Follow-up·December 14, 2022

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Dianna Valdez Santana conducted a case management investigation for the incident that the facility self-reported to licensing office on 10/28/2022. According to the incident report, the incident occurred on 10/26/22 at approximately 3:45 PM. A staff member disclosed to the director observing a staff member grab a child by the wrist and pulled her around and heard her tell the child, “you are not a good listener". Upon arrival LPA, was met by Director, Miranda McNeill. Director provided a tour of the facility. LPA observed 6 preschool staff and 30 preschool children in care during today’s visit. Staff was explained the reason for today's visit upon arrival. A review of the Facility Personnel Report Summary conducted on 12/14/2022 indicates all facility staff or other individuals who required caregiver background checks have received criminal record and child abuse index clearances or exemptions. During the investigation, it was disclosed former Staff #1(S1) was observed grabbing C1's wrist and pulled C1 around. During the course of the investigation, LPA interviewed 4 staff, obtained a copy of the children's roster (LIC 9040) and reviewed staff files. LPA was unable to interview children due to being too young and non-verbal. Per the Director, Child #1 (C1) is nonverbal so no interview was conducted with C1. During the investigation it was determined that staff #1(S1), (See Confidential Names List LIC811) had inappropriately pulled at least one child, in a manner of which that is considered handling the child in a rough manner and had infringed upon the child's health, safety, and personal rights. It was disclosed in a staff interview that S1 was observed a least 3 times a week being rough with the children and was often showing frustration with the children when they would be emotional and cry a lot. Continue to Page 2 It was also determined through interviews with staff that S1 had placed their hands on the child and pulled the child by the wrist in a rough manner as a result of frustration for the child “not being a good listener”. In addition, on a separate occasion the facility self-reported an incident on 10/11/2022 that another staff had also observed S1 “forcefully grab a child by the arm”. Therefore, on two separate occasions two different staff observed S1 being rough with two different children. This constitutes a violation of children's personal rights and has been determined to be a potential risk to the children's health and safety. Based on information gathered during the investigation, it has been determined that a staff in the facility handled children roughly. Based on information gathered from the facility’s self-reported incidents and interviews conducted there is enough evidence to support the disclosures that a previous staff was handling children in a rough manner, therefore the allegation has been found to be Substantiated. California Code of Regulations Title 22 section 101223(a)(3) is being cited on the attached LIC 9099Ds. Exit interview conducted with Director, Miranda and notice of site visit must be posted at entrance of facility. Notice of site visit is to remain posted for no less than 30 days. Failure to post will result in civil penalties of $100. Appeal Rights was explained. A copy of appeal rights (LIC 9058) 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.