198400496-4-22-2025-54-CC-KCHS-DG8S6J-20250430133601

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198400496
Report Date: 04/22/2025
Date Signed: 04/22/2025 10:31:33 AM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK SW RO, 1000 CORPORATE CENTER DR 200B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
03/11/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Keneisha Dunlap

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 54-CC-20250311145227

FACILITY NAME:	BEGINNING ZONE, THE		FACILITY NUMBER:	198400496
ADMINISTRATOR:	REYNOLDS, ELMA		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	5600 N. PARAMOUNT BLVD.		TELEPHONE:	(310) 347-1318
CITY:	LONG BEACH	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	90805
CAPACITY:	51	CENSUS: 28	DATE:	04/22/2025
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	10:07 AM
MET WITH:	Director- Shirley Jones		TIME COMPLETED:	10:40 AM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Neglect/Lack of Supervision
Other

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On April 22, 2025, at 10:07a.m. Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Keneisha Dunlap conducted an unannounced Complaint Inspection for the purpose of delivering findings for the above allegation. LPA announced the purpose of the visit and was allowed entry into facility by Director- Shirley Jones.

During the course of this investigation conducted by LPA Dunlap, interviews were conducted with facility staff, reviewed children records, interviews with other parents, reviewed phone logs, and reviewed facility handbook. Photographic, and video evidence was also reviewed.

The Reporting Party stated that a call was received from Staff #2, regarding Child #1 behavior during naptime. The Reporting Party reported hearing Child #1 crying in the background and was told that Child #1 was moved to another room for being disruptive. The Reporting Party questioned if Child #1 was dragged. The Reporting Party’s request to view video footage was refused by both the Staff 1 and 2, who cited policy Page 1 of 3

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Karen Chambers
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Keneisha Dunlap
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 04/22/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/22/2025

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 54-CC-20250311145227

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK SW RO, 1000 CORPORATE CENTER DR 200B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: BEGINNING ZONE, THE	FACILITY NUMBER: 198400496
	VISIT DATE: 04/22/2025

NARRATIVE

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and the need for a court order.

LPA Dunlap's interview with the Reporting Party confirmed this account. Interviews with six other parents revealed general satisfaction with the center's cleanliness, safety, staff, and naptime routine. None of these parents reported witnessing or hearing about concerning disciplinary or isolation practices.

Summaries of staff interviews indicated that Child #1 exhibited disruptive behavior during naptime on March 6, 2025, including yelling, running, and physical acting out. While viewing of video footage stored on the school's cell phone was offered to Reporting Party to view, however its release required the owner's consent. Footage from Classroom #1 with a March 5, 2025, timestamp showed Child #1 exhibiting challenging behaviors, Staff #2 stated that the timestamp is a day behind, but no footage was available from Room 4, where the reported incident occurred. Staff #1 stated that footage was only stored for a limited time, a timeframe confirmed by an ADT representative. There was no documented policy for releasing video footage to parents.

Further review of camera angles revealed that hallway cameras did not cover the route from Room 4, explaining the absence of footage from the transition. Staff #2 denied dragging Child #1 or leaving the child alone, stating they walked with Child #1. Other staff corroborated that Staff #2 followed protocol, did not drag Child #1, and did not leave the child in a room alone. These staff members stated that Child #1 was taken to the office where supervision was provided until the child was able to regulate their emotions.

LPA Dunlap reviewed the facility's Parent Handbook, noting policies on rest/naptime (allowing quiet activities for non-sleepers) and discipline (emphasizing positive reinforcement with specific consequences for harmful behaviors and a zero-tolerance policy for bullying). LPA Dunlap review of the phone log showed a call was made to that went unanswered, and a voicemail was left.

Based upon the review of the summarized interviews and the information regarding the lack of specific video footage of the alleged incident, coupled with staff accounts indicating protocol was followed of how Child # 1 was removed from Classroom. Child #1 was supervised after being removed from the Classroom during naptime, the facility's

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SUPERVISORS NAME: Karen Chambers
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Keneisha Dunlap
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 04/22/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/22/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 54-CC-20250311145227

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK SW RO, 1000 CORPORATE CENTER DR 200B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: BEGINNING ZONE, THE	FACILITY NUMBER: 198400496
	VISIT DATE: 04/22/2025

NARRATIVE

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naptime policy allowing for quiet activities after rest, the facilities policy on discipline was adhered to, and the willingness of Staff #1 and #2 to show footage, there is not a preponderance of evidence to support that the center's actions were against regulations and/or policies regarding the specific allegations of mishandling during the naptime transition and isolation of Child #1. Therefore, the allegation for Neglect/Lack of Supervision, is UNSUBSTANTIATED. The allegation that staff Used Inappropriate Form of Discipline, is UNSUBSTANTIATED.

No deficiencies will be cited today 04/22/25.

A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days.

Exit interview was conducted with the Director- Shirley Jones

Appeal rights given to the Director- Shirley Jones

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SUPERVISORS NAME: Karen Chambers
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Keneisha Dunlap
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 04/22/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/22/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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