334845456-9-6-2023-10-CC-PBER-CVLVLE-20230912163150

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 334845456
Report Date: 09/06/2023
Date Signed: 09/06/2023 04:11:50 PM

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
07/18/2023 and conducted by Evaluator William M Chancellor Jr.

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 10-CC-20230718110538

FACILITY NAME:	GROWING TREE MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL		FACILITY NUMBER:	334845456
ADMINISTRATOR:	DENG, QI		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	31935 VIA RIO TEMECULA ROAD		TELEPHONE:	(951) 900-8999
CITY:	TEMECULA	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	92592
CAPACITY:	106	CENSUS: 49	DATE:	09/06/2023
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	03:30 PM
MET WITH:	Julia Fletes		TIME COMPLETED:	04:30 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff use inappropriate form of discipline with child in care
Staff did not prevent children for bullying another child in care
Staff did not ensure child in care was appropriately dressed

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On September 6, 2023 at 3:30PM, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), William Chancellor arrived unannounced to Growing Tree Montessori Preschool (CCC) and met with Director Julia Fletes to deliver the investigative finding’s regarding the allegations listed above. On July 26, 2023, at 8:30AM, LPA opened the investigation at the CCC and conducted a census. During this investigation, LPA conducted interviews with Director, three staff (S1, S2, S3) and two children (C1 and C2).
On July 18, 2023, Community Care Licensing (CCL) received a complaint alleging staff use an inappropriate form of discipline with children in care; specifically alleging that, staff use time outs to discipline children. On June 26, 2023, during pickup, C1 was witnessed to be sitting next to S3 on a hot summer day while peers were witnessed playing, running, and participating in outdoor play time. Four of five interviews revealed that there was a series of events that required C1 to sit next to S3 to discuss using gentle hands to prevent further aggression towards peers from C1. S3 was simultaneously helping another peer, when C1 was asked to sit down. During this incident, P1 arrived to pick up C1.
Continued on 9099-C

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Pauline Beschorner
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: William M Chancellor Jr.
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 09/06/2023

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/06/2023

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-20230718110538

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: GROWING TREE MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL	FACILITY NUMBER: 334845456
	VISIT DATE: 09/06/2023

NARRATIVE

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Five (5) of five (5) interviews with staff confirmed that the classroom does not use time outs and instead, often redirect children with alternative games or toys when on the playground but occasionally will have children sit down when talking about emotions. LPA reviewed the parent handbook that disclosed the center does not utilize corporal punishment when confronted with behaviors. Furthermore, LPA observed and interacted with children during circle time and snack and there were no observations where inappropriate forms of discipline were being used, instead teachers were witnessed to use redirective techniques, get down on the child’s eye level and discuss feelings and repeat clear expectations.

Regarding the second allegation staff did not ensure child(C1) in care was appropriately dressed. Specifically, recalling an incident where during pickup, P1 noticed that C1 was not put into underwear after a splash day. P1 questioned staff on the ProCare app, where documents revealed that staff apologized for the incident and proposed solutions to prevent it from happening in the future. Five (5) of five (5) interviews could not confirm or deny that the child had an extra pair of underwear in their belongings or that C1 was provided an extra pair of underwear to wear during this specific situation. LPA observed that classroom 4 is a potty-training class, where C1 and other children are encouraged to be independent with the task of retrieving their clothes from their cubby when changing.
Regarding the third allegation, staff did not prevent children from bullying another child in care. LPA conducted interviews with staff and children in classroom 4. Four of five interviews revealed that C1 often antagonizes other children and provokes situations with smaller or younger peers. LPA also obtained incident reports, confirming that C1’s behaviors are neither provoked or predictable, showing a strong correlation between C1 being the aggressor in situations where peers are harmed physically or pushed. Furthermore, LPA interacted during a circle time and observed the classroom during snack. During circle time observation, all children were seen sitting at in a circle participating in song and C1 was the only child eloping from the activity, not responding to teachers’ instruction to sit down and running around to either get attention from staff and or peers. Staff eventually used redirective techniques to gain the interest of peers and C1 eventually joined in on the activity.
Based on conflicting statements, LPA is unable to corroborate the allegations staff use an inappropriate form of discipline with children in care, staff did not ensure child in care was appropriately dressed and staff did not prevent children from bullying another child in care. These allegations, may have occurred, however is not supported, or proven by evidence. Therefore, the above allegations are unsubstantiated.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Pauline Beschorner
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: William M Chancellor Jr.
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 09/06/2023

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/06/2023

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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