complaint·May 24, 2024

toes with a hammer back in early February and complainant stated that C#6 would tell R.P. that she was being put on time out. LPA conducted interviews with staff # 1- 4. Regarding allegation # 1: Staff #1-4 made no disclosures regarding the allegation. All staff corroborated that they do not hit children. All staff stated that they talk to the children and have them understand what they did wrong. Staff #1-4 corroborated that they have not witnessed any hitting of a child by any staff. Additionally, staff statements corroborated that a children’s personal rights are never violated and that children are treated with respect. Regarding allegation # 2: Staff #1-4 made no disclosures regarding the allegation. Staff #1-4 corroborated that they have not witnessed any hitting of a child with an object. All staff stated that they have not hit a child with an object and have not witnessed anyone violate a child ‘s personal rights by hitting a child with an object. S#1 stated that all tools and or objects that can pose a danger to the children in care are put away in a storage room locked with a key at all times located in an inaccessible area to the children. S#1 disclosed that the storage room is only opened by maintenance after hours. Additionally, staff statements corroborated that a children’s personal rights are never violated and that children are treated with respect. Regarding allegation # 3: Staff #1-4 made no disclosures regarding the allegation. Staff stated that in the parent handbook it goes over the facility discipline policy which is that they have “thinking time” according to the child’s age. It was stated that thinking time is used when a child is harming themselves or others. S#2 stated that, “I don't give time outs. I don't do thinking time. My children listen to me when I talk to them. I feel that I'm their friend and I like to talk about it. I want to make sure the children feel safe.” Additionally, staff statements corroborated that a child's personal rights are never violated. Additionally, staff corroborated that children have the right to have their needs met, children freely have choices and are treated with respect. LPA conducted interviews with parents. Parent’s statements corroborate that they are very satisfied with the school and do not have any concerns with the staff or the facility. Parents stated that the children love going to school. Additionally, parents stated that the children express that they love the school and have no concerns. LPA conducted interviews with children. Children’s statements corroborated that they like their school and did not disclose being hurt by anyone or by anything. No disclosures were made in regards to the above allegations. Child #6 was interviewed and did not disclose any information that can corroborate with the allegations. LPA Perry observed that all children were being treated with respect. LPA did not observe any objects / tools or any other object that can be used in the form of discipline or that can pose a danger to the children in care. LPA Perry also observed in Parent Handbook on page 26, facilities Guidance and Behavior policy (Discipline Policy) which states that, “Discipline is considered a form of moral guidance and not a form of punishment”. The policy also indicates that they will speak to the child, re-direct the child, will be talked to, children will have thinking time (no longer than the minutes of their chronological age of that child). It is also stated that if aggressive behavior continues and becomes a physical threat to themselves or others the child may be removed from the program. On page 27 it states that, “At no time will any corporal punishment or violation of personal rights be acceptable.” LPA did not observe any inappropriate forms of punishment. This agency has investigated the complaint alleging, staff hit a day-care child while in care, staff hit a day-care child with an object and that staff are demonstrating inappropriate form of discipline. Based upon the evidence as presented above, the allegation has been determined to be Unsubstantiated. A finding of Unsubstantiated means that although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove alleged violation(s) did or did not occur, therefore at this time the above allegations are unsubstantiated. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted with Sister Veronica Sanchez, Director and report was read, signed, and provided to Director sister Veronica. Appeal rights discussed and provided. bruises and cuts in the knees and the school failed to make incident reports or let the R.P. know what happened. R.P. also stated that if C#6 is getting proper supervision they should be able to explain how C#6 got bruised. LPA conducted interviews with staff # 1- 4. Regarding allegation # 1: No disclosures were made to the above allegation. Staff stated that if an incident occurs an incident report is provided to parents. All staff interviewed stated that if a child gets injured, they send home an incident report or depending on the injury they will call parents right away . Regarding allegation #2. S#1, S#2, S#4 stated that all injuries are reported. S#3 stated that there have been times where parents are not notified. S#3 stated, “Like when the child didn't say anything, or we didn't notice it.” No incident report is made or provided to parents. And that S#3 stated that there have been times where a child is injured, and staff are unable to explain the injuries because they didn’t see it. LPA conducted interviews with parents. In regards to allegation #1 P#1, P#2, P#3 stated that they are always informed on injuries and that they receive incident reports when their child gets injured at school. P#1 did disclose that the school does not communicate injuries. Per P#1 child has gotten hurt before at school and the school does not inform P#1. P#1 must ask child what happened at school or child will disclose to P#1. Regarding allegation #2, all parents stated that they do not have any issues or concerns with staff or day care services provided. LPA conducted interviews with children. Children’s statements corroborated that they like their school and no disclosures were made in regards to the allegations above. Child #6 was interviewed and did not disclose any information that can corroborate with the allegations. LPA did not observe any incident reports submitted to the department via file review. LPA did observe a sample form of an incident report that is given to parents if in injury has occurred. This agency has investigated the complaint alleging, staff do not properly report incidents involving a day-care child and day-care child sustained unexplained injuries while in care. Based upon the evidence as presented above, the allegation has been determined to be substantiated. Based on interviews and disclosures made during the department investigation, the preponderance of evidence and the standard has been met, therefore, the above allegations are found to be substantiated. California Code of Regulations (Title 22 Division & Chapter), are being cited on the attached deficiencies page LIC 9099-D. A Notice of Site Visit was provided and must be posted for 30 days. Appeal rights were provided and explained to Director Veronica Sanchez. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100. Exit interview was conducted and report was reviewed with Director Veronica Sanchez.