complaint·February 7, 2025

while other children are around by S2. The Director stated they do remove children physically and sometimes take them outside to cool down when they are causing harm to other children in care. 4 staff (S1, S3, S4 S5) on 12/19/2024, and 4 out of 4 staff confirmed the allegation that staff yell at daycare children in care. 3 out of 4 staff stated they have witnessed other staff members yelling in children’s faces and constantly hearing them yelling in the classroom or using an inappropriate tone with children. 3 out of 4 staff confirmed that daycare children are not accorded dignity in their relationship with staff, specifically that there is name calling of/to children in care, negative comments being made regarding children in care. Staff admitted that S2 yells at children that are being difficult. 2 out of 4 staff confirmed that they have witnessed staff handle daycare children in a rough manner, specifically using the bear hug method to restrain children, yanking children by the arm, and pull a children’s wrist or forearm really hard. Additionally, staff stated they have concerns about the way children are treated at the facility, they were told by S2 they can hold down a child by their hands or bear hug them. 1 staff member admitted that S2 and S6 physically push children into other classrooms whenever staff can’t handle their behavior. 1 staff (S2) was interviewed on 12/19/2024, S2 was interviewed and denied the allegations; staff yell at children and denied children not being accorded dignity. S2 stated she has observed S6 use the “bear hug method” to restrain children who are having behaviors. 2 children were interviewed on 12/19/2024 and stated they have fun at school, school is crazy inside, S2 physically picks up children when they are naughty and puts them in time out, they go to time out when teachers are mad, S2 yells at children not nice, teachers get sad when friends are not nice. 1 witness (W1) was interviewed on 12/20/2024 and stated they observed S2 yell at daycare children in care, specifically that a S2 was yelling in child’s face. W1 confirmed that daycare child was not accorded dignity in their relationship with staff, specifically that negative comments were made by another Staff (S6) about a child in front of them, children were left in distress after a S2 attempted to handle a situation, and that S2 and S6 were observed yelling in front of the children in an argument appearing to be upset with one another. W1 also confirmed that staff handle daycare children in a rough manner, specifically that they observed S2 grabbed a child by the wrists and twisted them, so their hands were facing up while S2 yelled in their face, and that they observed S2 grab a child by the shirt holding onto them for an extended amount of time not addressing them but addressing another child. W1 also witnessed staff physically picking children up and placing their bodies in a chair. During today’s inspection, the facility was toured and 5 staff were supervising 16 children. LPA observed children eating breakfast and doing activity time in the classroom. Based on the evidence obtained, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegations are found to be substantiated. California Code of Regulations, (Title 22), is being cited on the attached LIC 9099D. LPA Danielson informed facility representative Director Lisa O’Neal that this report dated 02/07/2025 documents 1 Type A citation which shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there is an immediate risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care. Also, LPA Danielson informed the facility representative to provide a copy of this licensing report dated 02/07/2025 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 facility representative Director Lisa O’Neal. Appeal rights provided. 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.