192002594-1-15-2025-58-CC-BBEL-DFF4MV-20250404191409

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 192002594
Report Date: 01/15/2025
Date Signed: 01/15/2025 02:24:37 PM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO CC NORTH, 300 CONTINENTAL BLVD. STE 290A
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
10/18/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Jeanine Lipsey

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 58-CC-20241018113728

FACILITY NAME:	HAPPY PRESCHOOL LAND		FACILITY NUMBER:	192002594
ADMINISTRATOR:	LUCY STEPANIAN		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	15727 VANOWEN STREET		TELEPHONE:	(818) 785-1982
CITY:	VAN NUYS	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	91406
CAPACITY:	61	CENSUS: 30	DATE:	01/15/2025
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	12:30 PM
MET WITH:	Director Lucy Stepanian		TIME COMPLETED:	02:30 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff are not properly supervising day care child resulting in injuries.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 1/15/25, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Jeanine Lipsey made an unannounced visit for the purpose of delivering findings regarding the above allegations. LPA met with, Director Lucy Stepanian who led LPA on a tour of the facility. LPA observed thirty children being supervised by four staff.

During today’s visit, LPA addressed the allegation that “Staff are not properly supervising day care child resulting in injuries.” Throughout the course of the investigation, LPA reviewed five children’s files for ouch reports, obtained photos of the scratches on the child’s ear and back, photos of five staff nails to see how long they were, the LIC 9040 Child Care Facility Roster to obtain parents information, LPA interviewed the Reporting Party (RP),the Director, six parents, four staff and five children.

Pertaining to the allegations:
“Staff are not properly supervising day care child resulting in injuries.”
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Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Betty Bell
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jeanine Lipsey
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 01/15/2025

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/15/2025

This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 58-CC-20241018113728

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO CC NORTH, 300 CONTINENTAL BLVD. STE 290A
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245

FACILITY NAME: HAPPY PRESCHOOL LAND	FACILITY NUMBER: 192002594
	VISIT DATE: 01/15/2025

NARRATIVE

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Per Reporting Party (RP) their child had recently been biting their sibling at home, and cries uncontrollably at drop offs. RP states this is a new behavior and was concerned that something was happening at school. On 10/7/24 they noticed a scratch on the child’s back, a picture was taken. RP asked the staff about the scratch on the following day; they did not know how it got there, but suggest it could have happened at home. On 10/10/24 they noticed another scratch on the left arm of the child. RP asked the staff, at drop off what had happened the following day, they responded, they did not know, and dismissed their concerns suggesting the child will be fine. RP asked the staff to keep a closer eye the child. Rp stated they felt their concerns were not being heard. The final incident occurred on 10/16/24, RP noticed a scratched on the child’s left ear, this prompted the RP to pull the child out of school.

Director explained the children are always supervised, they keep a 1-12 ratio during outside play and each class have their own play time. The Director disclosed that there have not been any incidents of scratching or complaints from parents. However, if they did get scratched, they inform the parent, and an ouch report is created.

When interviewing staff, no staff disclosed that any child sustained scratches. But if a child gets scratched, they rinse with water and soap and inform the parent and an ouch report is made to be signed by the parent and placed the in the child’s file. No staff had complaints from parents regarding scratches.

Per the six parents interviewed, no parents disclosed any injuries to their child, they did not have any concerns nor did their child ever expressed any concerns about anything he/she did not like at the facility.
Per the five children interviewed, no children made any disclosures of being hurt or scratched while at the facility.

The (RP) expressed concerns about their child's behavior and injuries after attending the daycare. RP described instances of scratches being noticed on their child after pickups and cited a lack of concern from staff when questioned. Despite these concerns, interviews with staff, children, and parents did not reveal any evidence supporting the claim of inadequate supervision or injuries caused by daycare personnel. Parents expressed satisfaction with the center, and no disclosures were made regarding the alleged incidents.

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SUPERVISORS NAME: Betty Bell
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jeanine Lipsey
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 01/15/2025

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/15/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 58-CC-20241018113728

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO CC NORTH, 300 CONTINENTAL BLVD. STE 290A
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245

FACILITY NAME: HAPPY PRESCHOOL LAND	FACILITY NUMBER: 192002594
	VISIT DATE: 01/15/2025

NARRATIVE

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Based upon evidence obtained during this investigation, the allegations “Staff are not properly supervising day care child resulting in injuries” have been determined to be unsubstantiated. A finding that a complaint is unsubstantiated means that although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove that the alleged violation occurred.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the Director Lucy Stepanian.
A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days.

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SUPERVISORS NAME: Betty Bell
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jeanine Lipsey
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 01/15/2025

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/15/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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