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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT

Facility Number: 197494946
Report Date: 11/21/2025
Date Signed: 11/21/2025 01:22:36 PM

Document Has Been Signed on 11/21/2025 01:22 PM - It Cannot Be Edited

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO CC NORTH, 300 CONTINENTAL BLVD. STE 290A
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245
FACILITY NAME:RAINBOW EARLY LEARNING CENTERFACILITY NUMBER:
197494946
ADMINISTRATOR/
DIRECTOR:		TARA PERERAFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:20819 PARTHENIA STREETTELEPHONE:
(818) 993-0424
CITY:WINNETKASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
91306
CAPACITY: 81TOTAL ENROLLED CHILDREN: 81CENSUS: 26DATE:
11/21/2025
TYPE OF VISIT:Case Management - IncidentUNANNOUNCEDTIME VISIT/
INSPECTION BEGAN:
11:15 AM
MET WITH:Annel ChavezTIME VISIT/
INSPECTION COMPLETED:
01:30 PM
NARRATIVE
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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Tatiana Bickham conducted an unannounced case management inspection due incident that occurred on 08/16/2024. LPA arrived at the facility at 11:15 AM and met with Annel Chavez, Assistant Director, who guided LPA on a tour of the facility. There were 26 children in care and 3 staff present upon arrival.

The purpose of the visit was to follow-up on an incident that was reported to the department.

The incident that occurred on 08/16/2024, was reported to the Department on 08/19/2024, via email. The facility reported the Unusual Incident to the Department within the required 24 hours of occurrence.
Information reported to the Department indicated that a staff found a crystal like substance wrapped in a paper towel in the bathroom cubby of classroom 3.

According to the incident report, on August 16, 2024, Staff 1 (S1) discovered a rock-shaped crystal-like substance wrapped in a paper towel inside one of the cubbies located in the restroom of Classroom 3. The paper towel had the words "Marcella Cristal" written on it.

Director Tara Perera removed the item from the bag to inspect it. Initially, she believed it to be a selenite crystal, used to clear negative energy from a room. To ensure safety, the Director contacted Safety Services Management, a biohazard company, to test the substance. The test confirmed that the crystal was positive for methamphetamines (meth).

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NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Raul Navarro
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Tatiana Bickham
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE: DATE: 11/21/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE: DATE: 11/21/2025
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.

LIC809 (FAS) - (06/04)
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California Health & Human Services Agency
California Department of Social Services

FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT California law requires a public report of each licensing visit/inspection. This report is a record for the facility and the licensing agency. This report is available for public review; therefore, care is taken not to disclose personal or confidential information. Inquiries concerning the location, maintenance, and contents of these reports may be directed to the Licensing Program Analyst or Regional Office whose address and telephone number are listed on the front of this form.

DEFICIENCIES A deficiency is an instance of noncompliance with licensing requirements, including applicable statutes, regulations, interim licensing standards, operating standards, and written directives. Applicants/ licensees must be notified in writing of all licensing deficiencies. Deficiencies are listed on the left side of this form, and the applicable licensing requirement upon which the deficiency is identified. There are two types of deficiencies:
  • Type A deficiencies are violations of licensing requirements that, if not corrected, have a direct and immediate risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of persons in care.
  • Type B deficiencies are violations of licensing requirements that, without correction, could become a risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of persons in care, a recordkeeping violation that could impact the care of said persons and/or protection of their resources, or a violation that could impact those services required to meet the needs of persons in care.

PLANS OF CORRECTION (POCs) The licensing agency is required to establish a reasonable length of time to correct a deficiency. In order to set the time, the licensing agency must take into consideration the seriousness of the violation, the number of persons in care involved, and the availability of equipment and personnel necessary to correct the violation. Applicants/licensees are requested to provide a specific plan for each violation on the right side of the form across from each deficiency. The more specific the plan, the less chance exists for any misunderstanding in setting time limits and reviewing corrections. The applicant/licensee who encounters problems beyond their control in completing the corrections within the specified time frame may request and may be granted an extension of the correction due date by the licensing agency.

CORRECTION NOTIFICATION The applicant/licensee is responsible for completing all corrections and promptly notifying the licensing agency of corrections. Applicants/licensees are advised to keep a dated copy of any correspondence sent to the licensing agency concerning corrections, or if corrections are telephoned to the licensing agency, the date, person contacted, and information given.

CIVIL PENALTIES The licensing agency is required by law to issue a Penalty Notice, when applicable, to all facilities holding a license issued by the licensing agency, or subject to licensure, except Certified Family Homes, Resource Families, and Foster Family Homes, or any governmental entity.

PENALTY NOTICE GIVEN The statement concerning civil penalties serves as a penalty notice on this Licensing Report and failure to correct cited licensing deficiencies will result in civil penalties. Applicants/ licensees are required to pay civil penalties when administrative appeals have been exhausted and in accordance with any payment arrangements made with the licensing agency.

APPEAL RIGHTS The applicant/licensee has a right without prejudice to discuss any disagreement in this report with the licensing agency concerning the proper application of licensing requirements. The applicant/ licensee may request a formal review by the licensing agency to amend or dismiss the notice of deficiency and/ or civil penalty. Requests for review shall be made in writing within 15 business days of receipt of a deficiency notification or civil penalty assessment. Licensing deficiencies may be appealed pursuant to the procedures in the LIC 9058 Applicant/Licensee Rights.

AGENCY REVIEW The licensing agency review of an appeal may be conducted based upon information provided in writing by the applicant/licensee. The applicant/licensee may request an office meeting to provide additional information. The applicant/licensee will be notified in writing of the results of the agency review within 60 business days of the date when all necessary information has been provided to the licensing agency.

EMAIL REQUIREMENT Adult Community Care Facilities, Residential Care Facilities for the Chronically Ill, and Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly are required to provide and maintain an active email address of record with the licensing agency.

LIC809 (FAS) - (09/23)
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

FACILITY EVALUATION 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: RAINBOW EARLY LEARNING CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 197494946
VISIT DATE: 11/21/2025
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The Director also reviewed surveillance footage to identify any unusual behavior or individuals entering or exiting the restroom. No suspicious activity was observed. The Director then contacted the local Police Department to retrieve the substance.

All staff members underwent hand and clothing testing. All results were negative except for the Director, who handled the substance. On Saturday 08/17/2024, the Director arranged for staff, including herself, to undergo drug testing. All results, including the Director’s, came back negative.

On August 19, 2024, El Segundo North Child Care referred the incident to the Investigation Branch (IB). IB conducted a full investigation and determined that Staff 2 (S2) was responsible for placing the methamphetamine in the cubby.

On August 19, 2024, S2 was terminated from employment at Rainbow Early Learning Center.

On September 28, 2024, the California Department of Social Services served S2 with a Decision and Order prohibiting their employment in, presence at, or contact with clients of any facility licensed by the Department. S2 did not appeal the Decision and Order and as of November 14, 2025 S2 is permanently prohibited from working in a licensed facility.

In response to the incident, the facility has implemented stricter policies regarding items brought onto the premises by staff. Staff are no longer permitted to bring prescription medications, vitamins, energy drinks, or coffee into the facility. If coffee is brought in, it must be stored either in the Director’s office or in the classroom closet and may only be consumed during designated break times.

The following deficiencies listed on the attached LIC 809D (deficiency page) are being cited in accordance with California Code of Regulations Title 22. Deficiencies that are being cited need to be cleared to protect the children’s health & safety.

A copy of this report shall be provided to the parent/guardian of children currently enrolled by the next business day or immediately upon return. A copy of this report shall also be provided to the parent/guardian of any newly enrolled children for the next 12 months (1 year). The Acknowledgement form must be maintained in each child’s file immediately upon receipt from parent. Licensee was provided with a copy of the parent Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Reports Form during this visit.

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NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Raul Navarro
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Tatiana Bickham
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/21/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/21/2025
LIC809 (FAS) - (06/04)
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

FACILITY EVALUATION 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: RAINBOW EARLY LEARNING CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 197494946
VISIT DATE: 11/21/2025
NARRATIVE
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The Assistant Director was advised the Notice of Site Visit must be posted at the entrance of the facility for a period of 30 days. If a serious violation is cited, (Type A violation), a copy of the licensing report (LIC809 or LIC9099) must also be posted for 30 days.

A copy of this report and appeal rights were provided to Assistant Director.

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NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Raul Navarro
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Tatiana Bickham
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/21/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/21/2025
LIC809 (FAS) - (06/04)
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Document Has Been Signed on 11/21/2025 01:22 PM - It Cannot Be Edited


Created By: Tatiana Bickham On 11/21/2025 at 01:03 PM
Link to Parent Document Below:
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
, 300 CONTINENTAL BLVD. STE 290A
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245

FACILITY NAME: RAINBOW EARLY LEARNING CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 197494946

DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 11/21/2025
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
11/21/2025
Section Cited
HSC
1596.8897(a)(2)

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(a) The department may prohibit any person from being a member of the board of directors, an executive director, or an officer of a licensee or a licensee from employing, or continuing the employment of, or allowing in a licensed facility, or allowing contact with clients of a licensed facility by, any employee, prospective employee, or person who is not a client who has:
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As of 08/19/24 S2 is no longer employed at the facility and as of 11/14/2025 is excluded from working in a licensed by the Department.
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(2) Engaged in conduct that is inimical to the health, morals, welfare, or safety of either an individual in or receiving services from the facility, or the people of the State of California. This requirement was not met as evidenced by Director finding a controlled substance placed in the bathroom by S2 at the facility. This poses an immediate health and safety risk to children in care.
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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.
Raul Navarro
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER:
Tatiana Bickham
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST:
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:
DATE: 11/21/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:
DATE: 11/21/2025


LIC809 (FAS) - (06/04)
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