complaint·June 2, 2025

During LPA’s observations, LPA confirmed the census count with staff #3 (S3) and staff #11 (S11). At 10:53am, LPA observed staff #15 (S15) exit the restroom in Building #2 with 6 additional children, who then re-joined the children already in the outdoor play yard. At 10:54 am, LPA Herrera reviewed facility records, which confirmed a total of 43 children in the outdoor play area with four staff members. Based on LPA Herrera’s observations and records review, the preponderance of evidence has been met that staff are operating out of ratio; therefore, the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED . Through records review and observations, the allegation that unqualified staff are supervising children was corroborated (see LIC 809-D Type B deficiency). LPAs conducted staff record reviews and observed that staff #3 (S3), staff #12 (S12) and staff #13 (S13) were not fully qualified teachers as they did not have the twelve post-secondary units in early childhood education completed and/or they did not have courses that cover the general areas of child growth and development, or human growth and development; child, family and community, or child and family; and program/curriculum as required by regulations. Furthermore, LPAs did not observe that S3, S12 and S13 had any type of permits, credentials or certificates that would qualify them as fully qualified teachers and LPAs did not observe a granted exceptions on file for S3, S12 and S13. During the course of the investigation LPAs observed that the facility utilized S3, S12 and S13 as fully qualified teachers in Preschool #2 and Preschool #3. Based on LPAs observations and records review, the preponderance of evidence has been met that unqualified staff are supervising children; therefore, the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED . Regarding the allegation that staff left a child unsupervised was corroborated by interviews and records review (see LIC 809-D Type A deficiency). During staff records review, LPAs observed that Staff #4’s (S4) file contained a termination letter of employment signed and dated by S4 and Director Ceja on 07/26/2024 acknowledging that S4 “failed to supervise children at all times” and “failed to follow guidelines on proper tracking in roster and during transitions.” Furthermore, the date of the termination letter is on or about the same time the alleged incident occurred. Through interviews it was corroborated that during a transition period in the playground S4 left child #1 (C1) unsupervised for approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Based on interviews and records review, the preponderance of evidence has been met that staff left a child unsupervised; therefore, the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED . Interviews conducted and records reviewed revealed that staff did not report incident to C1’s authorized representatives. During children file reviews LPAs did not see an incident report for C1 that would indicate that the facility reported the incident to C1’s authorized representative. Furthermore, through interviews it was disclosed that staff did not report the incident to C1’s authorized representative, nor did they document the incident on an incident report to provide to C1’s authorized representatives. Therefore, the allegation that staff did not report incident to a child’s representative was SUBSTANTIATED . Continued on 9099-C. The allegation, staff inappropriately handled a child in care was also corroborated by interviews and records review (see LIC 809-D Type A deficiency). During staff records review, LPAs observed a disciplinary letter in staff #5’s (S5) file. The disciplinary letter was signed by S5 and Director Ceja on 06/06/2024 that acknowledged that S5 “failed to ensure the well-being of children in care.” Interviews confirmed that S5 inappropriately handled a child in care by placing their foot on child #2 (C2), while the C2 was laying down which violated the child’s personal rights. Based on interviews and records review, the preponderance of evidence has been met that staff inappropriately handled a child in care; therefore, the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED . Based on records review and interviews, LPA Herrera confirmed that the facility commingled children in care (see LIC 809-D Type B deficiency). Interviews disclosed that the facility commingled school age children with preschool children between approximately 6:30am to 7:30am and 5:30pm to 6:00pm in Preschool #3. Interviews disclosed that School Age staff arrived at a letter time therefore children were commingled in the mornings. During records review, LPA Herrera reviewed a sample of classroom attendance logs and observed that the facility commingled children on 03/19/2025, 02/28/2025, 02/26/2025, 02/12/2025, and 02/05/2025. Based on interviews and records review, the preponderance of evidence has been met that the facility commingled children in care; therefore, the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED . Based on interviews, observations and records review, the preponderance of evidence has been met that the facility is operating out of ratio, unqualified staff are supervising children, staff left child unsupervised, staff did not report incident to child's authorized representative, staff inappropriately handled a child in care, and staff are commingling children in care; therefore, the above allegations are found to be SUBSTANTIATED . Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Director Andrea Ceja Martinez. Appeal rights were provided. Per Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 1, of the California Code of Regulations, the following deficiencies are being cited: (see LIC. 809-D). Upon receipt of a Type A violation, licensee shall post and provide copies of this licensing report to parents/guardians of children in care at the facility and to parents/guardians of children newly enrolled at the facility during the next 12 months. A copy of the Fact Sheet - Child Care Parent Notification Requirements and a copy of LIC 9224 Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Reports was given to Director Andrea Ceja Martinez. This report shall be made available to the public upon request. LIC 9213 Notice of Site Visit is provided and required to be posted for 30 days.