Incident investigation·February 12, 2025

An unannounced case management visit was made to the facility by Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Y. Yang in response to a self-reported, lack of supervision incident involving child C1 and staff S1 that occurred at the facility on 01/17/25. During today’s visit, the LPA met with the center director, Mackenzie "Kenzie" Miller to discuss the incident. Center Director Miller reported that on 01/17/25 at approximately 06:00pm, child C1 was unintentionally left unattended in a preschool classroom for approximately one minute while their teacher (staff S1) went into a different classroom across the hallway to drop off an item. The director stated that when S1 returned to her classroom, she observed C1 in the classroom holding an iPad tablet used by teachers. The director reported that this incident occurred around evening pick up time; S1 believed that all children in her classroom were either picked up by their authorized representatives or transferred to a different classroom with a teacher. Director Miller stated that C1 was not in distress when found and was subsequently escorted to a classroom with other children. Director Miller stated that C1’s authorized representative was notified of this incident the same day. Staff S1 was interviewed and stated that C1’s authorized representative stated that they were reducing C1’s “screen time” at home and C1 has been taking electronic devices and hiding with them. Staff S1 stated that the corner that C1 was hiding in is not visible from the front of the “L shaped” classroom. Staff S1 stated that she acknowledges that had she consulted her attendance sheet, she would have observed that there was still one child in attendance in her classroom. Based on available information, it has been determined that staff S1 did not provide adequate supervision to child C1 as evidenced by the supervision incident on 01/17/2025. The following violation of the California Code of Regulations, Title 22; Division 12, was observed: see LIC 809-D. Appeal rights were provided. (Continued on LIC 809-D) During today’s case management visit, the LPA followed up on a second Unusual Incident Report (UIR) submitted by the facility on 01/17/25. It was reported by the facility that on 01/14/25, a concerned party reported to the center director that they observed staff S4 restraining child C2 by wrapping her arms and legs around the child in the seated position while on the outdoor play yard. Director Miller reported that she conducted interviews with staff who were present and did not obtain any corroborating information. During the LPA’s visit today, the LPA interviewed staff members S1-S3 regarding the allegation. The LPA did not obtain any corroborating information to support the allegation. Staff S1, who was S4’s co teacher at the time of the allegation, stated that she did not observe S4 restraining C1. Staff S1 stated that C1 was having a behavioral episode at the time and attempted to leave the playground. Staff S1 stated that S4 then asked C1 to sit next to her on a playground bench. Staff S1 stated that at no point did S4 restrain C1. The LPA was notified that staff S4 is no longer working at this center and was unable to be interviewed today. During today’s visit, the LPA obtained from Director Miller a statement written by S4 regarding the incident. 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 violation did or did not occur. The allegation is found to be unsubstantiated at this time. There were no Title 22 deficiencies cited as a result of this incident. This report was reviewed and discussed with the center director, Kenzie Miller. Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 days from today's visit.