376701121-10-2-2024-10-CC-PBER-D9XLKN-20241011084945

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 376701121
Report Date: 10/02/2024
Date Signed: 10/02/2024 11:51:18 AM

Unsubstantiated

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
07/17/2024 and conducted by Evaluator William M Chancellor Jr.

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 10-CC-20240717152713

FACILITY NAME:	STARS MONTESSORI ACADEMY		FACILITY NUMBER:	376701121
ADMINISTRATOR:	PENNIE VATCHER		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	1680 SOUTH MELROSE DRIVE		TELEPHONE:	(760) 597-9796
CITY:	VISTA	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	92081
CAPACITY:	139	CENSUS: 74	DATE:	10/02/2024
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	11:11 AM
MET WITH:	Pennie Vatcher, Director		TIME COMPLETED:	11:30 AM

ALLEGATION(S):

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Staff discriminated against daycare child and child’s parents.
Staff did not accommodate daycare child.
Staff did not provide a safe and comfortable environment.
Staff violated daycare child’s personal rights.
Staff did not meet daycare child’s toileting needs.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

On October 1, 2024, at 11:11AM, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), William Chancellor and Licensing Program Manager (LPM) Pauline Beschorner arrived unannounced to Stars Montessori Academy (CCC) and met with Director (DIR), Pennie Vatcher to discuss the investigative findings of the allegation listed above. On July 24, 2024, at 9:45AM LPA conducted a tour, took census of the CCC and gathered evidence relevant to the investigation. During the investigation, LPA made observations on three separate dates and conducted confidential interviews with seven staff (S1-S7).
On July 17, 2024, a complaint was received alleging that staff discriminated against daycare child and child’s parents. Specifically, that a child’s parents felt personally discriminated against because they are a same-sex family. In addition, their child was being labeled for their behaviors and staff refused to accommodate the child’s needs because of the family’s sexual orientation. Furthermore, it was implied that other children have been accommodated in their toileting needs/developmental needs, have progressed through the program to the primary classrooms, however this specific family was being held back.
Continued on 9099-C

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Pauline Beschorner
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: William M Chancellor Jr.
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 10/02/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/02/2024

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 2

Control Number 10-CC-20240717152713

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: STARS MONTESSORI ACADEMY	FACILITY NUMBER: 376701121
	VISIT DATE: 10/02/2024

NARRATIVE

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32

Based on conflicting statements, LPA is unable to corroborate the allegation that staff discriminated against daycare child and child’s parents. Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the allegation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is unsubstantiated.

Regarding the allegation, staff did not meet daycare child’s toileting needs, LPA observed on two separate dates, where classroom seven only had one teacher present and not a consistent second staff to assist with potty training. However, CCC uses lower ratio of 1:9 in the pre-primary classrooms. Additionally, five of five interviews corroborated that C1 had a medical condition where C1 needed additional time using the restroom. Record review confirmed that admission agreement states, children must be “fully potty trained” to progress to the primary classrooms. Based on conflicting statements, LPA is unable to corroborate the allegation that staff did not meet daycare child’s toileting needs.

Additionally, it was also alleged that the CCC staff did not provide a safe and comfortable environment and that staff violated daycare child’s personal rights. Specifically, C1 was forced to stay on their cot during nap even though C1 had an accident. Based on observations, interviews, and record review it was confirmed that, C1 was encouraged to use the restroom prior to nap but C1 would refuse. Twelve days out of fourteen days of attendance C1 would have an accident, wake up, and disrupt the class. Record review corroborated that once C1 was awake, staff attempted to redirect C1 by offering materials, such as coloring books, reading books, or toys. C1 would then yell, scream, cry, or throw items in the classroom, ultimately waking up other children. CCC has addressed behavioral concerns with parents. On two separate occasions, LPA observed C1 to engage in behaviors that were neither provoked or predictable, staff would then redirect child and attempt to de-escalate a behavior and C1 would then seek attention by either throwing items, or intentionally falling to the floor, crying, and screaming.

Based on conflicting statements, LPA is unable to corroborate the allegations staff did not provide a safe and comfortable environment and that staff violated daycare child’s personal rights. These allegations may have occurred; however, they are not supported, or proven by evidence. Therefore, the above allegations are unsubstantiated.

An exit interview was conducted, a copy of this report, 9099D & appeal rights, along with a Notice of Site Visit was handed to Director, Pennie Vatcher.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Pauline Beschorner
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: William M Chancellor Jr.
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 10/02/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/02/2024

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 2 of 2