Incident investigation·March 6, 2026

On Friday March 3,2026 , 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 68 children enrolled at the facility. Census was taken and LPA Perry observed 66 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 3/4/2026 for an incident that occurred on 3/3/2026 which is in within the required 24-hour period and written report (LIC624) was received by the Department on 3/4/2026. It was reported that Child #1 was left unsupervised in the classroom for about 20-30 minutes. LPA conducted staff interviews. Staff #1 stated that Child #1 was sitting in the library area with another child prior to the class transitioning outside. Staff #1 reported that she conducted a name-to-face count prior to transitioning outdoors and was visually counting children, Staff#1 also stated that the classroom iPad needed to be charged. Staff #1 stated she believed she had the correct number of children in her care and transitioned the class outside without ensuring that Child #1 had followed the group. Staff #1 stated they later became aware that Child #1 remained inside the classroom when Staff #2 informed them that Child #1 had been found inside the classroom alone. Staff #1 immediately went to Child #1, hugged and consoled Child#1. Staff #1 stated that Child #1 was under their responsibility and that they take full accountability for the incident. Staff #2 stated that they located Child #1 inside the classroom while entering the classroom at approximately 3:15 PM to conduct a staff break. The Facility Director stated that she became aware of the incident when Staff #1 approached her and reported that Child #1 had been left inside the classroom for approximately 20 minutes. The Director stated that parents were notified immediately at pick-up time and again the following morning, and an incident report was provided to the parents. The Director provided a written declaration stating: “ Staff attended mandatory training on 3/5/26 to cover supervision requirements, policies, and procedures. Regional Manager, Meagan Garris, facilitated the training 3/5/26. Center leadership will be conducting additional observations of transitions to verify compliance. Outdoor schedules will be reviewed and adjusted accordingly to allow for appropriate transition time. We have rearranged rooms for maximum room supervision. Groups will transition with two teachers, when possible”. The Director further stated that Staff #1 has been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation. LPA conducted child interview. Child #1 stated that on one occasion they were sitting in the classroom library area after a teacher told child#1 and friend to sit and wait while other children finished using the restroom. Child #1 stated another child was sitting with them initially but later left. Child #1 stated the class went outside and that no friends names were called, causing Child#1 to remain inside the classroom alone for a period of time. Child #1 stated another teacher later found them inside the classroom. Child #1 reported they felt sad. Child #1 also stated that they like their teachers, including staff#1. During the investigation, LPA Perry obtained and reviewed the facility’s transition tracking policy. The transition report indicated Child #1 was signed out to the playground at 2:42 PM and signed back into the classroom at 3:17 PM. Staff #1 reported that a name-to-face count was conducted prior to transitioning outside. Based on the times documented, the child was left unattended for approximately 34 minutes, until Staff #2 located the child inside the classroom at approximately 3:15 PM. LPA also reviewed the facility’s employee handbook and supervision policies, which outline procedures for transition tracking and required room sweep procedures. The facility provided documentation of these policies to the Department. LPA discussed the facility’s progressive discipline procedures per their employee handbook with the Director. The Director stated that Staff #1 does not have a prior history of counseling notes or noncompliance documented in her personnel file. LPA reviewed Staff #1’s personnel file and confirmed that Staff #1 is a fully qualified teacher authorized to work in the classroom and had no history of non compliance. LPA advised the Director that the Department has previously addressed concerns related to responsibility for care and supervision at the facility. The facility has had prior incidents involving supervision and care provision requirements under Title 22 regulations, and a Non-Compliance 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. The Director acknowledged understanding of these expectations. The Director also stated that facility staff have received additional training on supervision policies and procedures following prior incidents related to supervision that occurred on March 3, 2026, February 23, 2026, and April 16, 2025. Based on interviews conducted, record reviews, and review of pertinent documentation, LPA determined that Child #1 was left unsupervised in the classroom for approximately 34 minutes. 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. 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.