Inspector’s narrative
What the inspector wrote
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were asking for more fish sticks, but there were no more to serve to children. During the course of investigation, LPA interviewed 15 staff, 10 parents, 5 children. Regarding the allegations of staff threatens day care children, and “staff # 1, and staff # 2 do not attend to children, LPA interviewed 15 staff, 10 parents, and 5 children. Staff stated they have not observed, witnessed, or heard any staff person to threaten children. Staff # 1 and staff # 2 denied threatening children. They said they might use firm voice but nothing threatening. They said they do not threaten children. For example,’ they tell children "you better do this instead of doing that" and children are not scared of them. They said they do attend to children. They supervise them in the classroom and on the playground. They play with them, feed them, washing hands., prepare them for nap, and they change their diapers. Staff # 4 stated children were not afraid of any staff. Staff # 5, 6, and 7 stated children are not scared of any staff, and they have not witnessed any staff to threaten children. Staff # 13 stated they are not sure if children are scared of any staff or staff have threaten children. Staff # 9, 10, 11, 12 stated they have watched staff with children in the classroom and on the playground, but they have not been with all children and other staff all day. They have not witnessed staff threaten children. LPA contacted 10 parents randomly of whom 7 parents responded. Two parents disclosed other concerns not related to the above allegations which were discussed with the director of the facility anonymously today. Four other parents responded with positive feedback. One parent disclosed a concern that supported another allegation on a different report. LPA interviewed 5 qualified older preschool children that did not disclose anything to support the above allegations.
Regarding the allegation of “staff does not provide adequate food service for daycare children. LPA interviewed 15 staff, 10 parents, and 5 children. Staff stated children eat some foods better than the other foods. Two staff who were helping in the kitchen stated they were following the Grow Happy Chart for portion sizes for different age group per management’s instruction. They take the census and estimate the amount of food for each day. For example, for Fish Stick, they followed the chart and gave the 2-year-old children 2 fish sticks each and 3 fish sticks for ages 3 to 5 years old. They were given one piece each child for additional serving. Staff stated they want healthy body, and they did not want to overeat them from one kind of food. There are side dishes such as vegetables, milk, and fruit as well. They said they follow the menu. They stated some days children did not like the fish sticks and broccoli and asked for something else. Muffins were taken to the classroom. We were instructed to serve children the serving size on the chart.
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Other staff stated children did not starve but asking for their favorite food more and more. It depends on food. They eat more pasta. They don't like Fish Sticks. Fish stick was served for the first time on that day. One staff stated they think there are enough food, but they did not offer them as extras to the classrooms. Another staff stated they heard they were overfeeding children and now they have limited portions. One staff stated they were serving dumplings for lunch today. 2 pieces for each child. They gave all the children their share. They had extras. They were given extras. Some children still wanted more. They asked for more. They gave it to us. Another staff stated they manage the portion size lately. Another staff stated on last Thursday or Friday they served dumplings and they asked for more. They got more. They asked for more fruit last Friday and they got it. One staff stated
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ometimes they are not enough food when they ask for more. Sometimes children eat one kind of food more than the other ones. It is not like children starve but they think they changed the portion size. Some stated there is still 2nd round if we ask for it. They give us 2nd for sure. There is always enough food. One staff stated they heard some other classrooms asked for more fish sticks and they did not have more. They gave 2 fish sticks per child for younger age. They brought extra
fruit There were discrepancies in staffs’ statements regarding food serving. LPA contacted 10 parents randomly of whom 7 parents responded. Two parents disclosed other concerns not related to the above allegations which were discussed with the director of the facility anonymously. Four other parents responded with positive feedback. One parent disclosed a concern that supported another allegation on a different report. LPA interviewed 5 qualified older preschool children that did not disclose anything to support the above allegation. Based on the interviews conducted with a total of 15 staff, contact of 10 parents, and 5 preschool children, observation of the lunch of children dated 4/29/2024, observing food in the refrigerator and freezer, and reviewing portion size on Title 22 Regulations. there is not enough proof or evidence to support the above allegations occurred or did not occur. This agency has investigated the complaint alleging “staff threatens daycare children”, “staff # 1 and staff # 2 do not attend to children”, and staff does not provide adequate food service for day care children”; although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove, the alleged violations did or did not occur, therefore the allegations are UNSUBSTANTIATED. Notice of Site Visit was posted. The notice of site visit must be posted for 30 consecutive days. Failure to post will result in civil penalties of $100. The director, Barbara Brown was provided a copy of their appeal right (LIC 9058 1/16) and their signature on this form acknowledges receipt of these rights. Exit interview was conducted with director, Barbara Brown.
End of report
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yelled at children by saying “sit down and eat”, “go potty”, “stop crying”, and “you need to stop doing
that”. Eleven staff did not confirm staff # 1 has yelled at children. However, their responses were:
Staff # 1 screams across the classroom “stay in your bed.”,“The voice of staff # 1 is stressed out.”,“Staff # 1 created tense to the environment.”, “Staff # 1’s voice is firm, “Staff # 1’s voice is loud, “Staff # 1’s voice is in a disciplinary way.”, “The voice of staff # 1 shows frustration”. LPA contacted 10 parents randomly of whom 7 parents responded. One parent confirmed witnessing staff #1 yelling at a child to pick up their water bottle. Staff # 1 did not notice the presence of this parent. Two parents had other concerns not related to the allegations which were discussed with the director of the facility anonymously. Four other parents responded with positive feedback. LPA interviewed 5 qualified older preschool children that did not disclose anything to support the allegation. Based on LPA’s interviews with 15 staff of whom 4 staff confirmed staff # 1 yells at children, 10 parents of whom one confirmed witnessing staff # 1 yelling at a child to pick up their water bottle, and 5 preschool children, it was determined the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, the allegation of “Staff yells at daycare children" is found to be SUBSTANTIATED. Type A under California Title 22 Regulations Section 101223(a)(2) Personal Rights is cited on 9099D next page. During the course of interviews, staff disclosed to LPA that they had reported this issue to the management. The management confirmed that one staff had brought it up to their attention. The facility requires to report the unusual incident to the Department within 24 hours. The facility failed to report the disclosure of staff to the management of a staff yells at children. A citation of type B for Reporting Requirement 101212(d) is cited on next page for not reporting the unusual incident to the Department. Barbara Brown, the director was informed that the “Notice of Site Visit” must be posted for 30 consecutive days. The “Notice of Site Visit” must be posted on or adjacent to the door. Failure to post will result in Civil Penalties of $100.00. LPA Malek informed the director, Barbara Brown that this report dated 5/28/2024 documents type A citation shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there is immediate risks to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care. Also, LPA Malek informed the director, Barbara Brown to provide a copy of this licensing report dated 5/28/2024 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. The director, Barbara Brown, was provided with a copy of their appeal rights (LIC 9058) 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. The exit interview was conducted with director, Barbara Brown.
