198017095-2-17-2022-33-CC-BVON-CC45SY-20220228191328

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198017095
Report Date: 02/17/2022
Date Signed: 02/17/2022 02:18:33 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, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
12/07/2021 and conducted by Evaluator Roxana Lopez

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 33-CC-20211207152251

FACILITY NAME:	WALNUT MONTESSORI-PRESCHOOL ACADEMY		FACILITY NUMBER:	198017095
ADMINISTRATOR:	HARVINDERPAL VAGHELA		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	3457 S. NOGALES STREET		TELEPHONE:	(626) 965-9060
CITY:	WEST COVINA	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	91792
CAPACITY:	117	CENSUS: 87	DATE:	02/17/2022
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	11:45 AM
MET WITH:	Harvinderpal Vaghel		TIME COMPLETED:	02:45 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff spoke inappropriately to day care child
Staff discriminated against day care child

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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An unannounced inspection was conducted by Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Roxana Lopez and Lilli Babcock on 02/17/22. A risk assessment was conducted and appropriate PPE was used. The purpose of this inspection is to provide the findings of the complaint investigation which was received on 12/7/2021. LPAs met with Director Harvinderpal Vaghela to whom the purpose of the inspection was announced. Census was taken.

Throughout the course of the investigation, interviews were conducted with staff, children, and parents. LPA also reviewed and obtained copies of children’s rosters, pictures and personnel reports.

Complaint alleges that staff speak inappropriately to day care children and discriminate against day care children. Specially, that staff would call Child #1 a liar and tell Child #1 to shut their mouth. Complaint also alleges that staff would throw Child #1’s food away because they are discriminating against child due to their behavior.
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Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Brandi VanOosten
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Roxana Lopez
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 02/17/2022

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/17/2022

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 33-CC-20211207152251

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: WALNUT MONTESSORI-PRESCHOOL ACADEMY	FACILITY NUMBER: 198017095
	VISIT DATE: 02/17/2022

NARRATIVE

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LPA obtained additional details regarding allegations during interview with the complainant. Child # 1 shared that Staff # 3 would tell child “shut your mouth, and that they were bad and were going to be in the naughty list.” Additional details were provided that Child # 1 was losing weight and was informed by Child # 1 that they weren’t eating at school because If they played with food or spilled food staff would just throw food away.

Regarding allegation # 1 and allegation #2 staff spoke inappropriately to day care child. LPA conducted interviews with complainant, parent of victim, victim, and staff. Though parent mentioned that child # 1 disclosed that Staff # 3 spoke inappropriately to them and that their food was thrown away, no disclosure was made by child. Child # 1 disclosed that teachers were only a little bit nice and that they like the new school and don’t want to go back- they want to stay in the new school with new teacher. Child # 1 disclosed that nothing happened when food was thrown to the floor and that it was time to go to sleep.

During staff interviews, staff statements corroborated that when redirecting a child, they all go down to the children’s level to talk about the situation and work out a plan. Staff # 4 mentioned that the word “bad” is not used - when they read a book the word is changed to naughty. Staff interviews corroborated that they encourage children to eat all their food and if food is dropped to the floor depending on what it is, they ask children for help to clean up and take it to the trash. If this happens, children will get another serving of food.
During parent interviews, statements corroborated that they do not have any concerns with teachers, or food provided by the facility. Parents interviewed also stated that they are happy with the care their child receives. Children’s statements corroborated that when food is dropped on the floor, they pick it up and are given more food if requested. Children did not disclose that teachers speak inappropriately to them, and stated they like their teachers.

This agency has investigated the complaint alleging staff spoke inappropriately to day care child and staff discriminated against day care child. Based upon the evidence as presented above, the allegation has been determined to be Unsubstantiated. A finding of Unsubstantiated means that although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove alleged violation(s) did or did not occur, therefore at this time the above allegation is unsubstantiated.

A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100. An exit interview was conducted with Director, Havinderpal Vaghel. --------------------------------- Pg. 2 of 2 -----------------------------------------------------

SUPERVISORS NAME: Brandi VanOosten
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Roxana Lopez
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 02/17/2022

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/17/2022

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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