123007037-4-19-2022-13-CC-EVIA-CDNTTV-20220420150122

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 123007037
Report Date: 04/19/2022
Date Signed: 04/19/2022 05:07:29 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, 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
12/21/2021 and conducted by Evaluator Kiriko Lynch

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 13-CC-20211221102238

FACILITY NAME:	CHILDREN'S COTTAGE PRESCHOOL, THE		FACILITY NUMBER:	123007037
ADMINISTRATOR:	SANDERS, LEAH		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	1807 HARRISON AVENUE		TELEPHONE:	(707) 445-8119
CITY:	EUREKA	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	95501
CAPACITY:	30	CENSUS: 29	DATE:	04/19/2022
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	03:00 PM
MET WITH:	Mercedes Porter		TIME COMPLETED:	05:30 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Daycare children were made to stay outside in the cold and rain

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On April 19, 2022 at 3 PM Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Lynch conducted an unannounced closing complaint inspection and met with the current director, Mercedes Porter. It was alleged that daycare children were made to stay outside in the cold and rain. On December 30, 2021 at 10:30 AM, the director Leah Sanders denied the allegation stating that children have the choice to be inside if they want. During the inspection the LPA observed a child (C#1) transition back and forth from inside to outside then inside again at 11 AM on 12/30/21. The licensee, Rose McCutchen, arrived at 11:15 AM on December 30, 2021 and also denied the allegation. She provided a copy of the parent handbook and their outside policy/change of clothing policy. The licensee also showed the LPA the large amount of extra clothing, boots and supplies for when children get wet because she said they are allowed to play in the rain but never forced. Five children, five staff and four parents were interviewed. One witness said the children go out in weather that they would not go out in but do not complain and one said there have been times in the past where there was not enough staff for the children to go inside so kids were provided with a blanket and comforted instead. Of the 14 witnesses, 12 denied knowledge or were unable to corroborate the allegation therefore the allegation is unsubstantiated. Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of the evidence to prove that the alleged violation occurred, and the finding is unsubstantiated. An exit interview was conducted, and notice of site visit posted.

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion: 0

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Erin Virrueta	TELEPHONE: (530) 895-4325
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Kiriko Lynch	TELEPHONE: (530) 895-5033
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 04/19/2022

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/19/2022

This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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