334809049-9-4-2025-10-CC-DMUN-DLEQ4W-20250911115100

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 334809049
Report Date: 09/04/2025
Date Signed: 09/04/2025 09:35:56 AM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVERSIDE SE CC RO, 3737 MAIN STREET, STE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
08/11/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Jesse Gardner

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 10-CC-20250811093225

FACILITY NAME:	FIRST SCHOOL OF THE DESERT-LA QUINTA		FACILITY NUMBER:	334809049
ADMINISTRATOR:	MARIA MARQUEZ		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	44-996 ADAMS STREET		TELEPHONE:	(760) 772-2996
CITY:	LA QUINTA	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	92253
CAPACITY:	145	CENSUS: 85	DATE:	09/04/2025
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	09:16 AM
MET WITH:	Maria Marquez, Director		TIME COMPLETED:	09:45 AM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff sprayed hazardous chemicals in the face of children in care
Staff served food with known allergens to day care child

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On today's date, at approximately 09:16 AM, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Jesse Gardner conducted an unannounced subsequent complaint visit to the facility. LPA met with Director informed them of the purpose of this visit. During this investigation LPA conducted interviews with the Director, staff and reviewed and obtained copies of facility documentation.

It was alleged that staff sprayed hazardous chemicals in the face of children in care. It was alleged that the teacher, Staff 1 (S1) was the one who was seen spraying the faces of the children. LPA interviewed S1 who stated they had just completed changing diapers, and due to the smell, had obtained a “Febreze” container, and sprayed the area of the diapers. S1 stated there were children running around the

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Deborah Mullen
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jesse Gardner
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 09/04/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/04/2025

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 10-CC-20250811093225

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVERSIDE SE CC RO, 3737 MAIN STREET, STE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501

FACILITY NAME: FIRST SCHOOL OF THE DESERT-LA QUINTA	FACILITY NUMBER: 334809049
	VISIT DATE: 09/04/2025

NARRATIVE

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classroom during the incident, but did not directly spray the children in their faces.
There were no other teachers, or witnesses in the room that could corroborate the incident one way or another. LPA interviewed two other staff to confirm if this is usual behavior for teachers, and both confirmed that it was. Staff further stated that on the alleged day of incident, there were no parents who stated that their children complained of a chemical being sprayed in their faces upon picking them up that day.

Additionally, local Law Enforcement investigated the incident and found no basis that would warrant further investigation into the matter. Thus, due to evidence that was obtained, and reviewed, and interviews conducted, the allegation was Unsubstantiated.

It was alleged that Staff served food with known allergens to day care child, (C1). LPA reviewed C1’s file at the facility and found that on initial enrollment in August 2024, C1 did not have any allergies noted. In January 2025, C1’s parent sent staff via email, certain items that C1 is allergic to. In February 2025, there was a note completed by staff in C1’s file that C1 was given a piece of food that contained an allergenic. However, upon record review, it was determined that the food item that C1 consumed is not confirmed to be a direct allergenic. Per record review, the food item, “can” contain the allergenic; however, the probability is extremely low.

Thus, this allegation was Unsubstantiated. A finding of Unsubstantiated means that although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur.

An exit interview was conducted, and a copy of this report was provided along with copies of the LIC811 (confidential names list), LIC9099C, and a copy of the Appeal Rights was provided. A Notice of Site visit was given, and the Licensee understands that it must remain posted for 30 days.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Deborah Mullen
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jesse Gardner
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 09/04/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/04/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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