complaint·February 6, 2025

During the interview with the Director, the Director stated that between August - September of 2024, three lead teachers resigned or were let go. Per the Director, staff members 2 - 4 were enrolled in school and working towards obtaining their ECE units. In reference to the allegations of Staff did not ensure napping equipment was not in disrepair and Staff did not ensure baby gates were not in disrepair, the Director stated that there were multiple cribs that were in disrepair but were not being used for children in care and a few of the baby gates located in the outside play area were in disrepair, as a result of children pulling on them. During the interview with staff, it was confirmed that unqualified staff are working at the facility as teachers. Staff members 2, 3 and 4 were named as staff working as teachers at the facility. During the visit conducted on 11/13/24, LPA reviewed staff files and confirmed that staff members 2 – 4 are not qualified teachers and did not have the 12 core semester units in early childhood or child development education and 3 semester units related to infant care. Staff 5 was missing transcripts. In reference to the allegations of Staff did not ensure napping equipment was not in disrepair and Staff did not ensure baby gates were not in disrepair, the statements obtained from staff were consistent and corroborated with both allegations. During the visit conducted on 9/26/24, LPA toured the inside/outside of the facility and observed three cribs in disrepair. The cribs were missing wheels and were tilted/leaning on one side (pictures taken). LPA also observed multiple baby gates located in the outside play area in disrepair. The baby gates were broken and had been taped together with duct tape (pictures taken). Based on LPA’s observations and interviews which were conducted and record reviews, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegations are found to be Substantiated. California Code of Regulations, (Title 22, Division & Chapter number), are being cited on the attached LIC 9099D. 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 was conducted with Nassima Mojabi and Appeals Rights provided. During the interview with the Director, the Director denied observing or having knowledge of the following allegations; Staff did not ensure they were not over capacity, Staff are not using proper napping procedures Staff are not providing adequate food service for day care children, Staff did not ensure the facility is free of pests and Staff are inappropriately locking doors. Per the Director, the facility has never operated out of ratio. The facility is licensed to provide care to infants ages 0 to 24 months, for a capacity of 36 children and there have never been more than 36 children at the facility at one time. Per the Director, children are always placed on their backs during naptime and never on their stomachs. The Director stated that the facility does not customize food for children and parents are aware of that during admission. According to the admission agreement, if a parent wishes the day care not to feed their child, the parent is to send food and a beverage for their child to the program. After reviewing the physician's reports for children 1 - 4, LPA observed that the children did not have food related allergies or restrictions. Per the Director, staff will never serve anything to a child that will jeopardize the health and safety of the child. There have been no complaints from parents regarding the meals provided to their children. The Director denied the allegation of facility having an infestation of ants. According to the Director, the facility is cleaned regularly after each day and deep cleaning is done once a week, on Fridays. The Director denied staff inappropriately locking doors and stated during COVID, the facility followed LA County protocols and locking the doors was something that was being done at the time but that has since stopped and parents are allowed to come inside the facility as they wish. During visits conducted on 9/26/24, 11/13/24 and 2/6/25, LPA observed the facility operating within the capacity of the facility license. There were no concerns observed related to napping procedures, ant infestation or parents not being permitted to enter the facility. During the interview with staff, staff made no disclosures about observing any of the allegations stated above and denied the allegations to be true. The statements obtained were consistent and corroborated with the statements obtained from the Director. Parents interviewed did not present concerns related to the above-mentioned allegations and were pleased with the services and care being provided to their children. Based on the investigation conducted, there is insufficient evidence to support the above-mentioned allegations to be true. Therefore, although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations did or did not occur, therefore the allegations are 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 was conducted and report was reviewed with Nassima Mojabi and Appeals Rights provided.