complaint·November 17, 2021

Interviews made on 10/12/2021 and 11/4/2021 with Staff #2, #3 and #4 corroborate that although staff did not observe Staff #1 spank Child #1, they could undoubtedly hear Child #1 being spanked. Staff #2 and #3 stated that the remaining children in care became quiet and noticeably upset as they heard Child #1 being spanked. Staff #2, #3 and #4 stated that after Staff #1 returned to the classroom, Staff #1 saw Child #2 running and throwing down plants made by children and in an aggressive manner Staff #1 took Child #2 by her arm, sat her down and told her to stop. Staff #2, #3, and #4 admitted they did not intervene with Staff #1 spanking Child #1 since Child #1 is Staff #1’s own child. Staff #2 and #3 also stated if they had left the classroom to intervene, the required teacher child ratios would not have been maintained. On 11/4/2021 during a phone interview with Staff #1, staff admitted to spanking her son, Child #1 for not listening, misbehaving and throwing a tantrum in class. Staff #1 denied speaking to Child #2 in an aggressive manner, however, admitted to speaking to Child #2 in a firm manner after child would not stop running or throwing down projects made by children in care. Staff #1 stated that she was unaware it was against licensing rules to spank your own child. Based on interviews conducted and available information obtained, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, and the allegations are therefore substantiated. An exit interview was conducted with Executive Director Shannon Granger, a plan of correction was discussed, Notice of Operation in Violation of Law and appeal rights were provided. Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 days from today's visit. The following Type A violation of the California Code of Regulations, Title 22; Division 12, was cited: see LIC 9099D. Reports citing Type A violations are to be provided to parents/guardians of children currently in enrolled and to parents/guardians of children newly enrolled at the facility during the next 12 months. Parents/guardians must sign Form LIC9224 and are to be kept in each child's file.