complaint·September 6, 2024

The Orange County Regional Child Care Licensing Office has investigated the complaint alleging staff do not conduct disaster drills every six months. Based on information gathered from LPA’s interviews and record review, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the allegation is substantiated. California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 12 & Chapter 1, Section 101174(d) Disaster and Mass Casualty Plan has been cited; see LIC 9099D for Type B deficiency. Due to technical difficulties, LPA emailed the report to the director. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the Director, Julie Everest. On 8/23/24, S6 confirmed during their interview that they do not have ECE units completed yet have supervised children alone. S6 stated they supervised children alone in June 2024 during their closing shift. This is a violation of Teacher Aide Qualifications and Duties. The Orange County Regional Child Care Licensing Office has investigated the complaint alleging staff without ECE units are left alone with children. Based on information gathered from LPA’s interviews, observations, and record review, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the allegation is substantiated. California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 12 & Chapter 1, Section 101216.1(b)(1) Teacher-Child Ratio has been cited; see LIC 9099D for Type A deficiency. LPA Jung informed Director, Julie Everest, that this report dated 9/6/2024 documents 1 Type A citation. Type A citations shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there is an immediate risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care. Also, LPA informed the Director, Julie Everest, to provide a copy of this licensing report dated 9/6/2024 that documents any Type A citation to parents/guardians of all children currently enrolled by the next business day or the next day the children are in care, and to any newly enrolled parents/guardians for 12 months from the date of this report. A signed Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Report (LIC 9224), or other written statement, must be placed in the child's file for verification. In addition, the licensee shall immediately post upon receipt the Proof of Correction for 30 consecutive days. Failure to post Type A reports for 30 days will result in a Civil Penalty of $100.00. Due to technical difficulties, LPA emailed the report to the director. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the Director, Julie Everest. On 6/24/24, LPA made an unannounced visit to the facility and interviewed staff and children. LPA was provided with documents pertinent to the investigation. All staff stated they have never observed a child wandering away from the facility and have never observed classrooms out of ratio. All staff also stated that medications are stored either in the front office or in cabinets that are out of reach of children in the classrooms. During LPA’s visit, medications were observed to be stored in the front office, and none were observed in the classrooms. On 7/1/2024, LPA made an unannounced visit to the facility. LPA interviewed additional staff and conducted record reviews. During LPA’s record review, all children’s files reviewed met immunization requirements. Also, LPA did not observe toxic cleaning products in areas that were accessible to children, and all staff interviewed stated they only use soap and water solution to clean in the classrooms. On 8/21/24 and 8/23/24, LPA conducted parent interviews. All parents interviewed stated their children were enjoying the facility’s program, and they praised the staffs’ interactions with the children. The Orange County Regional Child Care Licensing Office has investigated the complaint alleging (1) lack of supervision resulted in child wandering away from facility, (2) staff do not ensure that classrooms maintain correct staff to child ratios throughout the day, (3) staff do not ensure medications are stored inaccessible to children, (4) staff do not ensure children meet immunization requirements, (5) staff do not ensure toxic cleaning products are stored inaccessible to children. Based on information gathered from LPA’s interviews, observations, and record reviews, although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there was not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations did or did not occur, therefore the allegations are unsubstantiated. Due to technical difficulties, LPA emailed the report to the director. No deficiencies cited. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the Director, Julie Everest.