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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 370800634
Report Date: 03/06/2024
Date Signed: 03/06/2024 02:03:29 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MISSION VALLEY, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR., STE 110
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
12/18/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Vicky Williamson
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 20-CC-20231218203906
FACILITY NAME:LA MESA UNITED METHODIST CHILDREN'S CENTERFACILITY NUMBER:
370800634
ADMINISTRATOR:AMY FAGANFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:4690 PALM AVENUETELEPHONE:
(619) 466-8407
CITY:LA MESASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
91941
CAPACITY:87CENSUS: 50DATE:
03/06/2024
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:30 AM
MET WITH:Nancy BetancourtTIME COMPLETED:
11:30 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff commingle day care children
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 3/6/2024 at 9:30am., Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Vicky Williamson and Angela Nguyen conducted an unannounced complaint inspection for the purpose of delivering findings regarding the above allegation. LPAs met with Assistant Director, Nancy Betancourt. During the inspection there were 50 children present with 10 staff members. During the course of the investigation, interviews were conducted with the director, assistant director, 13 staff members, nine (9) daycare children and six (6) daycare parents. Director, Amy Fagan and staff admitted that preschool and school age children are commingling. Director and staff stated that the preschool and school age children are commingling during the last hour of each day from 4:30pm to 5:30pm, Monday through Friday, in classroom #2 located in the education building. The director stated that the commingling of preschool and school age children during the last hour of the day was a previous procedure in place prior to her employment at the facility. Director and staff stated that the commingling of preschool and school age ceased on 12/21/2023, after notification from LPA Williamson. Based on interviews, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met and the allegation that staff commingle day care children is therefore SUBSTANTIATED.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Tulam Vu
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Vicky Williamson
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/06/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/06/2024
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 6
Control Number 20-CC-20231218203906
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MISSION VALLEY, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR., STE 110
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108
FACILITY NAME: LA MESA UNITED METHODIST CHILDREN'S CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 370800634
VISIT DATE: 03/06/2024
NARRATIVE
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 A Type B deficiency under California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 1, is being cited on the attached LIC 9099-D.

Exit interview was conducted, and the report was reviewed with Assistant Director, Nancy Betancourt. A copy of this report, along with Appeal Rights, was provided. Notice of Site Visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. LPA observed notice of site visit posted on the bulletin board in the lobby. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Tulam Vu
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Vicky Williamson
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/06/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/06/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 6 of 6
Control Number 20-CC-20231218203906
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MISSION VALLEY, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR., STE 110
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108

FACILITY NAME: LA MESA UNITED METHODIST CHILDREN'S CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 370800634
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 03/06/2024
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
03/22/2024
Section Cited
CCR
101538.3(b)
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Indoor Activity Space for School-Age Children(b) In combination programs, indoor activity space provided for school-age...children...shall be physically separated from space provided... and child care center children. This requirement is not met as evidenced by:
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This is an amended version of the original report dated 3/6/2024.
Assistant Director stated that she will provide a written plan to the SDRO detailing how the facility will ensure that preschool and school age children will not commingle at any time.
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Based on interview, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that preschool and school age children were commingling in classroom #2 each day from 4:30pm to 5:30pm, which poses a potential health, safety, or personal rights risk to persons in care.
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Assisant Director will submit the written plan, no later than 3/22/2024.
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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: Tulam Vu
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Vicky Williamson
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/13/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/13/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 6
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MISSION VALLEY, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR., STE 110
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
12/18/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Vicky Williamson
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 20-CC-20231218203906

FACILITY NAME:LA MESA UNITED METHODIST CHILDREN'S CENTERFACILITY NUMBER:
370800634
ADMINISTRATOR:AMY FAGANFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:4690 PALM AVENUETELEPHONE:
(619) 466-8407
CITY:LA MESASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
91941
CAPACITY:82CENSUS: 50DATE:
03/06/2024
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:30 AM
MET WITH:Amy FaganTIME COMPLETED:
11:30 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff do not properly isolate sick children.
Staff are not properly trained in the absence of the director.
Staff scolds day care child.
Staff are not properly trained with disaster plans.
Staff did not prevent the spread of lice.
Staff do not screen sick children before admitting into daycare.
Staff do not allow day care children to flush toilet due to water system in
disrepair.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 3/6/2024, at 9:30am, Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Vicky Williamson and Angela Nguyen conducted an unannounced complaint inspection for the purpose of delivering findings regarding the above allegations. LPAs met with Assistant Director, Nancy Betancourt. During the inspection there were 50 children present with 10 staff members.

During the course of the investigation, interviews were conducted with the director, assistant director, staff members, daycare children and daycare parents. A reviewed staff and children files. It was alleged that staff do not properly isolate sick children. Directors and staff stated that sick children are isolated in a designated office downstairs. A few staff stated that children are isolated in a designated area of the classroom if additional staff are not available.

It was alleged that staff are not properly trained in the absence of the director. Director and staff stated that the Assistant Director, Nancy Betancourt and Program Supervisor, Sarah Fredsti are properly trained to carry out the daily operations of the facility in the director’s absence.
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Tulam Vu
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Vicky Williamson
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/06/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/06/2024
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 6
Control Number 20-CC-20231218203906
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MISSION VALLEY, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR., STE 110
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108
FACILITY NAME: LA MESA UNITED METHODIST CHILDREN'S CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 370800634
VISIT DATE: 03/06/2024
NARRATIVE
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Director and staff stated that the Assistant Director, Nancy Betancourt and Program Supervisor, Sarah Fredsti are properly trained to carry out the daily operations of the facility in the director’s absence. A review of staff files confirmed that staff in charge in the director's absence, meet the required qualifications and have experience in the operations of a child care center.

It was alleged that a staff scolded a day care child and did not allow day care children to flush toilet due to water system in disrepair. Director and staff denied the allegations and stated that the children are always told to flush the toilet when they are finished. Staff in question denied scolding any daycare children. Daycare children did not disclose that they were scolded by any staff. Daycare children stated that they flush when they finish using the toilet.

It was alleged that staff are not properly trained with disaster plans. Director and staff denied the allegation. Staff stated that a disaster plan training was conducted on 1/11/2024 by Director, Amy Fagan and Assistant Director, Nancy Betancourt. Staff acknowledged that they are aware of the new relocation sites.

It was alleged that staff did not prevent the spread of head lice. Director and staff denied the allegation. Director and staff stated that staff followed the proper procedures for isolating children to prevent the spread of head lice.

In addition, it was alleged that staff do not screen sick children before admitting into daycare. Director and staff denied the allegation. Staff stated that daily checks of the children are conducted upon arrival to the facility.

During interviews with staff members, daycare children and daycare parents, no conclusive evidence regarding these allegations was obtained. There is conflicting evidence obtained during the investigation. Though the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations did or did not occur, therefore the allegations are unsubstantiated.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Tulam Vu
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Vicky Williamson
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/06/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/06/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 6
Control Number 20-CC-20231218203906
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MISSION VALLEY, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR., STE 110
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108
FACILITY NAME: LA MESA UNITED METHODIST CHILDREN'S CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 370800634
VISIT DATE: 03/06/2024
NARRATIVE
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No deficiencies cited. A copy of this report along with Appeals Rights, were provided. 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. Exit interview was conducted with Assistant Director, Nancy Betancourt.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Tulam Vu
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Vicky Williamson
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/06/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/06/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 6