complaint·October 20, 2023

Poma stated that Wittry contacted their supervisor at the La Petite Academy corporate office who reviewed the camera footage the same day and determined that staff S7 violated child C2\342\200\231s personal rights and the facility\342\200\231s redirection policies by handling and moving C2 in a rough manner. Poma stated that in the video, S7 grabbed C2\342\200\231s arm, then lifted the child up and swung the child around and placed the child on a stool by the sink. Poma stated that C2 was participating in a painting activity and was covered in paint. Poma stated that the child was upset and crying. Poma stated that S7\342\200\231s employment at the center was terminated at the conclusion of its investigation. Poma stated that S7 was written up twice before for \342\200\234aggressively handling/moving a child\342\200\235 and \342\200\234roughly handling, moving, or redirecting a student.\342\200\235 Poma stated that teachers at the center are allowed to pick up and move children, but they must lift children under their armpits with two hands and gently move them from one point to the other. Poma stated that child C2\342\200\231s authorized representative was notified of the incident. Community Care Licensing was not notified. During the complaint investigation visit on 08/15/23, the LPA notified Poma that a UIR shall be submitted for any unusual incident that occurs at the center and requested that the center complete and submit a UIR. Poma submitted a written UIR to the LPA on 08/18/23. Poma stated that she is unsure if staff did not attend to child C1 or other children. Poma stated that it is possible that this may have occurred since the center has been short staffed recently. Poma stated that she has assisted in different classrooms to maintain ratios and support teachers daily. Poma stated that child C1 was newly enrolled at the center, and it is normal for children to have an adjustment period. Poma stated that teachers make an effort to engage with each child but will also provide children with space if necessary to allow them to calm down. In a follow up interview with Poma on 10/20/23, Poma stated that the center has hired new teachers and is now \342\200\234over staffed.\342\200\235 During the investigation, the LPA interviewed staff members S1-S6 and childcare clients regarding the allegations. Through the LPA\342\200\231s interviews and documents obtained, the LPA was able to corroborate the allegation that staff S7 roughly handled children in care. Furthermore, it was also corroborated through staff and client interviews that staff did not attend to a daycare child/children in a timely manner. Due to the developmental level of children in C1\342\200\231s \342\200\230two\342\200\231s classroom\342\200\235, additional care and supervision is needed to meet children\342\200\231s needs. (Continued on LIC9099-C) Interviews revealed that children were not provided with the level of care and supervision needed to meet their needs resulting in children crying, fighting with one another, and not being attended to by staff members in a timely manner. Several individuals interviewed also voiced their concerns regarding the center\342\200\231s staff shortage and the stress this was placing on staff and their ability to attend to children in a timely manner. Based on information obtained from interviews, 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 center director, Jamie Poma. Appeal rights were provided. The Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 days. Reports citing Type A violations are to be provided to parents/guardians of children currently enrolled by the next business day or the next day the children are in care, and to parents/guardians of children newly enrolled at the facility for the next 12 months from the date of this report. Parents/guardians must sign form LIC 9224 to be kept in each child's file.