnessed staff handling children roughly by grabbing them in which 4 of 4 staff stated no. LPA asked staff what is their discipline policy in which 3 of 4 staff stated they redirect children. LPA interviewed children(C1-C7) on 4/11/23, 6 of the 7 children were able to be interviewed. LPA asked children (C1-C6) if they feel safe at school in which 6 of the 6 children stated yes, they felt safe at school. LPA asked children if any staff had hurt them or any of their friends in which 3 of 6 children stated yes. LPA asked children if staff had made them cry or made their friends cry in which 4 of 6 stated that staff make them or their friends cry. C1 stated that S3 picks up their friends and takes them away. C5 stated that S4 was grabbed by the funny bone referring to their elbow. LPA interviewed parents (P1-P7) on 4/11/23, 5/24/23, 6/23/23 and 6/26/23. LPA asked parents if they had witnessed staff handling their child or any other child roughly in which 7 of 7 parents stated no they had not witnessed staff handling children roughly. During today’s visit facility was toured. LPA observed 24 children and 4 staff. Based on the evidence obtained, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation is found to be substantiated. California Code of Regulations, (Title 22), is being cited on the attached LIC 9099D. Appeal rights were provided and exit interview conducted. The Notice of Site Visit must be posted for 30 days. LPA interviewed witness (W1-W2) on 4/10/23. W1 and W2 stated that when child (C5) went to get water, C5 returned because S3 was there and observed that C5 was visibly scared of S3. W1 stated that children do not get a good amount of food and children were hungry and asked for seconds and the food is not being served on regular plates and is served on coffee filters. W1 stated that the food menu is too different from what is being served. W1 also stated that no other sides are being offered with meals. W2 stated the amount of food that is offered is not filling for children. W2 stated that children had requested seconds. W2 stated that the center is not offering a variety of food and most of the time the food is served on coffee filters and the portions are small. LPA interviewed staff (S1-S4) on 4/11/23. LPA asked staff if staff are intimidating children in a way in which children are scared in which 3 of 4 staff stated no. LPA asked staff if the facility is providing proper quantity of food and 4 of 4 staff stated yes. S1 stated that children can have seconds when they are hungry but never deny the children food. S2 stated that children receive a proper quantity of food, and it is distributed evenly. S3 stated that they give children the food they ask for. S4 stated that children receive enough food and provide snacks if there isn’t enough. LPA interviewed children(C1-C7) on 4/11/23, 6 of the 7 children were able to be interviewed. LPA asked children (C1-C6) if they are afraid of the teachers in which 3 of 6 children stated yes, they are afraid of their teachers. LPA interviewed parents (P1-P7) on 4/11/23, 5/24/23, 6/23/23 and 6/26/23. LPA asked if their child is afraid of any of the teachers at school in which 7 of 7 parents stated no. LPA asked parents if they have concerns over the quantity of food being offered in which 7 of 7 parents stated no. LPA asked parents if they had concerns regarding the food portions being served at center in which 7 of 7 parents stated no. LPA asked parents if they had any concerns in regards to the care of their children in which 7 of 7 parents stated no. During today’s visit facility was toured. LPA observed 24 children in care and 4 staff. LPA observed a updated food menu. Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of the evidence to prove that the alleged violation occurred, and the findings are unsubstantiated. An exit interview was conducted. The Notice of Site Visit must be posted for 30 days.