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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 304371502
Report Date: 11/20/2024
Date Signed: 11/20/2024 11:31:33 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
10/17/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Mahnaz Malek
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 06-CC-20241017114222
FACILITY NAME:MESA VERDE PRESCHOOL & INFANT CENTERFACILITY NUMBER:
304371502
ADMINISTRATOR:RAMIREZ, JESSICAFACILITY TYPE:
830
ADDRESS:3013 DEODAR AVENUETELEPHONE:
(714) 513-1686
CITY:COSTA MESASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92626
CAPACITY:8CENSUS: 4DATE:
11/20/2024
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
08:15 AM
MET WITH:DirectorTIME COMPLETED:
10:00 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Facility staff handled an infant in a rough manner.
Facility staff withheld water from infants in care.
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 10/23/2024. LPA met with Director, Christina Guerrero. There was a total of 4 infants with one staff in the infant 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 10/17/2024, the Orange County Childcare Office received a complaint alleging “Facility staff handled an infant in a rough manner”, “Facility staff withheld water from infants in care.”

The Reporting Party (RP) stated during the 2022-2023 school year, it was observed staff would discipline 12 months old in a bump seat facing the corner roughly. The RP stated staff would withhold water from infants believing in limiting water would break the habit of infants wanting the pacifier.
Continued on page 2
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Thuy Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Mahnaz Malek
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/20/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/20/2024
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-20241017114222
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: MESA VERDE PRESCHOOL & INFANT CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 304371502
VISIT DATE: 11/20/2024
NARRATIVE
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LPA interviewed the staff who work in the infant program. LPA also interviewed the staff who work in preschool program for additional information.

Staff # 1(S1) reported that S1 does not work in the infant room. However, S1 has not observed any staff disciplining the infants or holding water from the infants.

Staff # 2 (S2) has not witnessed staff discipline infants or withhold water from them.

Staff # 3 (S3) reported the S3 has not seen anything from anybody to be inappropriate towards infants. S3 would report it if S3 witnessed any inappropriate behavior from any staff. S3 stated S3 had not observed anybody to be rough with infants. Talking and redirecting is the best way to discipline children. S3 stated S3 never heard such a thing to withhold water to break the habit of pacifier. Some children have pacifier that they use during nap time. Some don't. Nobody has tried to stop the habit of socking on pacifiers.

Staff # 4 (S4) stated S4 has refilled water for older infants to drink. The children in the infant room are so young to be disciplined. S4 stated S4 usually removes a child from a situation such as biting. There is no issue with pacifier.

Staff # 5 (S5) reported that the children in this age group are so little that they cannot be disciplined. However, S5 removes a child if they are in a situation to hurt another child. S5 sits next to them to keep them calm. They drink water all day. They bring their own Sippy cups. If they have pacifier, they get it during nap time. S5 stated it is not S5’s place to stop children of the habit of pacifier. S5 stated sometimes children who can sit, they sit on the floor while a bump seat (Bumbo baby seat) is around them. S5 stated S5 has never been rough with infants and never seen anybody to discipline infants.

Staff # 6 (S6) stated S6 has never observed any staff to be rough with infants. Children bring their own water from home, and they are refilled during the day. Nobody limits the use of water for them.

Staff # 7 (S7) stated children have Sippy Cups for water and they are encouraged to drink water throughout
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SUPERVISORS NAME: Thuy Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Mahnaz Malek
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/20/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/20/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
Control Number 06-CC-20241017114222
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: MESA VERDE PRESCHOOL & INFANT CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 304371502
VISIT DATE: 11/20/2024
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the day. Some infants might come with pacifier and there is no issue with that. S7 stated S7 never heard such a thing to limit the water to stop the habit of pacifier. Infant room is not a big room. They are moved to the safe side of the room to sit on the floor by the wall while they are in bump seat (Bumbo baby seat) with staff next to them. They are held when they cry. There is no disciplining with infants and no rough behavior has been observed with them.

Children were not interviewed due to their young age.

LPA contacted 10 random parents. Out of 10 parents, 2 parents responded expressing no concerns regarding the above allegations.

Based on the interviews with 7 staff, 10 parents, there is not enough proof or evidence to support the above allegations occurred or did not occur. This agency has investigated the complaint alleging 1) Facility staff handled an infant in a rough manner, 2) Facility staff withheld water from infants in care.”; although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove, the alleged violations did or did not occur, therefore the allegations are UNSUBSTANTIATED.

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 penalty of $100.

The director, Christina Guerrero 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, Christina Guerrero.

End of report.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Thuy Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Mahnaz Malek
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/20/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/20/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
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