198019281-6-17-2025-33-CC-BVON-DJESKA-20250709135622

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198019281
Report Date: 06/17/2025
Date Signed: 06/17/2025 02:52:27 PM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK CC RO, 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
04/09/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Saul Valenzuela

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 33-CC-20250409124146

FACILITY NAME:	HAPPY BIRCH PRESCHOOL- TAMARIND		FACILITY NUMBER:	198019281
ADMINISTRATOR:	ARPI AVANESIAN IDOLOR		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	1429 TAMARIND AVE		TELEPHONE:	(323) 380-7311
CITY:	LOS ANGELES	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	90028
CAPACITY:	46	CENSUS: 30	DATE:	06/17/2025
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	01:45 PM
MET WITH:	Arpi Avanesian Idolor, Director		TIME COMPLETED:	02:45 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff yelled at adult in the presence of a child.
Staff yells at children in care.
Staff did not ensure that outdoor activity space was free of hazards.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Saul Valenzuela conducted an unannounced subsequent complaint inspection to deliver findings on the above allegations. LPA met with Director, Arpi Avanesian and Preschool Owner, Mali Rand to whom the reason for the visit was explained. Director guided LPA on a tour of the facility. LPA observed 30 children, and 5 staff present at the facility during this inspection.

During this investigation LPA conducted interviews with Reporting Party (RP), five (5) Staff, three (5) Parents, and one (1) Child. LPA also obtained documents related to complaint allegation, including but not limited to, a copy of the Children’s Roster (LIC 9040), Personnel Report (LIC 500), Parent Handbook, Employee Handbook, Photographs, and email threads.

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Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Brandi VanOosten
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Saul Valenzuela
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 06/17/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/17/2025

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 3

Control Number 33-CC-20250409124146

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

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

FACILITY NAME: HAPPY BIRCH PRESCHOOL- TAMARIND	FACILITY NUMBER: 198019281
	VISIT DATE: 06/17/2025

NARRATIVE

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According to the allegations, Staff yelled at adult in the presence of a child.

During Staff interviews, Staff #3 disclosed that they were assisting a child in the restroom with Adult #1 inside of the classroom. According to Staff #3 that Staff #2 came into the room looking for an additional staff to assist with children in the outdoor play area. Per Staff #3, they notified Staff #2 that they were assisting a child in the restroom, and that Staff #2 responded with “okay”. Staff #3 stated that Adult #1 “did not like the way she talks because its abrupt”. According to Staff #3, they did not “take it personally” and “didn’t feel disrespected at all” and that the child was not visibly disturbed by the interaction.

Staff #2 disclosed that on 04/02/2025 they requested Adult #1 and Adult #2 to leave the facility after they were told to lower their voices, and to stop playing with the children before naptime. According to Staff #2, that Adult #1 and Adult #2 were playing “ring around the rosie” with children that they were not assigned to their care. According to Staff #2 that when they reminded Adult #2 about their voice because the children are preparing to go inside for naptime. Per Staff #2 that Adult #2 requested to speak with Staff #1 and not with Staff #2. Per Staff #2, that they requested Adult #1 and Adult #2 to step outside of the facility if they were going to make a phone call. Staff #2 stated that Adult #2 was visibly upset and did not return to the facility. According to Staff they have not heard Staff #1 yell at any adults in the presence of children.

According to the allegations, Staff yells at children in care.

Per complaint, that Staff #1 was heard “yelling” at children in care. During interviews conducted, parents stated they are satisfied with the care and supervision their children receive at the facility. Staff made no disclosures of staff yelling at children, and that according to the staff handbook that they are not allowed to yell at children. During visits to the facility on 4/18/2025 and 05/23/2025, LPA did not observe staff yell at any children during the visits.

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SUPERVISORS NAME: Brandi VanOosten
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Saul Valenzuela
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 06/17/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/17/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 2 of 3

Control Number 33-CC-20250409124146

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

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

FACILITY NAME: HAPPY BIRCH PRESCHOOL- TAMARIND	FACILITY NUMBER: 198019281
	VISIT DATE: 06/17/2025

NARRATIVE

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According to the allegations, Staff did not ensure that outdoor activity space was free of hazards.

During Staff interviews, Staff disclosed that several children do not use shoes during outdoor play time, due to there being a large sandbox area and water play activity area. According to staff, if a child sustains a cut, staff will provide first aid to the child and write an ouch report and provide a copy to the parents. Staff did not disclose that they have found glass or other items that are hazardous to children. Per staff that they conduct a safety walk through of the yard in the morning and at the end of the day.

During facility tour on 5/23/2025, LPA Valenzuela observed three children running around without shoes during outdoor play time. The children were observed to be transiting between the sandbox and the surrounding area of the sand box.

This agency has investigated the complaint alleging child left the classroom without being noticed due to inadequate supervision. Based upon the evidence as presented above, the allegation has been determined to be Unsubstantiated. A finding of Unsubstantiated means that although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove alleged violation(s) did or did not occur, therefore at this time the above allegation is unsubstantiated.

A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. An exit interview conducted, and the report was reviewed with Facility Representative, Arpi Avanesian Idolor.

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SUPERVISORS NAME: Brandi VanOosten
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Saul Valenzuela
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 06/17/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/17/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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