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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 376700087
Report Date: 12/23/2020
Date Signed: 12/23/2020 12:41:41 PM



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
11/02/2020 and conducted by Evaluator Elise Read
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 51-CC-20201102140659
FACILITY NAME:PEPPER VALLEY LEARNING CENTERFACILITY NUMBER:
376700087
ADMINISTRATOR:MICHELLE THOMPSONFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:1358 PEPPER DRIVETELEPHONE:
(619) 444-7770
CITY:EL CAJONSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92021
CAPACITY:144CENSUS: 79DATE:
12/23/2020
ANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
10:30 AM
MET WITH:Michelle ThompsonTIME COMPLETED:
12:00 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Facility is operating out of ratio
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Elise Read conducted an announced complaint inspection with Director Michelle Thompson for the purpose of delivering the findings to the above allegation. Due to COVID-19, this inspection was conducted virtually using Zoom. At the time of the inspection there were 79 children with 10 staff in 9 classrooms. During the investigation, LPA conducted 2 facility inspections, staff interviews, parent interviews, and a thorough record and document review. Per the sign in sheets that were reviewed, kindergarten classroom #7 was operating out of ratio, having 1 staff with 14 children. The kindergarten classroom is within the preschool program and should be operating at a ratio of 1 staff to 12 children maximum. The Director stated that they misunderstood and thought that the kindergarten class was considered a school age classroom. Based on LPAs observations, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation is found SUBSTANTIATED. California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 12 or Health and Safety Code, are being cited on the attached LIC 9099D. Director will be provided this report, their appeal rights, and Notice of Site Visit via email. Director will reply to email to confirm receipt of these documents. This will act as Director's signature for today's report. Notice of Site Visit must be posted for 30 days.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Monica CuddyTELEPHONE: (619) 767-2249
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Elise ReadTELEPHONE: (619) 767-2240
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/23/2020
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/23/2020
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
Control Number 51-CC-20201102140659
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: PEPPER VALLEY LEARNING CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 376700087
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 12/23/2020
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
12/30/2020
Section Cited
CCR
101216.3(a)
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Teacher-Child Ratio: 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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Director stated that the ratio has already been corrected by hiring a new staff member to support in the kindergarten classroom when more than 12 children are present. Director will submit a statement that she now understands the kindergarten classroom must meet the
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Based on LPA observation, licensee did not ensure that the kindergarten classroom operated within ratio, which poses a potential Health, Safety, or Personal Rights risk to children in care.
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preschool ratio requirements of 1 staff to 12 children. Director will submit this statement to LPA Read via email by the due date of 12/30/2020.
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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: Monica CuddyTELEPHONE: (619) 767-2249
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Elise ReadTELEPHONE: (619) 767-2240
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/23/2020
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/23/2020
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 4
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
11/02/2020 and conducted by Evaluator Elise Read
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 51-CC-20201102140659

FACILITY NAME:PEPPER VALLEY LEARNING CENTERFACILITY NUMBER:
376700087
ADMINISTRATOR:MICHELLE THOMPSONFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:1358 PEPPER DRIVETELEPHONE:
(619) 444-7770
CITY:EL CAJONSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92021
CAPACITY:144CENSUS: 79DATE:
12/23/2020
ANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
10:30 AM
MET WITH:Michelle ThompsonTIME COMPLETED:
12:00 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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9
Facility is not sanitary
Dangerous play equipment is used in the facility
Sick children are admitted for care
Staff administered medication to a child without written approval from the authorized representative
Snacks do not include two food groups
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Elise Read conducted an announced complaint inspection with Director Michelle Thompson for the purpose of delivering the findings to the above allegations. Due to COVID-19, this inspection was conducted virtually using Zoom. At the time of the inspection there were 79 children with 10 staff in 9 classrooms. During the investigation, LPA conducted 2 facility inspections, staff interviews, parent interviews, and a thorough record and document review.
During the investigation, no statements were made by staff or parents to support the above allegations. LPA did not observe anything during facility inspections that supported the above allegations.
Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED. Director will be provided this report, their appeal rights, and Notice of Site Visit via email. Director will reply to email to confirm receipt of these documents. This will act as Director's signature for today's report. Notice of Site Visit must be posted for 30 days.
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Monica CuddyTELEPHONE: (619) 767-2249
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Elise ReadTELEPHONE: (619) 767-2240
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/23/2020
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/23/2020
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