complaint·October 27, 2023

Pepper also admitted that there have been occurrences in the past where staff without infant and other ECE units have been permitted to work alone in the infant classroom with awake infants. Pepper stated that it is common practice for the center to combine developmentally similar children from different classrooms under the same license to maintain ratios and help with the staffing shortage. Pepper stated that this is most observed in preschool classrooms. Pepper stated that with the combined classrooms, teachers are still able to provide care and supervision to meet the children’s needs. Pepper stated that children from different licenses are not commingled. In a follow up interview with Pepper on 10/05/23, Pepper stated that the facility recently hired new staff to work in the toddler and preschool classrooms. Pepper stated that the infant classroom is still closed until the center can hire teachers with the proper infant specific ECE units. Pepper stated that all staff are required to receive a criminal record clearance or transfer their existing clearance prior to their initial presence in the facility. Pepper stated that any time a child suffers an injury or other unusual incident while in care, an incident report is filled out, and the child’s authorized representative is notified. Pepper stated that depending on the severity of the incident, law enforcement, Community Care Licensing, and/or child protective services are also notified. Pepper stated that the most recent incident at the facility involving a teacher roughly handling a child was reported to the child’s authorized representative, Community Care Licensing, and the local child welfare services agency. During the investigation, the LPA interviewed staff members S1-S7 regarding the allegations. Interviews corroborated the center director’s statements. Based on available information, although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove alleged violations did or did not occur, therefore, the allegations are determined to be unsubstantiated at this time. There were no Title 22 deficiencies cited. This report was reviewed and discussed with the facility’s director, Alex Pepper. Appeal rights were provided. Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 days from today's visit.