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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 045407012
Report Date: 09/22/2021
Date Signed: 09/22/2021 12:43:28 PM



STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 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
08/31/2021 and conducted by Evaluator Carrie Wisehart
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 13-CC-20210831152225
FACILITY NAME:LITTLE DISCOVERIES PRESCHOOLFACILITY NUMBER:
045407012
ADMINISTRATOR:BLANK, JOHNNAFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:4 CREATIVE LANETELEPHONE:
(530) 342-7758
CITY:CHICOSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
95926
CAPACITY:24CENSUS: 19DATE:
09/22/2021
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
12:00 PM
MET WITH:Ronda GambonesTIME COMPLETED:
12:15 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Day care is not kept at a comfortable temperature for day care children
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 9/22/21 at 12 pm, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Carrie Wisehart conducted a subsequent complaint investigation inspection to the facility for the purpose of delivering complaint findings. It was alleged that the day care is not kept at a comfortable temperature for day care children.
The licensee was interviewed on 9/2/21 and on 9/10/21. The licensee denied the allegations saying she has been proactive in addressing the issue. The building has two air conditioning units and one unit was noticed to have stopped working on the afternoon of 8/30. The licensee notified the landlord and on 8/31 an air conditioning company was on site and two more came later in the week to provide quotes. Both preschool rooms (Whales/Pirates) were affected by the down air conditioning unit. The facility staff placed fans; opened doors for cool ventilation to circulate air from rooms that had the A/C working. Popsicles and cold drinks were brought in and water play was encouraged. Children were sent outside, on days the air quality was good.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Megan AvilesTELEPHONE: (530) 895-5984
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Carrie WisehartTELEPHONE: (530) 895-5824
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/22/2021
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/22/2021
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 13-CC-20210831152225
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 520 COHASSET RD., SUITE 170
CHICO, CA 95926
FACILITY NAME: LITTLE DISCOVERIES PRESCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 045407012
VISIT DATE: 09/22/2021
NARRATIVE
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The LPA interviewed Witnesses (W1 – W5) and the witnesses expressed that the facility tried under the circumstances by hydrating the kids, though W1/W2 both stated that the facility should have brought in portable A/C units and more fans. The conditions led to bad naps and the first few days were uncomfortable for the kids and if the conditions had continued, they would have started to complain.

The LPA interviewed staff (S1-S6) and the staff indicated that Monday 8/30 and Tuesday 8/31 were the warmest days and children were kept inside because the air qualify was poor due to fires. Staff indicated children were sweaty and naps were shorter due to discomfort from the heat. Staff also brought in personal fans for air circulation and provided water, and opened doors from area’s that still have A/C working, for ventilation. Staff considered calling parents on the afternoon of Tuesday 8/31 due to warmth and humidity but realized most pick up between 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm and it was already within that time frame when they observed the room temperature hit 86 degrees F.

The LPA reviewed Accu Weather for recorded high temperatures for Chico for the week of Aug 30 – Sept 3rd, the days the A/C unit was down. The 2 hottest days recorded were Monday 8/30/21, which reached 99 degrees F and Tue 8/31/21 which reached 93 degrees F. These were also the days that the air quality was poor due to smoke so the children could not play outside, per staff interviews. Staff interviews also supported these were the hottest days and most problematic days when children presented as sweaty, pink faced and irritable due to short naps. Staff did utilize fans, provided extra water, opened doors to areas that had cool air to increase ventilation. However, even with these efforts staff recorded the indoor temperature to be 86 degrees F at 4:47 pm (photo) in the Whales classroom on Tue 8/31/21 and the facility is open until 5:30 pm. Staff did not take a temperature on Monday 8/30/21 which was a hotter day and staff interviews support that the Pirates room air temperature was hotter to the touch then the Whales room, though the Pirates room does not have a thermostat. By mid-week the facility started taking air temperatures and put up signage to notify parents and were able to manage with the cooling outdoor air temperatures and better air quality allowing for outdoor activities.

Based on the evidence obtained, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation is found to be substantiated.

Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 days from today's visit.

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Megan AvilesTELEPHONE: (530) 895-5984
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Carrie WisehartTELEPHONE: (530) 895-5824
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/22/2021
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/22/2021
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
Control Number 13-CC-20210831152225
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

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

FACILITY NAME: LITTLE DISCOVERIES PRESCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 045407012
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 09/22/2021
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
10/22/2021
Section Cited
CCR
101239(a)(1)
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Fixtures, Furniture, Equipment and Supplies 101239(a)(1) A comfortable temperature for children shall be maintained at all times. The licensee shall maintain the temperature in rooms that children occupy between a minimum of 68 degrees F (20 degrees C) and a maximum of 85 degrees F (30 degrees C).

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The licensee agrees to develop a written plan for staff to follow so the facility maintains air temperatures between regulation requirements. The plan will also contain steps to take when heat/air units are down, including the option to send children home until safe conditions can be provided. Written plan to be sent to CCL by 10/22/2021.


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This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Based on interview and record review on 8/31/21 the indoor air temperature reached 86 degrees F at 4:47 pm (Photo).
This poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons 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.
SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Megan AvilesTELEPHONE: (530) 895-5984
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Carrie WisehartTELEPHONE: (530) 895-5824
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/22/2021
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/22/2021
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 3