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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 304270640
Report Date: 05/27/2025
Date Signed: 05/27/2025 03:07:43 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
05/20/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Dean Thompson
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 06-CC-20250520153442
FACILITY NAME:PILLARS ACADEMYFACILITY NUMBER:
304270640
ADMINISTRATOR:KAZI, ZUBEDAFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:23581 MADERO DRIVE # 104TELEPHONE:
(949) 951-0442
CITY:MISSION VIEJOSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92691
CAPACITY:56CENSUS: 27DATE:
05/27/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
02:45 PM
MET WITH:Zubeda KaziTIME COMPLETED:
03:30 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff did not prevent day care child from being hit while in care.
Facility is operating out of ratio.
Staff did not meet the needs of day care child in care.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Thompson conducted an unannounced complaint investigation. This is a continuation of the investigation initiated on 05/22/2025. Upon arrival, LPA met with Director Zubeda Kazi, to deliver complaint findings. There were a total of 18 preschool age children with two preschool age staff and nine toddlers with two toddler option staff.

During the inspection it was determined the facility is operating within its licensed capacity and within compliance of staffing ratios on today’s date 05/27/2025. A review of the facility personnel report Summary indicates all facility staff or other individuals who required caregiver background checks have received criminal record and child abuse index clearances or exemptions.

The Orange County Childcare Office received a complaint on 05/20/2025, with three allegations (1) Staff did not prevent day care child from being hit while in care, (2) Facility is operating out of ratio, and (3) Staff did not meet the needs of day care child in care.

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Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Nguyen K Tran
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Dean Thompson
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/27/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/27/2025
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-20250520153442
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: PILLARS ACADEMY
FACILITY NUMBER: 304270640
VISIT DATE: 05/27/2025
NARRATIVE
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During the investigation LPA interviewed the reporting party, interviewed three staff, interviewed four parents, reviewed Timecard Reports for staff, reviewed Attendance sheets for preschool age children, obtained the preschool daily schedule, and parent handbook.

Reporting Party (RP) alleges Staff did not prevent day care child from being hit while in care. RP mentioned child #1 (C1) was hit in the head by their teacher (S1). On 05/20/2025, LPA interviewed three staff present during the visit including S1. All staff interviewed stated they have never hit or witnessed other staff hitting a child at Pillars Academy. S1 stated they were made aware of an allege incident involving C1, and C1 had claimed to be hit by S1. S1 stated C1 had just awaken from nap and was crying. S1 stated C1 was taken to the restroom because they thought C1 needed a potty break. S1 said, C1 later stated child #2 (C2) was the individual who hit them on the head. S1 stated that was impossible because C2 was still napping. On 05/20/2025, LPA interviewed the RP. RP stated C1 first stated they were hit by S1 then later stated being hit by C2. LPA tried interviewing C1 but C1 could not be interviewed due to age and being nonverbal. On 05/27/2025, LPA contacted 14 parents via phone call. Out of 14 parents called, LPA was able to interview four parents. Parents interviewed did not divulge any information pertaining to the allege allegation, staff did not prevent day care child from being hit while in care. Based on the information gathered during interviews with staff, parents, and reporting party; there is not enough preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur.

Reporting Party (RP) alleges Facility is operating out of ratio. RP mentioned there were 15 – 16 children present and only one teacher on April 28, 2025, between 2:30 pm - 3:00 pm. RP also mentioned when 15 – 16 children were present with one teacher, it was during nap time. A teacher-child ratio of one teacher supervising 24 napping children is permitted provided that the remaining teachers necessary to meet the overall ratio specified in Section 101216.3(a) are immediately available at the center. LPA reviewed Timecard Reports for staff for April 28,2025 and reviewed Attendance sheets for preschool age children for April 28,2025. Based on documents reviewed, there were six staff present along with the director and 31 children. On 05/20/2025 LPA interviewed three staff. Staff interviewed stated they have not been out of ratio or witnessed other staff being out of ratio.

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SUPERVISORS NAME: Nguyen K Tran
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Dean Thompson
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/27/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/27/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 4
Control Number 06-CC-20250520153442
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: PILLARS ACADEMY
FACILITY NUMBER: 304270640
VISIT DATE: 05/27/2025
NARRATIVE
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On 05/27/2025, LPA contacted 14 parents via phone call. Out of 14 parents called, LPA was able to interview four parents. Parents interviewed did not divulge any information pertaining to the allege allegation, facility is operating out of ratio. Based on the information gathered during interviews with staff, parents, and reporting party; there is not enough preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur.

Reporting Party (RP) alleges Staff did not meet the needs of day care child in care. RP mentioned the curriculum lacked engagement and developmental appropriateness, often relying on printed coloring sheets. On 05/20/2025, LPA interviewed three staff. Staff interviewed stated their curriculum includes English, math, science, and language arts. The preschool daily schedule shows Arabic, Quran, and Islamic studies are also part of the curriculum. The parent handbook reads “At Pillars Academy, we follow a curriculum based on the California Preschool Learning Foundation and Frameworks and Guided Language Acquisition Design (GLAD).” On 05/27/2025, LPA contacted 14 parents via phone call. Out of 14 parents called, LPA was able to interview four parents. Parents interviewed did not divulge any information pertaining to the allege allegation, staff did not meet the needs of day care child in care. Based on the information gathered during interviews with staff, parents, and reporting party; there is not enough preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur.

Based LPA observation, documentation reviewed, interviews with reporting party, interviews with staff and interviews with parents, there was not enough evidence to substantiate the allegations.

The Orange County Childcare Office has investigated the complaint alleging (1) Staff did not prevent day care child from being hit while in care, (2) Facility is operating out of ratio, and (3) Staff did not meet the needs of day care child in care: although the allegations may have happened or is valid, there is not enough preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations did or did not occur, therefore the allegation are UNSUBSTANTIATED.


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SUPERVISORS NAME: Nguyen K Tran
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Dean Thompson
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/27/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/27/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 4
Control Number 06-CC-20250520153442
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: PILLARS ACADEMY
FACILITY NUMBER: 304270640
VISIT DATE: 05/27/2025
NARRATIVE
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In the areas that were evaluated, no deficiencies were observed of the California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 12 at the time of the visit.

A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Director Zubeda Kazi.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Nguyen K Tran
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Dean Thompson
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/27/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/27/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 4