<meta name="robots" content="noindex">
Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 304371040
Report Date: 07/10/2025
Date Signed: 07/10/2025 03:39:10 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
05/12/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Soo Jin Jung
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 06-CC-20250512101529
FACILITY NAME:BELLA MONTESSORIFACILITY NUMBER:
304371040
ADMINISTRATOR:EVANGELISTA, STEFANIEANFACILITY TYPE:
830
ADDRESS:20602 PRISM PLACETELEPHONE:
(949) 900-2420
CITY:LAKE FORESTSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92630
CAPACITY:40CENSUS: 10DATE:
07/10/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
02:20 PM
MET WITH:Director, Stefaniean EvangelistaTIME COMPLETED:
03:45 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Infants are placed in high chair as a form of punishment
Staff spoke inappropriately to children in care.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
On 7/10/2025 at approximately 2:20PM, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Jung conducted an unannounced visit to the facility to deliver findings for a complaint that was received at the Orange County Regional Child Care Licensing Office. LPA met with Director, Stefaniean Evangelista, and explained the reason for the visit. LPA was led on a tour of the facility and observed a total of 10 children and five (5) staff.

A review of the Facility Personnel 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.

(Go to Page 2)
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Nguyen K Tran
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Soo Jin Jung
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/10/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/10/2025
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 2
Control Number 06-CC-20250512101529
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: BELLA MONTESSORI
FACILITY NUMBER: 304371040
VISIT DATE: 07/10/2025
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 5/12/2025, the Orange County Regional Child Care Licensing Office received a complaint with one allegation listed above: Reporting Party (RP) alleged that infants are placed in high chair as a form of punishment. On 6/6/2025, RP provided a second allegation stating that staff spoke inappropriately to children in care.

On 5/13/2025, LPA made an unannounced visit to the facility and interviewed seven (7) staff. Children could not be interviewed because they are in an infant program and do not possess the verbal skills to be interviewed.

During interviews, staff stated that high chairs are not used as a form of punishment. When children are crying, hitting peers, or displaying behaviors that are inappropriate, staff give them hugs, redirect them to different activities, speak with them, or provide snack. Based on the child's needs, staff will provide different solutions. Staff stated that when children are sitting in the high chairs, they are given an activity to do or a snack to eat. Staff also stated that they have neither heard another staff member speaking inappropriately to children nor have done so themselves.

Parents interviewed did not provide any concern regarding the allegations listed above. Parents stated that they are satisfied with the services being received.

The Orange County Regional Child Care Licensing Office has investigated the complaint alleging (1) infants are placed in high chair as a form of punishment and (2) staff spoke inappropriately to children in care: although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there was not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations did or did not occur, therefore the allegations are UNSUBSTANTIATED.

No deficiencies cited. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days.
Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the Director, Stefaniean Evangelista.

End of report.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Nguyen K Tran
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Soo Jin Jung
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/10/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/10/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 2