complaint·June 23, 2025

Center director reported the center releases children to guardians that are on the authorized pick-up list, then staff take a copy of the guardian’s ID to confirm they are on the list. Assistant center director corroborated the statements. Guardian interviews revealed the center disciplines children by time out on the red chair. Some guardians reported they had never observed the center yell or hit children. Other guardians reported staff speak with authority and the children listen. Another guardian reported they heard a staff yelling at a child because they didn’t want to sit on the red chair. The guardian reported it was a loud scary voice, but didn’t report the exact words staff was yelling at the child. Guardians reported the center releases children to guardians who are on the authorized pick-up list. Some guardian’s interviews corroborated if a new adult who is on the authorized pick-up list arrives to pick up their child the center will take a copy of their ID. A guardian reported they had observed middle school or high school aged child dropping off and picking up a preschool aged child to the center. When the guardian attempted to also have a younger relative pick up/drop off their child the center refused and required an adult 18 years or older to sign in/out their child. The guardian did not recall the family it occurred to. Guardian’s interviews revealed the center provide guardians with an enrollment packet for the guardian to fill out and return to the center. The guardians corroborated they fill out the enrollment packets, and the sign in/out forms or the authorized guardians who arrive to pick up/ drop off children. However the center will fill out the county family and children services subsidy form with the times, then guardians will sign the form at the bottom. Some guardians reported staff from the center will ask them what times/ or hours will the guardian like to document on the county subsidy sign in/out. A guardian reported the center allocated more hours than was allowed on one occasion that they were made aware of. The guardian reported it got sorted out with the county, and the guardian will refuse to sign the from until the end of the month, whereas other guardians sign the form at the beginning of the month due to the staff constantly reminding guardians to sign the form at the beginning of the month before the services have been rendered. Most guardians reported the center is safe and their children have gotten injured but nothing out of the usual for their age, bumps and scrapes. A few guardians reported there were isolated incidents where the center was not safe. A guardian reported their child was given a bag with broken glass. The center staff reported the child was not given a bag with broken glass, but guardian was given a bag which had a broken memento. Another guardian reported one day they were arriving to the center and observed their child fall through the window out of excitement for seeing them walking up. The window is low enough where the guardian was able to help their child get up. Guardian did not disclose the date it happened or what staff were present when the incident occurred. Child interviews revealed the center uses a red chair for time out as a form of discipline. One child reported there is a color chart where children’s names are moved to a different color based on their behavior throughout the day. Children reported their guardians drop them off and pick them up from the center. And most children reported they feel safe at the center. One child reported they kind of feel scared when everyone is running, but feel safe while at the center. LPA Elpidia Hernandez Torres, advised center director the importance of accurately filling out the county subsidy forms and the consequences if in-accurate forms are submitted to the county. LPA recommended the center reach out to the county for further guidance to ensure staff who handle the subsidy forms understand the rules and regulations regarding the completion of the forms. 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. Notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days.