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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 364815206
Report Date: 01/16/2026
Date Signed: 01/16/2026 01:05:10 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
PALMDALE CC RO, 39115 TRADE CENTER DR STE. 201
PALMDALE, CA 93551
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
11/10/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Kendal Zirbes
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 12-CC-20251110090611
FACILITY NAME:MC DONALD LEARNING CENTERFACILITY NUMBER:
364815206
ADMINISTRATOR:COURTNEY PINKERTONFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:1017 HOLDEN AVENUETELEPHONE:
(909) 585-6848
CITY:BIG BEAR CITYSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92314
CAPACITY:60CENSUS: 20DATE:
01/16/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:15 AM
MET WITH:Facility Representative Margaret Quintana and Lilia RossTIME COMPLETED:
11:00 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff inappropriately disciplines by isolating day care child alone in a classroom.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On January 16, 2026, at 09:15 am., Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Kendal Zirbes conducted an unannounced follow up complaint investigation to Mc Donald Learning Center. LPA met with facility representative, Margaret Quintana. The purpose of the inspection was to deliver the finding regarding the above complaint allegation. The investigation included unannounced inspections of the facility conducted on November 12, 2025, December 8, 2025, December 19, 2025, and today. In addition, confidential interviews with staff, children, parents, and a review of the facility records were completed.

On November 10, 2025, the Department received an allegation alleging that on October 31, 2025, staff 1 (S1) placed child 1 (C1) in the nap room due to crying. The door to the nap room was closed and C1 was in the room alone, without the supervision of a teacher or aide. Confidential interviews confirmed C1 was placed in the nap room with the door closed due to crying on October 31, 2025. Interviewees reported staff 2 (S2) opened the door within approximately 30 seconds and provided comfort to C1.
Report continued on page two
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Lady King
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Kendal Zirbes
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/16/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/16/2026
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
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
PALMDALE CC RO, 39115 TRADE CENTER DR STE. 201
PALMDALE, CA 93551
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
11/10/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Kendal Zirbes
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 12-CC-20251110090611

FACILITY NAME:MC DONALD LEARNING CENTERFACILITY NUMBER:
364815206
ADMINISTRATOR:COURTNEY PINKERTONFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:1017 HOLDEN AVENUETELEPHONE:
(909) 585-6848
CITY:BIG BEAR CITYSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92314
CAPACITY:40CENSUS: 20DATE:
01/16/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:15 AM
MET WITH:Facility Representative Margaret Quintana and Lilia RossTIME COMPLETED:
11:00 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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9
Staff pushed day care child
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On January 16, 2026, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Kendal Zirbes conducted an unannounced follow up complaint investigation to Mc Donald Learning Center. LPA met with facility representative, Margaret Quintana. The purpose of the inspection was to deliver the findings regarding the above complaint allegation. The investigation included unannounced inspections of the facility conducted on November 12, 2025, December 8, 2025, December 19, 2025, and today. In addition, confidential interviews with staff, children, parents, and a review of the facility records were completed.
On November 10, 2025, the Department received an allegation alleging staff 1 (S1) pushed child 3 (C3) off a chair on October 31, 2025, around 11:00am. Information regarding S1 pushing C3 was not corroborated by interviews. Confidential interviews revealed inconsistencies regarding S1s interactions with C3. Some parties confirmed the allegation, others confirmed C3 fell off a chair while S1 was interacting with C3, and other parties denied observing S1 pushing any child in care. S1 denied pushing C3 or any other child in care. During LPAs unannounced inspections LPA did not observe S1 violating a child’s personal rights.
Report continued on page two
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Lady King
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Kendal Zirbes
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/16/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/16/2026
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 5
Control Number 12-CC-20251110090611
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
PALMDALE CC RO, 39115 TRADE CENTER DR STE. 201
PALMDALE, CA 93551
FACILITY NAME: MC DONALD LEARNING CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 364815206
VISIT DATE: 01/16/2026
NARRATIVE
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Report continued from page one

Based on interviews, record review and LPA observation, there is not enough evidence regarding the allegation alleging staff (S1) pushed day care child (C3). Therefore, the allegation is deemed unsubstantiated at this time. Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is unsubstantiated.

Notice of Site Visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. An exit interview was conducted, where this report and appeal rights were reviewed with facility representative Lilia Ross.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Lady King
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Kendal Zirbes
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/16/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/16/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 5
Control Number 12-CC-20251110090611
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
PALMDALE CC RO, 39115 TRADE CENTER DR STE. 201
PALMDALE, CA 93551
FACILITY NAME: MC DONALD LEARNING CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 364815206
VISIT DATE: 01/16/2026
NARRATIVE
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Report continued from page one

Confidential interviews reported child 2 (C2) was also placed in the nap room due to crying on more than one unknown date. Additional interviews confirmed children have been placed in the nap room due to crying with the door open. Confidential interviewees reported that regardless of the door being open or closed they felt the actions of S1 were a violation of the children’s personal rights. S1 expressed that children who need space to calm down are placed in the doorway to the nap room. S1 expressed the nap room door remains open.
Based on interviews, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met. Therefore, the above allegation is found to be Substantiated. A type B citation was issued California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 1, regulation 101223 (a) (3) Personal Rights.

A Notice of Site Visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. An exit interview was conducted, and the report was reviewed with facility representative Lilia Ross. Appeal rights and a copy of the report were provided to facility representative Lilia Ross.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Lady King
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Kendal Zirbes
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/16/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/16/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 5
Control Number 12-CC-20251110090611
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
PALMDALE CC RO, 39115 TRADE CENTER DR STE. 201
PALMDALE, CA 93551

FACILITY NAME: MC DONALD LEARNING CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 364815206
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 01/16/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
01/23/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(3)
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Personal Rights 101223(a): The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights:(3): To be free from...unusual punishment...humiliation...This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
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Per facility representative a training will take place regarding personal rights. A copy of the training will be submitted to the Department.
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Based on interviews, the Licensee did not ensure C1 was free of unusual punishment when S1 placed C1 in the nap room with the door closed due to crying. This poses a potential Health, Safety, or Personal Rights risk to persons 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: Lady King
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Kendal Zirbes
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/16/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/16/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 5