complaint·March 6, 2026

She also verified that the allegations were true and provided additional context regarding staffing challenges at the center. Both Orlando and Wallace stated that they began their respective roles at the facility in September 2025 and November 2025. They reported that, upon assuming their positions, they inherited a significant staff shortage, which contributed to the incidents in question. Wallace and Orlando further explained that, while the staffing deficit had existed prior to their employment, they are actively taking measures to address the issue. This includes efforts to recruit and hire additional staff members who possess the necessary early childhood education units and credentials required for classroom supervision and teaching roles. Both administrators expressed awareness of the importance of maintaining proper staff-to-child ratios and ensuring that all classroom staff meet the required qualifications, and they are working to implement corrective actions to prevent future violations. During the investigation, the LPA interviewed staff members S1 through S7 regarding the allegations. The LPA was able to corroborate the complaints through staff interviews, personal observations made during visit on December 23, 2025, and reviews of personnel files. The majority of classroom staff interviewed reported that they either did not possess any ECE units or lacked the appropriate amount of ECE units required to serve as a qualified teacher in the preschool classrooms. Staff members that did not possess any ECE units also stated that, on multiple occasions, they had been assigned to supervise awake preschool children without working under the direct supervision of a fully qualified teacher. The LPA’s interviews and observations on December 23, 2025, confirmed that preschool classrooms had been operating above the required staff-to-child ratio on multiple occasions. During the December 23 visit, the LPA observed two preschool classrooms in operation: the “Discovery Preschool” classroom and “Preschool” classroom. In the Discovery Preschool classroom, there were 20 awake children and two staff members (S6 and S7). Staff S7 is a fully qualified teacher, while S6 was an aide with no ECE units. In the Preschool classroom, there were 19 awake children and two staff members (S4 and S5), neither of whom had any ECE units. At the time of the visit, no fully qualified teacher was present to supervise S4 and S5 in this classroom. These findings corroborate the allegations that the facility operated with insufficiently qualified staff and exceeded the required staff-to-child ratios in preschool classrooms. Based on information obtained from staff interviews and the LPA’s direct observations, 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 9099-D. Appeal rights were provided. An exit interview was conducted, and this report was read and discussed with the Assistant Director Nakia Orlando. The Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 days.