Incident investigation·February 23, 2026

On Monday, February 23, 2026, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Staicy Perry conducted an unannounced case management- Incident inspection to follow up with an incident that was reported to the department. LPA Perry met with Cynthia, Director, who guided LPA Perry on a tour of the facility. Per Director there are currently 66 children enrolled at the facility. Census was taken and LPA Perry observed 57 children in care at the time of inspection. During the investigation, interviews were conducted with staff, director and parents and pertinent documentation was reviewed and obtained regarding the incident with child #1. The incident was reported to the Department on 2/13/2026 which is in within the required 24-hour period however, written report (LIC624) was not received by the Department as of today, 2/23/2026, which poses a potential risk to the health and safety of the children in care. On 2/13/2026, the Department received an Unusual Incident Report (UIR) regarding Child #1 being left in the classroom during a parent event on 02/13/2026 under the supervision of another parent, in which child #1 was confirmed to be signed in to the facility. It was reported that Parent #1 signed Child #1 into care at 8:04 AM, admitting the child into the facility’s care and supervision. During a parenting event held at the facility that day, 2/13/2026, Parent #1 left the premises and left Child #1 in the care of Parent #2 in the classroom without notifying facility staff in which who was outside with another group of children. LPA Perry interviewed staff #1. It was disclosed staff #1 did communicate to parent to bring child #1 outside once they were leaving and that once staff #1 became aware that Parent #1 had left the premises, staff#1 communicated it to the facility director Cynthia contacted Parent #1 and informed them that they should have communicated that they were leaving since child was signed into the facility. LPA Perry did communicate to director and staff #1 the facility assumes responsibility for care and supervision regardless of whether a parent remains on site for a special event due to the child #1 being signed in. Staff #1 additionally stated that child #1 was not under direct visual supervision of a staff member or herself. Director Cynthia indicated on a declaration form “I was told by Staff #1 on 2/13/2026 that while outside on the yard she saw a preschool child, Child#1, opening the door to the yard at 8:15am. Staff #1 asked Child #1 where Mom was. Another parent #2 said her Mom left. Staff #1 explained to me that during the Friendship Breakfast at about 8:10am she told 2 families, one of which was Child#1 and their Mom, that Staff #1 was taking the group outside and to please come and join them when done. The parents agreed.” Director Cynthia also stated corrective measures will include and as stated on declaration, “Parents are being reminded that they need to communicate with teachers at drop off and pick up. During events the class will remain together. Parent sign in and out sheets will move from the office back to the classrooms so that teachers have visibility into families signing in and out, as well as encouraging families to have verbal communication. LPA Perry discussed Title 22 Regulations with the Director Cynthia regarding Responsibility for Providing Care and Supervision and that the licensee shall provide care and supervision as necessary to meet the children’s needs. Care and supervision includes visual observation. As well as children should be supervised at all times and included in ratio when signed into care. LPA Perry informed the Director that once a child is signed in, the facility maintains full responsibility for supervision and accountability of that child, regardless of whether a parent remains on the premises for a special event. Allowing another parent to supervise a signed-in child in a classroom without staff knowledge is an immediate risk to the health of safety of the children in care. LPA Perry also checked child#1’s LIC700 form, Identification and Emergency Information Child Care Centers / Family Child Care homes form and did not observe P#2, who child was left with, name to be listed as an emergency contact person although the care and supervision is still under the facility. LPA Perry also did check Employee Handbook which indicates that, “Supervision of Children Maintaining proper supervision for the health and safety of children is our primary concern. When supervising children, you are required to: Keep children within sight and sound supervision at all times; Maintain employee/child ratios set by Bright Horizons and licensing at all times, and never leave a child unattended; Be aware of the number of children in your care at all times, and implement transition tracking and roll-call procedures; Learn and implement Bright Horizons policies and procedures regarding feeding, diapering, and toileting children; and Secure children's health and safety by learning, following, and implementing individualized feeding, nutrition, allergies, medication, and hygiene requirements.” It further goes to state that employees will be provided with progressive counseling to provide general guide to address unacceptable conduct, or improper conduct either in or outside the workplace. In addition, Supervisors utilize the Employee Conference Memo as a tool to provide performance coaching and progressive counseling. Per review and interview with Director Cynthia and staff#1 it was stated that staff #1 was not provided Progressive counseling and or the Employee Conference Memo . Per director staff #1 was provided a verbal conversation to address the incident. LPA advised the Director Cynthia that the Department has previously addressed concerns related to Responsibility for Providing Care and Supervision. Additionally, the facility has had prior incidents involving supervision requirements under Title 22 regulations. Additionally, a Noncompliance Conference was held at the Monterey Park Regional Office on October 14, 2025, during which the Department reviewed expectations regarding compliance with care and supervision requirements. Director acknowledged understanding. Based on interviews conducted, records review and review of pertinent documentation LPA Perry determined that Child #1 was signed into care and under the responsibility of the facility at the time Parent #1 left the premises. Facility staff were not aware that Parent #1 had left the premises due to staff #1 being outside with another group of children and Child #1 was not under direct staff supervision at all times while signed into care. The following (1) TYPE A deficiency listed on the following page was observed by the LPA Perry and is being cited in accordance with California Code of Regulations Title 22. Please see attached LIC 809-D for citation. A copy of this report shall be provided to the parent/guardian of children currently enrolled by the next business day or immediately upon their return. A copy of this report shall also be provided to the parent/guardian of any newly enrolled child for the next 12 months. A signed Acknowledgement of Receipt (LIC9224) shall be in each child’s file, acknowledging receipt. Deficiencies that are being cited need to be cleared to protect the children’s health and safety. Civil Penalty is being assessed. Facility is also being cited (1) TYPE B deficiency for reporting requirements listed on the following page was observed by the LPA Perry and is being cited in accordance with California Code of Regulations Title 22. Please see attached LIC 809-D for citation. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100. An exit interview was conducted, and a copy of this report was provided to Cynthia, Director along with Appeal Rights.