376600952-12-9-2024-20-CC-JGAY-DBZMJJ-20241216083909

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 376600952
Report Date: 12/09/2024
Date Signed: 12/09/2024 05:09:50 PM

Substantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR., STE 110
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
08/30/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Luigi Gargaro

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 20-CC-20240830151640

FACILITY NAME:	IMPERIAL BEACH PRESCHOOL		FACILITY NUMBER:	376600952
ADMINISTRATOR:	MATRANGA, ELIZABETH		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	608 TENTH STREET		TELEPHONE:	(619) 429-0618
CITY:	IMPERIAL BEACH	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	91932
CAPACITY:	61	CENSUS:	DATE:	12/09/2024
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	02:40 PM
MET WITH:	Elizabeth Matranga		TIME COMPLETED:	05:15 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff engaged in inappropriate behavior with day care children

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 12/09/24 at 2:40PM, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Luigi Gargaro attempted to conduct a complaint finding delivery visit with facility representative/owner Elizabeth Matranga regarding the above allegation. Ms. Matranga was not able to meet analyst at the facility today so he delivered the findings to her by telephone and will mail her the finalized report.

During the course of the investigation, analyst conducted interviews with a complainant r/p, the incoming facility owner and director, facility staff and children in care and reviewed additional documentary evidence related to the allegation.

Based on the testimonial evidence, analyst determined that staff member #1 violated child #1's personal rights when she allowed her to kiss her on the cheek without the child's parent's prior knowledge or permission. Based on other testimony received, this was not a usual practice with other students or by the staff member and was deemed not be an ongoing concern.

Substantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Jason Garay	TELEPHONE: (619) 767-2250
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Luigi Gargaro	TELEPHONE: (619) 767-2229
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 12/09/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/09/2024

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 5

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR., STE 110
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
08/30/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Luigi Gargaro

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 20-CC-20240830151640

FACILITY NAME:	IMPERIAL BEACH PRESCHOOL		FACILITY NUMBER:	376600952
ADMINISTRATOR:	MATRANGA, ELIZABETH		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	608 TENTH STREET		TELEPHONE:	(619) 429-0618
CITY:	IMPERIAL BEACH	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	91932
CAPACITY:	61	CENSUS:	DATE:	12/09/2024
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	02:40 PM
MET WITH:	Elizabeth Matranga		TIME COMPLETED:	05:15 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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9

Staff provides candy to day care children without responsible party's consent

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 12/09/24 at 2:40PM, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Luigi Gargaro attempted to conduct a complaint finding delivery visit with facility representative/owner Elizabeth Matranga regarding the above allegation. Ms. Matranga was not able to meet analyst at the facility today so he delivered the findings to her by telephone and will mail her the finalized report.

During the course of the investigation, analyst conducted interviews with a complainant r/p, the incoming facility owner and director, facility staff and children in care and reviewed additional documentary evidence related to the allegation.

Based on the information gathered, there was conflicting testimony as to whether staff provided candy to children as either a reward or incentive for certain desired behavior. While some hearsay testimony indicated this was occuring, interviewed staff and children denied this occurred. As analyst could not conclusively prove or disprove the allegation, it was therefore determined to be unsubstantiated.

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Jason Garay	TELEPHONE: (619) 767-2250
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Luigi Gargaro	TELEPHONE: (619) 767-2229
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 12/09/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/09/2024

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 20-CC-20240830151640

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR., STE 110
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108

FACILITY NAME: IMPERIAL BEACH PRESCHOOL	FACILITY NUMBER: 376600952
	VISIT DATE: 12/09/2024

NARRATIVE

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An exit phone interview was conducted and the report was reviewed with Ms. Matranga. A copy of this report, along with Appeal Rights (LIC9058 01/16), will be mailed to the licensee. A Notice of Site Visit was left at the facility and must remain posted for 30 days. LPA observed that the Notice of Site Visit was posted during the inspection. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100.

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Jason Garay	TELEPHONE: (619) 767-2250
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Luigi Gargaro	TELEPHONE: (619) 767-2229
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 12/09/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/09/2024

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 3 of 5

Control Number 20-CC-20240830151640

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR., STE 110
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108

FACILITY NAME: IMPERIAL BEACH PRESCHOOL	FACILITY NUMBER: 376600952
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:	VISIT DATE: 12/09/2024

Deficiency Type POC Due Date / Section Number	DEFICIENCIES		PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B 12/09/2024 Section Cited CCR 101223(a)(1)	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	101223 Personal Rights (a)(1) - The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights: To be accorded dignity in his/her personal relationships with staff and other persons. This requirement was not met as evidenced by:	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	Licensee understands that such personal contact is not appropriate in a child care setting. Licensee states she is in the process of selling the facility to new ownership and confirmed that staff member #1 has since left the facility.
	8 9 10 11 12 13 14	Based on analyst interviews, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above as it was determined that staff member #1 had inappropriate contact with child #1 by allowing her to kiss her on the cheek which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to children in care.	8 9 10 11 12 13 14	Licensee also stated that she has spoken with the incoming owner about what occurred and understands that she will be implementing additional procedures regarding staff/child interaction requirements and expectations.
	1 2 3 4 5 6 7		1 2 3 4 5 6 7
	1 2 3 4 5 6 7		1 2 3 4 5 6 7

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: Jason Garay	TELEPHONE: (619) 767-2250
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Luigi Gargaro	TELEPHONE: (619) 767-2229
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 12/09/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/09/2024

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 5 of 5

Control Number 20-CC-20240830151640

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR., STE 110
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108

FACILITY NAME: IMPERIAL BEACH PRESCHOOL	FACILITY NUMBER: 376600952
	VISIT DATE: 12/09/2024

NARRATIVE

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Based on interviews conducted by LPA, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore, the above allegation(s) is found to be SUBSTANTIATED, California Code of Regulations, and one type B violation (Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 1, Section 101223(a)(1)) is being cited on the attached LIC 9099D.

An exit phone interview was conducted and the report was reviewed with Ms. Matranga. A copy of this report, along with Appeal Rights (LIC9058 01/16), will be mailed to the licensee. A Notice of Site Visit was left at the facility and must remain posted for 30 days. LPA observed that the Notice of Site Visit was posted during the inspection. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100.

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Jason Garay	TELEPHONE: (619) 767-2250
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Luigi Gargaro	TELEPHONE: (619) 767-2229
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 12/09/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/09/2024

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 4 of 5