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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 493003399
Report Date: 02/09/2023
Date Signed: 02/09/2023 05:15:23 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
11/23/2022 and conducted by Evaluator Yang Yang
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 01-CC-20221123100329
FACILITY NAME:KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTERFACILITY NUMBER:
493003399
ADMINISTRATOR:KRISTEN AMARALFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:1485 N. MC DOWELL BOULEVARDTELEPHONE:
(707) 794-0211
CITY:PETALUMASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
94954
CAPACITY:85CENSUS: 49DATE:
02/09/2023
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
02:20 PM
MET WITH:Mindy Meronek, Center DirectorTIME COMPLETED:
04:30 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff handled child in a rough manner.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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An unannounced follow-up complaint investigation visit to the facility was made today by Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Y. Yang to deliver complaint investigation findings. The LPA met with Center Director Mindy Meronek today to discuss the investigation findings. It has been alleged that facility staff S2 handled a child in a rough manner. Specifically, it was alleged that on a specified date, staff S2 grabbed child C1 by their arm and dragged the child inside the classroom.

During the initial investigation visit on 11/30/22, the LPA interviewed Center Director Mindy Meronek. Director Meronek denied the allegation. Director Meronek stated that it is a violation of KinderCare’s policies for a staff member to drag or roughly handle a child. Director Meronek stated that all allegations involving personal rights violations are taken seriously; per KinderCare policy, the staff member in question is immediately placed on administrative leave. Director Meronek stated that if the personal rights violation allegation is found to be substantiated, the staff member’s employment is immediately terminated. Director Meronek stated that upon first learning of this allegation, staff S2 was placed on administrative leave while the center conducted its own investigation. (Continued on LIC 9099-C)
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Alexis Hollon
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Yang Yang
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/09/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/09/2023
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 01-CC-20221123100329
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: 493003399
VISIT DATE: 02/09/2023
NARRATIVE
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Director Meronek stated that interviews were conducted during the investigation by her and KinderCare District Manager Jennifer Liu. Director Meronek stated that the allegation was found to be unsubstantiated and S2 was reinstated in her role as a teacher. Director Meronek stated that C1’s authorized representative was made aware of the allegation and subsequent investigation. A written unusual incident report was received by the LPA from District Manager Liu regarding this incident.

During the Department’s investigation, interviews were conducted with the facility’s staff members S2-S7 on 11/30/22 and 01/24/23. Staff S2 denied the allegation and stated that she never dragged or grabbed child C1 by their arm or roughly handled C1. S2 stated that C1 was swinging a nylon laundry bag with a plastic drawstring cord lock and was at risk of injuring other children. S2 stated that she asked C1 to stop swinging the bag but C1 continued to swing the bag and ran away from S2. S2 stated that she grabbed the laundry bag from the child who released it and began crying. S2 stated that she got down on her knees and informed the child that swinging a laundry bag was dangerous and could hurt a classmate. S2 stated that C1 then walked to their cot to nap by themselves and stopped crying. S2 stated that C1 was never picked up, dragged, grabbed, or pushed. S2 stated that she left the center for a prescheduled appointment approximately five minutes after C1 went down for a nap.

The staff members that were interviewed all corroborated the Center Director’s statements. Staff members that were interviewed all stated that they have never observed staff S2 or any other staff member roughly handle a child. Some staff members stated that they have observed S2 raising her voice with children, however. All staff members that were interviewed stated that they understand that they are mandated reporters and are required by law to report the facts and circumstances that led them to suspect that a child has been abused or neglected. Children in care were also interviewed during the investigation. Children that were interviewed all stated that they felt safe while in care and have not observed any staff member roughly handling a child in care. During the LPA’s site visits on 11/30/22, 02/01/23, and 02/09/23, the LPA did not observe any personal rights violations or any staff member roughly handling children in care.

Based on available information and interviews conducted, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur. Therefore, the allegation is determined to be unsubstantiated. There were no Title 22 deficiencies cited. This report was reviewed and discussed with the Center Director, Mindy Meronek. Appeal rights were provided. Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 days from today's visit.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Alexis Hollon
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Yang Yang
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/09/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/09/2023
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
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