493001830-7-12-2024-01-CC-AHON-D7EMER-20240722093307

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 493001830
Report Date: 07/12/2024
Date Signed: 07/12/2024 05:17:13 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, 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
04/25/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Yang Yang

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 01-CC-20240425124729

FACILITY NAME:	KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER		FACILITY NUMBER:	493001830
ADMINISTRATOR:	PEPPER, ALEXANDRIA		FACILITY TYPE:	830
ADDRESS:	6150 STATE FARM DRIVE		TELEPHONE:	(707) 584-0124
CITY:	ROHNERT PARK	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	94928
CAPACITY:	40	CENSUS: 10	DATE:	07/12/2024
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	02:54 PM
MET WITH:	Alexandria "Alex" Pepper, Assistant Director		TIME COMPLETED:	04:25 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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-Staff do not prevent daycare child(ren) from biting other daycare child(ren) while in care.

-Staff are not adequately trained.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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A follow-up complaint investigation visit was made today by Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Y. Yang to deliver complaint investigation findings. The LPA met with the facility’s former center director and now assistant director, Alex Pepper to discuss the findings. Previously, investigation visits were made to the facility by the LPA on 05/01/24, 05/10/24, and 06/18/24. It has been alleged that staff do not prevent daycare child(ren) from biting other daycare child(ren) while in care and that staff are not adequately trained to address biting. Specifically, it was alleged that child C1 was bit on numerous occasions while in care due to inadequately trained staff.

During the initial investigation visit to the facility on 05/01/24, the LPA met with former center director, Alexandria “Alex” Pepper to discuss the allegations. Pepper stated that she acknowledges that child C1 and other children in the toddler classroom have been bitten by their classmates on more than one occasion. Pepper stated that the bites were not due to a lack of care and supervision or inadequate staff training. Pepper stated that all staff members are provided on the job training that covers the topics of behavior management and biting. Pepper stated that every classroom is equipped with a Walkie Talkie radio that is used by teachers to communicate with other teachers and the front office. Pepper stated that she will step into a classroom to assist or provide “coaching” to a teacher if necessary. (Continued on LIC9099-C)

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Alexis Hollon
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Yang Yang
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 07/12/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/12/2024

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 01-CC-20240425124729

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405

FACILITY NAME: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER	FACILITY NUMBER: 493001830
	VISIT DATE: 07/12/2024

NARRATIVE

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Pepper stated that although staff are proactive and try to anticipate bites and redirect children, the bites often happen quickly and without any precipitating factors. Pepper stated that teachers are aware of which children in their classroom are teething and/or are known to bite others. Pepper stated that teething toys and other resources are available in the classroom as well. Pepper stated that children are encouraged to communicate with each other using simple words or phrases. Pepper stated that additional supervision and shadowing is provided to the children that are known to bite others. Pepper stated that in certain cases, a child may be placed on a behavior plan to address biting behavior or other behaviors. Pepper stated that any time a child is bitten by another child, the incident is documented, and the authorized representative of the child who was bit is notified electronically via the KinderCare app and on an “ouch report” that is filled out and sent home with the child.

During the investigation, the LPA made unannounced site visits to make observations in the classrooms and interview staff. Staff S1-S8 were interviewed regarding the allegations. The interviews corroborated the former center director’s statements. All staff members that were interviewed stated that they believe that they were provided sufficient training on how to handle bite incidents and work with children who are known to bite others.

Although it was corroborated that child C1 and other children were bit on multiple occasions while in care, based on available information, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove that the bites were due to a lack of care and supervision or any other violation of regulations. Therefore, the allegations are determined to be unsubstantiated at this time. There were no Title 22 deficiencies cited. This report was reviewed and discussed with the facility’s assistant director, Alex Pepper. Appeal rights were provided. Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 days from today’s date.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Alexis Hollon
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Yang Yang
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 07/12/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/12/2024

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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