197413608-1-31-2025-58-CC-BBEL-DE47N6-20250220204812

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 197413608
Report Date: 01/31/2025
Date Signed: 01/31/2025 02:11:07 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
11/14/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Jeanine Lipsey

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 58-CC-20241114143159

FACILITY NAME:	BUSY LITTLE FINGERS EARLY EDUCATION CENTER		FACILITY NUMBER:	197413608
ADMINISTRATOR:	EMILIA LARA		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	7556 HESPERIA AVENUE		TELEPHONE:	(818) 345-1737
CITY:	RESEDA	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	91335
CAPACITY:	30	CENSUS: 28	DATE:	01/31/2025
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	12:35 PM
MET WITH:	Assistant Director Amy Perez Pineda		TIME COMPLETED:	02:20 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Facility is not providing an adequate amount food to children in care

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 1/31/25 at 12:35 pm, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Jeanine Lipsey conducted an unannounced complaint visit for the purpose of delivering the findings of the investigation regarding the allegation above. LPA met with Assistant Director Amy Perez Pineda and observed twenty eight children and six staff at the time of the visit.

Infant RM #1- 2 infants with 1 teacher
Age 4 RM 8 children with 1 teacher
Age 2 RM 10 children with 2 teachers
Infant RM #2- 8 Infants with 2 teachers

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Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Betty Bell
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jeanine Lipsey
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 01/31/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/31/2025

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-20241114143159

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: BUSY LITTLE FINGERS EARLY EDUCATION CENTER	FACILITY NUMBER: 197413608
	VISIT DATE: 01/31/2025

NARRATIVE

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Throughout the course of the investigation, LPA Lipsey obtained documentation in the form of the LIC 9040 Child Care Facility Roster, November & December monthly menu, Breakfast & Snack Menu, and CACFP meal guidelines, photo of the cup used to measure the food portions, and the food stored in the cabinets and the refrigerator. LPA also interviewed the Reporting Party (RP), the Director, three staff, the food program representative and six parents.

Pertaining to the allegation, Facility is not providing an adequate amount food to children in care.

The (RP) claims that the facility is not providing an adequate amount of food to children in care, specifically citing that Child #1 (C1) is always hungry when picked up and that children are not receiving the required 4 oz of food at mealtimes.

The facility participates in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), which provides meals and snacks for enrolled children. The facility follows a set schedule for mealtimes, including breakfast, snacks, and lunch, ensuring that all children are fed according to the guidelines of the program. LPA observed the cabinets and refrigerator full of food and snacks.

Per the director, Children are served meals based on a monthly menu, which includes a variety of foods such as pizza, soup, turkey, rice, and milk. The staff are responsible for distributing food and ensuring each child receives their portions. The director stated although they are only required to give 2 meals and 1 snack, they give 2 snacks.

Staff stated meal portions are typically served based on age, with younger children receiving smaller portions. The staff use measuring cups to ensure accuracy in portion sizes. Additionally, if a child asks for more food, extra servings are provided. The facility purchases food weekly, with the cook purchasing enough to meet the expected number of children. Staff report that food is generally sufficient for all children. The facility provides extra snacks such as cheese, Go-Gurts, and string cheese for children who arrive late. Staff #3 expressed dissatisfaction with serving sizes, like one slice of fruit or small servings of soup. However, these concerns were not shared across all staff members, and many stated that if children ask for more food, they give it to them.

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SUPERVISORS NAME: Betty Bell
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jeanine Lipsey
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 01/31/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/31/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 58-CC-20241114143159

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: BUSY LITTLE FINGERS EARLY EDUCATION CENTER	FACILITY NUMBER: 197413608
	VISIT DATE: 01/31/2025

NARRATIVE

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All the parents interviewed did not have any concerns regarding the amount food served nor did their child complain to them about being hungry at pick up. Parent #6 expressed their child comes after 3pm and is given snacks by the teacher when she/he arrives.

While there are varying opinions regarding food portions, there is no substantial evidence to support the claim that the facility is failing to provide the required amount of food.

Based upon evidence obtained during this investigation, the allegations “Facility is not providing an adequate amount food to children in care”, has 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 Director Assistant Director Amy Perez Pineda. 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: 01/31/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/31/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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