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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 376700985
Report Date: 02/12/2026
Date Signed: 02/12/2026 02:23:41 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
02/06/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Keely Messerschmidt
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 10-CC-20260206101311
FACILITY NAME:FRIENDLY CHILDRENS GARDEN PRESCHOOL AND DAYCAREFACILITY NUMBER:
376700985
ADMINISTRATOR:CLAUDIA GARCIAFACILITY TYPE:
840
ADDRESS:1836 DIXIE STREETTELEPHONE:
(760) 722-1626
CITY:OCEANSIDESTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92054
CAPACITY:104CENSUS: 0DATE:
02/12/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
01:20 PM
MET WITH:TIME COMPLETED:
02:30 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff inappropriately transported 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 inititating and delivering the complaint findings on the above-referenced allegation. LPA met with Director Claudia Garcia. No children were present during visit. LPA interviewed Director.

On February 6th, 2026, Community Care Licensing (CCL) received a complaint alleging that staff inappropriately transported daycare children.

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

DATE: 02/12/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/12/2026
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 3
Control Number 10-CC-20260206101311
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 CHILDRENS GARDEN PRESCHOOL AND DAYCARE
FACILITY NUMBER: 376700985
VISIT DATE: 02/12/2026
NARRATIVE
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Pertaining to the allegation that staff inappropriately transported day-care children it was stated that a van was observed driving with the back door wide open while transporting children. Based on confidential interviews it was disclosed that the van was holding multiple children that did not appear to be buckled with the back door open driving at a high speed and came to a stop slamming the door from the impact. Director stated that Child #1 (C1) admitted to turning around and opening the door but the driver was unaware. LPA observed photos submitted to Community Care Licensing (CCL) showing van driving on main street with children in van with one child turned around hanging over the seat not properly buckled in a safety restraint and then another photo showing van stopped at light with door closed. It was also stated that driver never pulled over or got out of the car to close the door.

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

Upon receipt, licensee shall post and provide copies of this licensing report to parents/guardians of children in care at the facility and to parents/guardians of children newly enrolled at the facility for the next 12 months.



The Notice of Site Visit and Type A Deficiencies from today’s visit must be posted for 30 days. Failure to keep these posted for the entire 30 days will result in an immediate $100 civil penalty for each.

An exit interview was conducted, and this report was reviewed with the Director Claudia Garcia, and a copy was provided. Appeal rights were discussed and provided during the exit interview.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Deborah Mullen
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Keely Messerschmidt
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/12/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/12/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
Control Number 10-CC-20260206101311
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 CHILDRENS GARDEN PRESCHOOL AND DAYCARE
FACILITY NUMBER: 376700985
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 02/12/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
02/13/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101225(d)
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(d) All vehicle occupants shall be secured in an appropriate restraint system.
This requirement was not met as evidenced by,
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Director stated they have already conducted a safety training with all the drivers on 2/9/26 and will provide copies of training to LPA via email.
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Based on photos sumitted to CCL it was observed that a child was turned backwards hanging over set looking out the back door that was open while van was in motion. This is an immediate health and safety risk to children in care.
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Type A
02/13/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(2)
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(a) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights: (2) To be accorded safe, healthful and comfortable accommodations, furnishings and equipment to meet his/her needs. This requirement was not met as evidenced by,
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Director stated they have already conducted a safety training with all the drivers on 2/9/26 and will provide copies of training to LPA via email.
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Based on photos sumitted to CCL it was observed that a child was turned backwards hanging over set looking out the back door that was open while van was in motion. This is an immediate health and safety 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: 02/12/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/12/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 3