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13 | On 1/30/26 at 10:46 a.m., Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Sandra Pulido and Courtnee Peebles arrived unannounced at Bright Minds Montessori, Inc. and met with licensee Nam De Silva to conclude the investigation into allegations received on 11/03/25. The allegations included: rough handling of children, aggressive communication by staff, commingling of children, failure to maintain required teacher child ratios, pest concerns, and failure to follow the posted facility menu.
Confidential interviews revealed staff grabbing children by the arms or shoulders, using a highchair as a restraint, and yelling at children. Interviews also confirmed that children were routinely comingled across age groups and that required teacher-child ratios were not maintained, particularly in the mornings when staffing was insufficient. Staff reported being left alone with more than 12 children, and children from toddler, preschool, and school age programs were frequently grouped together based on staffing availability. LPA also observed inconsistencies in classroom rosters and sign in/sign out records across multiple inspections.
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| Substantiated | Estimated Days of Completion: 88 |
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NARRATIVE |
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32 | Regarding pest concerns, interviews and observations confirmed ongoing mosquito activity outdoors and the presence of spider webs and dead insects around Building 3. Pest control services did not include mosquito treatment, and staff were directed to de web playground areas daily.
Interviews further revealed that the facility did not consistently follow the posted menu and frequently substituted food items without notifying parents. Concerns included spoiled or curdled milk, mold on berries, and running out of milk for several days. During the inspection on 11/5/2025, LPA observed a toddler eating cereal at a time and on a day when cereal was not listed on the menu.
Based on interviews, observations, and documentation, the Department determined that all allegations, rough handling, aggressive communication, commingling of children, ratio violations, pest concerns, and failure to follow the posted menu, are substantiated.
An exit interview was conducted, appeal rights were provided, and a Notice of Site Visit was issued and must remain posted for 30 days. |
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number | DEFICIENCIES | PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs) |
Under Appeal
Type B
01/30/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(3) | 1
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5
6
7 | To be free from corporal or unusual punishment, infliction of pain, humiliation, intimidation, ridicule, coercion, threat, mental abuse or other actions of a punitive nature...
This requirement is not met as evidenced by: | 1
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3
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5
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7 | Licensee will conduct a staff meeting, including personal rights training, and send LPA the training material and staff sign-in sheet by COB 3/13/26. |
 | 8
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14 | Based on interviews, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in having staff handle children in a rough manner, which posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care. | 8
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10
11
12
13
14 |  |
Under Appeal
Type B
01/30/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101216.3(a) | 1
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7 | There shall be a ratio of one teacher visually observing and supervising no more than 12 children in attendance, ….
This requirement is not met as evidenced by: | 1
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7 | Licensee will hire a teacher -aide to assist in the classrooms as a floater. Licensee will inform LPA of the hired aide by COB 3/31/26. |
 | 8
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14 | Based on interviews, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in ensuring staff are not supervising more than 12 children without additional staff present, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care. | 8
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14 |  |
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number | DEFICIENCIES | PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs) |
Under Appeal
Type B
01/30/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(1) | 1
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7 | The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights (1) To be accorded dignity in his/her personal relationships with staff and other persons.
This requirement is not met as evidenced by: | 1
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7 | Licensee will conduct a staff meeting, including personal rights training, and send LPA the training material and staff sign-in sheet by COB 3/13/26. |
 | 8
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14 | Based on interviews, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in having staff speak aggressively towards children, which posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care. | 8
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14 |  |
Under Appeal
Type B
01/30/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101538.3(b) | 1
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7 | In combination programs, indoor activity space provided for school-age child care center children shall be physically separated from space provided for infant care and child care center children.
This requirement is not met as evidenced by: | 1
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7 | Licensee will write a statement of understanding regarding comingling and submit to LPA by COB 3/6/26. |
 | 8
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14 | Based on interviews, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in comingling children across age groups, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care. | 8
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14 |  |
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number | DEFICIENCIES | PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs) |
Under Appeal
Type B
01/30/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101238(a)(1) | 1
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7 | The child care center shall be clean,safe... at all times to ensure the safety and well-being of children, employees and visitors.(1)The licensee shall take measures to keep the center free of flies, other insects, and rodents.
This requirement is not met as evidenced by: | 1
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7 | Licensee will obtain additional pest control services that will also include spraying for mosquitoes and send proof of scheduled visits to LPA by 3/6/26. |
 | 8
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14 | Based on observations, record review, and interviews, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above not ensuring the facility is free of spider webs, insects, and mosquitoes, which posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care. | 8
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14 |  |
Under Appeal
Type B
01/30/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101227(a)(1) | 1
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7 | All food shall be safe and of the quality and in the quantity necessary to meet the needs of the children.... All food shall be selected, stored, prepared and served in a safe and healthful manner
This requirement is not met as evidenced by: | 1
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7 | Licensee will write a statement of understanding regarding food regulations and will provide to LPA by COB 3/6/26. |
 | 8
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14 | Based on observations, record review, and interviews, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above by not consistently following the posted menu, running out of milk, and complaints of spoiled food and milk which posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care. | 8
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14 |  |