304371675-1-16-2026-06-CC-THOO-DR6ML8-20260210084152

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 304371675
Report Date: 01/16/2026
Date Signed: 01/16/2026 09:56:49 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
12/08/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Karen Navar

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 06-CC-20251208145302

FACILITY NAME:	KIDDIE ACADEMY OF ORANGE		FACILITY NUMBER:	304371675
ADMINISTRATOR:	MENESES, KENYA		FACILITY TYPE:	860
ADDRESS:	232 EAST KATELLA AVENUE		TELEPHONE:	(949) 562-8749
CITY:	ORANGE	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	92867
CAPACITY:	114	CENSUS: 43	DATE:	01/16/2026
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	09:00 AM
MET WITH:	Director-Kenya Meneses		TIME COMPLETED:	10:10 AM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff handles day care children in a rough manner.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 01/16/2026, 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 12/08/2025.

Upon arrival LPA met with Director Kenya Meneses and was led on a tour of the facility both inside and outside. Census was taken and LPA observed a total of 11 infants along with 4 staff and 32 preschool children along with 7 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.

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Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Thuy Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Karen Navar
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 01/16/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/16/2026

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-20251208145302

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: KIDDIE ACADEMY OF ORANGE	FACILITY NUMBER: 304371675
	VISIT DATE: 01/16/2026

NARRATIVE

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On 12/08/2025, the Orange County Child Care Office received a complaint alleging: Staff handles day care children in a rough manner. Reporting Party (RP) stated on 11/17/2025 RP observed Staff 1 (S1) on the camera holding Child 1 (C1) by both wrists, and S1 used their knee to push C1 into the next room (transitioning from the 3's classroom toward the 4's and 5's classroom). Once S1 arrived at the next room, S1 dropped C1 and ignored C1.

During the investigation, LPA interviewed 5 (five) staff members (S1-S5) and 3 children (C2-C4) of which 2 (two) of 3 (three) children interviewed did not disclose information pertaining to the allegations. LPA also toured the facility on 12/15/2025 and conducted classroom observations for staff/child relationships, viewed live footage for date 12/15/2025, obtained a copy of Kiddie Academy Personnel Roster, Children’s Roster, reviewed S1’s file, and Unusual Incident Report (UIR) dated 11/19/2025.

During facility visit 12/15/2025 LPA inspected classrooms and observed staff in the classroom and on camera supporting children with different individual needs. LPA conducted 5 (five) staff interviews, 4 (four) of the staff interviewed work directly with children in care. 4 (four) interviewed staff stated that a child’s personal rights are to not deny them of their needs and to respect them as an individual. 5 (five) of 5 (five) interviewed staff stated they have never handled a child in a rough manner or witnessed any staff member handing a child in a rough manner. 4 (four) staff interviewed stated that when a child is showing behavior that needs adult guidance that they will support them with positive reinforcement words and give them space/time to join the group, and to make sure they are safe. 3 (three) of 5 (five) interviewed staff stated there was a recent incident that took place between S1 and C1. 3 (three) interviewed staff stated C1 was experiencing behavior that needed adult guidance during transition time into the classroom. 2 (two) of the 3 (three) staff aware of the incident on 11/17/2025 and stated that the cameras did not show a clear view of the incident that anyone could only see C1 crying and the S1’ hands on the back area of the child, so admin followed up with S1 to see what was happening. 3 (three) staff interviewed stated that S1 was using their hands that were open with palm facing the child’s back/shoulder area and guiding a crying child gently into the classroom in a safe way.

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SUPERVISORS NAME: Thuy Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Karen Navar
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 01/16/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/16/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 06-CC-20251208145302

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: KIDDIE ACADEMY OF ORANGE	FACILITY NUMBER: 304371675
	VISIT DATE: 01/16/2026

NARRATIVE

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3 (three) of 3 (three) staff interviewed stated that there are live cameras that parents and admin have access to and could view throughout the day and that the video recordings are recorded over so there is no access to the camera footage of the incident that occurred on 11/17/2025. 3 (three) staff interviewed stated that there was open communication with the parents regarding the incident that occurred between S1 and C1 on 11/17/2025. 2 (two) staff interviewed stated S1 does not have a history of handling a child in a rough manner S5 stated that if there was a teacher who handled a child in a rough manner that would be grounds for termination. 2 (two) of the 5 (five) staff interviewed stated that the incident that occurred on 11/17/2025 was reported to Community Care Licensing-Childcare in writing on 11/19/2025.

LPA conducted a file review for S1 and facility records. LPA reviewed S1’s staff file and found that S1 was a fully qualified teacher. During facility records review LPA found a written UIR was provided to Community Care Licensing- Childcare on 11/19/2025 and a case management visit was conducted regarding the incident by an LPA on 12/04/2025.

LPA called 5 parents to interview; LPA was not able to reach 3 (three) of 5 (five) parents called and left a voicemail for parents to call back. Parents interviewed did not divulge any information pertaining to the allegations.

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 Staff handles day care children in a rough manner did or did not occur; therefore, the allegations are UNSUBSTANTIATED.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Thuy Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Karen Navar
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 01/16/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/16/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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