376701224-6-29-2023-51-CC-TDAL-CTE2KB-20230703172738

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 376701224
Report Date: 06/29/2023
Date Signed: 06/29/2023 05:05:03 PM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 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
05/01/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Jennifer Lott

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 51-CC-20230501134017

FACILITY NAME:	CHILDREN'S CHOICE		FACILITY NUMBER:	376701224
ADMINISTRATOR:	MELISSA OVERLAND-MCKAY		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	8824 COTTONWOOD AVENUE		TELEPHONE:	(619) 457-0381
CITY:	SANTEE	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	92071
CAPACITY:	43	CENSUS: 32	DATE:	06/29/2023
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	01:48 PM
MET WITH:	Area Director, Freda Simmons		TIME COMPLETED:	02:30 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff did not adequately supervise children in care
Underage volunteer was supervising children without supervision from qualified staff
Staff did not provide first aid for child’s injury
Staff did not report an incident as required to the department

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 06/29/2023, at 1:48pm, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Jennifer Lott conducted a complaint investigation visit to deliver findings for the complaint received on 05/01/2023. LPA was greeted at the front door by Area Director, Freeda Simmons and was granted entry after identifying herself and disclosing the reason for her visit.

The Department’s investigation consisted of a review of records and interviews. It is alleged that on or about 04/14/2023, staff did not adequately supervise children in care. Based on the information obtained during interviews, and documentation reviewed, it was determined that there was appropriate staffing that day both in the classroom and on the playground.

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion: 0

SUPERVISORS NAME: Tashima Daniel
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jennifer Lott
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 06/29/2023

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/29/2023

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 51-CC-20230501134017

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR STE 110
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108

FACILITY NAME: CHILDREN'S CHOICE	FACILITY NUMBER: 376701224
	VISIT DATE: 06/29/2023

NARRATIVE

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It is also alleged that an underage volunteer was supervising children without supervision from qualified staff. Based on the information obtained during interviews, LPA observations and documentation, the volunteer #1 (V1) is over the age of 18 and a legal adult. Records obtained from outside sources revealed that V1 is perfectly capable of working with children. Interviews also revealed that V1 does not work alone but is always with a qualified teacher.

It is alleged that staff did not provide first aid for child’s injury. On or about 04/14/2023, child #1 (C1) was playing on the playground near the grass area, tripped, fell and scraped their arm. V1 was present at the time and checked C1’s arm to see if C1 was injured, but C1 said they were fine and continued playing with friends. V1 states that C1 did not cry and there was only a red spot which looked like a mark from the artificial turf on the arm and no blood, etc. Interviews revealed that staff are very attentive to children, especially if they become injured. Staff did not notice a red mark on C1’s arm during nap time and C1 did not complain of any pain. When pick up time arrived, the scrape had turned red and now was noticeable. Teacher offered first aid, but it was denied by the parent.

Lastly, it is alleged that staff did not report an incident as required to the department. On 04/18/2023, facility Director submitted an LIC 624 Unusual Incident Report to Community Care Licensing incident reporting email. The incident date reported was 04/14/2023. Director received an acknowledgement from the department that the incident report was received. Director met the 7-day reporting requirement.

This agency has investigated the complaint alleging staff did not adequately supervise children in care, underage volunteer was supervising children without supervision from qualified staff, staff did not provide first aid for child’s injury and staff did not report an incident as required to the department. The Department has found that although the allegations may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations occurred, therefore the above allegations are found to be UNSUBSTANTIATED. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Area Director Simmons. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Tashima Daniel
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jennifer Lott
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 06/29/2023

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/29/2023

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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