304371431-3-3-2026-06-CC-THOO-DRW297-20260305161126

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 304371431
Report Date: 03/03/2026
Date Signed: 03/03/2026 11:14:02 AM

Substantiated

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
12/11/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Susan Deschampe

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 06-CC-20251211144428

FACILITY NAME:	MONTESSORI HARBOR MESA SCHOOL		FACILITY NUMBER:	304371431
ADMINISTRATOR:	DE FRENZA, GIULIANA		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	3025 DEODAR AVENUE		TELEPHONE:	(714) 549-3803
CITY:	COSTA MESA	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	92626
CAPACITY:	63	CENSUS: 17	DATE:	03/03/2026
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	09:29 AM
MET WITH:	Licensee, Giuliana DeFrenza		TIME COMPLETED:	11:30 AM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Facility staff are not preventing children from engaging in inappropriate behaviors towards other children.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 03/03/2026, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Deschampe conducted an unannounced inspection for the purpose of delivering the findings for the above allegation. LPA arrived at the facility at 9:29 AM and was allowed entry to the facility by facility representative/assistant director, Samantha Gonzalez. Census was taken as LPA was guided through the facility by licensee, Giuliana DeFrenza. Total enrollment is 24 children. At the time of census, there was 17 children with 6 staff. Current census is due to alternate schedules.

A review of staff criminal clearance record on this date 03/03/2026 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 12/09/2025, Orange County Regional Office (OCRO) received a complaint alleging facility staff are not preventing children from engaging in inappropriate behaviors towards other children. Reporting Party

Substantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Thuy Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Susan Deschampe
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 03/03/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/03/2026

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-20251211144428

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: MONTESSORI HARBOR MESA SCHOOL	FACILITY NUMBER: 304371431
	VISIT DATE: 03/03/2026

NARRATIVE

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(RP) stated Child 1 (C1) consistently acts out in an aggressive manner towards the other children in care. The facility owner and director are not doing enough to protect the children. Two examples given were on one occasion C1 intentionally poked Child 3 (C3) in the eye with a paintbrush and C1 ran up to Child 4 (C4) and shook C4 and made C4 cry. When staff intervene, C1 bites, kicks, and punches staff.

During the course of the investigation, LPA interviewed 6 staff members and contacted 10 parents/authorized representatives but only 4 responded. 7 children qualified using the Ten Step Investigative Interview Questionnaire. 1 out of 7 children declined the interview. 1 out 7 did not complete the entire interview.

During the staff interviews, 6 out of 6 staff stated the staff can prevent children from engaging in inappropriate behaviors with other children. 4 out of 6 staff stated C1 needed more attention than the other children enrolled. In addition, 2 out of 6 staff stated additional training may have been helpful with C1. 1 out of 6 staff requested a shadow as that would have been helpful in attending to the needs of C1. 2 out of 6 staff stated there were not enough tools to support the needs of C1. 3 out of 6 staff stated C1 has been known to hit teachers, hit other children, kick things, throw things (C1 picked up a bottle and threw it at the glass window), C1 wants everything on the floor, physical and verbal tantrums with bad words. C1 began exhibiting these behaviors around October 2025. The guidance from the director was to be patient with C1, redirect C1 when there was inappropriate behavior, and/or contact the director or Staff 6 (S6) to help. Staff did not receive formal training to address children with behaviors. When S1 or S6 were contacted to help, the options were typically to take C1 out of the classroom, walk outside, go on the computer in the office, or call parents/authorized representatives to pick up C1, which did not work. This guidance/protocol was reportedly followed by all staff. 1 out of 6 staff stated the removal of C1 to go outside, go on the computer in the office, or call to be picked up by parents/authorized representatives turned into a reward system for C1. Facility met with parents/authorized representatives on 11/17/2025, 12/08/2025, and 12/11/2025. During the final meeting, Staff 3 (S3) reported the parent/authorized representative stated a change of environment may be good for C1. S3 reportedly agreed. The director stated the facility may meet the needs of C1 with patience and listening to C1. The director stated C1 is no longer enrolled at the day care.

6 children qualified using the Ten Step Investigative Interview Questionnaire. 5 out of 6 children witnessed

SUPERVISORS NAME: Thuy Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Susan Deschampe
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 03/03/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/03/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 06-CC-20251211144428

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: MONTESSORI HARBOR MESA SCHOOL	FACILITY NUMBER: 304371431
	VISIT DATE: 03/03/2026

NARRATIVE

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inappropriate behavior from C1, such as throwing chairs, kicking, pushing other children, pulling hair, and saying bad words. When these incidents happened, staff provided care to children, if they were hurt. Then, staff would intervene with C1. If necessary, the director or S6 would be contacted for assistance.

LPA observations on 12/15/2025, C1 was observed to consistently not listen to instructions from staff or peers. C1 got up from desk repeatedly and did 4 cartwheels in the classroom while peers were working on handouts. The director approached C1 and redirected C1 to the worksheet at the desk. During lunch while staff were assisting all children with their lunches, C1 was interrupting other children and upon LPA recognition, the director attempted to redirect C1 to C1’s own lunch. C1 then stood up and walked to another table with other children, the other children did not express objections.

LPA contacted 10 parents/authorized representatives but only 4 responded. 4 out of 4 interviewed parents/authorized representatives did not make any disclosure regarding the above allegation.

Based on LPA’s interviews, observations, and record review, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED. California Code of Regulations, Chapter 1 Title 22, Division 12 Section 101223(a)(2) Personal Rights is being cited on the attached LIC 9099D forms. Please refer to LIC 9099D for documentation of deficiency.

The exit interview was conducted with the licensee, Giuliana DeFrenza. The Notice of Site Visit was posted during the visit. The licensee was reminded that the Notice of Site Visit must be posted for 30 consecutive days. Appeal Rights were discussed and provided to the licensee and their signature on this form acknowledges receipt of these rights. Licensee must file an appeal, in writing, to the Regional Manager within 15 business days from the date of receiving the penalty assessment or notice of deficiency. First level appeals should be sent to the Regional Manager at the address listed above. End of report

SUPERVISORS NAME: Thuy Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Susan Deschampe
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 03/03/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/03/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 3 of 4

Control Number 06-CC-20251211144428

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: MONTESSORI HARBOR MESA SCHOOL	FACILITY NUMBER: 304371431
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:	VISIT DATE: 03/03/2026

Deficiency Type POC Due Date / Section Number	DEFICIENCIES		PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B 04/01/2026 Section Cited CCR 101223(a)(2)	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	101223 Personal Rights (a) The licensee shall ensure that each child...(2) To be accorded safe,...accommodations...to meet his/her needs. This requirement is not met as evidenced by:	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	Schedule TSP training for all staff. Send TSP sign-in to LPA. Staff in-service: Behaviors/include hands-on Send in-service sign-in to LPA.
	8 9 10 11 12 13 14	Basedon staff and children interview, C1 hit teachers, hit other children, kick things, throw things since 10/2025 and facility failed to prevent C1 from hurting others. This poses a potential danger to the health of the children in care.	8 9 10 11 12 13 14
	1 2 3 4 5 6 7		1 2 3 4 5 6 7
	1 2 3 4 5 6 7		1 2 3 4 5 6 7

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: Susan Deschampe
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 03/03/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/03/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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