complaint·December 9, 2022

The Center Director stated that she is aware of one injury related incident involving child C1. The Center Director stated that this incident occurred before she started working at this center. Based on the 09/26/22 KinderCare Child Supervision Record (CSR) obtained from the facility, there were a total of two teachers and 13 children in the classroom around the time of child C1’s injury. According to the KinderCare “Incident/Accident Report for Parent/Guardian” C1 was sitting down reading a book and fell forward, hitting their forehead on a shelf and was provided ice and comfort; no medical attention was needed. Child C1’s teachers that day, staff S2 and S3 were interviewed regarding this incident and both staff members stated that adequate supervision was provided at the time and that this was an unintentional, self-inflicted injury and did not involve any other children in the classroom. During the investigation, interviews were conducted with the center’s staff S2-S6 beginning at 02:21pm. Staff members stated that they have not observed or heard about any classroom operating over ratio. Child C1’s primary teachers, staff S3 and S4 were questioned regarding the child being placed in a stroller for an extended period of time. Staff S3 and S4 stated that child C1 woke up early from a nap and began to disturb other napping children and attempted to leave the classroom. According to staff interviews, S3 was the only staff member in the classroom at the time. Staff S3 stated that she then called for assistance as she was in ratio supervising the napping children. Staff S4 stated that she placed the child into a stroller to accompany the center’s Assistant Director, Brenda Bustamante (staff S5) in delivering snacks to the classrooms at the center. S5 stated that once the child was handed over to her, she removed the child from the stroller and walked with the child. Staff members S2, S3, S4, and S5 stated that this was the only instance where C1 used a stroller at the center. Staff stated that the child was in the stroller accompanied by staff for approximately five to ten minutes. All staff interviewed stated that strollers are never used as a form of punishment and are used for their expressed purposes only. Childcare clients were also interviewed during the complaint investigation. Clients interviewed stated that they have not observed any classroom operating over ratio and have observed a sufficient number of staff in each classroom. Clients stated that they did not have any concerns regarding care and supervision at this center and have not observed any personal rights violations, either. The LPA made a total of three unannounced visits (10/05/22, 11/30/22, 12/09/22) to the facility to make observations and conduct interviews. During the LPA’s site visits, there were no ratio or personal rights violations observed. No children were observed to be left without the supervision of a teacher at any time. Although it was corroborated that child C1 sustained an injury while in care, there is not a preponderance of evidence to suggest that the injury was caused by insufficient staffing or any other violation of regulations. Based on available information and interviews conducted, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations did or did not occur. Therefore, the allegations are unsubstantiated. All licensing reports are public information and must be made available upon request for at least three years. This report was read and reviewed with Assistant Center Director Brenda Bustamante. There were no Title 22 deficiencies cited during today's inspection. Appeal rights were provided.