125407154-4-27-2021-13-CC-EVIA-C2HNRN-20210428104145

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 125407154
Report Date: 04/27/2021
Date Signed: 04/27/2021 11:14:06 AM

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
02/23/2021 and conducted by Evaluator Kiriko Lynch

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 13-CC-20210223164556

FACILITY NAME:	STEPPING STONES CHILDREN'S GARDEN		FACILITY NUMBER:	125407154
ADMINISTRATOR:	LYNN, MICHELLE		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	1920 ZEHNDNER AVE.		TELEPHONE:	(707) 825-7447
CITY:	ARCATA	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	95521
CAPACITY:	45	CENSUS: 8	DATE:	04/27/2021
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	10:15 AM
MET WITH:	Shehlee Johnson		TIME COMPLETED:	11:15 AM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Facility has ants.

Daycare child(ren) left in soiled socks.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 04/27/2021, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Kiriko Lynch conducted a closing complaint investigation and met with the Lead Teacher/Acting Center Director. The closing complaint investigation was conducted via tele-inspection due to the current state of emergency regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, and LPA also conducted a virtual tour of the facility during the investigation. It was alleged the facility has ants, and daycare child(ren) left in soiled socks. The Lead Teacher was interviewed on 02/25/21 and 04/26/21, and denied the allegations, and felt the allegations may be retaliatory in nature. Lead Teacher stated the facility recently reopened at the beginning of the month and mitigated a minor ant issue with natural insecticide powder used in areas inaccessible to children, however, ants were not found on children's food or in the lunch area as alleged. The Lead Teacher also stated the child in question had been wearing boots earlier in the day that had gotten wet from a nature walk, but the staff had changed the child’s socks upon coming back to the facility and child was not left in wet socks for naptime and the remainder of the day. Three parents/guardians whose children currently attend the facility were interviewed on 04/22/21, and there were no disclosures corroborating the allegations. Based on interviews, observations, and records review, LPA did not find a preponderance of evidence to corroborate the allegations. Although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of the evidence to prove that the alleged violations occurred, and the findings are unsubstantiated. An exit interview was conducted, and appeal rights were provided.

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: 04/27/2021

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/27/2021

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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