<meta name="robots" content="noindex">
Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 125407154
Report Date: 07/22/2021
Date Signed: 07/22/2021 12:58:30 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
05/07/2021 and conducted by Evaluator Kiriko Lynch
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 13-CC-20210507092856
FACILITY NAME:STEPPING STONES CHILDREN'S GARDENFACILITY NUMBER:
125407154
ADMINISTRATOR:LYNN, MICHELLEFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:1920 ZEHNDNER AVE.TELEPHONE:
(707) 825-7447
CITY:ARCATASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
95521
CAPACITY:45CENSUS: 9DATE:
07/22/2021
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
10:30 AM
MET WITH:Shehlee JohnsonTIME COMPLETED:
01:00 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Day care children are left unattended.
Day care child's diapering needs are not being met.
Staff speaks inappropriately in the presence of children.
Staff are not properly washing hands.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
On 07/22/2021, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Kiriko Lynch conducted a closing complaint investigation and met with the Acting Center Director/Lead Teacher. It was alleged day care children are left unattended, day care child's diapering needs are not being met, staff speaks inappropriately in the presence of children, and staff are not properly washing hands. The Acting Director was interviewed on 05/11/21 during the inital complaint televisit, and denied all allegations, and felt the complaint may have been reported due to a payment issue. She stated a parent and guardian recently left who felt their child was not receiving individualized care they requested from staff. Acting Director stated some requests were not in agreement with center teaching philosophy, methods, policies, and practices. Three parents/guardians whose children currently attend the facility were interviewed on 07/13/21, and there were no disclosures corroborating the allegations. A staff interview and three children's interviews were also conducted on 07/20/21, and there were no disclosures. LPA also conducted a tour of the facility and observed care and supervision provided to children, and also requested records from the facility related to 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 VirruetaTELEPHONE: (530) 895-4325
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Kiriko LynchTELEPHONE: (530) 895-5033
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/22/2021
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/22/2021
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 2
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
05/07/2021 and conducted by Evaluator Kiriko Lynch
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 13-CC-20210507092856

FACILITY NAME:STEPPING STONES CHILDREN'S GARDENFACILITY NUMBER:
125407154
ADMINISTRATOR:LYNN, MICHELLEFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:1920 ZEHNDNER AVE.TELEPHONE:
(707) 825-7447
CITY:ARCATASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
95521
CAPACITY:45CENSUS: DATE:
07/22/2021
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
10:30 AM
MET WITH:Shehlee JohnsonTIME COMPLETED:
01:00 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Staff are not wearing masks.
COVID-19 symptom checks are not being provided.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
On 07/22/2021, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Kiriko Lynch conducted a closing complaint investigation and met with the Acting Center Director/Lead Teacher. It was alleged staff are not wearing masks, and COVID-19 symptom checks are not being provided. The Acting Director was interviewed on 05/11/21 during the initial complaint tele-visit. She stated they had been following all requirements and guidelines until recently, but due to recent facility staff vaccination statuses, she did not realize staff still needed to adhere to the requirements and guidelines related to COVID-19 mitigation in child care, but stated she will direct staff start to do so again. LPA also observed during previous tele-inspections, and per previous interviews and facility photo records, facility was following COVID-19 requirements and guidelines, and facility was following guidelines at the time of the closing visit. LPA is issuing an advisory note in lieu of a citation for the two substantiated allegations due to staff were until recently adhering to the requirements and guidance issued by CDSS regarding COVID-19 risk mitigation until most staff reached vaccinated status, and Acting Director stated she has recommenced following requirements and guidance as of date of notification. Based on the evidence obtained, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegations are found to be substantiated. This report was reviewed and discussed with the Acting Director. Appeal rights were provided and exit interview conducted. All licensing reports are public information and must be made available upon request for at least three years. The Notice of Site Visit must be posted for 30 days.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion: 0
SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Erin VirruetaTELEPHONE: (530) 895-4325
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Kiriko LynchTELEPHONE: (530) 895-5033
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/22/2021
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/22/2021
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 2