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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 344500189
Report Date: 06/07/2023
Date Signed: 06/07/2023 01:35:11 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO SOUTH, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
04/11/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Nola Maestas
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 53-CC-20230411154556
FACILITY NAME:ART OF MONTESSORIFACILITY NUMBER:
344500189
ADMINISTRATOR:MENDOZA, CHRISTINEFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:8930 SIERRA STREETTELEPHONE:
(916) 686-5800
CITY:ELK GROVESTATE: CAZIP CODE:
95624
CAPACITY:83CENSUS: 66DATE:
06/07/2023
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
11:15 AM
MET WITH:Christine MendozaTIME COMPLETED:
02:30 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Facility is out of ratio.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 06/07/2023, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Katy Maestas conducted an unannounced field visit to deliver the findings for the above allegation. LPA arrived at the facility and was met by Director Christine Mendoza (D1). LPA disclosed the purpose of the inspection and was granted entrance into the facility. Throughout the course of the investigation, LPA conducted physical plant inspections, on-site observations, and interviews. LPA conducted a file review and collected documentation pertaining to the allegations.

It was alleged that the facility was operating out of ratio. The investigation revealed that an exceedance of ratio had been occurring in the afternoons and the minimum requirement of adult staffing was not met while children were outside on the playground. Supervision of the children was not prioritized when staff members were allowed to conduct prep time in the afternoons instead of supervising children. Additionally, regulations for qualified teachers and aides determines the number of children that each staff member may supervise.
CONTINUED ON 9099-C
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Jeanne Smith
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Nola Maestas
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/07/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/07/2023
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 4
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO SOUTH, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
04/11/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Nola Maestas
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 53-CC-20230411154556

FACILITY NAME:ART OF MONTESSORIFACILITY NUMBER:
344500189
ADMINISTRATOR:MENDOZA, CHRISTINEFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:8930 SIERRA STREETTELEPHONE:
(916) 686-5800
CITY:ELK GROVESTATE: CAZIP CODE:
95624
CAPACITY:83CENSUS: 66DATE:
06/07/2023
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
11:15 AM
MET WITH:Christine MendozaTIME COMPLETED:
02:30 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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2
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5
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9
Facility has no paper towels.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 06/07/2023, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Katy Maestas conducted an unannounced field visit to deliver the findings for the above allegation. LPA arrived at the facility and was met by Director Christine Mendoza (D1). LPA disclosed the purpose of the inspection and was granted entrance into the facility. Throughout the course of the investigation, LPA conducted physical plant inspections, on-site observations, and interviews. LPA conducted a file review and collected documentation pertaining to the allegations.
It was alleged that the facility has no paper towels. The investigation revealed conflicting information. LPA observed paper towels and ample supplies at each field visit; however, interviews revealed that the facility had been out of paper towels intermittently. Based on interviews, observations, documentation, and other information gathered, there was not a preponderance of evidence to prove or negate the allegation, therefore the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED. An exit interview was conducted, and the report was reviewed with D1. LPA provided Licensee Appeal Rights to D1. A Notice of Site Visit was posted by LPA and shall remain posted for 30 days. Failure to comply with posting requirements will result in an immediate civil penalty of $100.
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Jeanne Smith
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Nola Maestas
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/07/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/07/2023
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 4
Control Number 53-CC-20230411154556
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO SOUTH, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827
FACILITY NAME: ART OF MONTESSORI
FACILITY NUMBER: 344500189
VISIT DATE: 06/07/2023
NARRATIVE
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 It was revealed that these ratio regulations were not adhered to. Based on interviews, file reviews, and observations conducted the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED. A Type A citation was issued on a subsequent 9099-D page. D1 understands that the LIC 9224 must be signed by all authorized representatives who are currently enrolled and who enroll for up to 1 year from today’s date. An exit interview was conducted, and the report was reviewed with D1. LPA provided Licensee Appeal Rights to D1. A Notice of Site Visit was posted by LPA and shall remain posted for 30 days. Failure to comply with posting requirements will result in an immediate civil penalty of $100.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Jeanne Smith
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Nola Maestas
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/07/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/07/2023
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 4
Control Number 53-CC-20230411154556
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO SOUTH, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827

FACILITY NAME: ART OF MONTESSORI
FACILITY NUMBER: 344500189
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 06/07/2023
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
06/08/2023
Section Cited
CCR
101216.3(a)
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Teacher-Child Ratio (a) There shall be a ratio of one teacher visually observing and supervising no more than 12 children in attendance…
This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
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D1 hired 2 staff members for floating in the afternoons based on ratio. D1 will email LPA a staff schedule and staff unit log by closing on 06/08/2023.
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Interviews revealed that the facilty was operating out of ratio in the afternoons. More than 12 children were under the care of 1 teacher. Aides were supervising children in the capacity of a qualified teacher. This posed a 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.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Jeanne Smith
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Nola Maestas
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/07/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/07/2023
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 4