complaint·September 1, 2021

This is an amended report, delivered to the facility on 09/23/2021. Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Alaina Wilburn and Susan Brewer conducted an unannounced 10-day complaint visit. LPAs met with Assistant Director Leanne Sparks, to discuss the above stated allegation. Later in visit, Director Christina Jenkins arrived to assist with visit. Investigation consisted of: observation of rooms #CB1, #CB2, #CB3 and #CB4. On 09/01/2021, LPAs toured the facility, took census and observed infant rooms on multiple occasions. During these observations, LPAs observed Staff assigned to rooms to be wearing protective face coverings at time of visit. Upon arrival, LPAs observed 9 infants and 3 Staff in the Infant Room. Staff and children arrived while LPAs were present, and it was observed the infant care staff were wearing mask upon arrival. On 08/12/2021, the licensee sent "a "Parent & Staff Masking Update" to staff and parents, stating that they would be adopting a "Parent-Choice" "Staff-Choice" approach in determining how [they] will engage further masking within [their] centers and within [their] corporate offices." The licensee later retracted this statement and replaced it with a policy which requires mask to be worn by all individuals over 2 years of age while at their preschools in accordance with the California Department of Public Health Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings. Although during the inspection staff were observed to be wearing proper facial coverings, there is not a preponderance of the evidence to prove or disprove that the alleged violation occurred previously. Therefore, the finding is unsubstantiated. An exit interview was conducted, a Notice of Site Visit (LIC 9213) was posted, appeal rights were discussed and provided, and a copy of this report was given to the facility representative below.