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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 566213914
Report Date: 02/09/2024
Date Signed: 02/13/2024 04:41:24 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, 6500 HOLLISTER AVE., SUITE 200
GOLETA, CA 93117
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
12/05/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Francisca Velazquez
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 17-CC-20231205152421
FACILITY NAME:LITTLE SCHOLARS MONTESSORIFACILITY NUMBER:
566213914
ADMINISTRATOR:SARANGI WETHTHASINGHAFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:5020 ALAMO ST.TELEPHONE:
(805) 306-8044
CITY:SIMI VALLEYSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
93063
CAPACITY:131CENSUS: 81DATE:
02/09/2024
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
10:09 AM
MET WITH:MICHELLE ARANDA TIME COMPLETED:
11:00 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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1.) Staff pulled child's arm
2.) Staff sprayed chemicals on table that child was sitting at
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 2/9/24, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Francisca Velazquez conducted an unannounced inspection of the Child Care Center (CCC) to deliver the findings with respect to the allegations noted above. LPA met with Michelle Aranda, Director of the CCC and explained the nature and purpose of the inspection. LPAs notes 81 children are present at the time of the inspection being cared by 10 staff.

The investigation included two (2) unannounced site inspections, LPA’s observation, document reviews and interviews with the Complainant, Directors, teaching staff, as well as the parents of children in care.

LPA was unable to corroborate the first allegation of staff pulled child’s arm. Interview with Directors, teaching staff detailed the CCC behavior plan when dealing with challenging behaviors. Additionally, Directors and teaching staff continuously get educational development trainings specifically for handling challenging behaviors in the classroom. The CCC contracts with an outsource behavioral specialist to help provide resourced to teaching staff and parents. CONT 9099-C
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Maria Mueller
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Francisca Velazquez
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/09/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/09/2024
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 17-CC-20231205152421
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 6500 HOLLISTER AVE., SUITE 200
GOLETA, CA 93117
FACILITY NAME: LITTLE SCHOLARS MONTESSORI
FACILITY NUMBER: 566213914
VISIT DATE: 02/09/2024
NARRATIVE
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Lastly, all parents of children in care reported being very satisfied with the care and supervision their children receive at the CCC and reported children are happy and enjoy going to the CCC.

LPA was unable to corroborate the second allegation of staff sprayed chemicals on table that child was sitting at. LPA observed that each classroom has disinfecting spray that is safe to use around the children and it is stored in an inaccessible area in each classroom. Additionally, staff interviews revealed that teachers do not clean or wipe tables when children are sitting at the table. Cleaning and wiping tables occur when children are away from the table. In rare, occasions when a child is nearby, teaching staff are very careful when cleaning and sanitizing the room. LPA observed the janitor closet to have two (2) locks and is inaccessible to children in care. Director reported that the teaching staff do not use any of the cleaning solutions that are in the janitor’s closet. The CCC contracts with a cleaning crew from Monday through Friday that come in the evenings to complete deep cleanings. Director reported children are never present when the cleaning crew is at the CCC. Lastly, parent interviews revealed that they have not seen any chemicals in the classrooms but the center is always clean.

Interviews, document reviews as well as LPAs' observations did not corroborate the allegations noted above.

Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegations are UNSUBSTANTIATED.

A Notice of Site Visit (LIC 9213) and Appeal Rights (LIC 9058) were provided to Director, Michelle Aranda. The Notice of Site Visit must remain posted for 30 days or a civil penalty of $100.00 may appeal.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Maria Mueller
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Francisca Velazquez
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/09/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/09/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 2