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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 313625103
Report Date: 02/26/2026
Date Signed: 02/26/2026 06:55:03 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
01/13/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Matthew Gallo
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 03-CC-20260113122537
FACILITY NAME:STERLING & BAMBINI MONTESSORIFACILITY NUMBER:
313625103
ADMINISTRATOR:STERLING & BAMBINIFACILITY TYPE:
840
ADDRESS:821 STERLING PARKWAYTELEPHONE:
(650) 430-2037
CITY:LINCOLNSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
95648
CAPACITY:28CENSUS: 0DATE:
02/26/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:20 AM
MET WITH:Paolo SarmientoTIME COMPLETED:
07:10 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff did not provide adequate supervision resulting in child sustaining toxic substances on hair
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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At 9:20am on 2/26/2026, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Matthew Gallo met with facility representative Paolo Sarmiento to deliver findings to a complaint investigation into the above allegation. During today's visit,
LPA observed a census of 6 school children supervised by 1 staff.

Throughout the course of the investigation, LPA conducted observation, interview, and record review relevant to the allegation that staff did not provide adequate supervision, resulting in a child sustaining nail polish in their hair that subsequently dried to the scalp. Based on interview with children and staff, LPA determined that the incident occurred in the outdoor play yard. LPA also determined that the nail polish had dried on the child's hands in addition to the hair and scalp. Through staff interviews, LPA determined that the teacher of at the time was aware that children were playing with a play makeup set, but were not aware that nail polish was included in the set and did not observe the nail polish on the hands until the class came inside after play. By this time, the nail polish on the hands could not be removed with soap and water alone. According to staff, the nail polish in the hair was not noticed due to the child wearing a hat after the incident. Continues on LIC9099-C
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Mai Lor
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Matthew Gallo
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/26/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/26/2026
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
Control Number 03-CC-20260113122537
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 & BAMBINI MONTESSORI
FACILITY NUMBER: 313625103
VISIT DATE: 02/26/2026
NARRATIVE
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The facility has subsequently enacted a policy that prohibits outside items being brought into the classroom. The preponderance of evidence standard has been met; therefore, the allegation is SUBSTANTIATED.

LPA Matthew Gallo informed facility representative Paolo Sarmiento that this report dated 2/26/2026 documents 1 Type A citation which shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there is/are immediate risk(s) to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care.

Also, LPA Gallo informed the facility representative to provide a copy of this licensing report dated 2/26/2026 that documents any Type A citation(s) to parents/guardians of all children currently enrolled by the next business day or the next day the children are in care, and to any newly enrolled parents/guardians for 12 months from the date of this report. A signed Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Report (LIC 9224), or other written statement, must be placed in the child's file for verification.

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. LPA provided appeal rights.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Mai Lor
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Matthew Gallo
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/26/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/26/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 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
01/13/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Matthew Gallo
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 03-CC-20260113122537

FACILITY NAME:STERLING & BAMBINI MONTESSORIFACILITY NUMBER:
313625103
ADMINISTRATOR:STERLING & BAMBINIFACILITY TYPE:
840
ADDRESS:821 STERLING PARKWAYTELEPHONE:
(650) 430-2037
CITY:LINCOLNSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
95648
CAPACITY:28CENSUS: 6DATE:
02/26/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:20 AM
MET WITH:Paolo SarmientoTIME COMPLETED:
07:10 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff do not follow reporting requirements
Staff do not ensure toxins are inaccessible to children
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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At 9:20am on 2/26/2026, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Matthew Gallo met with facility representative Paolo Sarmiento to deliver findings to a complaint investigation into the above allegations. During today's visit, LPA observed a census of 6 school children supervised by 1 staff.

Throughout the course of the investigation, LPA conducted observation, interview, and record review relevant to the following allegations:

(1) Staff do not follow reporting requirements.

It was alleged staff did not follow the requirement to report any unusual behavior, injury, or sign of illness requiring administration of first aid to the child's authorized representative. in a case concerning a child sustaining nail polish in their hair which hardened and dried on the scalp. According to staff interviews, the nail polish in the hair was not observed due to the child having a hat with them that they wore after the incident occurred. Continues on LIC9099-C
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Mai Lor
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Matthew Gallo
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/26/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/26/2026
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 5
Control Number 03-CC-20260113122537
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 & BAMBINI MONTESSORI
FACILITY NUMBER: 313625103
VISIT DATE: 02/26/2026
NARRATIVE
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LPA could not clearly determine through interview with staff and children whether staff had or had not in fact observed the nail polish in the child's hair prior to the end of the day when the hat was taken off. Therefore, it is inconclusive as to whether staff was aware that an incident occurred that required reporting. LPA did determine that staff had observed nail polish on the child's hands and made an unsuccessful attempt to remove it through soap and water. Based on the collected evidence, the allegation is found to be UNSUBSTANTIATED. This means that, although the allegation may have occurred or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove it.

(2) Staff do not ensure toxins are inaccessible to children

It was alleged that staff did not ensure that toxic nail polish was inaccessible to children. Through interviews with relevant parties, LPA determined that the nail polish was not provided by the facility but brought to class by a child, and staff interviews suggested that staff were not aware of the nail polish having been brought into the classroom until after it was used. In addition, although the nail polish was not removable by soap and water, available information about the specific nail polish was insufficient to reliably assess its toxicity. Based on the collected evidence, the allegation is found to be UNSUBSTANTIATED. This means that, although the allegation may have occurred or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove it.

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. LPA provided appeal rights.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Mai Lor
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Matthew Gallo
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/26/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/26/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 5
Control Number 03-CC-20260113122537
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 & BAMBINI MONTESSORI
FACILITY NUMBER: 313625103
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 02/26/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
02/27/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101299(a)
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101299(a) The licensee shall provide care and supervision as necessary to meet the children's needs.

This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
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Licensee stated that the have since provided training on supervision to the school age staff, and LPA received a statement affirming this. The plan of correction is fulfilled.
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Based on interview, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above due to staff not providing supervision adequate to notice that nail polish was being used by children in care, leading to a child sustaining nail polish on their scalp. 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: 02/26/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/26/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 5