Incident investigation·October 28, 2021

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Nolan Tcheng conducted an unannounced case management inspection to follow up on an incident that was reported to the Department on 10/20/2021. Upon arrival, LPAs met with Director Gwen Blackmon at 11:25am, who provided LPA a tour of the facility . Census was taken. There were 4 children and 1 staff in Infant #2, 5 children and 2 staff in Infant #3, 7 children and 2 staff in Toddler Room, and 5 children and 2 staff in Green Room. During course of investigation, LPA observed the area where alleged incident took place. LPA conducted interview with Staff #1. A phone interview was conducted with Staff #2(S2), Parent #1, and Parent #2. Children were not interviewed due to being nonverbal age. Per Staff #1, Parent #1(P1) had entered Infant #3 Room and witnessed Staff #2 smack a child on the face while they were being put down for a nap. P1 reported what they witnessed to S1 and both immediately returned to the infant room. Upon arrival back at the room, S1 states that P1 was unsure of which infant was the one who was struck at first but stated it was Child #1. S1 asked S2 to go to the office immediately. Staff #1 states that they monitored the child and had not observed any marks appear on the child's skin. Per Staff #2, they were putting infants down for nap time and was singing a song with the child and playing with Child #1 as if her hand was a spider. The child did not like it and began to cry. S2 states they did not hit the child. Copies of statement was obtained from S2. S2 states they were aware that P1 had entered the room, and heard them walk out. Per Parent #1, they walked in to drop off their child and observed S2 smack a child on the mouth while children were being put down for nap. P1 states the child was crying leading up to the smack and then cried more after it occurred. No words were said to the S2 and P1 immediately left the classroom to speak with S1 to inform them of what they had just witnessed. LPA obtained copy of email statement for P1. REPORT CONTINUES PAGE 1 of 2 Parent #2 was interviewed. They have only been informed of what was shared with them from the facility. No disclosures were made. Based on observation, the documents obtained during the investigation, and the interviews conducted with staff and parents, there is not a preponderance of evidence to determine that there was violation of Title 22 regulations. LPA Tcheng is issuing an Advisory Note (LIC9102) to the facility to provide advisement of increased staff partnering and to conduct a staff meeting regarding personal rights and discipline. LIC9102 was provided to the Director at time of inspection. Per California Code of Regulations Title 22, Division 12, no deficiency cited during today's visit. The Notice of Site Visit (LIC 9213) \342\200\223 must remain posted for 30 days during the hours of operation after each site visit by a licensing representative. Exit interview conducted with the Director Gwen Blackmon at 12:15pm. A copy of this report was provided. REPORT ENDS PAGE 2 of 2