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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT

Facility Number: 304371748
Report Date: 10/22/2025
Date Signed: 10/22/2025 12:58:21 PM

Document Has Been Signed on 10/22/2025 12:58 PM - It Cannot Be Edited

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE COUNTY CC RO, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868
FACILITY NAME:LAGUNA NIGUEL MONTESSORI CENTERFACILITY NUMBER:
304371748
ADMINISTRATOR/
DIRECTOR:		HOWARD, ATHANAFACILITY TYPE:
860
ADDRESS:28083 MOULTON PKWY #BTELEPHONE:
(949) 643-1200
CITY:LAGUNA NIGUELSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92677
CAPACITY: 219TOTAL ENROLLED CHILDREN: 219CENSUS: 44DATE:
10/22/2025
TYPE OF VISIT:PrelicensingANNOUNCEDTIME VISIT/
INSPECTION BEGAN:
10:10 AM
MET WITH:Director Athana HowardTIME VISIT/
INSPECTION COMPLETED:
01:15 PM
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On 10/22/2025 at 10:10am, Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs), R. Castanon and A. Silva conducted an announced prelicesing inspection to decrease the facility’s preschool capacity, add an infant and toddler option component in Room 1 and Room 3 (previously both preschool rooms). This is a single license conversion. The existing license number (304371418) will be consolidated with the new assigned license number (304371748). Upon arrival, LPAs met with Applicant Athana Howard. Applicant is requesting to be licensed for 25 infants ages 6 weeks-24mos in the Room 1, 26 toddler option children ages 18mos-36mos in Room 3 and 120 preschool children ages 2-6 yrs in Rooms 2, 4, 5 and 6 for a total capacity of 171. During inspection, physical plant measurements were not sufficient and Applicant was informed a corrected LIC200A and fire clearance are required.

Review of Criminal record clearances were verified through Guardian. All staff were fingerprinted and cleared. There were 44 children and 9 staff present during today’s visit. The hours of operation are Monday-Friday 7:30am to 5:30pm.

During today's visit LPAs measured Room 1 for infant component use for a total of 543.41 square feet and Room 3 for toddler option component was measured at 814.41which is not sufficient to meet the capacity requested for the infant and toddler option program. LPA observed all indoor activity space to be complete with age-appropriate furniture and equipment, including tables, chairs, cubbies, cribs, napping cots/mats for infants who can climb out of a crib, bookshelves, and other activity supplies for the children. Toys are safe with no sharp edges, splinters, or points, nor made of small parts that can present a choking hazard. Drinking water is available in the classrooms via filtered water dispensers. LPAs observed all hazardous items to be inaccessible to children. There are 3 toilets and 3 sinks available for children’s use. Applicant will inform LPA how they will meet sink to children ratio or a waiver will be needed. A separate staff restroom and Director’s office are designated when children are ill. There are no bodies of water or weapons on the property. (cont to page 2)
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Monica Cuddy
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Romelia M Castanon
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE: DATE: 10/22/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE: DATE: 10/22/2025
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.

LIC809 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 1 of 4
California Health & Human Services Agency
California Department of Social Services

FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT California law requires a public report of each licensing visit/inspection. This report is a record for the facility and the licensing agency. This report is available for public review; therefore, care is taken not to disclose personal or confidential information. Inquiries concerning the location, maintenance, and contents of these reports may be directed to the Licensing Program Analyst or Regional Office whose address and telephone number are listed on the front of this form.

DEFICIENCIES A deficiency is an instance of noncompliance with licensing requirements, including applicable statutes, regulations, interim licensing standards, operating standards, and written directives. Applicants/ licensees must be notified in writing of all licensing deficiencies. Deficiencies are listed on the left side of this form, and the applicable licensing requirement upon which the deficiency is identified. There are two types of deficiencies:
  • Type A deficiencies are violations of licensing requirements that, if not corrected, have a direct and immediate risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of persons in care.
  • Type B deficiencies are violations of licensing requirements that, without correction, could become a risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of persons in care, a recordkeeping violation that could impact the care of said persons and/or protection of their resources, or a violation that could impact those services required to meet the needs of persons in care.

PLANS OF CORRECTION (POCs) The licensing agency is required to establish a reasonable length of time to correct a deficiency. In order to set the time, the licensing agency must take into consideration the seriousness of the violation, the number of persons in care involved, and the availability of equipment and personnel necessary to correct the violation. Applicants/licensees are requested to provide a specific plan for each violation on the right side of the form across from each deficiency. The more specific the plan, the less chance exists for any misunderstanding in setting time limits and reviewing corrections. The applicant/licensee who encounters problems beyond their control in completing the corrections within the specified time frame may request and may be granted an extension of the correction due date by the licensing agency.

CORRECTION NOTIFICATION The applicant/licensee is responsible for completing all corrections and promptly notifying the licensing agency of corrections. Applicants/licensees are advised to keep a dated copy of any correspondence sent to the licensing agency concerning corrections, or if corrections are telephoned to the licensing agency, the date, person contacted, and information given.

CIVIL PENALTIES The licensing agency is required by law to issue a Penalty Notice, when applicable, to all facilities holding a license issued by the licensing agency, or subject to licensure, except Certified Family Homes, Resource Families, and Foster Family Homes, or any governmental entity.

PENALTY NOTICE GIVEN The statement concerning civil penalties serves as a penalty notice on this Licensing Report and failure to correct cited licensing deficiencies will result in civil penalties. Applicants/ licensees are required to pay civil penalties when administrative appeals have been exhausted and in accordance with any payment arrangements made with the licensing agency.

APPEAL RIGHTS The applicant/licensee has a right without prejudice to discuss any disagreement in this report with the licensing agency concerning the proper application of licensing requirements. The applicant/ licensee may request a formal review by the licensing agency to amend or dismiss the notice of deficiency and/ or civil penalty. Requests for review shall be made in writing within 15 business days of receipt of a deficiency notification or civil penalty assessment. Licensing deficiencies may be appealed pursuant to the procedures in the LIC 9058 Applicant/Licensee Rights.

AGENCY REVIEW The licensing agency review of an appeal may be conducted based upon information provided in writing by the applicant/licensee. The applicant/licensee may request an office meeting to provide additional information. The applicant/licensee will be notified in writing of the results of the agency review within 60 business days of the date when all necessary information has been provided to the licensing agency.

EMAIL REQUIREMENT Adult Community Care Facilities, Residential Care Facilities for the Chronically Ill, and Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly are required to provide and maintain an active email address of record with the licensing agency.

LIC809 (FAS) - (09/23)
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

FACILITY EVALUATION 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: LAGUNA NIGUEL MONTESSORI CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 304371748
VISIT DATE: 10/22/2025
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(Page 2) High chairs and feeding tables have broad-based legs, wood seats are in good repair and trays lock onto chairs. High chairs are made of washable, moisture-resistant material. Changing tables have at least 1” padding covered with moisture-resistant, washable material. Sides of the changing table are at least 3” high and the changing table is within arm’s reach of a sink. Applicant was informed to send photos of diapering area equipment in Room 3. Diapering sinks are not used for meal preparation or dishwashing. Room 1 is equipped with a large refrigerator. Crib area is separated from activity space via plexiglass pony wall. This barrier is at least four feet high, made of sound absorbing material and allows for supervision of napping children. LPA will research latch drop down cribs meet requirements. Sleep logs are kept in the crib area. Needs and Services Plans and Sleep Plans are kept on the countertop area.
The outside activity space measurements for the infant playground is 1,218 square feet which is sufficient for the new/corrected requested total capacity. Toddler Option playground measures 1,209 square feet which is not sufficient for the new/corrected capacity. The toddler program will share the yard with the preschool component. A shared playground waiver request will be submitted to include the toddler and preschool staggered schedule. The playground is enclosed by wrought iron fencing that is at least 4 feet high. The equipment on the playground is age appropriate. Applicant states the playground is covered with artificial grass. Water is provided via water bottles that are refilled by the filtered water dispensers. Shade is provided via market umbrellas about 13 feet in length but Applicant will order more to provide adequate shade.

Fire clearance was granted on 09/09/2025. Inspector notes state: “Room 1 approved for infant use. Room 3 approved for Toddler component change”.
Applicant was reminded that all adults 18 and over responsible for administration or direct supervision of staff, persons who provides care and supervision to children, and staff who have contact with children, including employees and volunteers, except as specified in Health and Safety Code section 1596.871, must obtain a criminal record clearance or exemption, or transfer their existing clearance or exemption, prior to initial presence in a Child Care Center. A civil penalty of $100.00 minimum/day for a maximum of 5-days or, if the penalty is for a repeat violation, for a maximum of 30-days per person will be assessed if this regulation is violated.
This facility plans to provide Incidental Medical Services – IMS. For IMS information, see PIN 22-02-CCP. A Plan of Operation that includes IMS must be submitted to the Department. The following information regarding ADA was provided: US Department of Justice (USDOJ) toll-free ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 (voice) or (800) 514-0383 (TTY) and link to publication: Commonly Asked Questions about Child Care Centers and the ADA, available at: http://www.ada.gov/childqanda.htm.

LPA provided the LIC 311A, Records to Be Maintained at The Facility, for child’s records, personnel records, administrative records, and documents to be posted to Applicant. (cont to page 3)
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Monica Cuddy
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Romelia M Castanon
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/22/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/22/2025
LIC809 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 4
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

FACILITY EVALUATION 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: LAGUNA NIGUEL MONTESSORI CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 304371748
VISIT DATE: 10/22/2025
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LPA discussed the safe sleep regulations and Child Care Licensing Safe Sleep webpage at: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing/public-information-and-resources/safe-sleep, as an additional resource. LPA also informed Applicant of the importance of checking for recalled infant devices on the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website at: https://www.cpsc.gov/, and recommended they register all infant devices with the CPSC to be notified of any recalls on their purchased equipment.

Applicant was informed of the MyChildCarePlan.org site, a consumer education website that helps families obtain child care by connecting them to child care providers and Resource and Referral Agencies (R&Rs) throughout California.



Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) regularly sends information to licensed facilities, providers, and stakeholders by way of Provider Information Notices (PIN), Program Quarterly Update Newsletters and other important information communication platforms. To receive important licensed related information to licensed facilities, visit the CCLD Important Information website at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/community-care-licensing/subscribe and select the Child Care option to receive email communication.

The following corrections are needed prior to the issuance of the license:
1. Waiver request and approval for shared playground

2. Corrected LIC200A and fire clearance to reflect capacity changes

3. Photos of physical plant corrections that include Room 3 sinks and changing table, outdoor shade and sleeping cots/mats

4. Full review of application packet

Applicant understands that all proof of corrections must be provided to the Department within 30 days, or the application may be denied.

A capacity decrease for preschool, infant and toddler component addition license may be granted after the above requirements are met and a final file review is conducted.


Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Applicant Athana Hoaward.

End of Report
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Monica Cuddy
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Romelia M Castanon
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/22/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/22/2025
LIC809 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 4