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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198020742
Report Date: 05/21/2025
Date Signed: 05/21/2025 02:13:21 PM

Unsubstantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK CC RO, 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
02/21/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Carolyn Tuba
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 33-CC-20250221161344

FACILITY NAME:BRIGHT STARS CARE AND EDUCATION CENTER LLCFACILITY NUMBER:
198020742
ADMINISTRATOR:FLORES, MARIAFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:13628 LOMITAS AVE.TELEPHONE:
(626) 384-7713
CITY:LA PUENTESTATE: CAZIP CODE:
91746
CAPACITY:17CENSUS: 7DATE:
05/21/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:00 AM
MET WITH:Maria FloresTIME COMPLETED:
02:30 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff are restraining children in a high chair
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 5/21/2025, at 9:00 am Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Carolyn Tuba conducted an unannounced complaint inspection to deliver findings of the above allegation. LPA met with Director, Maria Flores. LPA observed 7 children with 2 staff in care and during the course of visit, 2 additional staff arrived to assist with the preschool children.

LPA conducted interviews and personal observations on 2/25/2025, 3/28/2025, and 4/7/2025. LPA interviewed Report Party (RP), Director, Staff #1 (S1), #2 (S2), #3 (S3), #4 (S4), Child #2 (C2) and Parent #1 (P1), however LPA was unable to interview Child #1 (C1) as they were not available. Child #3 (C3) did not qualify for an interview. Staff #5 (S5), Parent #2 (P2) and #3 (P3) were not able to be reached for an interview as well as not being able to obtain contact information for Witness #1 (W1).

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Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Katrina Chicote
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Carolyn Tuba
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/21/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/21/2025
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 4
Control Number 33-CC-20250221161344
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK CC RO, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754
FACILITY NAME: BRIGHT STARS CARE AND EDUCATION CENTER LLC
FACILITY NUMBER: 198020742
VISIT DATE: 05/21/2025
NARRATIVE
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Reporting Party alleged that staff are restraining children in highchair. Based on the interviews with Director, Staff #1 (S1), #2 (S2), #3 (S3), and #4 (S4) stated that children are rarely in the highchairs and that the chairs are actually low to the ground to reach the child-size tables and have straps. If they are used, it is only for the younger preschoolers for eating meals. C2 stated that when using the chairs with straps they are left unbuckled, however P1 did disclose that they have observed children strapped in the small chairs during eating, as well as watching movies but could not speak for how long. LPA has observed on several visits that chairs have been removed since the initial visit conducted on 2/25/2025. LPA advised and reminded the Director that the chairs with straps are to be used only for meal purposes and children should be removed as soon as they have finished eating and only used if needed, depending on each child's development.

Based on interviews with Director, S1, S2, S3, S4, C2, P1 and LPA’s personal observations, the allegation, “Staff are restraining children in highchair” is deemed UNSUBSTANTIATED. Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur.

A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the Director/Licensee, Maria Flores.

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SUPERVISORS NAME: Katrina Chicote
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Carolyn Tuba
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/21/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/21/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
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