Complaint·October 16, 2023

Allegations 1: Staff spanks children when they don\342\200\231t behave. Interview with the complainant: The complaint was submitted anonymously and without any contact information. The Department could not reach the complainant for an interview about the allegations. Interview with staff: On 9/7/2023, five (5) staff were interviewed about the allegations. All staff interviewed denied the allegations happened. Staff 1, 2, 3, and 4 asserted they have never spanked daycare children. All staff interviewed stated they have never heard or seen staff spanking children. All staff consistently asserted that they use redirection, rewards, and discussion of emotions and consequences to manage challenging behavior. Interview with children: On 9/7/2023, four (4) preschool children were selected for an interview about the allegations. Three of the four children qualified for the interview, one was disqualified. None of the three children interviewed provided any information that could corroborate the allegations. Interview with Parents: On 9/8/2023, four (4) parents were called for an interview. None of the parents answered the Department\342\200\231s request for an interview. Records review: On 10/4/2023, LPA reviewed the New Employee Handbook. Among other topics, the handbook discusses \342\200\234classroom control\342\200\235 and the \342\200\234hands off\342\200\235 policy. The Executive Preschool Director provided evidence of training topics offered to staff and staff monthly meeting attendance sheets for July and August. Among the training given to staff are preferred strategies for managing challenging behaviors in the classroom, emotional awareness, resilience & self-regulation, and healing trauma-promoting skill development training. Allegation 2: Staff is rude, impatient, and intimidates children. Interview with the complainant: The complaint was submitted anonymously and without any contact information. The Department could not reach the complainant for an interview about the allegations. continue on page 3 Interview with staff: On 9/7/2023, five (5) staff were interviewed about the allegations. All staff interviewed denied the allegations happened. Staff 1, 2, 3, and 4 asserted they have never been rude, impatient, or intimidating to daycare children. All staff interviewed stated they have never heard or seen staff being rude, impatient, or intimidating to daycare children. All staff consistently answered that they use redirection, rewards, and discussion of emotions and consequences to manage challenging behavior. Interview with children: On 9/7/2023, four (4) preschool children were selected for an interview about the allegations. Three of the four children qualified for the interview, one did not. None of the three children interviewed provided any information that could corroborate the allegations. Interview with Parents: On 9/8/2023, four (4) parents were called for an interview. None of the parents answered the Department\342\200\231s request for an interview. Records review: On 10/4/2023, LPA reviewed the New Employee Handbook. Among other topics, the handbook discusses \342\200\234classroom control\342\200\235 and the \342\200\234hands off\342\200\235 policy. The Executive Preschool Director provided evidence of training topics offered to staff and staff monthly meeting attendance sheets for July and August. Among the training given to staff are preferred strategies for managing challenging behaviors in the classroom, emotional awareness, resilience & self-regulation, and healing trauma-promoting skill development training. Based on the LPA\342\200\231s observations, interviews conducted with children and staff, and records review, the preponderance of evidence standard has not been met. Although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation(s) did or did not occur, therefore the allegations are unsubstantiated. An exit interview was conducted with Director Wendy Atristain. The Notice of Site Visit was posted during the visit. The director was informed that the Notice of Site Visit must be posted for 30 consecutive days. Failure to post will result in civil penalties of $100. The director was provided a copy of their appeal rights (LIC 9058 01/16) and their signature on this form acknowledges receipt of these rights. First-level appeals should be sent to the regional manager to the address listed above. end.