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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 376701003
Report Date: 08/10/2022
Date Signed: 08/10/2022 11:32:07 AM

Unsubstantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 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
06/14/2022 and conducted by Evaluator Linda M Almaraz
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 10-CC-20220614163712
FACILITY NAME:CHILDREN'S PARADISE INC. - EL NORTEFACILITY NUMBER:
376701003
ADMINISTRATOR:DELANEY VILLANIFACILITY TYPE:
830
ADDRESS:986 W EL NORTE PKWYTELEPHONE:
(760) 480-1300
CITY:ESCONDIDOSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92026
CAPACITY:26CENSUS: 32DATE:
08/10/2022
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
10:35 AM
MET WITH:Keely Messerschmidt, Admissions and Office ManagerTIME COMPLETED:
11:45 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Sick children with obvious signs of illness are not isolated from other children
Shared equipment is not properly sanitized by staff
Childcare is operating over ratio
Staff refused to provide child fluids (water or juice)
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Licensing Program Analyst, (LPA) Linda Almaraz made an unannounced subsequent complaint investigation visit to deliver findings for the above allegations. LPA was greeted by Admissions and Office Manager Director , Keely Messerschmidt since the Director, Delaney Villani was out in a meeting. Messerschmidt was informed the reason for todays visit.

The investigation consisted of the following: On 6/20/22, LPA's Almaraz and James Wilkerson met with the Director, toured the facility, conducted interviews with staff and collected child records.

The investigation revealed the following: It was alleged sick children with obvious signs of illness are not isolated from the other children. Interviews conducted revealed a child was sent home on 6/14/22, early in the morning around 8AM after the child started coughing and sneezing. (Continued on an LIC9099-C)
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Carlos Martinez
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Linda M Almaraz
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/10/2022
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/10/2022
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 2
Control Number 10-CC-20220614163712
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 3737 MAIN STREET, STE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
FACILITY NAME: CHILDREN'S PARADISE INC. - EL NORTE
FACILITY NUMBER: 376701003
VISIT DATE: 08/10/2022
NARRATIVE
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The child was was dropped off by their parent around 7:26AM and was picked up around 9:26AM. The teacher who was in the classroom stated the child had a visual screen in the morning and there was no signs of illness. Shortly after drop off, the child started displaying symptoms and teacher made a medical referral which alerts the front staff, who calls parents, to pick up their ill child. The teacher stated she had four infants in care at the time and she held on to the child until the parents got there. All children were supervised at all times and she kept the child away from the others.

It was also alleged shared equipment is not properly sanitized by staff. LPA's Almaraz and Wilkerson toured the infant rooms and noticed there was buckets with sanitizing solution for teething toys used by infants. Staff in all rooms indicated the buckets have sanitizing solution in them and when an infant uses a teething toy and is done using it and put the toy down, staff will put the teething toy in the bucket. The teething toys are left there till the end of the day and are cleaned for the following day. All staff interviews stated this is the protocol they follow and they do not let infants share teething toys without sanitizing and cleaning them before.

In regards to allegation, "childcare facility was operating over ratio," interviews with staff revealed that on 6/14/2022, a teacher had 4 infants in care. A 5th child arrived which would of prompted the teacher to call the front desk for assistance but the child did not stay because the mother decided not to leave the child for the day. Staff interviews indicated at no point was the child in care and the parent was there with the child for less than 10 minutes.

It was also alleged staff refused to provide fluids to children, such as water and juice. The facility follows Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) guidelines. It was alleged a parent who had recently enrolled their infant child and was set to start on 6/13/22, wanted their 6 month old infant to be given a bottle of juice instead of formula for (1) of their feedings. According to the CACFP guidelines, and infant must not be served any fruit or vegetable juices from 6-11 months. The parent was informed on the first day and became upset. Per staff interviews, they tried to explain the reason to the parent of when they would be able to provide juice or water to a child. A copy of the CACFP guidelines was also provided to the parent.

Although 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.

Exit interview was conducted. Appeal rights were discussed and provided along with a copy of this report to the Admissions and Office Manager on this date.

A Notice of Site Visit was issued and shall remain posted for 30 days.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Carlos Martinez
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Linda M Almaraz
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/10/2022
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/10/2022
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 2