complaint·May 22, 2025

Page 2 On 03/17/2025, the Orange County Child Care Office received a complaint alleging: 1) Infants are left in highchairs for 2 to 3 hours before nap time. 2) Infant classroom had 1 staff and 7 infants 3)Director yelling at staff in front of children and other staff. 4) Staff yelling at children. 5) A child was sleeping inside the office on the floor. 6) Infant was given some cereal only. Reporting Party (RP) stated that infants are left to sleep in highchairs for long periods of time and had witnessed staff yelling at infants and director yelling at staff in front of infants. RP also stated they witnessed a big kid was sleeping inside the office on the floor and the infant was given some cereal only because their parents forgot to bring their food. RP stated 1 staff was left alone supervising 7 infants. During the investigation, LPA toured the facility on 03/20/2024 and 4/07/2025, LPA obtained a copy of Infant Roster, Attendance sheets, and Staff Sign in Sheets for dates 3/17/25-3/19/25, conducted 3 (three) staff interviews, infants had limited vocabulary and did not qualify for interview. Regarding allegation, \342\200\234Infants are left in highchairs for 2-3 hours before nap time.\342\200\235 During facility inspections. LPA inspected classrooms and conducted observations of staff/infant relationships. During observations on 3/20/2025 there were 3 staff present and 7 infants. 1 infant was at the table-highchair. Staff #1 (S1) stated Child #1 (C1) was getting ready to eat breakfast. LPA then observed S2 supervising 5 infants in the carpet area and 1 infant at the changing table being changed by S3. During observations LPA observed C1 in the table-highchair finish eating and be taken out to join the other infants. LPA conducted 3 (three) staff interviews who stated that highchairs are only for feeding and some activities such as drawing, and that infants can be in highchairs for 15-30minutes. All 3 (three) interviewed staff stated that they can see signs when infants are done through verbal or physical signs. All 3 (three) staff interviewed stated that an infant has not fallen asleep before in a highchair but if they would, they would move the infant to a crib. Continue to page 3. Page 3. Regarding allegation \342\200\234Infant classroom had 1 staff and 7 infants\342\200\235 During facility inspections, LPA had taken census on 3/20/2025 there were 3 (three) staff present and 7 (seven) infants and on 4/07/2025 there was 2 (two) staff present and 6 (six) infants. LPA conducted 3 (three) staff interviews, and all staff interviewed stated they have never been left out of ratio and if they see that there would be an issue with ratio, they will call administration before it happened. LPA obtained a copy of sign in and out sheets for staff and attendance sheets for infants present the week or 3/17/25-3/19/25 that showed on 3/17/25 there were 3 (three) staff and 7 (seven) infants, 3/18/25 showed 3 (three) staff and 8 (eight) infants, and 3/19/25 3 (three) staff and 8 (eight) infants in care. LPA observations and review of documents found that they were in compliance with staff to infant ratio according to Title 22 regulations 101416.5 Staff-Infant Ratio ( b)There shall be a ratio of one teacher for every four infants in attendance. Regarding allegation \342\200\234Director yelling at staff in front of children and other staff. \342\200\234LPA conducted classroom observations on 3/20/2025 and 4/07/2025. During observations LPA observed director checking on staff and communicating with staff in front of infants in a calm voice. LPA interviewed 2 (two) staff who stated that they have never been yelled at by the director in front of children. 1 (one) staff stated they have never yelled at staff in front of children. Regarding allegation \342\200\234Staff yelling at children\342\200\235 LPA conducted inspections on 3/20/25 and 4/07/2025. During inspections LPA conducted classroom observations of staff/infant relationships. LPA observed staff supporting infants needs and engaged with infants through books, music, and providing alternative activities when infants lost interest. LPA interviewed 3 (three) staff who stated that they have not ever yelled at an infant before. Regarding allegation \342\200\234A child was sleeping inside the office on the floor.\342\200\235 During the staff interview, all 3 staff stated the children nap inside the classroom on a mat or in a crib depending on the age. All 3 staff denied witnessing any child was sleeping in the office on the floor. LPA conducted classroom observations on 3/20/2025 and 4/07/2025 and observe children napped in the napping area. 2 (two) staff interviewed stated that there are mats for children to lay on with bedding if they are sick and need to go to the office as they wait for the parent/guardian. LPA reviewed storage of bedding and mat in the office library closet. Continue to page 4. Page 4 Regarding allegation \342\200\234Infant was given some cereal only\342\200\235. During the staff interview, all 3 staff stated that parents bring food from home. On 3/20/2025 and 4/07/2025, LPA observed children\342\200\231s food storage. All 3 staff denied given cereal only to the infant and stated that staff check infants\342\200\231 bag for food in the morning and that there are times that parents will bring breakfast and drop off lunch later. LPA reviewed 4 children's files and observed all 4 children have the individual feeding plan on file. During parent interviews. LPA called 5 (five) parents, and LPA was able to interview 1 (one) parent. The 1 (one) interviewed parent did not divulge any information pertaining to the allegation. LPA will call this afternoon the parents and add. Based on LPA observations, interviews, and records review, the preponderance of evidence standard has not been met. Although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations of 1) Infants are left in highchairs for 2 to 3 hours before nap time; 2) Infant classroom had 1 staff and 7 infants; 3) Director yelling at staff in front of children and other staff; 4) Staff yelling at children; 5) A child was sleeping inside the office on the floor and 6) Infant was given some cereal only ; therefore, the allegations are UNSUBSTANTIATED. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Director Padimini, Weerakkody. The Director was informed that the \342\200\234Notice of Site Visit\342\200\235 must be posted on or adjacent to the door for 30 days. Failure to post will result in a Civil Penalty of a $100.00. End of Report.