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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 313622397
Report Date: 04/25/2025
Date Signed: 04/25/2025 02:28:06 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO CC RO, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
02/21/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Matthew Gallo
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 03-CC-20250221222903
FACILITY NAME:STERLING MONTESSORIFACILITY NUMBER:
313622397
ADMINISTRATOR:PAOLO SARMIENTOFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:821 STERLING PARKWAY, STE. 200TELEPHONE:
(916) 434-7000
CITY:LINCOLNSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
95648
CAPACITY:58CENSUS: 23DATE:
04/25/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:05 AM
MET WITH:Paolo SarmientoTIME COMPLETED:
02:35 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Kitchen area is not kept free of litter, rubbish, and rodents
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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At 9:05am on 4/25/2025, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Matthew Gallo arrived at the facility to close a complaint investigation into the above allegation. LPA was greeted by the office manager, and then led outside to meet with director Paolo Sarmiento. During the visit, LPA observed a total census of 23 preschool children supervised by 4 staff.

Throughout the course of the investigation, LPA conducted observation and interviews related to the allegation that the kitchen is not kept free of litter, rubbish, and rodents. During an initial visit to open the investigation on 2/25/2025, LPA observed a hole chewed at the base of the wall in the kitchen with rodent droppings on the ground in and directly outside the kitchen. Additional photographs received by LPA featured images of a deceased rodent in the hallway by the kitchen. Interviews with staff provided corroborating evidence that rodents and rodent droppings had been present and found in the facility. The director stated in interview that the field adjacent to the building leads to the entire business complex having trouble with field mice. (Report continues on 9099-C)
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Mai Lor
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Matthew Gallo
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/25/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/25/2025
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 5
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO CC RO, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
02/21/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Matthew Gallo
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 03-CC-20250221222903

FACILITY NAME:STERLING MONTESSORIFACILITY NUMBER:
313622397
ADMINISTRATOR:PAOLO SARMIENTOFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:821 STERLING PARKWAY, STE. 200TELEPHONE:
(916) 434-7000
CITY:LINCOLNSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
95648
CAPACITY:58CENSUS: 23DATE:
04/25/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:05 AM
MET WITH:Paolo SarmientoTIME COMPLETED:
02:35 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff speaks inappropriately to children in care
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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At 9:05am on 4/25/2025, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Matthew Gallo arrived at the facility to close a complaint investigation into the above allegation. LPA was greeted by the office manager, and then led outside to meet with director Paolo Sarmiento. During the visit, LPA observed a total census of 23 preschool children supervised by 4 staff.

Throughout the course of the investigation, LPA conducted observations, record review, and interviewed children, staff, and parents regarding an incident in which it is alleged that staff spoke inappropriately to a child in care. Through record review, LPA observed a video of the incident featuring a child holding a print out of their name when a teacher directed them in a loud voice to spell their name. Shortly after the child struggled to spell their name, the teacher loudly directed another child to go and help them. During children interviews, two out of four children expressed feeling anger or embarrassment when being addressed by the teacher. Interviews with staff detailed the teacher as having a strict voice but not ouside the bounds of appropriateness.
(Report continues on 809-C)
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Mai Lor
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Matthew Gallo
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/25/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/25/2025
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 5
Control Number 03-CC-20250221222903
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO CC RO, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827
FACILITY NAME: STERLING MONTESSORI
FACILITY NUMBER: 313622397
VISIT DATE: 04/25/2025
NARRATIVE
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In considering all the evidence, including observations while present at the facility, LPA determined that the teacher speaks with volume and gives firm directions. However, the information gathered does not provide a preponderance of evidence that they speak to children in a way that violates their personal rights. Without meeting a preponderance of evidence standard, the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED, meaning that although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove that it either did nor did not occur.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the facility representative, Paolo Sarmiento. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Mai Lor
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Matthew Gallo
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/25/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/25/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 5
Control Number 03-CC-20250221222903
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO CC RO, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827
FACILITY NAME: STERLING MONTESSORI
FACILITY NUMBER: 313622397
VISIT DATE: 04/25/2025
NARRATIVE
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The director did not know how long the hole had been there but that they were aware of it and hadn't fixed it, stating that Orkin pest control services were working. LPA observed the hole in the kitchen to be filled by his visit on 4/25/2025 and the kitchen to be clean. LPA also observed a schedule of monthly services by Orkin Pest Control.

A Type A Title 22 Deficiency is cited on the accompanying LIC809-D page

Licensee acknowledges, that FOR TYPE A DEFICIENCIES ONLY upon receipt, licensee shall post LIC 809D with Type A deficiencies for 30 days and provide copies of this licensing report to parents/guardians of children in care at the facility and to parents/guardians of children newly enrolled at the facility during the next 12 months. LIC 9224 must be signed by parents/guardians and kept with the children's forms as a receipt whenever any Type A documents are provided by the licensee. LIC 9224 and Appeal Rights were provided.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the facility representative, Paolo Sarmiento. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Mai Lor
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Matthew Gallo
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/25/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/25/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 5
Control Number 03-CC-20250221222903
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO CC RO, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827

FACILITY NAME: STERLING MONTESSORI
FACILITY NUMBER: 313622397
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 04/25/2025
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
04/28/2025
Section Cited
CCR
101238(a)
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(a)The child care center shall be clean, safe, sanitary and in good repair at all times to ensure the safety and well-being of children, employees and visitors.

This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
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During visit, LPA observed the rodent hole in the kitchen to be filled and did not observe any droppings in the facility. The licensee will provide LPA Gallo with a copy of confirmation of ongoing service from Orkin Pest Control.
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Based on observation, interview, and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above due to the presence of rodents in the facility, including droppings and a deceased rodent. This poses an immediate health, safety, or personal rights risk to persons in care.
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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: Mai Lor
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Matthew Gallo
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/25/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/25/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 5