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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198020251
Report Date: 07/23/2024
Date Signed: 07/23/2024 12:06:28 PM

Substantiated


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
06/27/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Monique Jessica Ayala
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 33-CC-20240627113641

FACILITY NAME:HAPPY BIRCH PRESCHOOLFACILITY NUMBER:
198020251
ADMINISTRATOR:MALI RANDFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:1423 TAMARIND AVETELEPHONE:
(323) 469-3706
CITY:LOS ANGELESSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
90028
CAPACITY:46CENSUS: 35DATE:
07/23/2024
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
08:15 AM
MET WITH:Mali Rand, DirectorTIME COMPLETED:
09:30 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Personal Rights: Staff yells at each other in front of children
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On July 23, 2024, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Monique Ayala conducted an unannounced complaint investigation for the above allegations. A COVID-19 risk assessment was conducted prior to entering the facility. LPA met with director, Mali Rand who guided LPA on a tour of the facility. LPA observed 35 children with 6 staff.

During the investigation, LPA interviewed Staff #1 (S1) to Staff #7 (S7), interviewed Child #1 (C1) to Child #4 (C4), interviewed Parent #1 (P1) and obtained a copy of the facility roster. LPA reviewed six children files and seven staff files. LPA called nine parents but was only able to speak to one. LPA was unable to interview the Reporting Party (RP) as the RP is anonymous.

RP alleged, “Staff yells at each other in front of children”. Per RP, S4 and S7 do not like one another and yell or say rude comments to one another in the presence of children.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Ana Chico
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Monique Jessica Ayala
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/23/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/23/2024
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 5
Control Number 33-CC-20240627113641
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: HAPPY BIRCH PRESCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 198020251
VISIT DATE: 07/23/2024
NARRATIVE
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LPA interviewed S4-S7 who disclosed that S4 and S7 have yelled at each other in front of children. S5 and S6 disclosed that they have had disagreements with S7 in the classroom with raised voices in the presence of day care children. S1-S3, C1-C4 and P1 did not disclose anything related to allegation.

Based on interviews conducted the above allegation is deemed SUBSTANTATED. A finding of Substantiated means that the preponderance of evidence standard has been met. The facility is being cited a Type B deficiency under Title 22 Regulations, Personal Rights 101223(a)(2), see LIC9099D.

An exit interview was conducted, and a copy of this report was provided to the director, Mali Rand along with Appeal Rights. A Notice of Site Visit was provided and must be posted for 30 days.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Ana Chico
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Monique Jessica Ayala
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/23/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/23/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 5
Control Number 33-CC-20240627113641
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: HAPPY BIRCH PRESCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 198020251
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 07/23/2024
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
08/06/2024
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(2)
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Personal Rights: The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights: To be accorded safe, healthful and comfortable accommodations, furnishings and equipment to meet his/her needs. This requirement was not met as evidence by: Based on interviews conducted
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Director will hold an all staff meeting with the teachers and teacher assiatnts discussing proper communication with other staff in front of day care children.
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S4 to S7 have at one time yelled at one another in the presence of children. Per S4-S7 the yelling has been observed/done by the above staff. This poses a potential health and safety risk for children in care.
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Failure to correct the cited deficiency(ies), on or before the Plan of Correction (POC) due date, may result in a civil penalty assessment.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Ana Chico
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Monique Jessica Ayala
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/23/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/23/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 5