304370845-10-13-2023-06-CC-JHAN-CWWUSB-20231024155000

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 304370845
Report Date: 10/13/2023
Date Signed: 10/13/2023 12:33:45 PM

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
09/29/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Dean Thompson

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 06-CC-20230929152939

FACILITY NAME:	ACE MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL		FACILITY NUMBER:	304370845
ADMINISTRATOR:	PAL, DHARMENDRA		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	24602 RAYMOND WAY SUITE #1		TELEPHONE:	(949) 735-2905
CITY:	LAKE FOREST	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	92630
CAPACITY:	90	CENSUS: 13	DATE:	10/13/2023
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	12:05 PM
MET WITH:	Pal Dharmendra		TIME COMPLETED:	12:50 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Facility is operating out of ratio
A day care child was left alone inside the classroom
Director did not make arrangements for a substitute to manage the center during absence

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Thompson conducted an unannounced complaint investigation. This is a continuation of the investigation initiated on 9/29/2023. Upon arrival LPA met with director Pal Dharmendra. Director guided LPA on a tour of the facility. LPA observed 13 preschool age children with 4 staff.

A review of the Facility Personnel Report Summary on this date indicates all facility staff or other individuals who require caregiver background checks have received criminal record and child abuse index clearances or exemptions. During today’s inspection the facility was operating within its licensed capacity and within compliance with staffing ratios.

The Orange County Child Care Office received a complaint on 9/29/2023 with three (3) allegations. (1) Facility is operating out of ratio, (2) A day care child was left alone inside the classroom, and (3) Director did not make arrangements for a substitute to manage the center during absence.

Continue to Page 2

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Judy Hanson	TELEPHONE: (714) 795-0415
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Dean Thompson	TELEPHONE: (714) 287-0708
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 10/13/2023

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/13/2023

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 2

Control Number 06-CC-20230929152939

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: ACE MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL	FACILITY NUMBER: 304370845
	VISIT DATE: 10/13/2023

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

The reporting Party (RP) mentioned during nap time there are 12 to 16 children with 1 staff. Community Care Licensing regulations allow 1 staff to oversee 24 napping children. During the visit on 9/29/2023, it was determined the facility is operating within its licensed capacity and within compliance of staffing ratios. Also, during previous visits it was determined the facility is operating within its licensed capacity and within compliance with staffing ratios.

Staff interviews were conducted on 9/29/2023, and three staff stated never being out of ratio and have never left a child alone or witnessed other staff leaving children alone.

The RP stated the director did not make arrangements for a substitute to manage the center during absence. RP stated that for three weeks when the director was away, the director didn't have a designated staff to manage the center in his absence. During staff interviews it was determined the director did leave a qualified staff member (S2) in charge and S2 had the required documents inside their file. LPA also reviewed the LIC 508 designation of facility responsibility form dated 1/1/2021 belonging to S2.

Parent interviews were conducted on 10/6/2023. LPA contacted 8 parents and 3 were able to be interviewed. Parents interviewed didn’t divulge any information pertaining to the allegations.

Based on LPA observations, interviews with staff and parents, there was not enough evidence to substantiate the allegation. The Orange County Child Care Office has investigated the complaint alleging (1) Facility is operating out of ratio, (2) A day care child was left alone inside the classroom, and (3) Director did not make arrangements for a substitute to manage the center during absence: although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not enough preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations did or did not occur, therefore the allegations is UNSUBSTANTIATED.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Director Pal Dharmendra. Notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Failure to post will result in civil penalties of $100.00.

Appeal Rights were explained. The Licensee was provided a copy of appeal rights (LIC 9058 01/16) and their signature on this form acknowledges receipt of these rights. All appeals must be in writing and received by the Regional Office within 15 business days. First level appeals should be sent to the regional manager to the address listed above.

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Judy Hanson	TELEPHONE: (714) 795-0415
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Dean Thompson	TELEPHONE: (714) 287-0708
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 10/13/2023

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/13/2023

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 2 of 2