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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 334845817
Report Date: 09/15/2023
Date Signed: 09/15/2023 04:15:44 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
INLAND EMPIRE CHILD, 3737 MAIN ST., SUITE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
07/11/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Raymond Moorehead
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 09-CC-20230711091552
FACILITY NAME:LITTLE STEPS MONTESSORI PRESCHOOLFACILITY NUMBER:
334845817
ADMINISTRATOR:JENNIFER FERNANDOFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:6316 WINEVILLE AVE.TELEPHONE:
(951) 737-7845
CITY:MIRA LOMASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
91752
CAPACITY:60CENSUS: DATE:
09/15/2023
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
03:00 PM
MET WITH:Jennifer FernandoTIME COMPLETED:
04:25 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Facility staff are out of ratio.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 09/15/2023 Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Raymond Moorehead and Claudia Caywood, and License Program Manager (LPM) Aaron Ross arrived at the facility to deliver the findings of the investigation regarding the above allegation. The complaint investigation was initiated on 07/17/2023. LPAs and LPM met with Licensee, Jennifer Fernando. LPA and LPM toured the facility, took census, and discussed the following with the Licensee.

During the course of the investigation, LPAs conducted interviews with pertinent individuals and reviewed files/documentation.

It was reported that the facility staff was operating out of ratio. During the investigation, LPA and LPM obtained pertinent documentation that confirms a teacher’s aide was left alone to supervise children at a point in time.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Aaron Ross
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Raymond Moorehead
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/15/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/15/2023
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 09-CC-20230711091552
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
INLAND EMPIRE CHILD, 3737 MAIN ST., SUITE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
FACILITY NAME: LITTLE STEPS MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 334845817
VISIT DATE: 09/15/2023
NARRATIVE
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During interviews several staff members denied the allegations and stated that the teacher’s aide was never left alone while supervising children. However, during the initial complaint investigation visit on 07/17/2023 LPA Moorehead and LPM Ross obtained staff member time sheets and child sign-in/out sheets. The timesheet recorded for 07/16/2023 showed that the teacher’s aide was the last staff member to clock out, proving that they were supervising children without the direct supervision from a fully qualified teacher. Further, upon reviewing child sign-in/out sheets, LPA Moorehead and LPM Ross discovered that there were children being signed out during the time that the teacher’s aide was the last staff member left to clock out and leave for the day.

Based on LPAs observations and interviews which were conducted, and a review of additional pertinent information obtained, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation is found to be Substantiated.

LPA informed licensee Jennifer Fernando that this report dated 09/15/2023 documents one Type A citation which shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there was an immediate risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care.


Also, LPA informed the licensee Jennifer Fernando to provide a copy of this licensing report dated 09/15/2023 that documents any Type A citation 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.


An exit interview was conducted with the Director, Appeal Rights were discussed and issued, a copy of this report was provided, and a Notice of Site Visit (LIC 9213) was issued. The Notice of Site Visit shall be posted where the parent/guardian of children enter and exit the facility. The Notice of Site Visit must remain posted for 30 consecutive days. Failure to maintain posting as required will result in a civil penalty of $100.00.

A copy of this report must be made available for the next three years. See LIC 9099-D for cited deficiency.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Aaron Ross
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Raymond Moorehead
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/15/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/15/2023
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 5
Control Number 09-CC-20230711091552
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
INLAND EMPIRE CHILD, 3737 MAIN ST., SUITE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501

FACILITY NAME: LITTLE STEPS MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 334845817
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 09/15/2023
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
09/18/2023
Section Cited
CCR
101216.2(e)(1)
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Based on record review, the facility did not comply with the section cited above in 1 teacher’s aide that was supervising children without being supervised by a fully qualified teacher, which posed an immediate health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
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Licensee agrees to submit a written statement of understanding that teacher’s aides are not to supervise children alone; and a plan that demonstrates and ensures that the facility will not allow a teacher’s aide to supervise children alone to CCL by 09/18/2023 by 5:00 PM, via email.
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Licensee also agrees to submit an updated Personnel Report (LIC 500).
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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: Aaron Ross
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Raymond Moorehead
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/15/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/15/2023
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 5
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
INLAND EMPIRE CHILD, 3737 MAIN ST., SUITE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
07/11/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Raymond Moorehead
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 09-CC-20230711091552

FACILITY NAME:LITTLE STEPS MONTESSORI PRESCHOOLFACILITY NUMBER:
334845817
ADMINISTRATOR:JENNIFER FERNANDOFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:6316 WINEVILLE AVE.TELEPHONE:
(951) 737-7845
CITY:MIRA LOMASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
91752
CAPACITY:60CENSUS: DATE:
09/15/2023
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
03:00 PM
MET WITH:Jennifer FernandoTIME COMPLETED:
04:25 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Facility staff are not adequately supervising day care children resulting in a child injuring other children.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 09/15/2023 Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Raymond Moorehead and Claudia Caywood, and Licensing Program Manager (LPM) Aaron Ross arrived at the facility to deliver the findings of the investigation regarding the above allegation. The complaint investigation was initiated on 07/17/2023. LPA and LPM met with Licensee, Jennifer Fernando. LPA and LPM toured the facility, conducted interviews, took census, and discussed the following with the Licensee.

During the course of the investigation, LPAs conducted interviews with pertinent individuals and reviewed files/documentation.

It was reported that the facility staff were not adequately supervising day care children resulting in a child injuring other children. During LPA and LPM visit, it was observed that the staff were providing adequate supervision. However, during pertinent interviews, it was disclosed that there are children present at the facility with difficult/challenging behaviors.
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Aaron Ross
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Raymond Moorehead
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/15/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/15/2023
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 5
Control Number 09-CC-20230711091552
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
INLAND EMPIRE CHILD, 3737 MAIN ST., SUITE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
FACILITY NAME: LITTLE STEPS MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 334845817
VISIT DATE: 09/15/2023
NARRATIVE
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During children interviews, LPAs did not receive any disclosures of any child's rights being violated while in care. The Licensee stated that the school does not have a written behavioral policy in place at this time. However, Licensee stated that she does discuss a biting policy in person with the parents. LPAs and LPM were provided with a total of 6 ouch (incident) reports that date between 06/07/2023 through 08/22/2023. Based on the provided ouch reports there was no noted documentation of any children's rights being violated. During the course of this investigation, LPA and LPM received conflicting information regarding the alleged allegation.

Based on information obtained during this investigation through interviews conducted, the review of pertinent documentation, and after receiving conflicting information, the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED. A finding that the allegation is unsubstantiated means that although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove that the allegation occurred.

An exit interview was conducted with the Licensee, Appeal Rights were discussed and issued, a copy of this report was provided, and a Notice of Site Visit (LIC 9213) was issued. The Notice of Site Visit shall be posted where the parent/guardian of children enter and exit the facility. The Notice of Site Visit must remain posted for 30 days during the hours of operation after each site visit by a licensing representative. Failure to maintain posting as required will result in a civil penalty of $100.00.

A copy of this report must be made available for the next three years.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Aaron Ross
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Raymond Moorehead
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/15/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/15/2023
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 5