300603522-10-22-2025-06-CC-THOO-DMYVUY-20251031164530

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 300603522
Report Date: 10/22/2025
Date Signed: 10/22/2025 12:45:15 PM

Unsubstantiated

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
08/29/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Anna Francesca Chan

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 06-CC-20250829095524

FACILITY NAME:	GRACE HARBOR CHURCH AND SCHOOL		FACILITY NUMBER:	300603522
ADMINISTRATOR:	ESTEP, CYNTHIA		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	12881 NEWPORT AVENUE		TELEPHONE:	(714) 544-4431
CITY:	TUSTIN	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	92780
CAPACITY:	78	CENSUS: 23	DATE:	10/22/2025
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	11:00 AM
MET WITH:	Director Cynthia Estep		TIME COMPLETED:	11:40 AM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff forces children to wake up.
Staff kicked and push a child in care.
Staff smells of cannabis or marijuana during operating hours.
Staff do not supervise children during outdoor playtime.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 10/22/2025, at 11:00 AM Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Anna Chan conducted an unannounced Complaint investigation inspection. This is to deliver the findings of the investigation initiated on 9/4/2025. Upon arrival, the LPA met with Director Cynthia Estep and informed them of the purpose of visit. Census was taken. LPA observed 23 preschool children and 3 staff. Children were having outdoor activities when LPA arrived.

A review of the Facility Personnel Report Summary conducted on today’s date indicates all facility staff or other individuals who required caregiver background checks have received criminal record and child abuse index clearances or exemptions.

The Department received a complaint on 08/29/25 alleging (1) Staff forces children to wake up. (2) Staff kicked and push a child in care. (3) Staff smells of cannabis or marijuana during operating hours. (4) Staff do not supervise children during outdoor playtime.
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Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Martha Malane
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Anna Francesca Chan
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 10/22/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/22/2025

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 06-CC-20250829095524

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: 10/22/2025

NARRATIVE

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Reporting Party (RP) stated Staff 3 (S3) forced Child 1 (C1) to wake up; S3 also kicked and push C1 because C1 did not want to transition from room 2 to room 3; S3 had smelled cannabis or marijuana on them; and during outdoor playtime, staff members just joke around and are on their phones.

During the investigation, LPA interviewed 6 staff members, 7 children, 5 parents, and reviewed facility records.

Regarding allegation (1) Staff forces children to wake up:

During the staff interview, 6 out of 6 staff stated they do not wake up children or have not witnessed other staff wake children during nap. 2 of 6 Staff stated children wake up on their own. 6 of 6 staff stated some children sleep longer than others.

During children’s interviews, 4 of 7 children stated the teacher does not wake them up and they wake up by themselves.

Regarding allegation (2) Staff kicked and push a child in care:

During the staff interview, 6 out of 6 staff stated they have not witnessed any staff pushing or kicking child 1 (C1) in care. C1’s teacher stated they did not witness any incident about staff pushing and kicking C1.

During children’s interviews, 5 of 7 children stated they have not witnessed staff hurt other children.

Regarding allegation (3) Staff smells of cannabis or marijuana during operating hours:

During the staff interview, 5 of 6 staff stated they have not smelled nor seen staff use cannabis or marijuana during operating hours. 4 of 6 staff stated they are aware that the facility is a non-smoking campus.

During children interview, children were not asked this specific question due to the content and child knowledge and sensitivity of the topic.

LPA reviewed the employee handbook, and it stated the facility has a smoke-free environment and the use of drugs and alcohol are not allowed at the facility.

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SUPERVISORS NAME: Martha Malane
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Anna Francesca Chan
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 10/22/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/22/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 06-CC-20250829095524

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: 10/22/2025

NARRATIVE

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Regarding allegation (4) Staff do not supervise children during outdoor playtime:

During the staff interview, 6 out of 6 staff stated they supervise children at all times, and they only use their phones when they access Procare app or when they are on their breaks. Staff stated they use walkie talkies to ask for support if needed.

During children interview, 1 out of 7 children stated the teacher watches them all the time. 4 out of 7 children stated they see their teachers using their cellphones but are not aware what their teacher was doing with their phones. 1 out of 7 children stated the teacher has walkie talkie.

LPA observed staff are scattered in the yard supervising children during outdoor play in the morning and another time before lunch. LPA observed staff interacting with children in the classroom and yard on separate occasions on 9/04/25.

LPA interviewed 5 parents and none of the parents interviewed disclosed any information that could support the allegations.

Based on observations, interviews conducted and records reviewed, the preponderance of evidence standard has not been met. Although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations of Staff forces children to wake up, Staff kicked and push a child in care, Staff smells of cannabis or marijuana during operating hours, and Staff do not supervise children during outdoor playtime did or did not occur, therefore the allegations are UNSUBSTANTIATED.

Exit interview was conducted with Director Cynthia Estep. Report was reviewed and discussed. The Notice of Site Visit was posted and must remain posted for 30 consecutive days. Appeal Rights were provided.

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SUPERVISORS NAME: Martha Malane
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Anna Francesca Chan
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 10/22/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/22/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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