complaint·May 12, 2023

Page 2 During the investigation on 3/29/2023, LPA interviewed staff present, obtained staff files, obtained the facility roster . On 3/29/2023, during staff interviews, Staff #1 (S1) and Staff #2 (S2) stated they were teachers. At 11:15 AM, LPA observed S2 alone inside the toddler option classroom caring for five children. During staff file reviews, it was determined S1 and S2 do not meet the teacher qualifications and duties. S1 is missing nine (9) units from child growth and development, or human growth and development; child, family and community, or child and family; and program/curriculum. S2 is missing 12 core semester units in early childhood education/development. The lack of required courses on the transcripts support a preponderance of evidence for the allegation of Unqualified staff providing care to daycare children. 101216.1 Teacher Qualifications and Duties (c) To be a fully qualified teacher, a teacher shall have one of the following: (1) Twelve post-secondary semester or equivalent quarter units in early childhood education or child development completed, with passing grades, at an accredited or approved college or university; and at least six months of work experience in a licensed child care center or comparable group child care program. (A) The units specified in (c)(1) above shall include courses that cover the general areas of child growth and development, or human growth and development; child, family and community, or child and family; and program/curriculum. At least three of the units required in (c)(1) above shall be related to the care of infants/toddlers or shall contain instruction specific to infants/toddlers if staff are caring for children inside a toddler option class. S1 and S2 are missing units related to the care of infants/toddlers. Parents were interviewed on 5/8/23 via phone call. During parent interviews, two parents expressed concerns and stated they have witnessed S1 yelling at children in care. An additional Parent #6 (P6) stated their child has mentioned to them S1 yells. Parent interviews support a preponderance of evidence for the allegation Staff speak inappropriately to daycare children. 101223 Personal Rights (a) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights: (3) To be free from corporal or unusual punishment, infliction of pain, humiliation, intimidation, ridicule, coercion, threat, mental abuse, or other actions of a punitive nature including but not limited to: interference with functions of daily living including eating, sleeping or toileting; or withholding of shelter, clothing, medication or aids to physical functioning. This poses an immediate risk to the health and safety of the children in care. This is an immediate risk to children because children are to be free from intimidation, threat, and other forms of punitive actions. Continue to Page 3 Page 3 Children interviews were conducted on 5/12/2023. LPA’s were able to interview four preschool age children that were qualified to be interviewed out of 12 children present inside the preschool classroom. During children’s interviews, two children indicated S1 yells at them and their friends when told to go to time out. One child stated when S1 yells it makes them sad and they cry. Based on LPA observations, documentation, interview with S1 and S2 who stated they were teachers, parent interviews, and children interviews the preponderance of evidence standard has been met; therefore, the above allegations are found to be SUBSTANTIATED. California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division & Chapter 12, is being cited on the attached LIC 9099 D for the deficiency section 101216.1(c)(1)(A) Teacher Qualifications and Duties type B and 101223(a)(3) Personal Rights type A. LPA Thompson informed Director Saeideh Gharavi that this report dated 5/12/2023 document(s) one Type A citation which shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there is/are immediate risk(s) to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care. Also, LPA Thompson informed the Director Saeideh Gharavi to provide a copy of this licensing report dated 5/12/2023 that documents any Type A citation(s) 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. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the Director Saeideh Gharavi. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100. Appeal Rights and deficiencies were discussed. The facility representative was provided 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. Director agreed to Technical Support Program (TSP) services and a referral will be made at a later date. Page 2 On 3/23/2023 the Orange County Child Care Office received a complaint alleging (1) Facility is operating out of ratio, (2) Staff commingle children of different ages, (3) Licensee does not provide safe toys for children, (4) Licensee does not meet daycare children's dietary needs, (5) Staff force children to nap, and (6) Staff handle children in a rough manner. During the investigation on 3/29/2023, LPA interviewed staff present, obtained the facility roster, took pictures of the menu posted, food stored inside the kitchen area, children toys inside the classrooms and the outside play yards. While conducting the visit on 3/29/2023, LPA did not observe any unsafe toys inside or outside the facility. LPA observed the food menu posted and observed food items listed on the menu stored inside the kitchen refrigerator and storage cabinets. LPA also observed children eating food items listed on the menu for 3/29/2023. At 11:50 am, LPA observed children having lunch and being given extra portions if the children asked for more food. During staff interviews on 3/29/2023, three staff were interviewed. All staff interviewed denied forcing any child to sleep and stated they have never witnessed any staff forcing children to sleep or handling children in a rough manner. On 3/29/2023 at 12:10 PM, LPA observed staff placing cots down for children to nap. Children in care went to their assigned cots without being asked. Children that preferred not to sleep were observed sitting on the carpet watching a movie or given a quiet activity. LPA attempted to conduct children interviews on 3/29/2023. Children were not qualified to be interviewed during the visit. LPA attempted to interview two children. When children were asked if they knew the difference between true and false, both children answered “no.” LPA pointed to a circle block and asked children if the circle block was a square. Child #1 (C1) answered “yes.” Child #2 (C2) did not answer. Continue to Page 3 Page 3 Six parents were interviewed on 5/8/23 via phone call. Parent were asked the following questions: how many children do you observe during drop off/pick up? How many staff are observed with the children? Do you receive a weekly menu? Have you observed the menu being posted? Have you witness children being forced to sleep or handled in a rough manner? All parents indicated they were satisfied with the care given by the facility staff and had no concerns to report. During their interviews, there was nothing stated from the parents to support a preponderance of evidence for the above allegations. Based LPA observations, interviews with staff and parents, there was not enough evidence to substantiate the allegations. The Orange County Child Care Office has investigated the complaint alleging that the (1) Facility is operating out of ratio, (2) Staff commingle children of different ages, (3) Licensee does not provide safe toys for children, (4) Licensee does not meet daycare children's dietary needs, (5) Staff force children to nap, and (6) Staff handle children in a rough manner: although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not enough preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations did or did not occur, therefore the allegations is UNSUBSTANTIATED. In the areas that were evaluated, no deficiencies were observed of the California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 12 at the time of the visit. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the licensee Saeideh Gharavi. Notice of Site Visit was provided to Saeideh Gharavi and posted on the door. The notice of site visit must be posted for 30 consecutive days. Failure to post will result in civil penalties of $100. The licensee 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.