198013166-12-1-2020-33-CC-CGUA-BWRUUC-20201229145319

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198013166
Report Date: 11/13/2020
Date Signed: 12/01/2020 02:06:42 PM

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
11/04/2020 and conducted by Evaluator Alanna Gontarek

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 33-CC-20201104124323

FACILITY NAME:	MONTESSORI ACADEMY OF LA PUENTE		FACILITY NUMBER:	198013166
ADMINISTRATOR:	MEGHA SAHNI		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	846 N. ORANGE AVENUE		TELEPHONE:	(626) 917-3638
CITY:	LA PUENTE	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	91744
CAPACITY:	138	CENSUS: 28	DATE:	11/13/2020
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	08:45 AM
MET WITH:	Megha Sahni		TIME COMPLETED:	01:45 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Facility playground has objects that pose a hazard to children in care.
Facility fence is in disrepair.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On November 12th, 2020 at 8:45 a.m., Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Alanna Gontarek and Michelle Sanchez conducted an unannounced Complaint Inspection regarding the above allegations. LPAs met with Director Megha Sahni, at the facility Montessori Academy of La Puente, who gave LPAs a tour of the facility. Census was taken. 26 children were present during arrival of initial inspection visit.
During the course of the investigation, inspection was conducted on 11/12/2020. During the tour of the facility, each classroom and both preschool playground and "Toddler" playground were inspected. LPAs observed a tree stump and a sharp metal object in the "Roses" playground. Photos were taken. During interviews conducted, disclosures were made that children trip on the tree stump. Also, on 11/12/2020, LPAs observed the metal fence in the walkway, from parking lot to the office, was corroded, rusted, and had a broken sharp piece sticking out in the walkway. On 11/13/2020, LPAs observed another corroded, rusted, and broken part of the fence was sticking out into the walkway in front of the "Lilies" room. During interviews conducted, disclosures were made that the fence was broken.
This agency has investigated the complaint alleging facility playground has objects that pose a hazard to children in care and facility fence is in disrepair. Based on the information, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegations are found to be Substantiated. California Code of Regulations,(Title 22, Division 12 & Chapter Number 1 ), are being cited on the attached LIC. 9099D. This poses a potential Health and Safety risk to clients in care.
At 1:11 p.m., an exit interview was conducted with Director Megha Sahni. Appeal Rights were provided and given. A copy of the report and the Notice of Site Visit were given. The Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 consecutive days. Failure to maintain posting as required will result in a $100.00 civil penalty.

Substantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Claudia Guangorena	TELEPHONE: (323) 981-8417
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Alanna Gontarek	TELEPHONE: (323) 854-8644
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 11/13/2020

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/13/2020

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 33-CC-20201104124323

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: MONTESSORI ACADEMY OF LA PUENTE	FACILITY NUMBER: 198013166
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:	VISIT DATE: 11/13/2020

Deficiency Type POC Due Date / Section Number	DEFICIENCIES		PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B 12/11/2020 Section Cited CCR 101238.2(d)(2)	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	Outdoor Activity Space: (d) The surface of the outdoor activity space shall be maintained (2) Free of hazards including, but not limited to, holes, broken glass and other debris, and dry grasses that pose a fire hazard. This requirement was not met as evidenced by:	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	Director, Megha Sahni states that she will have the "Roses" room use the Preschool playground until the stump is removed. Director states that she will speak to the Paster and the owner to have tree stump removed, will make sure the tree stump is removed by the POC due date.
	8 9 10 11 12 13 14	Based on LPAs observations of a tree stump and a sharp metal object in the "Roses" playground, and interviews were conducted with staff confirming the presence of the stump. Pictures taken.This poses a potential health and safety risk to the children in care.	8 9 10 11 12 13 14	LPA requested a work order of the tree stump to be emailed to LPA.
Type B 12/11/2020 Section Cited CCR 101238(a)	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	Buildings and Grounds: (a) The child care center shall be clean, safe, sanitary and in good repair at all times to ensure the safety and well-being of children, employees and visitors. This requirement is not met as evidenced by:	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	Director states she will immediately remove the parts of metal fence that are sticking out. Director states she will call "handy man." Director states she will remove and replace the metal bar that is corroded and rusted by the POC due date.
	8 9 10 11 12 13 14	Based on Interview with staff, LPAs observations (photos taken) of metal fences, located in walkway to office, and one in front of the "Lillies" room, was corroded, rusted, and had broken sharp pieces sticking out. This poses a potential health and safety risk to the children in care.	8 9 10 11 12 13 14	LPA requested the invoice of repair to be emailed.

Failure to correct the cited deficiency(ies), on or before the Plan of Correction (POC) due date, may result in a civil penalty assessment.

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Claudia Guangorena	TELEPHONE: (323) 981-8417
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Alanna Gontarek	TELEPHONE: (323) 854-8644
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 11/13/2020

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/13/2020

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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