complaint·September 18, 2023

LPA investigated the above allegation and gathered the following information: On 09/01/23, LPA conducted interviews with staff at the facility and the following was learned: On or about the last week of 08/2023 a witness overheard staff screaming at the children. Facility staff denied the allegation. Therefore, a random group of children were interviewed at the facility after lunch time. Children interviews revealed that there is only one teacher in the classroom with multiple children and occasionally they split up into two classrooms and one group is left alone without immediate supervision. Children shared that staff voices are \342\200\234loud\342\200\235, \342\200\234stern\342\200\235, and \342\200\234concerning\342\200\235 when saying: \342\200\234Stop!!!\342\200\235. A child stated that the teacher\342\200\231s face \342\200\234gets red\342\200\235 and expressed to be overwhelmed. Child(ren) added that they feel worried and anxious when they are left alone in the room with other children without the teacher being present while some of them are sleeping and others do not. Other children stated feeling shy about expressing their needs to some of the teachers at the facility. Facility serves preschool children ages 2 through kindergarten. Multiple random inspections have been conducted at this facility. LPA has observed 3 to 5 children who need one on one attention due to different developmental stages and challenging behaviors. Teacher(s) at the facility expressed frustration due to the need of additional staff to assist with lunch time and regular breaks. Staff acknowledged raising their voices to children while in care to call their attention but denied doing it maliciously to scare them. Based on the information obtained and observations conducted while at the facility. It was confirmed that the staff at the facility yelled at daycare children in multiple occasions. Therefore, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED. California Code of Regulations, (Title 22, divisions & chapter number are being cited on the attached LIC 9099D.) LPA informed licensee, Licensee, Yanping Zhang (Ella) that this report dated 09/18/23 documents 1 Type A citation which shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there was an immediate risk to the Health, Safety, or Personal Rights of children in care. A signed Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Report (LIC 9224) was provided to facility during this inspection. The Lic 9224/Type A citation must be provided 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 the verification. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with licensee, Yanping Zhang (Ella) . Appeal rights were discussed, and 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. THIS REPORT MUST BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC, UPON THEIR REQUEST, FOR THREE YEARS.