Incident investigation·June 20, 2024

An unannounced case management inspection was conducted today at 09:45 am by Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Noah Wheeler. LPA met with Regional Supervisor Kim Ammons (S1), in response to an Unusual Incident Report received by the Department on 05/13/2024. On 05/02/2024, Early Intervention Coordinator, Isabella Berman, observed Lead Teacher Sarah Johnson holding a child\342\200\231s legs down when he began kicking her during nap time. The Center Director (CD) Sarah Johnson (S2) was interviewed on 06/19/2024 at 10:00 am and stated that on 05/02/2024 during nap time that she was reading to two children who do not nap. One child became unhappy and started kicking CD. CD asked child to stop repeatedly and child proceeded to kick CD and other furniture around them. CD stated to child that if they didn\342\200\231t stop, they would have to find another activity. Child didn\342\200\231t stop and kept kicking CD and kicked the bench causing child to exclaim, \342\200\234You hurt me.\342\200\235 CD decided to remove herself and other child, who was visibly scared, away from the situation and called another teacher over for assistance. Two teachers including CD and Early Intervention coordinator witnessed the situation but were working with their own groups until CD called for someone to aide her and \342\200\234tap out\342\200\235 of the situation. Continued on 809-C Four staff (S1-S4) were interviewed on 06/19/2024 and stated CD (S2) did not physically restrain child in any manner. During today\342\200\231s inspection, the facility was toured, one child\342\200\231s file was reviewed. LPA observed the area in which the incident occurred was not easily visible as there are bookshelves all around the nook staff call \342\200\234the library.\342\200\235 Teachers and staff have been advised to not sit on the floor with children, and in the library, there is a bench that they sit on when reading to children that is very low to the ground and staff stretch their legs out to be able to sit on it. During the incident, CD was sitting on bench and was being kicked on the side and under her legs and was not physically restraining the child from kicking but turned her body away from child and asked child to stop repeatedly before removing herself and the other child from the incident. Three staff interviewed corroborated the timeline of events that CD stated. Based on interviews, records review, and facility inspection, it was determined that there were no violations and staff acted in accordance with California Code of Regulations, Title 22. There were no deficiencies cited during today\342\200\231s inspection. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the licensee.