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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 525405701
Report Date: 10/13/2025
Date Signed: 10/13/2025 10:28:33 AM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CHICO CC RO, 520 COHASSET RD., SUITE 170
CHICO, CA 95926
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
07/22/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Sydney Sims
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 13-CC-20250722134539

FACILITY NAME:LITTLE SCHOLARS PRESCHOOLFACILITY NUMBER:
525405701
ADMINISTRATOR:SZYCHULDA, CHRISTIFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:1605 KIMBALL RD.TELEPHONE:
(530) 527-3932
CITY:RED BLUFFSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
96080
CAPACITY:30CENSUS: 14DATE:
10/13/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
08:13 AM
MET WITH:Christi Szychulda - Licensee/ Director TIME COMPLETED:
10:36 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Director not on site during hours of operation
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 10/13/25 at 8:13am, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Sydney Sims conducted an unannounced complaint inspection and met with Director Christi Szychulda. It was alleged that, Director is not on site during hours of operation, specifically that the Director is not always present on site when the facility is open.

The Director was interviewed on 7/30/25 at 2:50pm and denied the allegation stating that the Director is present on site consistently and Director stated that the Director has staff S1 as an assistant Director that is present in the Director absence.

Two staff (S1 – S2) were interviewed on 7/30/25 and stated that the Director is typically present at the facility Monday – Thursday from 8:30am to 12:30pm. Staff stated that S1 is typically in charge when the Director is not present.

Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Megan Aviles
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Sydney Sims
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/13/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/13/2025
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 7
Control Number 13-CC-20250722134539
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CHICO CC RO, 520 COHASSET RD., SUITE 170
CHICO, CA 95926
FACILITY NAME: LITTLE SCHOLARS PRESCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 525405701
VISIT DATE: 10/13/2025
NARRATIVE
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Five parents (P1 – P5) were interviewed on 9/15/25, 10/9/25, and 10/10/25 and P2 stated that the Director is always present at the facility and that P2 consistently sees the Director at the facility. P1, P3 – P5 stated that the Director is not consistently on site during the hours of operation and that the parents do not see the Director on site at the end of the day.

LPA Sims received the facility’s staffing schedule that showed the Director is not scheduled to be at the facility for the facility’s full operating hours.

During today’s inspection, the facility was toured and LPA observed 14 children in care and observed the Director to be present at the facility.


Based on the evidence obtained, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation is found to be substantiated. California Code of Regulations, (Title 22), is being cited on the attached LIC 9099D.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the Director Christi Szychulda. Appeal rights were provided.

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.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Megan Aviles
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Sydney Sims
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/13/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/13/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 6 of 7
Control Number 13-CC-20250722134539
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CHICO CC RO, 520 COHASSET RD., SUITE 170
CHICO, CA 95926

FACILITY NAME: LITTLE SCHOLARS PRESCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 525405701
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 10/13/2025
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
11/13/2025
Section Cited
CCR
101215.1(d)
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The child care center director, or the substitute director as specified in (f) below, shall be on the premises during the hours the center is in operation.
This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
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Director will come up with a facility staffing schedule that put the Director on site during the hours of operation and submit schedule to LPA Sims. Director will submit LIC 500, LIC 308 with Director listed on forms by 11/13/25.
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Based on observation, interview, and record review the licensee did not comply with the section cited above, by the Director not being present during hours of operation which poses an potential health, safety or personal rights risk to 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: Megan Aviles
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Sydney Sims
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/13/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/13/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 7 of 7