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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 566215667
Report Date: 05/16/2023
Date Signed: 05/16/2023 12:33:41 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
02/17/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Susana Martinez
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 17-CC-20230217153850
FACILITY NAME:LEARNING EXPERIENCE, THEFACILITY NUMBER:
566215667
ADMINISTRATOR:DULCE CONTRERASFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:2003 YOSEMITE AVENUETELEPHONE:
(805) 520-5913
CITY:SIMI VALLEYSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
93063
CAPACITY:106CENSUS: 89DATE:
05/16/2023
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:45 AM
MET WITH:Samantha CroceTIME COMPLETED:
11:23 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff do not ensure drinking water is accessible to children in care.
Staff do not ensure children wear appropriate clothing for outside weather conditions.
Staff accept children with signs of illness into care.
Staff transitioned child to a new classroom without informing child's authorized representative.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On May 16, 2023 Licensing Program Analysts (LPA's) Susana Martinez and Daniel Venegas conducted an unannounced inspection for the purpose of delivering findings of the above mentioned allegations. LPA's met with director Samantha Croce and advised her of the purpose for the inspection. Director provided LPA's with a tour inside and outside the facility. At the time of inspection there were 89 children along with 8 adults.

On 2/23/2023 LPA Rios made an unannounced inspection with facility assistant director to initiate a complaint investigation. LPA Rios observed all the classrooms and drinking water was available to children in care and children were inside the classrooms.

LPA Rios interviewed staff present in the Prepper’s Classroom and PS1. In regard to the water allegation, staff members stated children have their own water bottle, and the center provides a pitcher with water to serve. Staff stated children grab their water bottles when needed. When asked about the jackets being worn outside staff members stated, they make sure the jackets are on while outside. When asked about sick policies staff stated their job is to tell them right away and send them to the front and be sent home.
Continued on 9099-C
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: George Mingle
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Susana Martinez
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/16/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/16/2023
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 3
Control Number 17-CC-20230217153850
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: LEARNING EXPERIENCE, THE
FACILITY NUMBER: 566215667
VISIT DATE: 05/16/2023
NARRATIVE
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Then LPA Rios also asked what the procedure is if children show up to the center showing signs of illness. Staff members stated if the temperature is high, they can’t come in that day. When asked about children transitioning classrooms, one staff member stated there was a parent upset last week and the mom had been told he was going to transition. She was mad that he was in there for a little and he was in there for a few years. Some kids take a couple days, some take a month to transition. Staff member stated that parents sometimes think children are in trouble because they are crying but it could be because the child has transitioned. Staff member states parents are notified. Another staff member stated at least 2 week transition time is provided and parents sign for it. Staff member stated she has not seen anyone being transitioned and getting upset. Director stated some kids do have a hard time transitioning up and can get sad and cry but attention and love is given to them.

When asked about child C1 moving classrooms too soon and in 1 day, director stated I do have boy with that last name enrolled and before I was director because I started in October, before that, he was supposed to be moved classrooms so when I started as Director, mom yelled at me and told me he was supposed to transition classrooms. So we moved him right away but it was a gradual transition, not just 1 day and parent has been nice to me now.

When interviewing parents, one parent stated "no" when asked about child coming home with chapped lips and stated she has not seen anyone sick. When asked about transitioning classrooms, the same parent stated "They informed me when she was planning to move her and I said I didn’t want her too so they didn’t." Another parent stated children all wear jackets outside. When asked about water that parent stated "Every day I have my child bring her own with water but there is water available there. Not sure where the water fill up is and they check temps and send them home if sick."



No parents or staff had any concerns about drinking water being accessible, ensuring children wear appropriate clothing outside for weather conditions, Staff accepting children with signs of illness into care, or staff transitioning children to a new classroom with out informing parents. No staff or parent interviews corroborated the allegations. Parent handbook paper work was provided to LPA and it discussed sick policies and LPA observed the waters during the initial visit. Based on observation and staff interviews there is no evidence of these allegations happening. Based on the information obtained a preponderance of evidence could not be established to support the allegations. LPA Rios deemed the allegations are UNSUBSTANTIATED.

Continued on 9099-C

SUPERVISORS NAME: George Mingle
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Susana Martinez
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/16/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/16/2023
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
Control Number 17-CC-20230217153850
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: LEARNING EXPERIENCE, THE
FACILITY NUMBER: 566215667
VISIT DATE: 05/16/2023
NARRATIVE
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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.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the director Samantha Croce.

SUPERVISORS NAME: George Mingle
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Susana Martinez
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/16/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/16/2023
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 3