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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 293624727
Report Date: 08/18/2023
Date Signed: 08/18/2023 01:15:10 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO CC RO, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
06/14/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Matthew Gallo
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 03-CC-20230614103438
FACILITY NAME:LITTLE GEMS OF THE SIERRAFACILITY NUMBER:
293624727
ADMINISTRATOR:DAGNELL, BRITTANYFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:12716 NORTHWOODS BLVD. #3 & #5TELEPHONE:
(530) 536-5180
CITY:TRUCKEESTATE: CAZIP CODE:
96161
CAPACITY:30CENSUS: 12DATE:
08/18/2023
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
12:00 PM
MET WITH:Brittany DagnellTIME COMPLETED:
01:20 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Physical Plant: Facility is in disrepair
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 8/18/2023, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Matthew Gallo met with facility representative Brittany Dagnell to deliver findings of the complaint investigation opened on 6/14/2023. Upon arrival, LPA observed a census of 12 preschool children supervised by 3 staff.

It was alleged that the facility was in a state of disrepair. Throughout the investigation, LPA conducted observations and interviewed staff, children, and parents. During LPA's initial visit to open the complaint on 6/20/2023, LPA observed damage to the play yard fence that had been sustained during he unusually intense snow storms of the past winter. A hole roughly 9x10 inches wide was present at the botom of the chain link fence, and, in certain locations, the snow pack had bent the top metal rail of the fence downward so as to no longer meet the 4 foot height required in Title 22 regulations.

The preponderance of evidence standard has been met. Therefore, the above allegation is SUBSTANTIATED.

A Type B Title 22 Deficiency has been cited on the attached LIC 9099-D. Appeal Rights were provided. An exit interview was conducted, and a Notice of Site Visit posted.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion: 90
SUPERVISORS NAME: Keven Peters
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Matthew Gallo
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/18/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/18/2023
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 3
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO CC RO, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
06/14/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Matthew Gallo
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 03-CC-20230614103438

FACILITY NAME:LITTLE GEMS OF THE SIERRAFACILITY NUMBER:
293624727
ADMINISTRATOR:DAGNELL, BRITTANYFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:12716 NORTHWOODS BLVD. #3 & #5TELEPHONE:
(530) 536-5180
CITY:TRUCKEESTATE: CAZIP CODE:
96161
CAPACITY:30CENSUS: 12DATE:
08/18/2023
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
12:00 PM
MET WITH:Brittany DagnellTIME COMPLETED:
01:20 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Neglect/Lack of Supervision: Staff did not provide adequate supervision resulting in children eloping from facility.
Neglect/Lack of Supervision: Daycare child/children sustained injury while in care.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 8/18/2023, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Matthew Gallo met with facility representative Brittany Dagnell to deliver findings of the complaint investigation opened on 6/14/2023. Upon arrival, LPA observed a census of 12 preschool children supervised by 3 staff.

It was alleged that (1) staff did not provide adequate supervision resulting in children eloping from the facility and (2) a daycare child or children sustained accidental injuries while using the stairway in the facility. Throughout the investigation, LPA conducted observations, record review, and interviewed staff, children, and parents. Interviews with staff, children, and parents did not yield any corroborating evidence of either allegation. Interviews with staff revealed the facility had an established and well-understood policy and procedure for supervising children when in the play yard and while using the staircase, interviews with children did not reveal knowledge of any children having eloped or gotten hurt while using the stairs, and interviews with parents similarly did not reveal awareness that such events had occured or suggest parental concern about the supervision provided.

Based on the information obtained, the allegations are determined to be unsubstantiated, meaning that although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove it. Notice of site visit was provided and shall remain posted for 30 days for parental review.
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion: 90
SUPERVISORS NAME: Keven Peters
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Matthew Gallo
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/18/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/18/2023
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 3
Control Number 03-CC-20230614103438
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO CC RO, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827

FACILITY NAME: LITTLE GEMS OF THE SIERRA
FACILITY NUMBER: 293624727
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 08/18/2023
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
09/22/2023
Section Cited
CCR
101238.2(g)
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(g) The playground shall be enclosed by a fence to protect children and to keep them in the outdoor activity area. The fence shall be at least four feet high.

This requirement is not met as evidenced by:
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Facility already has plans to repair the fence, and will submit photographs of repairs to LPA Gallo by the POC due date.
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On 6/20/2023, LPA observed a roughly 9x10inch hole in the bottom of the chain link fencing, as well as locations in the fence where the top metal bar was bent downward so to no longer meet the required height of 4 feet. Damages were due to the unusually strong winter storms and snow pack this past winter
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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: Keven Peters
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Matthew Gallo
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/18/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/18/2023
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 3