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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 300603522
Report Date: 10/17/2025
Date Signed: 10/17/2025 11:52:21 AM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE COUNTY CC RO, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
08/25/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Anna Francesca Chan
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 06-CC-20250825160741
FACILITY NAME:GRACE HARBOR CHURCH AND SCHOOLFACILITY NUMBER:
300603522
ADMINISTRATOR:ESTEP, CYNTHIAFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:12881 NEWPORT AVENUETELEPHONE:
(714) 544-4431
CITY:TUSTINSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92780
CAPACITY:78CENSUS: 25DATE:
10/17/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
11:00 AM
MET WITH:Director Cynthia EstepTIME COMPLETED:
12:05 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff left child unattended.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 10/17/2025 at 11:00am, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Anna Chan, conducted a follow up investigation to deliver findings regarding the above complaint allegation which was initiated on 8/27/25. LPA met with director, Cynthia Estep and was led on a tour of the facility. There were 25 preschool and 3 staff. Children were doing outdoor activities when LPA arrived.

The Orange County Regional Office received a complaint on 8/25/25 alleging staff left child unattended.

Reporting Party (RP) stated Child 1 (C1) was left in the bathroom by themselves while teacher ran after the kids in the yard.

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Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Martha Malane
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Anna Francesca Chan
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/17/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/17/2025
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 4
Control Number 06-CC-20250825160741
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE COUNTY CC RO, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868
FACILITY NAME: GRACE HARBOR CHURCH AND SCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 300603522
VISIT DATE: 10/17/2025
NARRATIVE
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During the investigation, LPA interviewed 4 staff members, 7 preschool children and 4 parents.

During staff interviews, Staff #1 (S1) stated children were having a bathroom break, and Child 4 (C4) ran out to the yard. Child 5 (C5) ran after C4. S1 was calling the children to stop running and Child 6 (C6) ran after C4 and C5. At this time, C1 was screaming because the bathroom stall was stuck and jammed. S1 stated they did not run after the children because the children came back. S1 stated S1 stayed at the bathroom door to calm C1.

During children interview, C1 stated S1 left C1 alone in the bathroom crying to follow C4 and C5. Child 2 (C2) and Child 3 (C3) stated that C1 was left alone crying in the bathroom while S1 ran after C4 and C5 in the yard. C3 demonstrated how S1 ran. C3 also stated S1 said “C1, C1, where are you?” C1 was crying and S1 got scared. When asked what happened in the bathroom, C4 confirmed C4 run outside and C1 was crying in the bathroom. When asked if C5 ran with C4 and if S1 run after them, C5 nodded and said “yes”. C6 stated the following: C4 ran over to the trees and bench. C6 went after C4 and bring C4 back to the restroom. Then the children ate lunch and left C1 in the bathroom. S1 then asked where was C1 and everyone went back to the bathroom. They all said sorry to C1 for leaving C1 in the bathroom. C6 also stated C6 and Child 7 (C7) witnessed C4 locked the bathroom stall on C1. C6 forgot to tell S1 about it. C7 stated the following: C1 was left in the bathroom alone and C1 was crying. C4 locked the door on C1. C6 got C4 and C5. They were eating lunch and S1 asked where was C1 as they did not see C1 at lunch. C1 was little scared.

LPA interviewed 4 parents and none of the parents interviewed disclosed any information that could support the allegation

Based on interviews conducted, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED. See LIC9099D for a Type A deficiency cited. Civil Penalty was being assessed today for repeated violation from 5/27/25.

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SUPERVISORS NAME: Martha Malane
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Anna Francesca Chan
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/17/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/17/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 4
Control Number 06-CC-20250825160741
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE COUNTY CC RO, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868

FACILITY NAME: GRACE HARBOR CHURCH AND SCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 300603522
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 10/17/2025
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
10/20/2025
Section Cited
CCR
101229(a)(1)
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101229(a)(1) Responsibility for Providing Care and Supervision
(a) The licensee shall provide care and supervision as necessary to meet the children's needs.(1) No child(ren) shall be left without the supervision of a teacher at any time... Supervision shall include visual observation.
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Director stated they will send an action plan on preventing this situation from happening. Director stated they will conduct a staff training regarding supervision. Documentation will be provided to LPA by due date.
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This requirement is not met as evidenced by:
Based on interviews conducted, Five children stated C1 was left alone in the bathroom crying.
This poses an immediate risk to the health, safety, of 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.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Martha Malane
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Anna Francesca Chan
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/17/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/17/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 4
Control Number 06-CC-20250825160741
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE COUNTY CC RO, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868
FACILITY NAME: GRACE HARBOR CHURCH AND SCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 300603522
VISIT DATE: 10/17/2025
NARRATIVE
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LPA Chan informed Director Cynthia Estep that this report dated 10/17/25 documents 1 Type A citation which shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there is immediate risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care.

LPA Chan also informed the Director Cynthia Estep, to provide a copy of this licensing report dated 10/17/25 that documents any Type A citation to parents/guardians of all children currently enrolled by the next business day or the next day the children are in care, and to any newly enrolled parents/guardians for 12 months from the date of this report. A signed Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Report (LIC 9224), or other written statement, must be placed in the child's file for verification.

An exit interview was conducted and report and deficiencies were reviewed and discussed with Director Cynthia Estep. The Notice of Site Visit was posted during the visit. The director was informed that the Notice of Site Visit must be posted for 30 consecutive days. Appeal Rights Provided.

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SUPERVISORS NAME: Martha Malane
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Anna Francesca Chan
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/17/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/17/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 4