Inspector’s narrative
What the inspector wrote
However, she noted that the child's teacher completed a written incident report, which the authorized representative signed at pickup. Additionally, Director Richardson stated that whenever a child sustains a head injury while in care, it is the teacher’s responsibility to inform the center director or assistant director, and the front office must immediately contact the authorized representative by phone.
During a follow-up interview on July 29, 2025, Assistant Director Alex Pepper (Staff S3) provided additional details regarding the incident involving Child C1. Assistant Director Pepper stated that a staff member informed her of C1’s head injury. She described C1 as upset and tearful upon discovery, and noted that an ice pack was provided as relief for the bump on the child’s head. Assistant Director Pepper indicated that the incident occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m., coinciding with C1’s typical pickup time, and confirmed that a phone call to the authorized representative was not made due to the timing of the incident.
Director Richardson stated that the center recently had an outbreak of hand, foot, and mouth disease. She clarified that children with hand, foot, and mouth disease are allowed to return to the center either with a doctor’s note confirming recovery or if they did not have any oozing sores, and appear well enough to participate in normal activities. Director Richardson stated that if a child began showing symptoms, the classroom teacher would notify her, and she would then assess the child and contact the child’s authorized representative if necessary.
Director Richardson denied allowing sick children to be dropped off at the center. However, she stated that if a child became ill or began showing symptoms while in care, the child was allowed to remain in the classroom until they were picked up. She explained that the facility did not have a designated isolation area, and sick children were kept in the classroom with well children since exposure had already occurred. Richardson further stated that children were typically not sent home unless they had a fever of 100.4°F or higher or presented other symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea.
A follow-up visit was conducted on July 29, 2025, during which the new center director, Nicole Del Calvo (Staff S2), was interviewed. Director Del Calvo stated that her official start date was June 23, 2025. She explained that she was unable to comment on the alleged incidents, as they occurred prior to her employment with the center. Director Del Calvo further expressed her belief that the situation involving child C1 should have been handled differently; specifically, she emphasized that, given the nature and location of the injury, C1’s authorized representative should have been notified by phone immediately after the incident rather than waiting until pickup time.
(Continued on LIC9099-C)
Since assuming her role, Director Del Calvo stated that no sick children have been allowed to attend the center. Director Del Calvo stated that staff members use walkie-talkie radios to promptly communicate any illness-related concerns to the front office. If a child becomes ill while in care, Director Del Calvo is notified, and the child is isolated from other children, awaiting pickup in the front office. Either Director Del Calvo or another teacher remains with the child during this time.
During the investigation, the LPA conducted unannounced visits on June 20, July 29, and August 6, and August 13, 2025. Interviews with staff members S2 through S15 provided corroborating evidence supporting the allegation. The majority of staff interviewed reported that, on multiple occasions, sick children remained in their classrooms with symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, vomiting, or signs of hand, foot, and mouth disease including mouth sores and rashes on the hands and feet. Several teachers expressed concern and frustration that these children were allowed to remain in the classroom for extended periods, sometimes several hours, while awaiting pickup. During the initial visit on June 20, 2025, the LPA asked Director Richardson to identify the center’s isolation area. Director Richardson stated that the center did not have one. The LPA reviewed relevant regulations with her and observed that she created an isolation area in her office during the visit.
Based on information obtained from interviews during the investigation, 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. An exit interview was conducted, and this report was read and discussed with the facility’s director, Nicole Del Calvo. Appeal rights were provided. The Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 days.
According to Director Richardson, classroom surfaces are cleaned and sanitized daily by staff members. Bathrooms are regularly disinfected, and diaper-changing stations are disinfected after each use. The facility uses three distinct commercial products with color-coded bottles: red for sanitizing, green for disinfecting, and blue for cleaning glass and other surfaces. Additionally, floors in each classroom are swept, vacuumed, and mopped every day. Staff members must follow a “Classroom Cleaning Checklist” that covers food-contact surfaces, mouthed objects, restrooms, diapering areas, and general classroom spaces. This checklist is completed daily by staff.
Director Richardson stated that in the event of a communicable disease outbreak, the center intensifies its cleaning and sanitization efforts, particularly focusing on toys and other high-touch surfaces. According to Director Richardson, children are frequently reminded to wash their hands while at the center. Hard toys are cleaned with a bleach solution or disinfectant, while soft toys are washed with hot water and detergent. Children’s bedding and sheets are not shared among children and are washed using hot water and detergent. Director Richardson stated that the center ensures that children’s authorized representatives, local health authorities, and the licensing agency are notified as necessary.
During a follow-up visit on July 29, 2025, Licensing Program Analyst Y. Yang interviewed the center’s new director, Nicole Del Calvo (Staff S2), who began her role on June 23, 2025. Director Del Calvo stated that she could not comment on the alleged incident, as it occurred before her employment. Since her appointment, she reported additional confirmed cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease at the center. Director Del Calvo confirmed that the center continues to implement the same cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting procedures as outlined by former Director Richardson.
Throughout the investigation, the Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) conducted unannounced visits to the center on June 20, July 29, August 6, and August 13, 2025. During these visits, the LPA observed classroom conditions and interviewed staff members (S1 through S15). Interviews with staff members revealed consistent statements that aligned with the current and former center directors' accounts, providing no additional evidence to support the allegation. The LPA observed staff members cleaning classrooms and wiping down surfaces, adhering to the center's established cleaning protocols.
Based on available information and interviews conducted, although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations did or did not occur. Therefore, the allegation is determined to be unsubstantiated at this time. There were no Title 22 deficiencies cited. This report was reviewed and discussed with the center director, Nicole Del Calvo. Appeal rights were provided. Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 days from today's visit.
