Incident investigation·April 16, 2024

On April 16, 2024 at 11:40 AM Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Laura Villanueva made an unannounced inspection to conduct a Case Management-Incident visit. LPA met with owner/Director, Shashini Talwatte and explained the purpose of the visit. LPA conducted a tour of the facility with Director. LPA observed a total of 24 children under the care and supervision of 6 staff. An incident was reported to the Department on 10/11/2023 regarding a teacher grabbing a child by the arm very roughly as the teacher was yelling at the child who tried to open a gate. A red mark was left on the child's arm and wrist. The child was crying pointing at her arm. Another staff witnessed the incident and reported it to the director. The child's parents were informed of the incident the following day (10/06/2023). Staff reported the incident to the director after the child was picked up. The child was picked up early that day. Parents were informed that an investigation was conducted when the incident occurred. The center's employee policy has a zero tolerance for physical harm to children. The teacher was terminated on 10/06/2023. There were other incidents of staff speaking harshly to other staff that occurred and were documented. This incident was the first of this nature. Staff was employed since June 2014 as a teacher and then assistant director. The child is still enrolled at the center. LPA obtained statement of staff who witnessed the incident and spoke to parent. At the following staff meeting on 10/23/23, staff were given training on guiding children and redirection. Staff are provided with ongoing training during bimonthly staff meetings. Today, deficiencies cited under Title 22 Division 12. Appeal rights given. Upon receipt of this report, licensee shall post and provide copies of this licensing report to parents /guardian of children in care at the facility and to parent/guardians of children newly enrolled at the CONTINUED ON LIC809C facility during the next 12 months. Licensee to provide LIC 9224 for each child in care and have each parent sign the form that they have received a copy of the report LIC 809 and LIC 809 D. THIS REPORT MUST BE FILED IN FACILITY FILE AND MADE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC REVIEW FOR 3 YEARS.