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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 376701226
Report Date: 12/18/2025
Date Signed: 12/18/2025 01:39:45 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO N. CC RO, 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
12/09/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Gerald Poindexter
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 51-CC-20251209092417
FACILITY NAME:CHILDREN'S CHOICE ACADEMYFACILITY NUMBER:
376701226
ADMINISTRATOR:SHANNON SPENCERFACILITY TYPE:
830
ADDRESS:12464 WOODSIDE AVENUETELEPHONE:
(619) 561-8880
CITY:LAKESIDESTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92040
CAPACITY:14CENSUS: 10DATE:
12/18/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:05 AM
MET WITH:Elizabeth Smith TIME COMPLETED:
02:00 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Licensee is operating facility out of ratio
Licensee does not ensure that staff have required training

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 12/18/25 at 9:05 am Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Gerald Poindexter conducted an unannounced visit to initiate the investigation for the complaint received on 12/09/25 regarding the above allegations. Upon arrival, LPA met with Elizabeth Smith, center director and toured the facility. LPA observed a total of 6 children and 3 staff in the Elephant infant room and 4 children and 3 staff from the toddler option “Honeybees” classroom.

During this visit, LPA interviewed the director and staff members present, and reviewed facility documents, and personnel files relevant to the allegations. Prior to this visit, the LPA interviewed the Reporting Party (RP).

The allegation by the RP that “Licensee is operating facility out of ratio” is valid. Per investigation interviews and facility documentation, and LPA observation, teacher-child ratios in the toddler option “Honeybees” classroom were exceeded due to the designated lead teacher S1, missing required infant
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Joelle Redding
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Gerald Poindexter
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/18/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/18/2025
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
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO N. CC RO, 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
12/09/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Gerald Poindexter
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 51-CC-20251209092417

FACILITY NAME:CHILDREN'S CHOICE ACADEMYFACILITY NUMBER:
376701226
ADMINISTRATOR:SHANNON SPENCERFACILITY TYPE:
830
ADDRESS:12464 WOODSIDE AVENUETELEPHONE:
(619) 561-8880
CITY:LAKESIDESTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92040
CAPACITY:14CENSUS: 10DATE:
12/18/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:05 AM
MET WITH:Elizabeth Smith TIME COMPLETED:
02:00 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff are not addressing pests at facility
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 12/18/25 at 9:05 am Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Gerald Poindexter conducted an unannounced visit to met with Elizabeth Smith, center director and toured the facility. LPA observed a total of 6 children and 3 staff in the Elephant infant room and 4 children and 3 staff from the toddler option “Honeybees” classroom.

During this visit, LPA interviewed the director and staff members present, and reviewed facility documents relevant to the allegatios. Prior to this visit, the LPA interviewed the Reporting Party (RP).

The RP alleged that “Staff are not addressing pests at facility.” The LPA observed several specified areas of the facility and interviewed staff about the possibility of various types pests, including rodents, throughout the facility. Staff interviewed stated that they had not observed the presence of rats in classrooms, but had heard second hand of mice and seen droppings. The LPA observed glue traps,
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Joelle Redding
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Gerald Poindexter
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/18/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/18/2025
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 51-CC-20251209092417
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO N. CC RO, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR STE 110
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108
FACILITY NAME: CHILDREN'S CHOICE ACADEMY
FACILITY NUMBER: 376701226
VISIT DATE: 12/18/2025
NARRATIVE
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mouse traps, and the director provided monthly pest control invoices and a pest maintenance log, which indicate active attention to prevent ongoing issues.

Based on interviews and facility documentation, the above allegation could not be verified and is found to be UNSUBSTANTIATED. Although the allegation may have happened is valid, there is not a preponderance of the evidence to prove that the alleged violation occurred.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Elizabeth Smith. A Notice of Site Visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100. Appeal rights were provided
SUPERVISORS NAME: Joelle Redding
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Gerald Poindexter
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/18/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/18/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 5
Control Number 51-CC-20251209092417
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO N. CC RO, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR STE 110
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108
FACILITY NAME: CHILDREN'S CHOICE ACADEMY
FACILITY NUMBER: 376701226
VISIT DATE: 12/18/2025
NARRATIVE
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teacher qualifications. The other teachers designated as “supervising staff” S3 by the facility (located in adjoining “Elephants” infant classroom separated by a windowed-wall and half door) cannot provide direct supervision. Two classrooms cannot share a fully qualified teacher across components in different rooms.

The RP allegation that “Licensee does not ensure that staff have required training” is valid. Per investigation interviews, facility documentation, and direct LPA observation, the lead teacher S1, identified in the toddler option “Honeybees” classroom, did not have required education transcript evidence of completed infant/toddler development coursework on file and was not registered for the missing curriculum units.

Based on interview, observation, personnel and facility documentation. The above allegations are found to be SUBSTANTIATED. The allegations are valid because the preponderance of evidence has been met.



See LIC9099D for Type deficiencies cited.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Elizabeth Smith. A Notice of Site Visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100. Appeal rights were provided.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Joelle Redding
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Gerald Poindexter
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/18/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/18/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 5
Control Number 51-CC-20251209092417
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO N. CC RO, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR STE 110
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108

FACILITY NAME: CHILDREN'S CHOICE ACADEMY
FACILITY NUMBER: 376701226
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 12/18/2025
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
01/05/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101416.2(c)(1)(a)
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101416.2 (c )(1) (a) - Infant Care Teacher Qualifications and Duties (c)To be a fully qualified infant care teacher, a teacher shall have the following: Completion, with passing grades, of 12 postsecondary semester or equivalent quarter units in early childhood...(A) At least three of the units required in (c)(1) above shall be related to the care of infants or shall contain instruction specific to infants. This requirement was not met as evidenced by...
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The Director put a qualified teacher, Nikol Howell, in the Toddler option “Honeybees” classroom before end of visit on 12/18/25 and will maintain this arrangement, moving forward.
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Based on staff interview and record review, the lead teacher of the toddler classroom was caring for children while missing education requirements and without proof of registration for the missing coursework. This poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to the children in care.
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Director Elizabeth Smith stated she will provide written plan or correction by 1/5/26, via e-mail, which will ensure that infant/toddler qualifications are met. Email: Gerald.Poindexter@dss.ca.gov
Type B
12/18/2025
Section Cited
CCR
101416.5(b)
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STAFF-INFANT RATIO.
101416.5 (b) There shall be a ratio of one teacher for every four infants in attendance. This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
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This was corrected today by placing a fully qualified teacher in the toddler classroom. Director Elizabeth Smith stated that staff Nikol Howell will be the primary teacher until Gicel Valle-Gonzalez provides proof of completed education requirements.
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Based on interviews, record review and observation, the toddler “Honeybees” class was supervised by a lead teacher who is missing education requirements and one aide, effectively placing the classroom out of ratio. This poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to the 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: Joelle Redding
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Gerald Poindexter
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/18/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/18/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 5