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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 093624912
Report Date: 03/04/2026
Date Signed: 03/04/2026 12:52:46 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO CC RO, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
02/24/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Christopher Bello
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 03-CC-20260224092959
FACILITY NAME:STEP BY STEP EARLY LEARNING AND CHILDCARE CENTERFACILITY NUMBER:
093624912
ADMINISTRATOR:BAHL, RAHULFACILITY TYPE:
830
ADDRESS:981 SILVER DOLLAR AVENUETELEPHONE:
(650) 575-6122
CITY:SOUTH LAKE TAHOESTATE: CAZIP CODE:
96150
CAPACITY:60CENSUS: 14DATE:
03/04/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
10:40 AM
MET WITH:Mireya TorrezTIME COMPLETED:
01:00 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff are operating out of ratio
Staff does not have the required qualifications
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Christopher Bello met with Director, Mireya Torrez to open and close a complaint investigation, regarding the above allegations. Upon arrival, LPA observed 14 infants with two teachers and two assistants. It was alleged that the facility operated out of Teacher-child ratio and has unqualified staff working with the children in care. LPA observed upon arrival two assistants with seven infants in the hallway headed toward the playground without a qualified teacher present. Observations and interviews corroborated the allegations. Based on LPA’s investigation, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore, the above allegations are found to be SUBSTANTIATED.

Title 22 deficiencies are cited on the subsequent page of this report. Type Acknowledgement forms are to be signed by current parent of the facility and new parents for the next twelve months. LIC 9224 and Appeal Rights were provided. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Director Mireya Torrez.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Amanda Blesi
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Christopher Bello
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/04/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/04/2026
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 1 of 2
Control Number 03-CC-20260224092959
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO CC RO, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827

FACILITY NAME: STEP BY STEP EARLY LEARNING AND CHILDCARE CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 093624912
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 03/04/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
03/05/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101416.3(b)
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An infant care aide shall work under the direct supervision of the director, the assistant director or a fully qualified teacher, except as provided for in Section 101416.5(d)(1). This requirement has not been met by evidence: LPA observed two assistants with infants without a teacher present. This is
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Director stated that they will have a training on the topic by POC date 3/5/2026. LPA will return to clear the deficiency.
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considered as an immediate risk to the children in care.
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Type A
03/05/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101416.5(b)
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There shall be a ratio of one teacher for every four infants in attendance. This requirement has not been met by evidence: LPA observed two assistants with infants without a teacher present. This is considered as an immediate risk to the children in care.
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Director stated that they will have a training on the topic by POC date 3/5/2026. LPA will return to clear the deficiency.
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Failure to correct the cited deficiency(ies), on or before the Plan of Correction (POC) due date, may result in a civil penalty assessment.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Amanda Blesi
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Christopher Bello
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/04/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/04/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 2