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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 334843422
Report Date: 11/06/2024
Date Signed: 11/06/2024 09:45:12 AM

Unsubstantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVERSIDE CC RO, 3737 MAIN ST., SUITE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
10/02/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Samuel Lopez
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 09-CC-20241002121436
FACILITY NAME:CREATIVE BEGINNINGS OF THE DESERTFACILITY NUMBER:
334843422
ADMINISTRATOR:ANITA GOONETILLEKEFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:332 W ALEJO ROAD #ATELEPHONE:
(760) 416-6333
CITY:PALM SPRINGSSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92262
CAPACITY:70CENSUS: 14DATE:
11/06/2024
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
08:24 AM
MET WITH:Assistant Director Cecilia PayneTIME COMPLETED:
10:00 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Personal Rights – Daycare child sustained unexplained injury while in care.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Samuel Lopez arrived at the facility to conduct an inspection regarding a complaint received concerning the above allegation. LPA was given access to the facility by the Assistant Director Cecilia Payne. LPA toured the facility and took a census. LPA met with Assistant Director Cecilia Payne to further discuss the complaint/allegations. Previously, on 10/8/2024, an inspection was conducted regarding the complaint, on that visit, interviews were conducted, and facility files were reviewed.

The following was alleged: A child had scratches on the arm caused by angry staff.

The Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Samuel Lopez investigated the above allegation and gathered the following information: Since August 2024, a child has had difficulty adjusting and following instructions, in their new classroom. On one occasion, the child was running around the classroom and not listening to instruction by any of the staff present (teacher and/or aide).
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Aaron Ross
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Samuel Lopez
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/06/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/06/2024
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 2
Control Number 09-CC-20241002121436
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVERSIDE CC RO, 3737 MAIN ST., SUITE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
FACILITY NAME: CREATIVE BEGINNINGS OF THE DESERT
FACILITY NUMBER: 334843422
VISIT DATE: 11/06/2024
NARRATIVE
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The child was also able to get a hold of a stamp which read “good job” and stamp themselves on the arm and on the side of a shelf. Then, the child made their way inside of a fabric cube/storage bin, that’s utilized for shared toys. Child was guided out of the fabric cube by holding on to a staff’s hand and climbing out. Verbal redirection was used to assist the child to focus attention elsewhere, on a task, but it only lasted a few minutes. Child then continued to run around the classroom again not listening to verbal instruction by staff (teacher and/or aide). Soon after, the child was picked up early from the facility, by their parent/legal guardian, at the request of the facility staff.

The next day, the facility received information regarding the child having a scratch on their arm and inquiries as to how it may have occurred or existing report regarding any possible incident. The facility staff do visual checks on children upon entry, in the morning and will address any concerns/injuries with the parent/legal guardians. Staff had not observed any scratches or any other marks on the child, on the day in question, prior to leaving the facility. Visual proof was obtained of a mark/possible scratch on the child’s left arm.
As it relates to discipline at the facility, children have been verbally redirected, and/or usually instructed to sit down on the circle time rug and encouraged to talk about their emotions. This usually helps to calm them down.

Based on the information obtained, it could not be determined as to when, where, or how the mark/scratch may have occurred. Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is unsubstantiated.

A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted on, or immediately adjacent to, the interior side of the main door for 30 days.

Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the Assistant Director Cecilia Payne
SUPERVISORS NAME: Aaron Ross
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Samuel Lopez
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/06/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/06/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 2