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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 483001825
Report Date: 04/15/2026
Date Signed: 04/15/2026 03:56:11 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA ROSA CC RO, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
01/16/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Selena Mariani
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 01-CC-20260116082941
FACILITY NAME:KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTERFACILITY NUMBER:
483001825
ADMINISTRATOR:MICHELLE PALACIOSFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:1101 ROSE DRIVETELEPHONE:
(707) 745-0916
CITY:BENICIASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
94510
CAPACITY:72CENSUS: 54DATE:
04/15/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
01:24 PM
MET WITH:Michelle PalaciosTIME COMPLETED:
02:35 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff handles day care children in a rough manner.
Staff commingles day care children.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Selena Mariani made an unannounced subsequent complaint investigation visit today, and met with Center Director (CD), Michelle Palacios, for the purpose of delivering findings of the above allegations. LPAs Selena Mariani and Dianne Morrison previously met with CD on 01/21/26 to open the complaint investigation and LPA Mariani met with CD or Assistant Director (AD) Joseline Alvaro on 3/20/26, 3/27/26 and 4/3/26 to discuss the purpose of the visit, conduct staff interviews, make observations, obtain facility documents. It was alleged that staff handles day care children in a rough manner and staff commingles day care children.

During the course of the investigation, LPAs obtained documents, made observations and conducted interviews with the CD and four staff (S1-S4) on 01/21/26. LPA interviewed assistant director (AD) and four staff (S5-S6 & S8-S9) from 03/20/26 through 04/15/26. LPA attempted interview with S7 and child (C1). Continue on LIC9099-C

Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Melchisedeck Augustin
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Selena Mariani
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/15/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/15/2026
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 5
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA ROSA CC RO, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
01/16/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Selena Mariani
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 01-CC-20260116082941

FACILITY NAME:KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTERFACILITY NUMBER:
483001825
ADMINISTRATOR:MICHELLE PALACIOSFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:1101 ROSE DRIVETELEPHONE:
(707) 745-0916
CITY:BENICIASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
94510
CAPACITY:72CENSUS: 54DATE:
04/15/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
01:24 PM
MET WITH:Michelle PalaciosTIME COMPLETED:
02:35 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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9
Staff does not ensure bathrooms are clean and sanitized.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Selena Mariani made an unannounced subsequent complaint investigation visit today, and met with Center Director (CD), Michelle Palacios, for the purpose of delivering findings of the above allegation. LPAs Selena Mariani and Dianne Morrison previously met with CD on 01/21/26 to open the complaint investigation. LPA Mariani met with CD or Assistant Director (AD) Joseline Alvaro on 3/20/26, 3/27/26 and 4/3/26 to discuss the purpose of the visit, conduct staff interviews, make observations, obtain facility documents. It’s alleged that staff does not ensure bathrooms are clean and sanitized, specifically that the bathroom was not clean and that there was urine everywhere.

During the course of the investigation, LPAs obtained documents, made observations and conducted interviews with the CD and four staff (S1-S4) on 01/21/26. LPA interviewed assistant director (AD) and four staff (S5-S6 & S8-S9) from 03/20/26 through 04/03/26. LPA attempted interview with S7.

Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Melchisedeck Augustin
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Selena Mariani
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/15/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/15/2026
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 01-CC-20260116082941
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA ROSA CC RO, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405
FACILITY NAME: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 483001825
VISIT DATE: 04/15/2026
NARRATIVE
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CD denied allegation and stated Clorox is used to clean the bathroom when children are not present, when children are present staff use disinfecting spray every day and a cleaning service cleans bathrooms every night. AD, S1-S5, S8 & S9 stated staff clean bathrooms throughout the day. S3 and S4 both state the bathrooms do not smell, while S5 and S8 stated staff mop the bathrooms after the children leave for the day.

On 01/21/26, 3/20/26, 03/27/26 & 04/03/26, LPA observed the bathrooms to be clean. The facility recently conducted staff training on bathroom cleaning policy and documented 16 staff were in attendance.

Based on the information gathered during this investigation, although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove that the allegation occurred and therefore is determined to be unsubstantiated.

There were no Title 22 deficiencies cited.

This report was reviewed and discussed with Center Director, Michelle Palacios. Appeal rights were provided.

Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 days from today's visit. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Melchisedeck Augustin
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Selena Mariani
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/15/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/15/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 5
Control Number 01-CC-20260116082941
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA ROSA CC RO, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405
FACILITY NAME: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 483001825
VISIT DATE: 04/15/2026
NARRATIVE
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Continued from LIC9099

CD and AD both stated they did not witness staff handling a child in a rough manner, however CD stated she was made aware of an incident where a staff member grabbed a child’s face. AD further stated she was made aware of another incident regarding a staff member handling a child in a rough manner. S2 admitted they have put their hands under a child’s chin, using just the tips of their fingers asking them to pay attention. S8 stated they witnessed S2 grabbing a child (C1) by the chin with their fingers and said to C1, “What are you trying to say, what are you trying to say.”

CD stated that in the morning preschool and school age children are dropped off in the preschool classroom. The children stay in the room together until the school age children are picked up and taken to school. S4 stated that preschool and school age are dropped off in the preschool classroom and stay together until either ratio is met or another staff arrives. S2 stated they observed S1 bring an infant onto the preschool play yard, further stating it only occurred once or twice.

Based on the investigation, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met. Therefore, the above allegation is found to be substantiated. The following violation of the Health and Safety Code is being issued: see LIC 9099D.

Exit interview was conducted, and report reviewed with Center Director Michelle Palacios.

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: Melchisedeck Augustin
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Selena Mariani
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/15/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/15/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 5
Control Number 01-CC-20260116082941
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA ROSA CC RO, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405

FACILITY NAME: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 483001825
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 04/15/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
05/06/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(3)
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(a) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights:(3)To be free from corporal or unusual punishment, infliction of pain, humiliation, intimidation, ridicule, coercion, threat, mental abuse or other actions of a punitive nature including but not limited to: interference with functions of daily living including....or aids to physical functioning. This requirement is not met as evidenced by:

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CD stated there will be a staff training on 4/22/26, which will include NCPMI Self-Care for Teachers training with staff attendance sheet including name/signature and date emailed to LPA at selena.mariani@dss.ca.gov
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Based on AD, S2, S8-S9 interviews, 2 staff handled 2 different children in a rough manner which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
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Type B
05/06/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101161(a)
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Limitations on Capacity
A licensee shall not operate a child care center beyond the conditions and limitations specified on the license, including the capacity limitation. This requirement is not met as evidenced by:
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CD stated school age classroom will be open in the morning with a staff member and provided LPA with a signed/dated Regulation 101161(a) as proof of understanding.
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Based on CD and S4 interviews that stated care and supervision is being provided for school age children in the preschool classroom at morning drop off until being bused to school which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons 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: Melchisedeck Augustin
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Selena Mariani
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/15/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/15/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 5