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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 12/18/2024. LPA met with Director, Michelle Gjertson, and licensee Jessy Wang. There was a total of 96 children with a total of 14 staff in 8 different classroom. The teacher child ratio was as below: 3/7 in Infant 1, 2/12 napping children in Infant 2, 1/10 napping toddlers (TO) in Room 3, 1/12 napping preschoolers (PS) in Room 5, 2/14 PS in Room 7, 3/18 PS in Room 9, 1/11 PS in Room 11, 1/12 PS in Room 12. Rooms 6, 8, and 10 were not in use.
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 12/11/2024, the Orange County Childcare Office received a complaint alleging 1) Facility is operating
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| Substantiated | Estimated Days of Completion: |
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LPA reviewed the electronic records for staff time in and children’s attendance. Attendance records for December 9, 10, and 11, 2024, indicated adequate staffing overall but lacked room-specific details to verify staff-to-child ratios at particular times.
Regarding the allegation of “Staff yell in the presence of day care children in care”, LPA interviewed 19 staff regarding this allegation. Children were not interviewed due to the younger age. A group of staff stated they did not witness any staff yell at another staff in front of children or parents. However, S1 admitted raising their voice in frustration when addressing a staff member’s mistake in the presence of younger children.
S2 confirmed witnessing S1 raised voice with a firm voice on a staff person around younger children while parents dropping off children.
S3 confirmed witnessing S1 yelled at one staff on the same one incident when few younger children were in the room and few parents were around.
S4 stated S4 heard S1yelled at one staff in a loud voice. S4 reported of another experience, S1 warning a few staff in a loud, yelling voice at the entrance of a classroom when younger children napping.
S5 stated S5 could hear S1’s yelling at one staff who was with younger children on the same incident situation.
S8 stated S8 heard S1 yelled at one staff when parents were around. S11 stated S1 has a deep voice.
S15 stated S1 raises voice and showing attitude at staff.
Based on the interviews with 19 staff, reviewing the documents submitted to LPA for investigation, and contact with 10 parents of whom 2 parents responded with no concerns regarding the above allegations, it was determined the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, the allegations of " 1) Facility is operating out of ratio, 2) Staff yell in the presence of day care children in care are found to be SUBSTANTIATED.
California Title 22 Regulations Section 101216.3 under teacher child ratio and section 101223(a)(1) under personal rights are sited on next page on LIC 809D.
The director, Michelle Gjertson was informed that the “Notice of Site Visit” must be posted for 30 consecutive days. Notice of Site Visit must be posted on or adjacent to the door. Failure to post will result in Civil Penalty of $100.00. The director, Michelle Gjertson was provided with a copy of their appeal rights (LIC 9058) and their signature on this form acknowledges receipt of these rights. All appeals must be in writing and received by the Regional Office within 15 business days. The exit interview was conducted with director, Michelle Gjertson. |
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number | DEFICIENCIES | PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs) |
Type B
01/31/2025
Section Cited
CCR
101216.3 | 1
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7 | Teacher child Ratio-(a) There shall be a ratio of one teacher visually observing and supervising no more than 12 children in attendance, This requirement was not met as evidenced by: statement of S4, S8, and S15 confirming an aid was supervising few children in one room for 10 minutes on one occasion, S6, and S7 | 1
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7 | The director agreed to send an acknowledgement statement with all the staffs’ signatures that they are aware of this requirement and will comply with this section of the regulations. |
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14 | confirmed S6 left a preschool room with 16-17 children under S7 supervision for a few minutes to assist a parent one time. S8, S11, and S15 reported hearing staff requesting assistance over walkie-talkies for being out of ratio. This is a potential risk to the health and safety of children in care. | 8
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14 | The acknowledgement statement will be sent to LPA’s email address by the due date of 1/31/2025.
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Type B
01/31/2025
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(1) | 1
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7 | (a) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded(1) dignity in his/her personal relationships with staff and other persons. This requirement was not met as evidenced by interviewing staff that S1 admitted raising their voice in frustration when addressing a staff's mistake in the presence of younger | 1
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7 | The director agreed to send an acknowledgement statement with all the staffs’ signatures that they are aware of this requirement and will comply with this section of the regulations. The acknowledgement |
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14 | children. S2, S3, and S4 witnessed or heard S1 raising their voice at staff, including one instance during parent drop-off and another while younger children were napping. S5 and S8 confirmed hearing S1 yell at a staff member in the presence of younger children and parents. This is a potential risk to the health and safety of children in care.
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14 | statement will be sent o LPA’s email address by the due date of 1/31/2025.
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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 12/18/2024. LPA met with Director, Michelle Gjertson, and licensee Jessy Wang. There was a total of 96 children with a total of 14 staff in 8 different classroom. The teacher child ratio was as below: 3/7 in Infant 1, 2/12 napping children in Infant 2, 1/10 napping toddlers (TO) in Room 3, 1/12 napping preschoolers (PS) in Room 5, 2/14 PS in Room 7, 3/18 PS in Room 9, 1/11 PS in Room 11, 1/12 PS in Room 12. Rooms 6, 8, and 10 were not in use.
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 12/11/2024, the Orange County Childcare Office received a complaint alleging “Staff do not follow proper signs of illness protocols regarding day care children in care.
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| Unsubstantiated | Estimated Days of Completion: |
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