304270866-5-14-2025-06-CC-THOO-DGXVUJ-20250523164446

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 304270866
Report Date: 05/14/2025
Date Signed: 05/14/2025 10:08:32 AM

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
03/06/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Karen Navar

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 06-CC-20250306111036

FACILITY NAME:	SALVATION ARMY, TUSTIN RANCH-CREATOR'S CORNER, THE		FACILITY NUMBER:	304270866
ADMINISTRATOR:	MITCHELL, CHRISTINE		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	10200 PIONEER ROAD		TELEPHONE:	(714) 210-6041
CITY:	TUSTIN	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	92782
CAPACITY:	112	CENSUS: 75	DATE:	05/14/2025
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	09:16 AM
MET WITH:	Director-Christine, Mitchell		TIME COMPLETED:	10:27 AM

ALLEGATION(S):

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Staff are mistreating the daycare children while in care.
Staff inappropriately pulled on a daycare child.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

On 5/14/2025, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Karen Navar conducted an unannounced complaint inspection for the purpose of delivering findings. This is a continuation of a complaint inspection initiated on 03/10/2025.

Upon arrival LPA met with Director Christine, Mitchell and was led on a tour of the facility both inside and outside. Census was taken LPA observed a total of 75 preschool children along with 13 staff.

A review of the Facility Report Summary on this date indicates all facility staff or other individuals who require caregiver background checks have received criminal record and child abuse index clearances or exemptions. During today’s inspection the facility was operating within its licensed capacity and within compliance of staffing ratios.

Continue to page 2.

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Thuy Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Karen Navar
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 05/14/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/14/2025

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 3

Control Number 06-CC-20250306111036

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: SALVATION ARMY, TUSTIN RANCH-CREATOR'S CORNER, THE	FACILITY NUMBER: 304270866
	VISIT DATE: 05/14/2025

NARRATIVE

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32

Page 2
On 03/06/2025, the Orange County Child Care Office received a complaint alleging: 1) Staff are mistreating the day care children while in care. 2) Staff inappropriately pulled on a day care child. Reporting Party (RP) stated staff 2 (S2) scared a child and that some staff in the green room have pulled on a child aggressively early in the year and that child was moved to another classroom.

During the investigation, LPA toured the facility on 03/10/205, 4/07/2025, and 4/23/2025, conducted 6 staff interviews (S1-S6), attempted to interview 4 children (C1-C4), 3 of 4 children qualified to be interviewed, observed teacher/child interactions during classroom/playground time, obtained a copy of Staff Handbook, Meeting Agenda dated 2/18/2025, Family Handbook, and Classroom Rosters.

Regarding allegation, “Staff are mistreating the day care children while in care.” During facility inspections on 3/10/25, 4/07/25, and 4/23/25, LPA conducted observations in the green room classroom and during playground time. LPA observed staff engaged/supervising and supporting children in different activities. LPA interviewed 6 staff that stated personal rights of a child is to respect their needs/wants and do what’s best for them. 6 interviewed staff stated they have not witnessed a staff member mistreat a child while in day care and that there are cameras in the classroom that are ongoing in the director’s office. Director stated that the cameras are for the day of, and they are not able to retrieve footage from the past.

Regarding allegation “Staff inappropriately pulled on a day care child”: During facility inspections, LPA toured facility on 3/10/2025, 4/07/25, and 4/23/2025, LPA conducted observations in the classrooms/playground. LPA observed green room staff supervising and participating in classroom activities with children. LPA observed one (1) staff (S3) needing children’s attention in the classroom to give instructions and used an attention grabber by using a calm/soft voice and asked the children to freeze and put their hands up in the air. All children participated and listened to the staff and then continued playing in their activities. 6 staff interviewed stated they have not seen a staff member inappropriately pull on a day care child or heard of a child being moved to another classroom for a staff member inappropriately handling a child. 6 staff stated that staff use re-direction to support children with challenging behaviors. 3 of 3 children interviewed stated they like to go to school and that if their friends get in trouble they sit down. One (1) child interviewed stated that teachers use soft voices when talking to children. Director stated that they do conduct staff meetings and the last meeting they had was on 2/18/2025 and some of the topics covered was on supervision and how to handle children who resist re-direction. LPA obtained a copy of the meeting agenda dated 2/18/2025.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Thuy Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Karen Navar
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 05/14/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/14/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 2 of 3

Control Number 06-CC-20250306111036

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: SALVATION ARMY, TUSTIN RANCH-CREATOR'S CORNER, THE	FACILITY NUMBER: 304270866
	VISIT DATE: 05/14/2025

NARRATIVE

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32

Page 3
During parent interviews. LPA called 5 parents, and LPA was able to interview 1 parent. The 1 interviewed parent did not divulge any information pertaining to the allegation.

Based on LPA observations, interviews, and records review, 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 1) Staff are mistreating the day care children while in care. 2) Staff inappropriately pulled on a day care child. Therefore, the allegations are UNSUBSTANTIATED.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Director Christine, Mitchell. The Director was informed that the “Notice of Site Visit” must be posted on or adjacent to the door for 30 days. Failure to post will result in a Civil Penalty of a $100.00.

End of Report.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Thuy Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Karen Navar
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 05/14/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/14/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 3 of 3