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32 | It was alleged that the facility employed a staff member who is not qualified to provide care and supervision to daycare children without oversight from a qualified teacher. It was further alleged that this unqualified staff member supervised between 9 and 20 children without a supervising teacher present.
Throughout the course of the investigation, LPA conducted interviews with pertinent individuals and collected relevant documentation. The investigation revealed that the staff member referenced in the complaint is not qualified to supervise children alone and is only authorized to work in the capacity of a teacher’s aide.
Based on information obtained during the investigation, the allegation that unqualified staff supervised daycare children without a qualified teacher present was substantiated. Additionally, while the report alleged supervision of 9 to 20 children, the investigation confirmed that the unqualified staff member supervised up to a total of 9 children without a qualified supervising teacher present.
Further, it was alleged that staff do not ensure daycare children have access to drinking water. Specifically, it was alleged that a child requested water while outside, but staff were unable to refill the child’s water bottle because there were not enough teachers present to provide coverage. It was alleged that the child had to wait for water due to staffing limitations, resulting in the child being thirsty.
Throughout the course of the investigation, LPA conducted interviews with pertinent individuals and collected relevant documentation. The investigation revealed that drinking water is not readily available during outdoor play. Further, it was revealed that children are required to return inside the classroom with a staff member in order to refill their water bottles while playing outside. As a result, this determined that children do not have immediate access to drinking water while outside.
Based on LPA 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 allegations are found to be Substantiated.
Please see LIC 9099-D for cited deficiencies. |
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number | DEFICIENCIES | PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs) |
Type A
01/14/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101216.2(e) | 1
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7 | 101216.2(e) (Teacher Aide Qualifications and Duties) states that an aide shall work only under the direct supervision of a teacher. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: It was revealed that the facility employed a staff member who was not qualified to provide care.. | 1
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7 | The facility agrees to submit an updated LIC 500 to reflect current staffing. The facility also agrees to provide the Department with a written statement outlining how the facility will ensure compliance with the cited regulations moving forward, including how.. |
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14 | and supervision to daycare children without a qualified supervising teacher present. The staff member was determined to be limited to the role of a teacher’s aide and therefore not authorized to supervise children independently. This poses a risk to the health and safety of children in care. | 8
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14 | how qualified staff will supervise children and how ratios will be maintained at all times.
The facility agrees to submit the plan of correction to LPA by 01/14/2026, by end of day. |
Type A
01/14/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101516.5(b)(1) | 1
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7 | 101516.5(b)(1) (Teacher-Child Ratio) states that a teacher shall supervise no more than 14 children or with an aide a maximum of 28 children. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: It was revealed that the facility allowed an unqualified staff member.. | 1
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7 | The facility agrees to submit an updated LIC 500 to reflect current staffing. The facility also agrees to provide the Department with a written statement outlining how the facility will ensure compliance with the cited regulations moving forward, including how.. |
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14 | to supervise up to 9 children without a qualified supervising teacher present. As a result, the facility failed to ensure appropriate staffing ratios were maintained in accordance with required regulation. This is a immediate risk to the health and safety of children in care. | 8
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14 | how qualified staff will supervise children and how ratios will be maintained at all times.
The facility agrees to submit the plan of correction to LPA by 01/14/2026, by end of day. |
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number | DEFICIENCIES | PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs) |
Type B
01/20/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101239.2(a) | 1
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7 | 101239.2(a) (Drinking Water) states that drinking water from a noncontaminating fixture or container shall be readily available both indoors and in the outdoor activity area. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: It was revealed that the facility did not ensure that drinking water was readily.. | 1
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7 | The facility agrees to ensure that drinking water is readily available to children during outdoor play at all times. The facility agrees to implement a system to maintain accessible drinking water outdoors. |
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14 | available to daycare children during outdoor play. It was determined that children were required to return inside the classroom with a staff member in order to refill water bottles, meaning water was not accessible outside when needed. | 8
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14 | The facility also agrees to provide the Department with a written statement outlining how the facility will comply with the cited regulation moving forward. |
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NARRATIVE |
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32 | It was alleged that staff speak inappropriately in the presence of daycare children. Specifically, it was alleged that a staff member made a comment regarding a child arriving late to the facility, which reportedly led to other children joining in and mocking the subject child.
Throughout the course of the investigation, LPA conducted interviews with pertinent individuals and collected relevant documentation. Please note that LPA was unable to interview all individuals identified as having knowledge of the alleged incident.
However, pertinent interviews did reveal that there was a time where several families were arriving to the school late. It was stated that the late arrivals would interrupt the class when they already started the day's lesson. Further, it was stated that the facility implemented a new late arrival policy at the facility stating that late arrivals after 9:00 AM must enter the facility through the front office.
During the investigation, conflicting statements were received, and the allegation could not be confirmed. Based on the information obtained, the allegation that staff spoke inappropriately in the presence of daycare children was unsubstantiated.
This agency has investigated the complaint regarding the above allegation. Based on interviews conducted, documentation reviewed, and the absence of corroborating evidence, 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 the alleged violation occurred.
No deficiencies were cited in regards to this allegation.
A Notice of Site Visit was provided and must remain posted for 30 days.
Failure to maintain posting as required will result in a civil penalty of $100.00.
An exit interview was conducted, and the report was reviewed with Assistant Director Jennifer McClintock, Curriculum Director Jaimie Martinez, and Administrator Angelina Russell. |