Incident investigation·July 9, 2025

During a complaint investigation, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Selena Mariani made an unannounced case management visit and met with Assistant Director (AD) Traci Marshall, to deliver a deficiency related to violation of plan of operation. Based on LPA’s interviews with Center Director (CD), Brenda Hardaway, AD and one staff (S1), one child (C1), and one parent (P1), from 05/08/25 through 06/25/25, and Vacaville Police Department (PD) report interview from 05/01/25 where S1 stated they took a picture of a child (C1) with their personal cellphone. CD stated I could not find the picture on any of KinderCare tablets; S1 provided a printout of the picture. According to S1, on 04/25/25, they took a picture of C1’s bite mark. The picture was specifically of the bite mark. S1 said my co-worker and I both forgot to get the tablet before going outside, I took the picture with my cellphone and deleted it when I talked to the PD. During C1's interview there was no indication C1 felt uncomfortable at preschool. PD report stated, on the 05/01/25, the picture on S1’s cellphone was only of C1’s bite mark. S1 agreed to delete the picture, and no further investigation is warranted at this time. CD explained, No one is allowed to do anything using their personal cellphone. Staff are supposed to use the KinderCare tablets. There is one tablet in every room everyday. Staff can take a picture of an injury with the KinderCare tablets, if the parent wants to see it. On 06/25/25, the facility submitted a copy of page 9 of the Employee Handbook which stated, “To respect families’ privacy, we use only KCE-issued cameras or other technology to take photos of children in our classrooms. Do not use your camera or phone.” Continue on LIC809-C Continue from LIC809 Based on statements provided by staff, child, PD report and a review of the Employee Handbook, there is preponderance of evidence to show the facility did not comply with California Code of Regulations 101173(d) which states that the child care center shall operate in accordance with the terms specified in the plan of operation. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the Assistant Director, Traci Marshall. The following violation of the California Code of Regulations, Title 22; Division 12 & Chapter 1, Article 03 is being cited on the attached LIC 809D. A Notice of Site Visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in a $100 civil penalty. Appeal Rights were provided.