304370573-7-15-2024-06-CC-THOO-D7NTQW-20240730145637

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 304370573
Report Date: 07/15/2024
Date Signed: 07/15/2024 10:12:21 AM

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
06/11/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Mahnaz Malek

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 06-CC-20240611155106

FACILITY NAME:	MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF LAGUNA BEACH		FACILITY NUMBER:	304370573
ADMINISTRATOR:	SOMASUNDARAM, DEEPA		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	340 ST. ANN'S DRIVE		TELEPHONE:	(949) 494-2411
CITY:	LAGUNA BEACH	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	92651
CAPACITY:	84	CENSUS: 25	DATE:	07/15/2024
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	08:30 AM
MET WITH:	Staff in charge, Jabeena Farukhi		TIME COMPLETED:	10:40 AM

ALLEGATION(S):

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Staff used an unusual punishment on a child in care by taking the food away from child.
Staff used an unusual punishment on a child in care by sending child to bathroom as a way of discipline.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

Page 1 of 3
Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Mahnaz (Nancy) Malek conducted a follow up investigation regarding the above allegations. This is a follow up for the visit conducted on 6/13/2024. LPA met with staff in charge, Jabeena Farukhi. Th director, Deepa Somasundaram was not present. Census was taken. There was a total of 25 preschool children with 3 staff including Ms. Farukmi on the outdoor space. Parents were dropping off their children.

A review of staff records on this date indicated that all facility staff or other individuals who required caregiver background checks have received criminal record and child abuse index clearances or exemptions.
On 6/11/2024, the Orange County Child Care Office received a complaint alleging “Staff used an unusual
Continued on page 2

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Thuy Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Mahnaz Malek
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 07/15/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/15/2024

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 06-CC-20240611155106

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: MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF LAGUNA BEACH	FACILITY NUMBER: 304370573
	VISIT DATE: 07/15/2024

NARRATIVE

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32

Page 2 of 3

punishment on a child in care by taking the food away from child” and “staff used an unusual punishment on a child in care by sending child to bathroom as a way of discipline. Reporting Party (RP) stated staff # 1 did not allow child # 1 to eat lunch, because child # 1 refused to sit at a table and requested to sit by themselves. Reporting party also stated another incident when staff # 2 told child # 2 to go sit in the bathroom when child # 2 said a bathroom word. Reporting party could not remember the exact dates of the reported incidents. However, it was reported the incidents happened in February or March of 2024.

During the course of investigation, LPA interviewed 11 staff working at the facility, including staff # 1 and 2, interviewed 9 qualified children, and contacted 10 parents of whom one parent responded.

Regarding the allegation of “staff used an unusual punishment on a child in care by taking the food away from child”, LPA interviewed 11 staff including staff # 1. Staff denied taking away children’s food. Staff states they are aware of personal rights of children. They don’t force children to eat. They have not observed any staff to take away food from any child as a way of discipline. Staff # 1 stated on one occasion, child # 1 insisted to sit alone and did not want to sit with another child during lunch time. The tables in the classrooms are set with 2 chairs for siting of 2 children. Each child can sit wherever they want. Child # 1 wanted to sit alone. There were 12 children in the classroom with 6 tables and 12 chairs. There was only one spot left for child # 1 whom child refused to sit. Children do not have an assigned seat. Staff # 1 stated staff tried to encourage the child to sit and eat but child # 1 did not let staff # 1 to open their lunch bag. Child stated they were not hungry. Staff # 1 stated they did not want to force the child to eat. Staff # 1 stated they made sure child ate later. The management stated they communicated with the child’ representative. LPA interviewed 10 children including child # 1 who did not disclose anything to LPA related to the above incident.

Regarding the allegation of “staff used an unusual punishment on a child in care by sending child to bathroom as a way of discipline, LPA interviewed 11 staff including the alleged staff # 2. Staff denied punishing any child by sending the child to the bathroom. Staff stated they talk to children if they do not listen. They do not use any time out. LPA interviewed staff # 2. Staff # 2 stated their discipline policy is to talk to children with reasoning. Staff # 2 denied sending any children to the bathroom as a way of disciplining them. Staff # 2 stated they have heard children use bathroom words a lot.
Continued on page 3

SUPERVISORS NAME: Thuy Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Mahnaz Malek
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 07/15/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/15/2024

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 2 of 3

Control Number 06-CC-20240611155106

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: MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF LAGUNA BEACH	FACILITY NUMBER: 304370573
	VISIT DATE: 07/15/2024

NARRATIVE

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32

Page 3 of 3

They have told children those words are bathroom words, and they are used in the bathroom. If one child says it, the others learn and like to repeat it. Staff # 2 stated they tell children they don't think those words are appropriate words to use them in the classroom. Those words are appropriate for bathroom. If they want to say those words, we tell them bathroom is an appropriate place for those words. Staff # 2 stated they have not sent any child to the bathroom because of saying bathroom words. Children say the bathroom words and they think is funny. LPA interviewed 10 children including attempting interviewing child # 2. Child # 6 stated child # 2 uses bathroom words and staff # 2 tells child # 2 those are bathroom words. Child # 8 stated children say bathroom words and staff # 2 reminds them those are bathroom words and not classroom words. Child # 9 stated child # 7 uses bathroom words and staff # 2 keeps saying we use those words in the bathroom. Child # 10 stated some children use bathroom words in the classroom and staff # 2 tell them we use those words in the bathroom. Children did not disclose to LPA that any child is sent to the bathroom as a way of discipline for saying the bathroom words.

During the course of interviews with 11 staff, 10 children, and 10 parents of whom one parent responded with positive feedback, there is not enough proof or evidence to support the above allegations occurred or did not occur. This agency has investigated the complaint alleging “Staff used an unusual punishment on a child in care by taking the food away from child” and “Staff used an unusual punishment on a child in care by sending child to bathroom as a way of discipline”; although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove, the alleged violations did or did not occur, therefore the allegations are UNSUBSTANTIATED.

Notice of Site Visit was posted. The notice of site visit must be posted for 30 consecutive days. Failure to post will result in civil penalties of $100.
In the areas which were investigated, no deficiency was cited today. The staff in charge, Jabeena Farukhi, was provided a copy of their appeal rights (LIC 9058 1/16) and their signature on this form acknowledges receipt of these rights.

Exit interview was conducted with staff in charge, Jabeena Farukhi.
This report ends here.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Thuy Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Mahnaz Malek
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 07/15/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/15/2024

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 3 of 3