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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 566216353
Report Date: 05/22/2025
Date Signed: 05/23/2025 07:52:10 AM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA BARBARA CC RO, 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
12/12/2024 and conducted by Evaluator German Negrete
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 17-CC-20241212091812
FACILITY NAME:SEEDS EARLY LEARNING MONTESSORIFACILITY NUMBER:
566216353
ADMINISTRATOR:BRANDY POHLFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:1239 E. MAIN STREETTELEPHONE:
(805) 648-1437
CITY:VENTURASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
93001
CAPACITY:39CENSUS: 11DATE:
05/22/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
04:50 PM
MET WITH:Maria HoskinsTIME COMPLETED:
05:59 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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1. Children are using compost potties in the main classroom, not in the designated restroom area.
2. Ongoing plumbing issues with all restrooms.
3. Incidents not reported as required.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 05/22/2025, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) German Negrete and Licensing Program Manager Ana Tolentino conducted an unannounced complaint inspection to deliver the findings of the above-mentioned complaint allegations. LPA met with Maria Hoskins. At the time of the inspection, LPA observed 11 children and 3 staff members providing care and supervision.

The investigation included a review of the children's sign-in/out sheets, the staff handbook, and the parent handbook. LPA conducted interviews with parents of both currently and previously enrolled children. Additionally, LPA interviewed the Licensee, Assistant Director, and staff members. The Department also conducted three unannounced inspections, therefor observations from those inspections were included in the investigation. Lastly, the Department reviewed documents (invoices, city permits) related to plumbing issues at the child care center. Continued on LIC9099-C
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Ana Tolentino
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: German Negrete
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/22/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/22/2025
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 5
Control Number 17-CC-20241212091812
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA BARBARA CC RO, 6500 HOLLISTER AVE., SUITE 200
GOLETA, CA 93117
FACILITY NAME: SEEDS EARLY LEARNING MONTESSORI
FACILITY NUMBER: 566216353
VISIT DATE: 05/22/2025
NARRATIVE
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Allegation #1: Children are using compost potties in the main classroom

LPA interviewed six parents of currently and previously enrolled children. Two parents reported having observed plumbing issues at the facility. One parent stated they observed a compost potty in the classroom but were unsure whether it was connected to a toilet or sewer line.

As part of the investigation, LPA conducted interviews with staff and witnesses. It was confirmed the facility experienced a plumbing issue, which resulted in about half an inch of water overflow in the designated restroom area. Two witnesses (Witness #1 and #2) stated due to plumbing problems, children were using compost potties in the classroom rather than the designated restroom area with no privacy.

The Licensee (S1) also confirmed, the facility has been experiencing ongoing plumbing issues since November 2024 and stated children were present during most recent incident. LPA reviewed documents, including invoices, Ventura City permits, and children’s sign-in/out sheets. Invoices from Hansen Plumbing showed a history of plumbing issues. An invoice from Servpro, a restoration company, confirmed sewage mitigation services were provided on 12/06/2024. LPA verified by reviewing sign-in/out sheets, children were in attendance on the aforementioned date of 12/06/2024.

Allegation #2: Ongoing plumbing issues affecting all restrooms

Multiple parents interviewed by LPA confirmed they had observed plumbing issues at the facility. One parent reported that plumbers were working inside the center while children were present.

LPA also interviewed the Licensee (S1), staff member S3, and Witness #1. The Licensee confirmed plumbing issues have been ongoing and stated the center had to temporarily close due to these problems. Also Licensee stated on 11/01/2024, another leak occurred in the downstairs bathroom while children were present.

Continued LIC9099-C

SUPERVISORS NAME: Ana Tolentino
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: German Negrete
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/22/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/22/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 5
Control Number 17-CC-20241212091812
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA BARBARA CC RO, 6500 HOLLISTER AVE., SUITE 200
GOLETA, CA 93117
FACILITY NAME: SEEDS EARLY LEARNING MONTESSORI
FACILITY NUMBER: 566216353
VISIT DATE: 05/22/2025
NARRATIVE
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Both witnesses and Witness #1 corroborated the presence of ongoing plumbing issues. LPA reviewed invoices and discovered that plumbing and restoration services were provided on 10/31/2024, 12/06/2024, and 01/08/2025. LPA confirmed that the facility’s license was active during all of these dates.

Allegation #3: Incidents not reported as required

LPA reviewed the Unusual Incident Reports (UIRs) submitted by the facility to Community Care Licensing (CCL). CCL received several UIRs since the facility was licensed. However, none of the reports pertained to plumbing concerns which affected the regular functions of the daycare facility or an incident where a child skin was broken due to a Push-Pin.

Based on LPAs' observations, interviews, and documents collected during the investigation, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met. Therefore, Allegation #1 and Allegation #2 and Allegation#3 are SUBSTANTIATED. California Code of Regulations, Title 22, is being cited on the attached LIC 9099D.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with assistant director Mary Hoskins

Notice of site visit and appeal rights provided.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Ana Tolentino
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: German Negrete
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/22/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/22/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 5
Control Number 17-CC-20241212091812
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA BARBARA CC RO, 6500 HOLLISTER AVE., SUITE 200
GOLETA, CA 93117

FACILITY NAME: SEEDS EARLY LEARNING MONTESSORI
FACILITY NUMBER: 566216353
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 05/22/2025
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
05/22/2025
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(3)
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(a) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights:
(3) To be free from corporal or unusual punishment, infliction of pain, ...No interference with functions of daily living including eating, sleeping or toileting;
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From the date of the complaint to now LPA has observed funtional toilets. And pluming issues were resolved.
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Based on interviewsies and documents collected. The facility utilized compost pottys in the classroom and not in the designated restrrom area
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Type B
05/23/2025
Section Cited
CCR
101238(a)
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a) The child care center shall be clean, safe, sanitary and in good repair at all times to ensure the safety and well-being of children, employees and visitors.
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From the date of the complaint to now LPA has observed funtional toilets. And pluming issues were resolved
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Due to interviews and documents collected, it was discovered the facility went though on going plumbing issues and contracted workers to facilitate maintance on the following dates: 10/31/24, 12/06/24, 1/09/25,
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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: Ana Tolentino
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: German Negrete
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/22/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/22/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 5
Control Number 17-CC-20241212091812
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA BARBARA CC RO, 6500 HOLLISTER AVE., SUITE 200
GOLETA, CA 93117

FACILITY NAME: SEEDS EARLY LEARNING MONTESSORI
FACILITY NUMBER: 566216353
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 05/22/2025
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
05/30/2025
Section Cited
CCR
101212(e)(4)
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The licensee shall notify the Department in writing of his/her intent prior to making any structural changes that reduce the total amount of indoor or outdoor activity space. Such structural changes shall include, but not be limited to, room additions.
(e) The items below shall be reported to the Department within 10 working days following their occurrence:
(4) Any changes in the plan of operation that affect services to children.
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The facility will provide a statement/document, to the department. Tthe statement will verify, licensee's and staff understand the aforementioned regulation under reporting requirements.
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Based on interviewes and docouments collected, it was discovered the facility was closed due to plumbing issues.
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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: Ana Tolentino
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: German Negrete
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/22/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/22/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 5