Complaint·October 10, 2023

The facility representative was reminded that all adults 18 and over, including employees and volunteers, except as specified in Health and Safety Code section 1596.871, must obtain a criminal record clearance or exemption, or transfer their existing clearance or exemption, prior to initial presence in a Child Care Center. A civil penalty of $100.00 minimum/day for a maximum of 5 days or, if the penalty is for a repeat violation, for a maximum of 30 days per person will be assessed if this regulation is violated. On 08/15/2023 a complaint was received by the Orange County Regional Office (RO) alleging (1) Staff were not supervising children at all times, (2) Staff yelled at the child, and (3) Staff withheld food as a form of punishment. The LPA couldn't communicate with the reporting party because the complaint was submitted anonymously. As a result of the anonymous nature of the complaint, no additional information was obtained from the reporting party. Staff are not supervising children at all times. LPA Bootorabi interviewed 9 staff on 8/18/2023. 9 of 9 staff made no disclosures of them and other teachers not supervising children in care. On 8/18/2023 LPA interviewed 9 children. 6 of 9 children were qualified by means of asking them a series of questions including truth/false and color questions . All six of the qualified children did not report any instances of teachers leaving them unsupervised. LPA spoke with 3 parents who currently have children enrolled in the center. 3 of 3 parents made no disclosures of children being left unsupervised. On 8/18/2023 the LPA observed teachers and office support using walkies to direct children arriving to the right outdoor area during drop off. Each classroom was designated an area and children worked in the areas designated to their class. LPA made no observations of children being left unsupervised. Allegation 2: Staff yelled at child. LPA Bootorabi interviewed 9 staff on 8/18/2023. 9 of 9 staff made no disclosures of staff yelling at any specific child , or witnessing other staff yell at a specific children. 3. Staff withheld food as a form of punishment. LPA Bootorabi interviewed 9 staff on 8/18/2023. 9 of 9 staff made no disclosures of children being punished by means of withholding food. The LPA discussed disciplinary policy with the director and it was stated that the school staff work with children, and families to assist children with behavior issues. The school also create incident reports that are logged in their files. This reports for conference with families to assist with a plan to help the child in care. On 8/18/2023 LPA interviewed 9 children. 6 of 9 children were qualified by means of asking them a series of questions including truth/false and color. 6 of 6 qualified children made no disclosures of teachers withholding food as a form of punishment. Children did disclose that their teachers help them when their classmates do not listen or need help. LPA spoke with 3 parents who currently have children enrolled in the center. 3 of 3 parents made no disclosures of children being punished by staff by withholding food. Based on Staff, Children, and Parent interviews there is not enough evidence to substantiate the allegation. Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation(s) did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is unsubstantiated. An exit interview was conducted with Director Vanessa Sener. Notice of Site Visit was posted during the visit. The director was informed that the notice of the site visit must be posted for 30 consecutive days. Failure to post will result in civil penalties of $100. The director was provided a copy of their appeal rights (LIC 9058 01/16) and their signature on this form acknowledges receipt of these rights. First-level appeals should be sent to the regional manager to the address listed above.