Complaint·August 16, 2024

When interviewed, all staff members admitted that despite having pest control twice a month, water bugs are present in the babies' room. The facility is located on the first floor of a residential building. The staff members believe that the water bugs come either from the residential area or from the plastic hose hanging from the babies' room ceiling, which is due to an issue with the AC. During LPA's first visit, LPA observed a plastic hose hanging from the ceiling in the babies' room and flowing into a plastic container, which contained a dead water bug. During LPA's second visit, LPA observed that the plastic hose had been removed, and staff confirmed that there had been no water bugs since the removal. The second allegation indicates that “Facility staff did not allow infants to nap without distraction.” When interviewed, staff members admitted that when there was only one teacher with two infants in the babies’ room, they rolled a sleeping baby outside with their crib so that the teacher could supervise both infants. The staff admitted that the baby's sleep was disturbed, and the baby was unable to go back to sleep. Based on Observations and staff admission, 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, Article 07. Physical Environment ; Title 22, Division 12 Chapter 1 Subchapter 02. Infant Care Centers are cited on the attached LIC9099D. The Notice of Site Visit was provided and must remain posted for 30 days during the hours of operation after each site visit by a licensing representative. Failure to maintain posting as required will result in a civil penalty of $100.00. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Director Georgina Garcia-Figueroa. When interviewed, S1, S2, S3, S5, S6, and S7 stated that there is always a qualified teacher with the children in the babies' room. There have been emergency situations where S3 has had to step in to assist the teacher while they awaited the arrival of a substitute teacher. S3 is not a hired aide. The second allegation indicates that “Facility staff did not provide care as necessary to meet day care child’s needs.” Per Reporting Party, S1 has a practice of letting infants "cry it out” and when they are comforting an infant and holding them, S1 would tell them to put the child down and let them cry. When interviewed, S1, S2, S3, S5, S6, and S7 stated that no one has advised teachers not to hold children or to leave the children crying. S1 only told teachers to refrain from holding the children constantly. Staff stated they have never left a child crying for a long period of time. During both of LPA's last visits, LPA observed the teachers holding infants in the babies room. No infants were observed crying in both the infants' rooms. Based on the investigation conducted, there is insufficient evidence to support the above-mentioned allegations to be true. Therefore, although the allegation may has happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation Unsubstantiated. The Notice of Site Visit was provided and must remain posted for 30 days during the hours of operation after each site visit by a licensing representative. Failure to maintain posting as required will result in a civil penalty of $100.00. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Director Georgina Garcia-Figueroa. Page 2