complaint·November 13, 2023

During the course of the investigation, interviews were conducted with Center Director, five staff (S1-S5), seven Guardians ( G1-G7), and attempted children interviews between 08/23/2023 and 11/06/2023. On 08/24/2023, Center Director reported that on 08/16/2023 two children ( C1 and C2) pushed the preschool gate open and ran to the street. A teacher in the toddler classroom saw one of the children walk past the window and got help. Multiple staff members corroborated the statement. S4 reported it was close to lunch time, when she saw a shadow in the window and C2 running. S4 then told S1, C2 was outside in the parking lot and S1 ran outside to get C2. S2 further corroborated the statement, reporting S1 ran outside to to bring C2 back to the playground and close the gate. S2 then saw C1 running back to the gate behind S1 and since the gate was closed, S2 ran outside to bring C1 back in. S1 confirmed that when she was notified a child was running in the parking lot, she ran outside and noticed the gate was open to the playground. S3 reported she was in the playground but didn\342\200\231t notice the children leave the playground and it was S1 who notified her that children had ran out. S5 reported she was in the playground sitting and talking with a child and didn\342\200\231t notice C1 or C2 leave until the center director notified her. One staff reported prior to the children leaving the playground, staff were not standing by the gate door to provide supervision. Since the incident, staff now are required to stand all around the play yard. Some guardians confirmed that their children left the playground and ran into the parking lot and/or street without staff supervision. Based on interviews conducted, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met and the above allegation is found to be substantiated. The California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 12 & Chapter 1, section 101229 (a)(1) is being cited on attached LIC 9099D . This report was reviewed with the center director and an exit interview was conducted. Complaint Investigation Report (CIR), was provided. Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 days. Appeal Rights were provided. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100. LPAs informed facility representative, Danielle Haynes that this report dated 11/13/2023 document(s) one Type A citation which shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there is/are immediate risk(s) to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care. Also, LPAs informed the facility representative to provide a copy of this licensing report dated 11/13/2023 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 . In terms of incident reports, the center has incident and ouch reports. The center will call guardians to let them know of an injury and take a picture to post on the app so parents can see. Staff interviews corroborated that meals are provided by the food program. Some staff reported children are encouraged to eat, and if they don\342\200\231t want to eat the meal that is provided, they will give the child additional snacks such as fruit, crackers and yogurt. Staff corroborated, guardians are notified via app of children\342\200\231s daily activities and behavior. One guardian reported that they weren\342\200\231t notified when their child was sick from dehydration and not eating or when they got hurt at the daycare center. Guardian reported, their child was not eating the food at the daycare because the child didn\342\200\231t like the food. A few other guardians reported their children didn\342\200\231t eat the food at the center because they are picky eaters, and the center would offer the children snacks as an alternative to the meals. One guardian reported their child was on a lactose free diet and would provide the milk. But one time when the milk ran out, the guardian wasn\342\200\231t notified, and the center gave the child water instead. Other guardian interviews confirmed the center would supplement with snacks and crackers if a child didn\342\200\231t eat the meals provided. Some guardians reported they were always notified via phone call or app if an incident occurred with their child, but a few other guardians reported they would have to initiate conversation with the staff to ask how the child\342\200\231s day went regarding any incidents. One guardian (G3) reported their child advised them of an injury and when asking staff about the incident, they didn\342\200\231t have any answers for the guardian. Some guardians reported when their child is injured, they sign an ouch report to prove they have been told of the incident. Other guardian interviews revealed that when a child is injured the guardian is notified via app, phone call or written ouch report based on the severity of the injury. Based on interviews conducted and records reviewed, although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove that the alleged violation occurred, therefore the allegation is Unsubstantiated. This report was reviewed and discussed with Center Director, She was provided with a copy of this CIR; and Appeal Rights. All licensing reports are public information and must be made available upon request for at least three years.