493003399-1-27-2025-01-CC-MAVS-DDKU9X-20250204142351

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 493003399
Report Date: 01/27/2025
Date Signed: 01/27/2025 05:21:01 PM

Unsubstantiated

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
11/05/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Yang Yang

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 01-CC-20241105154341

FACILITY NAME:	KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER		FACILITY NUMBER:	493003399
ADMINISTRATOR:	MELISSA TERHUNE		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	1485 N. MC DOWELL BOULEVARD		TELEPHONE:	(707) 794-0211
CITY:	PETALUMA	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	94954
CAPACITY:	85	CENSUS: 38	DATE:	01/27/2025
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	02:36 PM
MET WITH:	Melissa "Mel" Terhune, Center Director		TIME COMPLETED:	04:27 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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-Staff hit a daycare child
-Staff did not meet a daycare child's diapering needs

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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An unannounced follow-up complaint investigation visit to the facility was made by Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Y. Yang to deliver complaint investigation findings. It was alleged that child C1 was hit on their shoulder by an unnamed staff member. It was also alleged that the facility did not meet child C1’s diapering needs and sent C1 home without a diaper on one occasion.

The LPA met with the center director, Melissa “Mel” Terhune and assistant director, Anais Heim today to discuss the investigation findings. During the LPA’s initial investigation visit to the facility on 11/08/24, Director Terhune denied the allegations. Director Terhune stated that upon learning of the allegations involving C1 from a concerned party, she interviewed staff members who worked with C1 that day to obtain additional information. Director Terhune stated that C1 was reassigned to several different classrooms that day depending on the activity and time of day. Director Terhune stated that staff members interviewed were unaware of the allegations and reported that they did not observe or hear about C1 being hit by any individual at the center. Director Terhune stated that staff members also stated that they did not observe any unusual behaviors or marks on C1’s body. Director Terhune stated that she did not obtain any corroborating information from any staff member. (Continued on LIC 9099-C)

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Megan Aviles
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Yang Yang
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 01/27/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/27/2025

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-20241105154341

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: 493003399
	VISIT DATE: 01/27/2025

NARRATIVE

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Director Terhune stated that C1 no longer attends this center. Director Terhune stated that C1 was toilet training while attending this center and alternated between wearing pull ups and underwear while at the center. Director Terhune stated that extra pull ups, diapers, and spare clothing is available for children at the center. Director Terhune stated that the facility communicates with the children’s authorized representatives before beginning toilet training to ensure that the child is ready. During the investigation, C1’s primary teacher, staff S3 was interviewed regarding C1’s toilet training status. Staff S3 stated that C1 told teachers when they need to use the bathroom. Staff S3 stated that C1 primarily wore pull ups during nap time and transitioned to underwear after waking up. Staff S3 stated that C1 was sent home in the afternoon with either a pull up or underwear depending on how the child was feeling at that time. Other staff members who have worked in C1’s classroom corroborated these statements.

During the investigation, the LPA made unannounced site visits on 11/08/24 and 12/03/24 to make observations inside the classrooms and interview children and staff members S1-S8. Children that were interviewed did not provide any corroborating information to support the allegations. The staff members that were interviewed all stated that they have not observed any staff member roughly handling or hitting C1 or any other child in care. Additionally, staff members that worked with C1 corroborated Director Terhune’s statements regarding the facility’s diapering and toileting training policies. During the LPA’s site visits, the LPA did not observe any evidence of personal rights violations or staff roughly handling any children in care.

Based on available information and interviews conducted, although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations did or did not occur. 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 center director, Mel Terhune. Appeal rights were provided. Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 days from today's visit.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Megan Aviles
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Yang Yang
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 01/27/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/27/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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