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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 376300304
Report Date: 02/19/2026
Date Signed: 02/19/2026 01:24:15 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVERSIDE SE CC RO, 3737 MAIN STREET, STE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
02/09/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Keely Messerschmidt
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 10-CC-20260209154831
FACILITY NAME:FRIENDLY CHILDREN'S GARDEN #2FACILITY NUMBER:
376300304
ADMINISTRATOR:CASTANEDA, JENNIFERFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:2960 OCEANSIDE BLVDTELEPHONE:
(760) 458-1510
CITY:OCEANSIDESTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92054
CAPACITY:46CENSUS: 33DATE:
02/19/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:40 AM
MET WITH:Jennifer CastanedaTIME COMPLETED:
01:30 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff commingle Infants with daycare children.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On the above date and time listed, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Keely Messerschmidt arrived at the facility for the purpose of continuing and delivering the complaint findings on the above-referenced allegation. LPA met with Director Jennifer Castaneda. LPA toured the facility, conducted census, and verified facility staff and children enrollment. LPA interviewed 8 staff members.

On February 9th, 2026, Community Care Licensing (CCL) received a complaint alleging that staff commingle Infants with daycare children.

See LIC9099-C
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Deborah Mullen
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Keely Messerschmidt
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/19/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/19/2026
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
Control Number 10-CC-20260209154831
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVERSIDE SE CC RO, 3737 MAIN STREET, STE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
FACILITY NAME: FRIENDLY CHILDREN'S GARDEN #2
FACILITY NUMBER: 376300304
VISIT DATE: 02/19/2026
NARRATIVE
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Pertaining to the allegation that staff commingle Infants with day-care children, based on LPAs observation it was witnessed on 2/19/26 2 preschool-aged children in the infant room. Based on interviews it was stated that sometimes children from the 2 year old classroom will visit the infant room in the morning until the teacher arrives.

Based on interviews conducted and LPAs observation the preponderance of evidence standard has been met. Therefore, the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED.

An exit interview was conducted, and this report was reviewed with the Director Jennifer Castaneda, and a copy was provided. Appeal rights were discussed and provided during the exit interview.



A Notice of Site visit was given, and Director understands that it must remain posted for 30 days.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Deborah Mullen
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Keely Messerschmidt
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/19/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/19/2026
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
RIVERSIDE SE CC RO, 3737 MAIN STREET, STE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
02/09/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Keely Messerschmidt
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 10-CC-20260209154831

FACILITY NAME:FRIENDLY CHILDREN'S GARDEN #2FACILITY NUMBER:
376300304
ADMINISTRATOR:CASTANEDA, JENNIFERFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:2960 OCEANSIDE BLVDTELEPHONE:
(760) 458-1510
CITY:OCEANSIDESTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92054
CAPACITY:46CENSUS: 33DATE:
02/19/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:40 AM
MET WITH:Jennifer CastanedaTIME COMPLETED:
01:30 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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9
Unqualified staff is providing care and supervision to daycare children.
Staff transport daycare children in an unsafe manner.
Staff leave daycare children unattended in vehicle.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On the above date and time listed, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Keely Messerschmidt arrived at the facility for the purpose of continuing and delivering the complaint findings on the above-referenced allegations. LPA met with Director Jennifer Castaneda. LPA toured the facility, conducted census, and verified facility staff and children enrollment. LPA interviewed 8 staff members.

On February 9th, 2026, Community Care Licensing (CCL) received a complaint alleging that unqualified staff is providing care and supervision to daycare children, staff transport daycare children in an unsafe manner and that staff leave daycare children unattended in vehicle.

See LIC9099-C
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Deborah Mullen
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Keely Messerschmidt
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/19/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/19/2026
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 10-CC-20260209154831
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVERSIDE SE CC RO, 3737 MAIN STREET, STE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
FACILITY NAME: FRIENDLY CHILDREN'S GARDEN #2
FACILITY NUMBER: 376300304
VISIT DATE: 02/19/2026
NARRATIVE
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Regarding the allegation that unqualified staff is providing care and supervision to day-care children, based on interviews conducted 11 out of 11 staff members stated that unqualified staff are never left alone. Based on record review, LPA observed that 8 of 10 staff files are qualified to be alone with children and 2 out of 10 staff files are not qualified. It was stated that the 2 unqualified staff members are never left alone with children.

Pertaining to allegation that staff transport day-care children in an unsafe manner, based on interviews conducted staff stated that they do not see how the children are transported since they are in the classroom. Based on interviews conducted 4 out of 11 staff members stated they have seen that children are placed in appropriate seating and are buckled up.

Lastly, pertaining to allegation that staff leave day-care children unattended in vehicle, based on interviews conducted staff stated that there is always someone in the front office and are aware of when the bus/van comes and who is being dropped off or picked up. It was also stated that they use walkie talkies to communicate with who needs to be brought to the bus/van. It was also disclosed by 10 of 11 staff members that they have never seen children left alone on the bus/van.

Based on the information obtained during this investigation, it has been determined that although the allegations may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove that the alleged violations did or did not occur. Therefore, the allegations are UNSUBSTANTIATED.

An exit interview was conducted, and this report was reviewed with the Director, Jennifer Castaneda, and a copy was provided. Appeal rights were discussed and provided during the exit interview.

A Notice of Site visit was given, and Director understands that it must remain posted for 30 days.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Deborah Mullen
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Keely Messerschmidt
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/19/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/19/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 5
Control Number 10-CC-20260209154831
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVERSIDE SE CC RO, 3737 MAIN STREET, STE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501

FACILITY NAME: FRIENDLY CHILDREN'S GARDEN #2
FACILITY NUMBER: 376300304
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 02/19/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
02/25/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101161(a)
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Limitations on Capacity:(a) A licensee shall not operate a child care center beyond the conditions and limitations specified on the license, including the capacity limitation.

This requirement was not met as evidenced by,
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DIrector stated they will have the 2 year old children visit the 3 year old classroom when needed and will never have the infants and preschool-aged children commingle. Director stated they will conduct a trianing and submit proo to LPA via email.
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Based on LPAs observations it was witnessed on 2/19/26 2 preschool-aged children in the infant room. Based on interviews conducted it was stated that children from the 2 year old classroom will sometimes be in the infant room in the morning until the next teacher arrives. This is a potential health and ssafety 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: Deborah Mullen
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Keely Messerschmidt
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/19/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/19/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 5