191591834-10-16-2023-06-CC-PMAA-CX4VYE-20231030165100

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 191591834
Report Date: 10/16/2023
Date Signed: 10/16/2023 01:34:25 PM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE CO CHILD CARE, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
08/29/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Archibaldo Silva

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 06-CC-20230829133536

FACILITY NAME:	HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN PRE-SCHOOL		FACILITY NUMBER:	191591834
ADMINISTRATOR:	ANGELA ESSLINGER		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	1225 N HACIENDA ROAD		TELEPHONE:	(562) 694-6733
CITY:	LA HABRA HEIGHTS	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	90631
CAPACITY:	147	CENSUS: 57	DATE:	10/16/2023
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	12:45 PM
MET WITH:	Wendy Atristain		TIME COMPLETED:	01:45 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff spanks children when they don’t behave
Staff is rude, impatient, and intimidates children.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 10/16/2023 Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) A. Silva conducted an unannounced complaint investigation inspection. This is a continuation of the investigation initiated on 9/7/2023. Upon arrival, the LPA met with the Director Wendy Atristain and informed her of the purpose of the visit. A review of the Facility Personnel Report Summary shows all facility staff or individuals who require caregiver background checks have received a criminal record clearance and a child abuse index clearance or an exemption clearance. The census at the time of the visit was 57 preschool clients (9 in room 1, 17 in room 2, 18 in room 3, and 13 in room 5). Clients were napping while supervised by qualified staff.

The Department received a complaint on 8/29/2023 alleging 1) Staff spanks children when they don’t behave and 2) Staff is rude, impatient, and intimidates children.

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Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Patricia Magana	TELEPHONE: (714) 703-2821
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Archibaldo Silva	TELEPHONE: (510) 504-4954
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 10/16/2023

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/16/2023

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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Control Number 06-CC-20230829133536

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE CO CHILD CARE, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868

FACILITY NAME: HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN PRE-SCHOOL	FACILITY NUMBER: 191591834
	VISIT DATE: 10/16/2023

NARRATIVE

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Allegations 1: Staff spanks children when they don’t behave.

Interview with the complainant: The complaint was submitted anonymously and without any contact information. The Department could not reach the complainant for an interview about the allegations.

Interview with staff: On 9/7/2023, five (5) staff were interviewed about the allegations. All staff interviewed denied the allegations happened. Staff 1, 2, 3, and 4 asserted they have never spanked daycare children. All staff interviewed stated they have never heard or seen staff spanking children. All staff consistently asserted that they use redirection, rewards, and discussion of emotions and consequences to manage challenging behavior.

Interview with children: On 9/7/2023, four (4) preschool children were selected for an interview about the allegations. Three of the four children qualified for the interview, one was disqualified. None of the three children interviewed provided any information that could corroborate the allegations.

Interview with Parents: On 9/8/2023, four (4) parents were called for an interview. None of the parents answered the Department’s request for an interview.

Records review: On 10/4/2023, LPA reviewed the New Employee Handbook. Among other topics, the handbook discusses “classroom control” and the “hands off” policy. The Executive Preschool Director provided evidence of training topics offered to staff and staff monthly meeting attendance sheets for July and August. Among the training given to staff are preferred strategies for managing challenging behaviors in the classroom, emotional awareness, resilience & self-regulation, and healing trauma-promoting skill development training.

Allegation 2: Staff is rude, impatient, and intimidates children.

Interview with the complainant: The complaint was submitted anonymously and without any contact information. The Department could not reach the complainant for an interview about the allegations.

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SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Patricia Magana	TELEPHONE: (714) 703-2821
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Archibaldo Silva	TELEPHONE: (510) 504-4954
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 10/16/2023

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/16/2023

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 2 of 3

Control Number 06-CC-20230829133536

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE CO CHILD CARE, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868

FACILITY NAME: HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN PRE-SCHOOL	FACILITY NUMBER: 191591834
	VISIT DATE: 10/16/2023

NARRATIVE

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Interview with staff: On 9/7/2023, five (5) staff were interviewed about the allegations. All staff interviewed denied the allegations happened. Staff 1, 2, 3, and 4 asserted they have never been rude, impatient, or intimidating to daycare children. All staff interviewed stated they have never heard or seen staff being rude, impatient, or intimidating to daycare children. All staff consistently answered that they use redirection, rewards, and discussion of emotions and consequences to manage challenging behavior.

Interview with children: On 9/7/2023, four (4) preschool children were selected for an interview about the allegations. Three of the four children qualified for the interview, one did not. None of the three children interviewed provided any information that could corroborate the allegations.

Interview with Parents: On 9/8/2023, four (4) parents were called for an interview. None of the parents answered the Department’s request for an interview.

Records review: On 10/4/2023, LPA reviewed the New Employee Handbook. Among other topics, the handbook discusses “classroom control” and the “hands off” policy. The Executive Preschool Director provided evidence of training topics offered to staff and staff monthly meeting attendance sheets for July and August. Among the training given to staff are preferred strategies for managing challenging behaviors in the classroom, emotional awareness, resilience & self-regulation, and healing trauma-promoting skill development training.

Based on the LPA’s observations, interviews conducted with children and staff, and records review, the preponderance of evidence standard has not been met. Although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation(s) did or did not occur, therefore the allegations are unsubstantiated.

An exit interview was conducted with Director Wendy Atristain. The Notice of Site Visit was posted during the visit. The director was informed that the Notice of Site Visit must be posted for 30 consecutive days. Failure to post will result in civil penalties of $100. The director was provided a copy of their appeal rights (LIC 9058 01/16) and their signature on this form acknowledges receipt of these rights. First-level appeals should be sent to the regional manager to the address listed above.

end.

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Patricia Magana	TELEPHONE: (714) 703-2821
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Archibaldo Silva	TELEPHONE: (510) 504-4954
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 10/16/2023

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/16/2023

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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