complaint·August 3, 2021

L1 admitted that children have found rusty nails and mushrooms were found growing on the playground, but her knowledge all of nails are now gone and the yard is checked daily for mushrooms. L1 denied the allegation that the facility grounds are in disrepair, stating that the hot water heater in the school age room has an issue that causes the sink water to smell, stating that the preschool children use the school age bathroom sink when playing outside. Six staff (S1-S6) were interviewed on 04/15/21, 04/20/21, 04/21/21, 04/23/21, 04/27/21, 04/28/21, 04/29/21 and 07/22/21. Records were received from L1 on 05/04/21 and 5/18/21. Based on interviews and a review of records, two individuals, Adult 1 (A1) and Staff 6 (S6) were working at the facility, engaging in the care of children without a criminal record associated to the facility. Records reviewed on 07/14/21 show that A1 was associated to the facility on 05/04/21. S6 is not and has never been associated to the facility, and last worked at the facility on 04/02/21. All staff interviewed corroborated that the preschool has had more than 15 children, and up to 20 children in care on more than one occasion with one qualified teacher and 1 or two aides that do not hold units in Early Childhood Education. Staff interviewed corroborated that they have observed staff D1 engage roughly with daycare children. Staff have observed D1 being rough with the following children: Child 1 (C1), Child 2 (C2), Child 3 (C3), Child 4 (C4), Child 5 (C5) and Child 17 (C17). Staff stated that the rough handling of the children by D1 occurred inside and outside. D1 would yell at children, saying "I'm talking to you, do you not listen?", then grab them by the arm forcefully and tell them to look at them and then tell them what they needed to do. If the child didn't listen, D1 would grab their arm, pull their arms to direct them were they wanted them to be. Staff stated that they told L1 that D1 was being rough with the children multiple times. Staff reported that red marks were observed on C1, C4 and C5's arms after D1 grabbed them. Staff corroborated the allegation that the Licensee does not provide a safe environment, stating that on more than one occasion rusty nails or screws were found by children, and although L1 was told about the rusty nails and screws, children were still finding them days later. Staff stated that although mushrooms were present in on the playground, they would pick them and throw them away, but were not instructed to scan the yard for safety prior to the children going outside. Although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove that the alleged violations did or did not occur, therefore the allegations are unsubstantiated. An exit interview was conducted. The Notice of Site Visit must be posted for 30 days. Appeal rights were provided. There were no Title 22 deficiencies cited related to this report. All staff interviewed stated that the preschool children use the school age bathroom sink when playing outside on a daily basis, corroborating that the sink water smelled so strongly of rotten eggs that it made you gag, stating that children did not what to wash their hands using the water. Based on the evidence obtained, 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 9099D. Appeal rights were provided and exit interview conducted. Reports citing Type A violations are to be provided to parents/guardians of children currently enrolled and to parents/guardians of children newly enrolled at the facility during the next 12 months. Parents/guardians must sign Form LIC 9224 to be kept in each child's file. The Notice of Site Visit must be posted for 30 days.