197492753-9-18-2024-58-CC-BBEL-DCP6VZ-20250106200936

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 197492753
Report Date: 09/18/2024
Date Signed: 09/18/2024 02:01:36 PM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO CC NORTH, 300 CONTINENTAL BLVD. STE 290A
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
08/02/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Jeanine Lipsey

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 58-CC-20240802082256

FACILITY NAME:	BEGINNINGS LEARNING CENTER, INC.		FACILITY NUMBER:	197492753
ADMINISTRATOR:	TALAR SUCU		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	5554 CAHUENGA BLVD.		TELEPHONE:	(818) 643-5916
CITY:	NORTH HOLLYWOOD	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	91601
CAPACITY:	64	CENSUS: 46	DATE:	09/18/2024
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	12:07 PM
MET WITH:	Talar Sucu Director		TIME COMPLETED:	02:15 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff does not ensure children are spoken to in an appropriate manner
Staff practice unusual forms of punishment with children in care
Staff do not ensure supervision is provided to children in care
Staff do not ensure facility is kept in safe, clean sanitary conditions for children in care
Licensee does not ensure a director is on the premises during the hours the center is in operation.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 9/18/2024, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Jeanine Lipsey made an unannounced visit for the purpose of delivering findings regarding the above allegations. LPA met with, Director Talar Sucu who led LPA on a tour of the facility. LPA observed forty six children being supervised by seven staff.

Pertaining to the allegations: Staff practice unusual forms of punishment with children in care & Staff does not ensure children are spoken to in an appropriate manner.

LPA interviewed five staff, and six children.

Per Reporting Party, the staff would make the children that cry stand in the corner until they would stop crying.

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Betty Bell
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jeanine Lipsey
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 09/18/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/18/2024

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 58-CC-20240802082256

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO CC NORTH, 300 CONTINENTAL BLVD. STE 290A
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245

FACILITY NAME: BEGINNINGS LEARNING CENTER, INC.	FACILITY NUMBER: 197492753
	VISIT DATE: 09/18/2024

NARRATIVE

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LPA interviewed five staff and six children. No disclosures were made regarding the above allegations. All staff and children stated that no children are made to stand in the corner or talked to in a way that made them feel scared or sad.

Per staff #4 when children cry, they try to talk to children calmly, ask them to take a deep breath, ask them to stop crying so they can understand, ask them to use their words, walk with them, and ask them what they want. Per staff #1 & staff #3 if a child is crying, we let them cry it out and talk to them, ask if they need a “body break”, which is alone time in the reading area, or sit at the circle table with stress free toys for relaxation. All six children stated no teachers yelled at them. However, two staff disclosed on occasion, they speak loudly but not in a mean way.

Pertaining to the allegation: Staff do not ensure supervision is provided to children in care.

Per Reporting Party, the teachers stand around talking to each other and do pay attention to the children during outside play time.

No disclosures were made regarding the above allegation. LPA observed the staff actively supervising the children and did not see staff talking to one another during outside water play time. Staff #3 stated that If they chit chat, it's about a child, and not about personal stuff; they are not allowed to be on your cell phone.

Pertaining to the allegation: Staff do not ensure facility is kept in safe, clean sanitary conditions for children in care”.

Per Reporting Party, the classrooms would always be dirty because the staff would never clean anything such as the floors and tables surfaces.

No disclosures were made regarding the above allegations. LPA toured the facility and found the facility to be cleaned and well kept. Staff #4 stated the facility is cleaned daily by a cleaning company and the staff clean through out the day after snack time and after bathroom breaks. Staff #5 stated they have a service that cleans the rest rooms and every 2 months they sanitize the toys.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Betty Bell
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jeanine Lipsey
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 09/18/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/18/2024

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 3 of 3

Control Number 58-CC-20240802082256

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO CC NORTH, 300 CONTINENTAL BLVD. STE 290A
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245

FACILITY NAME: BEGINNINGS LEARNING CENTER, INC.	FACILITY NUMBER: 197492753
	VISIT DATE: 09/18/2024

NARRATIVE

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Pertaining to the allegation: Licensee does not ensure a director is on the premises during the hours the center is in operation.

Per Reporting Party, the director was never at the facility for a full day and would always leave after a few hours in addition to not even working 5 days per week.

LPA interviewed five staff; all staff stated the director is there daily by 8AM Mon-Friday but occasionally leaves early. Per staff when the Director leaves, the site supervisor, who is a fully qualified teacher, is left in charge.

Per title 22 regulations 101215.1(d) The childcare center director, or the substitute director as specified in (f) below, shall be on the premises during the hours the center is in operation. When the childcare center director is absent from the center, arrangements shall be made for a fully qualified teacher as specified in Section 101216.1(c) to act as substitute.

Based upon evidence obtained during this investigation, the allegations:

Staff does not ensure children are spoken to in an appropriate manner,

Staff practice unusual forms of punishment with children in care,
Staff do not ensure supervision is provided to children in care,
Staff do not ensure facility is kept in safe, clean sanitary conditions for children in care, and
Licensee does not ensure a director is on the premises during the hours the center is in operation, have been determined to be Unsubstantiated. A finding that a complaint is unsubstantiated means that although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove that the alleged violation occurred.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Director Talar Sucu. Notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Betty Bell
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jeanine Lipsey
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 09/18/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/18/2024

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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