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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 197419681
Report Date: 12/07/2022
Date Signed: 12/07/2022 04:23:43 PM

Unsubstantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 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
09/20/2022 and conducted by Evaluator Miriam Cohen
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 30-CC-20220920102936
FACILITY NAME:PALOS VERDES MONTESSORI ACADEMYFACILITY NUMBER:
197419681
ADMINISTRATOR:OFELIA WATANABEFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:28451 INDIAN PEAK ROADTELEPHONE:
(310) 541-2405
CITY:RANCHOS PALOS VERDESSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
90274
CAPACITY:98CENSUS: 68DATE:
12/07/2022
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
03:00 PM
MET WITH:Eliza Byrd, Preschool DirectorTIME COMPLETED:
04:30 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Facility staff hit day care child resulting in a mark
Facility staff discriminate against children
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 12/07/2022 @ 3:20 PM, LPA Cohen conducted an unannounced visit for the purpose of delivering the finding against alleged complaint reported concerning the above preschool. Upon arrival, LPA Cohen observed nine adults providing care for 68 children. LPA Cohen met with the preschool director.
After conducting interviews with six staff members (written declaration obtained) and three parents of children currently enrolled in the above preschool, visual observation, and consultation with management, the following conclusion has been reached: Unsubstantiated - A finding that the complaint is unsubstantiated means that although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of the evidence to prove that the alleged violations occurred.

An exit interview was conducted with the above items discussed with preschool director.
A copy of this report and Appeal Rights were provided.
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Maureen Neal
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Miriam Cohen
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/07/2022
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/07/2022
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 5
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 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
09/20/2022 and conducted by Evaluator Miriam Cohen
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 30-CC-20220920102936

FACILITY NAME:PALOS VERDES MONTESSORI ACADEMYFACILITY NUMBER:
197419681
ADMINISTRATOR:OFELIA WATANABEFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:28451 INDIAN PEAK ROADTELEPHONE:
(310) 541-2405
CITY:RANCHOS PALOS VERDESSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
90274
CAPACITY:98CENSUS: 68DATE:
12/07/2022
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
03:00 PM
MET WITH:Eliza Byrd, Preschool DirectorTIME COMPLETED:
04:30 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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9
Day care child wandered away from classroom unattended
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 12/07/2022 @ 3:00 PM, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Miriam Cohen conducted an unannounced complaint visit for the purpose of delivering the findings against alleged complaint reported concerning the above preschool. Upon arrival, LPA Cohen observed nine adults providing care for 68 children. LPA Cohen met with preschool director, Eliza Byrd.
LPA Cohen substantiated the allegation based on interviews with six staff members, three parents of student currently enrolled, declarative statement from the director, and submission of LIC 624 (Unusual Incident Report) to the department. Therefore, the following conclusion has been reached concerning the allegation noted above:
SUBSTANTIATED – A finding that a complaint is substantiated means that the allegation is valid because the preponderance of the evidence standard has been met.
The facility was cited a Type A deficiency according to California Code of Regulations Title 22 (See LIC 9099D report for deficiencies).
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Maureen Neal
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Miriam Cohen
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/07/2022
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/07/2022
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 5
Control Number 30-CC-20220920102936
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 300 CONTINENTAL BLVD. STE 290A
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245
FACILITY NAME: PALOS VERDES MONTESSORI ACADEMY
FACILITY NUMBER: 197419681
VISIT DATE: 12/07/2022
NARRATIVE
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Licensee is to post notice of Site Visit for 30 Days, failure to do so will result in $100 immediate civil penalty. This report must be copied and given to all parents and to the parents of any child enrolling within the next 12 months. A copy of Lic 9224 must be signed and retained in the file. A plan of correction was discussed and provided to the director. An exit interview and a copy of this report along with Appeal Rights were explained and provided to preschool director.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Maureen Neal
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Miriam Cohen
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/07/2022
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/07/2022
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 5
Control Number 30-CC-20220920102936
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 300 CONTINENTAL BLVD. STE 290A
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245

FACILITY NAME: PALOS VERDES MONTESSORI ACADEMY
FACILITY NUMBER: 197419681
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 12/07/2022
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
12/16/2022
Section Cited
CCR
101229(a)(1)
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Responsibility for Providing Care and Supervision
(a) The licensee shall provide care and supervision as necessary to meet the children's needs.
(1) No child(ren) shall be left without the supervision of a teacher at any time...
Supervision shall include visual observation
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*Director agrees to provide a written statement (LIC 855/Declaration Form) on intention to keep children safe at all times including weekly front gate maintenance (maintenance crew) to make itself latching. Declaration to be submitted to to LPA, via email, by 12/30/2022, end of business day.

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This requirement was not met as evidenced by Child #23 (C 23) found wandering outside of the facility. Director admitted that C 23 was found outside the facility, in the parking lot, and returned by a teacher. This poses an immediate risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care.
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*Director agrees provide an in-service to all staff members to include watching the following CCL videos:
https://ccld.childcarevideos.org/child-care-center-operators/supervising-children-in-child-care-centers/
https://ccld.childcarevideos.org/child-care-center-operators/childrens-personal-rights-in-child-care/
*Director agrees to provide a written statement of completion, using LIC 855 (Declaration Form), from all staff members. Declaration to be sent to LPA, via email, by 12/30/2022, end of business day.

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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: Maureen Neal
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Miriam Cohen
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/07/2022
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/07/2022
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 5
Control Number 30-CC-20220920102936
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 300 CONTINENTAL BLVD. STE 290A
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245
FACILITY NAME: PALOS VERDES MONTESSORI ACADEMY
FACILITY NUMBER: 197419681
VISIT DATE: 12/07/2022
NARRATIVE
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On 09/27/2022 @ 10:00 AM, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Miriam Cohen conducted an unannounced complaint visit for the purpose of notifying the preschool director concerning the above-mentioned allegations and to perform an investigation. Upon arrival, LPA Cohen observed seven adults providing care for 55 children. LPA Cohen met with preschool director, Eliza Byrd.
LPA acquired the following documentation:
*Children Roster
*Emergency ID of parent contact information
LPA interviewed and obtained written declaratives from seven staff members including preschool director; however, further witnesses and documentation will be needed to conclude the investigation. An exit interview was conducted with the above items discussed with preschool director. A copy of this report was provided.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Maureen Neal
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Miriam Cohen
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/07/2022
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/07/2022
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 5