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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 304270686
Report Date: 03/04/2025
Date Signed: 03/04/2025 11:39:47 AM

Unsubstantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE CO CHILD CARE, 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
01/13/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Mahnaz Malek
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 06-CC-20250113093049
FACILITY NAME:KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTERFACILITY NUMBER:
304270686
ADMINISTRATOR:BROWN, BARBARAFACILITY TYPE:
830
ADDRESS:25189 BEACON HILL WAYTELEPHONE:
(949) 240-4004
CITY:LAGUNA NIGUELSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92677
CAPACITY:36CENSUS: 10DATE:
03/04/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
08:00 AM
MET WITH:Assistant director and directorTIME COMPLETED:
10:00 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff did not keep the facility free from an outbreak
Staff did not properly report an incident involving the daycare children
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Mahnaz (Nancy) Malek conducted a follow up investigation regarding the above allegations. This is a follow up for the visit conducted on 1/16/2025. LPA met with Director, Barbara Brown who arrived during inspection. There was a total of 10 infants and toddlers in two rooms. 6 infants with 2 staff in Infant 1 and 4 toddlers with one staff in Toddler Room.
A review of staff records on this date indicated that all facility staff or other individuals who required caregiver background checks have received criminal record and child abuse index clearances or exemptions.
On 1/13/2025, the Orange County Childcare Office received a complaint alleging, 1) Staff did not keep the facility free from an outbreak, 2) Staff did not properly report an incident involving the daycare children. Reporting party (RP) stated management was aware of children attending the center with communicable diseases diagnosis and failed to notify staff and parents of the outbreak until a child was hospitalized. An email was sent to parents confirming only one case, when in reality there were at least 8 confirmed cases.
Continued on page 2
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Thuy Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Mahnaz Malek
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/04/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/04/2025
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 6
Control Number 06-CC-20250113093049
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE CO CHILD CARE, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868
FACILITY NAME: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 304270686
VISIT DATE: 03/04/2025
NARRATIVE
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The lack of care from management to notify staff and other parents of the outbreak caused at least 3 staff members to receive medical attention and at least 2 children to be hospitalized.
During the course of investigation, LPA interviewed 9 staff who work in the infant/toddler rooms including the staff who work in both preschool and infant/toddler rooms. LPA also contacted 10 parents randomly. Children were not interviewed due to their age not being qualified. LPA reviewed the sign in/out sheets for the children who became sick, reviewed parents’ communication with the facility, and letters sent to parents by the facility. Staff who were interviewed stated the following regarding the above allegations.
Regarding the allegation of Staff did not keep the facility free from an outbreak
Staff # 1 (S1) stated all staff are aware of daily checklist for children's wellness. They report the sickness to the office. Children who become sick during their attendance, they will be sent home. They cannot come back the next day and should be free of fever for 24 hours. Sometimes a child is sent home because of an ear infection without a fever, that child might come back the next day. S1 stated that they have a checklist for staff to make sure of the sanitization and cleanliness of the rooms when staff close the classrooms. They sanitize the toys and equipment, wash the sheets, wipe the tables, and mop the floor when they close the room. S1 stated S1 was aware of one case of communicable diseases on one child. S1 was not notified of the diagnosis of sick children until after the fact. S1 stated sick children get isolated. S1 stated the management are aware to report the outbreak to the families. S1 stated the parents notify the school after the fact. For example, C4 was sent home sick in December. C4 did not come for few days. Then C3 got sick and did not come for few days. After two weeks, the parent tells the facility that C4 had a communicable disease. C4 was home fine and came back free from any fever.
S2 stated the sickness of children started in infant room first with Child # 1 (C1), then C2. Then C3, and C4, and C5. For example, C4 was sent home sick on 12/18/2024. C4 did not attend for a week. After few weeks, they found out C4 had communicable disease diagnosis. C3 was sent home with fever on 12/31/2024. C3 was out until 1/7/2025. S2 stated they call the parents to pick up their child. They do isolate sick children but not with infants. Sick infants and toddlers stay in the room until they are picked up. Staff do the daily check on children and staff sanitize the room and toys every day and more in details when children get sick.
S3 stated S3 was sick for 3 weeks and came back on 1/12/2025. S3 stated they clean and sanitize the classrooms. S3 has not seen sick children to be isolated. If a child has fever, they are sent home, the check children daily. If they are free from symptoms, they accept them. If they get sick during the day, they call the Continued on page 3
SUPERVISORS NAME: Thuy Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Mahnaz Malek
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/04/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/04/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 6
Control Number 06-CC-20250113093049
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE CO CHILD CARE, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868
FACILITY NAME: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 304270686
VISIT DATE: 03/04/2025
NARRATIVE
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parents to pick them up, but they stay in the room.
S4 stated they think C3 and C4 became sick first. Staff were not aware of children’s diagnosis of any communicable diseases. They sent C3 home, C3 did not come for few days. After few days they sent C4 home sick. S4 is confused who went home and what date. S4 stated they sanitize the classroom daily, wash the toys, and beddings on a daily basis. S4 stated they do not isolate the sick infants. They stay in the classroom until they are picked up. S4 stated they know C1 was out and was hospitalized. S4 stated S4 health checks children in the morning, and they tell the parents if other children have been sick. Sometimes parents don't tell them what the child was diagnosed for. They just say they had fever.
S5 stated they know the sickness started with C4 and C3. I remember they were not running fever. They were not feeling well. They were sent home, and they did not come back. This did not happen on the same dates. They remember after 10 days C5 got sick. S4 does not remember the exact dates. S4 stated few children became sick here and there but nothing serious. S4 stated S4 got sick too but not the same diagnosis of the child. They sanitize the classrooms, diaper changing table, and toys. Everything is sanitized every day. S4 stated they don't isolate children when they get sick. They stay in the classroom. The management calls the parents for their sick children to be picked up.
S5 stated when they came back from new year holiday of 2025, the management notified S5 of a child being hospitalized. S5 was also sick and was out but not the same diagnosis as the C5. S5 stated they do the daily check on children by looking at them and asking them questions but not checking their temperature at drop off time. They sanitize everything in the classrooms every day.
S6 stated C1, C3, C4, and C2 became sick but not all together. When a child has fever above 100 F degrees, they notify the management. They contact the parents to pick up their children. S6 stated they do not isolate children. They do sanitize the toys, they clean the classroom, wipe the beds, wash the sheets every day.
S7 stated S7 is not sure who was sick in the infant/toddler room first. S7 stated they all have a process of sanitizing and washing hands every day. They do health check on children daily at drop off time. They notify parents when children get sick. Sometimes sick children are kept in the office. Management notifies the parents if they need to be picked up.
S8 stated S8 was out when S8 was notified a child was hospitalized. S8 is not sure it was C4, C3 or C1. If the management knew of the diagnosis, they would tell staff. Parents do not tell them what the child has. They tell them when they return to school. Sick children are not isolated. Sometimes they might be isolated
Continues on page 4
SUPERVISORS NAME: Thuy Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Mahnaz Malek
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/04/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/04/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 6
Control Number 06-CC-20250113093049
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE CO CHILD CARE, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868
FACILITY NAME: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 304270686
VISIT DATE: 03/04/2025
NARRATIVE
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but not all the time. S8 stated they do sanitize, wash hands, wipe tables, change sheets
daily. They do daily check and have conversation with parents. Sick children are sent home and cannot come back until they are free from fever for 24 hours.
S9 stated S9 was out during the sickness of few children. S9 was informed one child had communicable disease. S4 was not sure it was C4, C3, or C1. It was just word of the mouth. If the management knew they would tell them. Parents do not tell them what the child has. They tell them after they are back to school healthy. Sick children are not isolated. Sometimes they might isolate them but not all the time. We do sanitize, wash hands, wipe tables, change sheets daily. I do daily check and have conversation with parents. Sick children are sent home and cannot come back until they are free from fever for 24 hours.
Regarding the allegation of staff did not properly report an incident involving the daycare children,
S1 stated S1 was aware of one communicable disease on one child in infant/toddler program. S1 stated email was sent to parents notifying them to be aware on 1/6/2025. S1 was not notified by the children’s representative of children’s diagnosis until after they came back.
S2 stated as a parent, they were notified by receiving an email from the facility.
S3 sated they know if there is an outbreak the management notifies the staff and the parents so they could be careful, and they don't bring their children to school if they have the symptoms. Management communicates with parents and staff if children are sick.
S4 stated they send on the Smart App if a child has fever and notifies the management. Then they notify the parents to pick up their children. The management will send notifications or letters to parents and let the staff know if children are sick has communicable disease.
S5 stated management always let the staff know if a child is sick. The policy is the child who is sick not to come back the next day. The sick child shall stay home. Management let the parents know if children get sick in one classroom.
S6 stated the management notified staff that few children have become sick at the facility. Management sent letters to parents notifying them of a child has been diagnosed with a communicable disease. A letter was received from the management as a parent. S6 stated they would know the child’s diagnosis if the parent shared it with school. Otherwise, they would not know.
Continued on page 5
SUPERVISORS NAME: Thuy Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Mahnaz Malek
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/04/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/04/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 6
Control Number 06-CC-20250113093049
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE CO CHILD CARE, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868
FACILITY NAME: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 304270686
VISIT DATE: 03/04/2025
NARRATIVE
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S7 stated S7 does not call the parents to pick up their children. Management does. S7 notifies the parents through the Smart Application. They tell the other parents if children become sick, so they are aware. The management notifies the parents if any outbreak is in.
S8 stated S8 was also sick but not the same diagnosis communicable disease of the child in the facility. The management sent a letter to parents notifying them of the staff having a communicable disease.
S9 stated the facility has sent few emails out to parents but not sure about the details. The management tells the staff if a child is sick and sent home.
LPA also reviewed the sign in/out sheets for the mentioned sick children during end of December and beginning of January, LPA noticed those children have been absent here and there on some days. Some with longer absent days and some with shorter absent days. LPA learned that the staff are aware of children’s sick policy of their school. However, there is discrepancies in staffs’ statements regarding the kind of diagnosis among the sick children during end of the year of 2024 and beginning of the year of 2025. Some staff acknowledged they got the sickness form their own children but not the same diagnosis. The sickness of children was not all at the same time.
LPA interviewed 9 staff, 10 random parents of whom 2 responded, one parent expressed no concerns regarding the above allegations. However, one parent was concerned regarding their child being sick a lot.
This agency has investigated the complaint alleging 1) Staff did not keep the facility free from an outbreak, and 2) Staff did not properly report an incident involving the daycare children., although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove that the alleged violations did or did not occur, therefore the allegations are UNSUBSTANTIATED.
During the course of interviews, the staff disclosed to LPA that children who become sick are not being isolated during the wait time to be picked up. Therefore, California Code of Regulations, Title 22 is cited on next page. Section 101426.2 Infant Care Isolation for Illness.
Notice of Site Visit was posted. The notice of site visit must be posted for 30 consecutive days. Failure to post will result in civil penalties of $100. In the areas which were investigated, the following deficiency is cited today. The director, Barbara Brown was provided a copy of their appeal rights (LIC 9058 1/16) and their signature on this form acknowledges receipt of these rights.
Exit interview was conducted with director, Barbara Brown.
End of report.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Thuy Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Mahnaz Malek
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/04/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/04/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 6
Control Number 06-CC-20250113093049
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

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

FACILITY NAME: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 304270686
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 03/04/2025
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
03/09/0101
Section Cited
CCR
101426.2(a)(b)
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Infant Care Isolation for Illness- (a) In addition to Section 101226.2, the following shall apply:
(b) The isolation area shall be equipped with a crib, cot, mat, or playpen for each ill infant. The above requirement was not met as evidenced by:
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The director agreed to purchase a portable crib to keep in the office to isolate the sick children when needed. The plan of correction will be sent to our office by the due date of 3/9/2025
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interviewing 9 staff during a complaint investigation. 8 staff confirmed that facility calls the parents to pick up sick child. However, the sick children from infant/toddler program are kept in the room until they are picked up. This is a potential risk to the health and 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: Thuy Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Mahnaz Malek
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/04/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/04/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 6 of 6