complaint·October 24, 2024

During interviews conducted, Staff #4 (S4) stated that they have observed Staff #11 (S11) mishandle a child while in care. S4 disclosed that S11 was observed to “grab the arm and the face” of a child about 5 to 6 months ago. According to S4 the child was crying when S11 grabbed them. Staff #5 corroborated that they were made aware that S11 grabbed a child by the “chin”, and that the previous director was aware of the incident. According to Director Wendy Veas they were unaware of the incident as the incident happened before they were hired, and no documentation was recorded by the school. Child’s name was not disclosed at the time of the investigation. This incident was not reported to the department. According to the allegations, Staff behavior poses a risk to the daycare children. During interviews conducted, S5 disclosed that they have witnessed S11 yell at a child when a child was under a table. According to S5 the parent of the child underneath the table observed S11 yelling at their child and was upset at the situation. Per S5 the parent came back to the school the following day to speak to the previous director regarding the incident. Per Director of Operation, who was the previous director at the time of the incident did not recall a parent speaking to them regarding staff at the school. Child’s name was not disclosed at the time of investigation. This incident was not reported to the department. On 9/13/2024, an Unusual Incident was self-reported to the department that stated an incident occurred on 9/11/2024 with S11 and Child #1 (C1). According to staff, they were serving lunch in the Fellowship Hall because of abnormal weather conditions due to heat advisory and poor air quality caused by nearby wildfires. According to staff, they observed C1 throw their plate on the floor. Per staff, S11 picked up C1 from under their arms and lifted C1 above S11 face “high”. Staff disclosed that C1 screamed louder as they were picked up and placed on the ground. S11 disclosed that they lifted the child out of the chair to prevent child from throwing objects to other children nearby. Based on interviews conducted by the LPA and the staffs’ own statements, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegations are found to be SUBSTANTIATED. California Code of Regulations, (Title 22, Division 12 & chapter 1), are being cited on the attached LIC 9099D. --------------------------------------------------------------P.g. 2 out of 3---------------------------------------------------------------- LPA Saul Valenzuela informed Preschool Director Wendy Veas that this report dated 10/24/2024 document one Type A citation which shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there is/are immediate risk(s) to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care. Also, LPA Saul Valenzuela informed the Preschool Director Wendy Veas to provide a copy of this licensing report dated 10/24/2024 that documents any Type A citation(s) to parents/guardians of all children currently enrolled by the next business day or the next day the children are in care, and to any newly enrolled parents/guardians for 12 months from the date of this report. A signed Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Report (LIC 9224), or other written statement, must be placed in the child's file for verification. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100. An exit interview conducted, and the report was reviewed with Director, Wendy Veas. --------------------------------------------------------------P.g. 3 out of 3----------------------------------------------------------------