complaint·June 17, 2024

On 04/02/24 the Orange County Child Care Office received a complaint alleging Staff did not provide a safe and comfortable environment for daycare children, Facility is unclean, Staff did not ensure children had drinking water available in the outdoor activity area, and Staff falsified child's records. Reporting Party (RP) stated that outside on the playground at the facility, behind the swings there are broken garden beds, which pose a safety hazard. Nails, wood, and debris are exposed to the daycare children. The facility has unstable tables that are not properly fixed. The teachers are not allowed to change the thermostat temperature and are instructed to open the windows. The children’s cots are not cleaned. RP stated there is no drinking water fountain on the playground area. The staff do not wash their hands before serving food and cleaning the children. The facility has a plumbing issue, with a leak causing standing water, leading to mosquitoes and bites, and children falling in that area. RP stated on an unknown date, a child with diarrhea was not sent home. RP also stated, on an unknown date, staff falsified a child's immunization record instead of requesting an updated copy from the parent. During the investigation, the LPA inspected the outside playground, the preschool classroom, and children’s restrooms. LPA interviewed, 3 staff members and 3 children. LPA also reviewed children’s files. On 4/8/2024, LPA interviewed 3 staff members. 3 out of 3 staff members stated they have not seen any broken garden beds in the play yard. 3 out of 3 staff members stated they have not seen wood or debris on the play yard. On 4/8/2024, LPA inspected the play yard and did not observe any broken garden beds, wood, and debris exposed on the play yard during the time of the inspection. Staff#2 (S2) stated one of the tables in the classroom had bolts loose on the table’s legs and did not give support and the table will go down. S2 stated the children did not use the table and was removed from the classroom. Staff#3 (S3) stated they did not use tables that were unstable. On 4/8/24, LPA observed the tables in the classroom and during that time LPA did not observe any unstable tables. S2 and S3 stated when the classroom gets hot, they call the front staff office to adjust the AC temperature and the front staff office usually does it right away. 3 out 3 staff members stated the mats where the children sleep are cleaned once a week by a staff member. Page 2 of 3 3 out 3 staff members stated when children are outside, they bring out the children’s water bottles and a water jug to refill their water bottles. S2 and S3 stated they put on food gloves before they serve food to the children. S2 stated S2 washes hands in the children’s restroom and S1 stated S1 washes hands in the staff restroom. S1 stated the plumbing issues the facility has had is when the bathroom was overflowing. S1 stated when the bathroom was in disrepair, they closed it until it was fixed. S2 stated the restroom was clogged but it is fixed. S2 stated when S2 flushed the toilet, water came out and S2 notify the office staff and someone came out maybe 2 days later to repair it. 3 out of 3 staff stated children were not bitten by mosquitos. 3 out 3 staff members stated they believe they do not have a mosquito problem at the facility. 3 out of 3 staff stated there has not been a child with diarrhea that has not been sent home. LPA Nunez reviewed 12 children’s files which included their immunization records. LPA did not observe any concerns. LPA called 5 parents and was able to interview 3 parents. The 3 parents stated they submitted a copy of their child’s immunization record during enrollment time. On 5/14/2024 LPA attempted to interview 4 children and only 3 children qualified for an interview. No disclosures were made by the 3 interviewed children. On 6/5/24 LPA interviewed 3 parents; all the parents stated they were satisfied with the childcare center. Based on the information gathered from LPA observations, interviews with staff members, parents, children, and records reviews, there is insufficient evidence to corroborate the allegation of Facility is in disrepair, Staff did not provide a safe and comfortable environment for daycare children, Facility is unclean, Staff did not ensure children had drinking water available in the outdoor activity area, and Staff falsified child's records. Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED. Exit interview was conducted. The Notice of Site Visit was posted. Appeal Rights was explained. A copy of appeal rights (LIC 9058 1/16) was provided and their signatures on this form acknowledges receipt of these rights. First level appeal is to Regional Manager, address is above on the report. End of Report Page 3 of 3 During the investigation, the LPA inspected the outside playground, the preschool classroom, and children’s restrooms. LPA interviewed, 3 staff members and 3 children. LPA also reviewed children’s files. On 4/8/2024, LPA interviewed 3 staff members. Staff#1 (S1) stated children that are sick use the same children’s restrooms. Staff#2 (S2) also stated children that are sick use the same children’s restroom. Staff#3 (S3) did not know what restroom children use when they are sick. On 5/14/2024 LPA attempted to interview 4 children and only 3 children qualified for an interview. No disclosures were made by the 3 interviewed children. On 6/5/24 LPA interviewed 3 parents; all the parents stated they were satisfied with the childcare center. Based on LPA’s interviews conducted with 3 staff members, it has been determined that Facility doesn't have a separate restroom for ill children. Therefore, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation s is found to be SUBSTANTIATED. California Code of Regulations, Title 22 Division 12 Chapter 1, 101239 (i) Fixtures, Furniture, Equipment and Supplies, is being cited on the attached LIC9099D. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Director Meredith Cagle. Notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Failure to comply with the posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100. Appeal Rights were explained. The Director was provided with a copy of the appeal rights (LIC 9058 01/16) and their signature on this form acknowledges receipt of these rights. All appeals must be in writing and received by the Regional Office within 15 business days. First level appeals should be sent to the regional manager to the address listed above. Page 2 of 2