Incident investigation·September 2, 2025

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Veronica Martinez Garza conducted an unannounced Case Management Incident inspection at the above facility on 09/02/25 at 03:05 p.m. The purpose of this inspection is to follow up on an incident reported to the Department on 08/19/25. LPA met with Erica Cortez, licensee who guided LPA on a tour of the facility. Census was taken. On 08/14/25, at approx. 03:07 pm Licensee was engaged with child 1 (C1) and C2 during free play in the backyard. C1 was mimicking dinosaur’s, turned excited and rawr at C2. C2 was engaged in the activity while C1 then got into a wrestler pose, rawr like a dinosaur and tried to reach over where C2 was sitting at. C1 accidentally scratched C2s face; however, their intentions weren’t to hurt C2. Licensee immediately provided first aid to C2 and contacted parents of C1 and C2 including documenting this incident on the brightwheel application. Per licensee, C2 sustained a scratch which now has turned into a scar. Licensee stated that C2 did not need medical attention. According to the licensee, parent of C1 had trimmed their nails to prevent further incidents. Licensee also continued to remind children that there are boundaries and respect other’s personal space. On 08/15/25 at approx. 11:15am, during lunch time C1 was sitting next to C3, and all children were engaged in identifying the food they were eating with the licensee. Licensee then observed C1 reaching over to intentionally scratch C3. On that same day, C4 was sitting down playing by the block area when C1 also wanted to join the activity and play with C4. Licensee then observed C4 was raising their hand attempting to prevent C1 from hitting them on their face which C1 was able to make contact and scratched C4 on their face/under their eye and nose. Licensee immediately assessed both scratches and provided first aid. Licensee also notified parents. Page 1 of 2 Children did not need medical attention and C3 and C4 retuned the following week. Parents of C1 decided to disenroll the child due to both incidents. Per licensee, there were no prior incidents involving any of the above-mentioned children nor did C1 show any behavioral challenges prior to the incidents. LPA was not able to interview C2 and C3 due to their age; however, LPA was able to interview C4. Per C4, they were playing in the block area when C1 approached and scratched their face. At this time, the above allegation requires further investigation. The licensee is in compliance with California Title 22 Regulations. Therefore, there are no citations being issued today. 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, a civil penalty of $100 can be assessed. An exit interview was conducted, and a copy of this report was provided to licensee Erica Cortez. Page 2 of 2