370805497-2-25-2026-20-CC-RGOU-DRU3J7-20260303171703

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 370805497
Report Date: 02/25/2026
Date Signed: 02/25/2026 05:01:28 PM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO CC RO, 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
12/09/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Dana Stevens

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 20-CC-20251209084542

FACILITY NAME:	KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER - VIA MERCADO		FACILITY NUMBER:	370805497
ADMINISTRATOR:	MARCELA ZAVALA		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	3655 VIA MERCADO		TELEPHONE:	(619) 670-9388
CITY:	LA MESA	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	91941
CAPACITY:	83	CENSUS: 67	DATE:	02/25/2026
		ANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	02:15 PM
MET WITH:	Marcela Zavala		TIME COMPLETED:	05:00 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff do not provide adequate supervision, resulting in day care children sustaining injury.
Staff yelled at day care children in care.
Staff handled a day care child roughly.
Staff did not ensure day care children had access to drinking water.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 02/25/2026 at 2:15 PM, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Dana Stevens conducted an unannounced complaint inspection to deliver findings on the above allegations. LPA met with Director, Marcela Zavala and informed her of the reason for the visit. There were 67 children present with 7 staff members at the time of this inspection.

During the course of the investigation, LPA conducted two unannounced inspections, interviewed Director, Assistant Director, six (6) staff members, six (6) daycare children, and daycare parents. Facility roster was obtained and reviewed.

During interview, Director denied the allegations. Director stated there was an incident that occurred on 11/15/2025 on the playground, where one child pulled another child down to to the ground while playing with hula hoops, however no child was injured during this incident. Director stated three (3) staff were supervising the children at the time of the incident and facilty was in compliance with ratio requirements.

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Rajani Goudreau
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Dana Stevens
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 02/25/2026

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/25/2026

This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 20-CC-20251209084542

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO CC RO, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR., STE 110
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108

FACILITY NAME: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER - VIA MERCADO	FACILITY NUMBER: 370805497
	VISIT DATE: 02/25/2026

NARRATIVE

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Interviews with staff provided conflicting information. Two (2) out of six (6) staff interviewed stated that they have seen certain staff occasionally handle children roughly. Four (4) out of six (6) staff interviewed stated they never see staff handle children roughly. One (1) out of six (6) staff interviewed stated that if children do not bring their water bottle outside on the playground, they have to wait until they return to the classroom to get a drink of water. Five (5) out of six (6) staff stated water is always made available to children, in the classroom and on the playground. All staff denied staff yell at children in care. All staff denied knowledge of children being injured due to lack of supervision.

Interviews with daycare children and daycare parents did not provide any substantiative evidence to support any of the allegations.

Based on conflicting information obtained during the investigation, the above allegations are found to be Unsubstantiated. 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.

Exit interview conducted and copy of this report and appeal rights provided to Director. Notice of Site Visit must be posted for thirty days.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Rajani Goudreau
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Dana Stevens
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 02/25/2026

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/25/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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