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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 344500189
Report Date: 07/11/2024
Date Signed: 07/11/2024 10:40:46 AM

Unsubstantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO S. CC RO, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
04/23/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Jennie Tedlos
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 53-CC-20240423134324
FACILITY NAME:ART OF MONTESSORIFACILITY NUMBER:
344500189
ADMINISTRATOR:MENDOZA, CHRISTINEFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:8930 SIERRA STREETTELEPHONE:
(916) 686-5800
CITY:ELK GROVESTATE: CAZIP CODE:
95624
CAPACITY:83CENSUS: 34DATE:
07/11/2024
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:00 AM
MET WITH:Christine MendozaTIME COMPLETED:
11:00 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Facility staff pushed day-care child.
Facility staff caused child to fall.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 07/11/24, Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Jennie Tedlos and Erwin Tjhia conducted an unannounced field visit to deliver the findings for the above allegations. LPAs arrived at the facility and was met by Director Christine Mendoza (D1). Throughout the course of the investigation, LPA Tedlos conducted observations and interviews with staff, parents, and children. LPA conducted a file review and collected documentation pertaining to the allegations.
It was alleged that Facility staff pushed a day care child. Interviews with staff revealed an incident regarding a child (Child 1) who fell during outside time. However, the interviews revealed that it was unclear whether or not a facility staff member pushed Child 1. It was alleged that Facility staff caused a child to fall. There was a concern that a staff member pulled a chair intentionally from underneath Child 1, causing them to fall. Interviews with staff revealed conflicting information.
Based on the information obtained throughout the course of this investigation the above allegations, LPA Tedlos determined that the allegations were found to be UNSUBSTANTIATED, meaning although the allegation may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur. Report continues on 9099-C...
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Karyn Guerra
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jennie Tedlos
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/11/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/11/2024
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 53-CC-20240423134324
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO S. CC RO, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827
FACILITY NAME: ART OF MONTESSORI
FACILITY NUMBER: 344500189
VISIT DATE: 07/11/2024
NARRATIVE
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Exit interview was conducted. A notice of site visit was provided and must remain posted for 30 days. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Karyn Guerra
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jennie Tedlos
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/11/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/11/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 5
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO S. CC RO, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
04/23/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Jennie Tedlos
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 53-CC-20240423134324

FACILITY NAME:ART OF MONTESSORIFACILITY NUMBER:
344500189
ADMINISTRATOR:MENDOZA, CHRISTINEFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:8930 SIERRA STREETTELEPHONE:
(916) 686-5800
CITY:ELK GROVESTATE: CAZIP CODE:
95624
CAPACITY:83CENSUS: 34DATE:
07/11/2024
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:00 AM
MET WITH:Christine MendozaTIME COMPLETED:
11:00 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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2
3
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9
Facility staff speaks inappropriately while in the presence of children.
Facility staff yells at children in care.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 07/11/24, Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Jennie Tedlos and Erwin Tjhia conducted an unannounced field visit to deliver the findings for the above allegations. LPAs arrived at the facility and was met by Director Christine Mendoza (D1). Throughout the course of the investigation, LPA Tedlos conducted observations and interviews with staff, parents, and children. LPA conducted a file review and collected documentation pertaining to the allegations.
It was alleged that facility staff speaks inappropriately while in the presence of children. There was a concern that a staff member (Staff 1) spoke about children in care negatively in front of children in care. Interviews with staff and parents revealed that Staff 1 has spoken negatively about children in care while at the facility in a voice that would allow the children around to overhear on multiple occasions.
It was alleged that facility staff yells at children in care. Interviews with staff and parents revealed that Staff 1 yells at children in care. During interviews, it was discussed that Staff 1’s voice is not a typical teacher’s serious and firm voice or tone, and that Staff 1 yells frequently in a voice or tone that is inappropriate towards children in care. Interviews with children revealed that Staff 1 makes them feel sad.
Report continues on 9099-C...
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Karyn Guerra
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jennie Tedlos
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/11/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/11/2024
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 5
Control Number 53-CC-20240423134324
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO S. CC RO, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827
FACILITY NAME: ART OF MONTESSORI
FACILITY NUMBER: 344500189
VISIT DATE: 07/11/2024
NARRATIVE
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Based on interviews and file reviews conducted the preponderance of evidence standard has been met. The above allegations are found to be SUBSTANTIATED. Two Type-A Deficiencies are cited on a subsequent 9099-D page.
Exit interview was conducted. A notice of site visit was provided and must remain posted for 30 days. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Karyn Guerra
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jennie Tedlos
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/11/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/11/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 5
Control Number 53-CC-20240423134324
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO S. CC RO, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827

FACILITY NAME: ART OF MONTESSORI
FACILITY NUMBER: 344500189
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 07/11/2024
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Request Denied
Type A
07/12/2024
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(1)
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101223 Personal Rights (a)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 regulation was not met as evidenced by:
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Facility will conduct a personal rights training to all staff, which will also include the CCLD video on Personal Rights and appropriate communication around children. Facility will send LPA staff signatures showing their attendance and understanding of the meeting.
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Interviews revealed that Staff 1 spoke negatively and inappropriately about children in care while children could still hear Staff 1 on multiple occasions. This poses an immediate health, safety, or personal rights risk to children in care.
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Type A
07/12/2024
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(3)
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101223 Personal Rights (a)The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights:…(3) 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 …
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Facility will conduct a personal rights training to all staff, which will also include correct ways to communicate with children. Facility will send LPA staff signatures showing their attendance.
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This regulation was not met as evidenced by:
Interviews revealed that Staff 1 has yelled at children in care on multiple occasions. This poses an immediate health, safety, or personal rights risk to children in care.
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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: Karyn Guerra
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jennie Tedlos
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/11/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/11/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 5