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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 343614049
Report Date: 03/20/2023
Date Signed: 03/20/2023 12:52:34 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVER CITY (SACTO)CC, 2525 NATOMAS PARK DR. STE.250
SACRAMENTO, CA 95833
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
02/17/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Arianna Manabat
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 03-CC-20230217081344
FACILITY NAME:MERRYHILL SCHOOL-DANBROOKFACILITY NUMBER:
343614049
ADMINISTRATOR:ROBIN KEMMERFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:1901 DANBROOK DRTELEPHONE:
(916) 285-8656
CITY:SACRAMENTOSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
95835
CAPACITY:120CENSUS: 119DATE:
03/20/2023
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:15 AM
MET WITH:Robin KemmerTIME COMPLETED:
01:10 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Proper staff-child ratios are not maintained
A child was left alone outside
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On March 20th, 2023 Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Arianna Manabat met with Director Robin Kemmer at approximately 9:15am to close a complaint. Upon arrival, LPA observed 119 preschool students in care with 14 staff.

It was alleged that proper staff-child ratios are not maintained and a child was left alone outside. During the investigation, LPA inspected the facility, interviewed the Director, staff, parents, and the Reporting Party (RP). Upon review of schedules and observations of the teacher to child ratio, LPA Manabat has found that there have been several occasions where aides are left alone with children when fully qualified staff go on break. It was also confirmed through inspection of the schedule and interviews from staff that the Beginners preschool class is open from 7:30-9:00 with only aides supervising the children which calculates to 1.5 hours without the presence of a fully qualified teacher. CONTINUED ON LIC 9099-C....
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Roxana SaraviaTELEPHONE: (916) 263-5715
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Arianna ManabatTELEPHONE: (279) 200-2886
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/20/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/20/2023
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 5
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVER CITY (SACTO)CC, 2525 NATOMAS PARK DR. STE.250
SACRAMENTO, CA 95833
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
02/17/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Arianna Manabat
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 03-CC-20230217081344

FACILITY NAME:MERRYHILL SCHOOL-DANBROOKFACILITY NUMBER:
343614049
ADMINISTRATOR:ROBIN KEMMERFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:1901 DANBROOK DRTELEPHONE:
(916) 285-8656
CITY:SACRAMENTOSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
95835
CAPACITY:120CENSUS: 119DATE:
03/20/2023
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:15 AM
MET WITH:Robbin KemmerTIME COMPLETED:
01:10 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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9
Lack of supervision during nap time
Facility did not report a child being left outside
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On March 20th, 2023, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Arianna Manabat met with Director Robin Kemmer at approximately 9:15AM to deliver complaint findings for the allegatio nsmentioned above. During the investigation, LPA observed 119 children in care being supervised by 14 staff.

It was alleged that there is a lack of supervision during nap time and that the facility did not report a child being left outside. Through interviews with staff, the Director, and record review, LPA found that there is a fully qualified staff present at the location while aides are supervising napping children. It was stated in staff interviews that aides are left alone with children who are awake and that staff do not have qualifications to assist awake children. LPA Manabat conducted observations and interviewed the Director and other staff which indicated that there are multiple staff members in the rooms during nap time and that the Director, or other qualified staff, are available if needed.
..... Continued on 9099-C......
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Roxana SaraviaTELEPHONE: (916) 263-5715
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Arianna ManabatTELEPHONE: (279) 200-2886
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/20/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/20/2023
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 5
Control Number 03-CC-20230217081344
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVER CITY (SACTO)CC, 2525 NATOMAS PARK DR. STE.250
SACRAMENTO, CA 95833
FACILITY NAME: MERRYHILL SCHOOL-DANBROOK
FACILITY NUMBER: 343614049
VISIT DATE: 03/20/2023
NARRATIVE
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Continued from 9099............

Continuing in the investigation, LPA found that although a child was left outside by staff 2 (S2), S2 stated that she did not formally notify the Director the day of the incident. S2 stated that the Director may have been made aware of the incident as the child was brought inside, through the front door, by another staff member (S3). LPA has observed that the alleged gate that was utilized cannot be opened without an alarm ringing. Although the Director may have been aware of the incident, through observations, interviews with the Director, and record review, it cannot be determined whether the Director was fully made aware of the details of the incident in a timely manner to report to Community Care Licensing.

Based on the information obtained, LPA was not able to determine that there is a lack of supervision during nap time and that the facility did not report a child being left outside, therefore, the allegation is determined to be UNSUBSTANTIATED, meaning that although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove it. An exit interview was conducted.

Notice of site visit and appeal rights were also addressed. The Notice of site visit shall remain posted for 30 days for guardian/parental review.
SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Roxana SaraviaTELEPHONE: (916) 263-5715
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Arianna ManabatTELEPHONE: (279) 200-2886
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/20/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/20/2023
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 5
Control Number 03-CC-20230217081344
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVER CITY (SACTO)CC, 2525 NATOMAS PARK DR. STE.250
SACRAMENTO, CA 95833

FACILITY NAME: MERRYHILL SCHOOL-DANBROOK
FACILITY NUMBER: 343614049
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 03/20/2023
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
03/21/2023
Section Cited
CCR
101229(a)(1)
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101229(a)(1) : The licensee shall provide care and supervision as necessary to meet the children's needs. No child(ren) shall be left without the supervision of a teacher at any time... Supervision shall include visual observation.
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Director will provide a copy of name to face sheets to LPA with signed acknowledgement forms stating that staff have received an overview of Licensing regulations.
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This requirement is not met as evidenced by: staff interviews confirmed that a child was left unattended in the playyard without staff supervision. This poses an immediate health and safety risk to children in care.
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Type A
03/21/2023
Section Cited
CCR
101216.3(a)
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(a) There shall be a ratio of one teacher visually observing and supervising no more than 12 children in attendance, except as specified in (b) and (c) below.
This was not met as evidenced by:
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Director shall provide a new schedule reflecting ratios are maintained. LPA will conduct a visit to ensure that ratios are maintained.
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Aides overseeing children for approximately 10 minutes during breaks, staff interviews confirming the classrooms being out of ratio during breaks, and LPA analysis of the staff schedule. This poses an immediate health and safety risk to 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.
SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Roxana SaraviaTELEPHONE: (916) 263-5715
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Arianna ManabatTELEPHONE: (279) 200-2886
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/20/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/20/2023
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 5
Control Number 03-CC-20230217081344
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVER CITY (SACTO)CC, 2525 NATOMAS PARK DR. STE.250
SACRAMENTO, CA 95833
FACILITY NAME: MERRYHILL SCHOOL-DANBROOK
FACILITY NUMBER: 343614049
VISIT DATE: 03/20/2023
NARRATIVE
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Continued from LIC9099...

The Director has stated that she is present in the classroom during opening time. LPA Manabat observed there to be more than 15 children with two aides and a fully qualified staff. Additionally, LPA Manabat investigated the allegation that a child was left alone outside. Through interviews with staff members, it was confirmed that child 1 (C1) was left unattended in the play yard without a staff member. Staff members stated that they did not formally inform the Director of the incident the day of, but that she was made aware of the incident weeks after it had occurred.

Based on interviews, record review, and observation, the above allegations were found to be SUBSTANTIATED which poses an immediate health and safety risk to children in care. California Code of Regulations, (Title 22), is being cited on the attached LIC 9099-D. See the attached LIC9099-D for Title 22 Deficiencies.

The Director was informed that this report dated 03/20/2023 documents two Type A citations which shall be posted for 30 consecutive days. The Director shall also provide a copy of this licensing report to parents/guardians of all children currently enrolled by the next business day or the next day the children are in care, and to any newly enrolled parents/guardians for 12 months from the date of this report A signed Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Report (LIC 9224), or other written statement, must be placed in the child's file for verification. Director has been provided with appeal rights.

Exit interview conducted with Director, report was reviewed, and appeal rights were provided. Director received a Notice of Site which must remain posted for 30 days.
SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Roxana SaraviaTELEPHONE: (916) 263-5715
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Arianna ManabatTELEPHONE: (279) 200-2886
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/20/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/20/2023
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 5