197413608-6-10-2025-58-CC-BBEL-DJG237-20250710170153

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 197413608
Report Date: 06/10/2025
Date Signed: 06/10/2025 11:10:02 AM

Substantiated

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
04/02/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Jeanine Lipsey

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 58-CC-20250402155925

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: 31	DATE:	06/10/2025
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	08:05 AM
MET WITH:	Lead Teacher Roxenna Mendez-Pineda		TIME COMPLETED:	11:17 AM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff are retaliating against child/parent

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 6/10/25 at 8:05am, 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. Upon arrival, LPA was greeted and let into the facility by Teacher Lesley Mezacardenes and was advised to speak with Lead Teacher Roxenna Mendez-Pineda for she was in charge. During the tour, 21 Preschool children and 5 Preschool staff were observed. Assistant Director Amy Perez arrived at 8:30am.

Toddler RM- 7 children with 2 teachers
RM 3- 14 children with 3 teachers

Per reporting party (RP): Child #1 (C1) and Parent are victims of retaliation due to issues between staff #5 (S5) and Staff #1 (S1).

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Substantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Betty Bell
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jeanine Lipsey
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 06/10/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/10/2025

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-20250402155925

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: 06/10/2025

NARRATIVE

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C1 had been attending the center for 5 years since he/she was a toddler. Approximately two years ago, Child #1 began attending a Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) public school and had been taking a bus from the school to the Center. S1 agreed that C1 could be dropped off by bus to the childcare until P1 came to pick them up. Per RP, S5 and S1 were having serious disagreements, and lawyers were involved. Staff #5 was the teacher of Child #1. (P1) had regular contact with Staff #5, they would talk often at pick up regarding the child. Soon after the conversations with S5 and the problems began for P1.

Cameras are posted throughout the center and Staff #1 admitted to listening to conversations between visitors and staff. Per RP one issue was, the daycare stopped saving food for Child #1, even though, other children were still getting saved meals. Staff #5 told the parent this was happening. Per S1, C1 was not being served food when they arrived at the center because they arrived after the serving time of lunch. The second issue was, P1 received complaints from the bus company that the staff were late picking up C1 from the bus and brought it to S1 attention. S1 decided to stop having the staff pick up Child #1 and #2 from the school bus and asked them to find another center that would be able to meet their needs.

The center had been providing this service for 2 years. Per Staff #1 the bus service was a courtesy and not required. P1 and P2 stated it was difficult to find another center in such a short time frame but they got it done. When S1 was asked what if the parent can’t find another center, they stated, that it’s their responsibility and any parent that disrespect them, they have the right to refuse service.

Per adult #1, Once the bus arrives, children should be retrieved from the bus in order to keep them on schedule. Adult #2 stated that the staff were taking 5-7 minutes to retrieve C1 from the bus and this happened 2-3 times a week. The bus driver only has a few minutes to wait and if passes their wait time, they have to continue on the route and circle back and drop off the child. Some of the staff would apologizes and say they did not know it was their turn, or they forgot it was there turned to get them from the bus. Per S1 there is no specific person who gets the children from the bus, it is anyone who is available and they have 14 teachers, but they are all busy tending to the other children.

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SUPERVISORS NAME: Betty Bell
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jeanine Lipsey
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 06/10/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/10/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 58-CC-20250402155925

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: 06/10/2025

NARRATIVE

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C1 and C2 are bussed from Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) schools by LAUSD buses to the Child Care Center. They arrive between 230-3:30pm daily. Lunch time is over when they get there. Per S1 because they arrive late, they are provided with snacks only. The mealtimes are breakfast is from 8am-830am, snack 10-10:15am, lunch 11:45am-12:30pm and another snack at 3:15.

Staff #1 admitted that they decided to stop the bus service for Child #1 after the parent raised concerns and mentioned that the problem could “escalate.” Staff #1 took this as a threat, though it was unknown what kind of threat and clarification from P1 was never asked for. S1 stated they can’t work with someone who disrespect's them and the issue is not the bus drivers but the disrespect from the parent. Staff #1 also admitted that they didn’t like the conversations heard from the cameras between Staff #5 and the parents, and that they didn’t want the 1-on-1 aide for Child #2 around anymore because the 1-on-1 was talking to Staff #5 about S1. Parent #2 even said they felt they were being punished because of someone else’s complaint.

Staff #1, Staff #2 and staff #3 confirmed that only one parent, P1, received a letter ending the bus service. The other parent (P2) had a meeting in person and was told because the service was ending for C1 that it had to end for C2.

Based upon evidence obtained during this investigation, the allegation, Staff are retaliating against child/parent, has been determined to be Substantiated. A finding that the complaint is substantiated means that the allegation is valid because the preponderance of the evidence standards has been met. A Type B citation is being issued.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Assistant Director Amy Perez. 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: 06/10/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/10/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 3 of 4

Control Number 58-CC-20250402155925

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
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:	VISIT DATE: 06/10/2025

Deficiency Type POC Due Date / Section Number	DEFICIENCIES		PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B 06/24/2025 Section Cited CCR 101218.1(b)	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	Admission Procedures and Parental and Authorized Representative's Rights (b) No child day care facility shall discriminate or retaliate against any child or parent or guardian on the basis …. or has lodged a complaint with the department against a facility.	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	Licensee will file an appeal.
	8 9 10 11 12 13 14	This requirement is not met by evidence by: Based on interviews, the licensee did not comply with the section sited above, in that the licensee retailiated against child by discontinuing the bus service which posed	8 9 10 11 12 13 14	a potential health, safety or personal risk to children in care.
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	1 2 3 4 5 6 7		1 2 3 4 5 6 7

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: Betty Bell
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jeanine Lipsey
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 06/10/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/10/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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