Incident investigation·March 13, 2025

On 3/13/2025, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Loyce Phillips, conducted a case management inspection to follow up on an Unusual Incident reported to the department by telephone on 2/24/2025 at approximately 12:00pm, however the incident occurred on 2/20/2025, approximately 10:00am. The Unusual Incident was not reported in a timely manner (deficiency cited 809-D). LPA met by Lead Teacher, Gihan Youssef and toured the facility. LPA observed 14 infants with 5 staff and 15 napping toddlers with 2 staff. Description of the incident : Director reported on 2/20/2025, Staff 1 (S1) and Staff 2 (S2) took the toddler classroom to play in the Harbor room. S1 and S2 left the Harbor room and unfortunately left one child behind. The staff did not count the number of students before leaving the Harbor room. Staff 3 (S3) found the child 1 (C1) alone in the Harbor room. S3 reported the information to the Director. The Director walked C1 back to the classroom, spoke with S1 and S2 individually and reported the information to the parents. During this incident investigation, LPA toured the facility, interviewed staff and parent. LPA also obtained pertinent documents related to this unusual incident. LPA interviewed 4 staff members who admitted a child was left alone in the Harbor room. S1 stated she was the last teacher in the classroom and unfortunately 1 child was left behind. S1 also stated she did not conduct a head count as the children were leaving, to walk back to their classroom. S1 stated C1 was left in the room alone for about 2 minutes. 809-C S2 stated she was the lead teacher and was present in the hallway providing supervision as the children were leaving. S2 stated she did not do a final head count as the children were in the hallway and she did not do a second head count as the children arrived at their classroom. S2 stated C1 was left in the room alone for approximately 15 minutes. S3 stated she found the child in the classroom alone and called the Director immediately to inform of incident. S3 stated she was unaware of the details of C1 being unsupervised and how long C1 was left alone. S4 stated to her understanding C1 was left alone for approximately 5 minutes. S4 stated she spoke with the staff members regarding the incident. S4 stated she also spoke with parents and notified CCLD of the incident. Based on the statements obtained from staff members the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, the facility did not ensure that there was supervision of all children in care at all times; therefore the incident of Lack of Supervision resulting in a child found left alone in a classroom unsupervised, is Substantiated. 809-D Per Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 3, of the California Code of Regulations and Health and Safety Code, Deficiencies and Civil Penalty are being issued. LPA, Loyce Phillips informed Lead Teacher, Gihan Youssef that this report dated 3/13/2025 document(s) 1 Type A citation which shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there are immediate risks to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care. Also, LPA, Loyce Phillips informed the Lead Teacher, Gihan Youssef to provide a copy of this licensing report dated 3/13/2025 that documents any Type A citations 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. 809-C The notice of Site Visit (LIC 9213) 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 results in a civil penalty of 100.00. An exit interview was conducted, and a copy of this report and appeals rights was provided to Lead Teacher, Gihan Youssef.