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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 376700971
Report Date: 09/03/2025
Date Signed: 09/03/2025 04:24:29 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO CC RO, 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
06/09/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Julieta Abrego
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 20-CC-20250609120742
FACILITY NAME:COTTONTAIL PRESCHOOLFACILITY NUMBER:
376700971
ADMINISTRATOR:DENISE MATTHEWSFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:471 E STREETTELEPHONE:
(619) 425-3107
CITY:CHULA VISTASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
91910
CAPACITY:49CENSUS: 21DATE:
09/03/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
03:45 PM
MET WITH:Director Denise MatthewsTIME COMPLETED:
04:25 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Licensee allowed unqualified staff to provide care and supervision to day care children.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 09/03/2025 at approximately 3:45 PM. Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Julieta Abrego conducted an inspection to conclude the complaint investigation regarding the above allegation. LPA met with Director Denise Matthews and advised the director of the purpose of the inspection and conducted a tour of the facility. There were 21 children present during the visit.

During the investigation, interviews were conducted with the director and staff. In addition, LPA reviewed staff and children's files and obtained a copy of a children's roster.

Based on interviews conducted and records reviewed it was determined that on multiple occasions over a five (5) month period between August 2024 and January 2025, Staff #3 (S3) and Staff #4 (S4) supervised children in the Two’s (2-year-old) Classroom. Record review determined that S3 lacked sufficient educational units to be a fully qualified teacher and therefore, was unqualified to supervise an aide (S4). During interviews with LPA, the facility director and additional staff corroborated this information.
Based on records reviewed and interviews conducted, the preponderance of evidence standard has
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Cynthia Biszant
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Julieta Abrego
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/03/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/03/2025
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 3
Control Number 20-CC-20250609120742
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO CC RO, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR., STE 110
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108
FACILITY NAME: COTTONTAIL PRESCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 376700971
VISIT DATE: 09/03/2025
NARRATIVE
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been met, therefore the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED. Per California Code of Regulations (Title 22, division 12 & Chapter 3), one (1) Type B citation is being cited on the attached 9099D page.
Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the licensee. A Notice of Site Visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Cynthia Biszant
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Julieta Abrego
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/03/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/03/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
Control Number 20-CC-20250609120742
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO CC RO, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR., STE 110
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108

FACILITY NAME: COTTONTAIL PRESCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 376700971
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 09/03/2025
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
09/03/2025
Section Cited
CCR
101216.1(c)(1)
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101216.1 Teacher Qualifications and Duties. (c) To be a fully qualified teacher...(1) Twelve post-secondary semester or equivalent quarter units in early childhood education or child development completed...This requirement is not met as evidenced by:
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The licensee stated she will submit a plan on how she will ensure that all teachers who are not fully qualified or are enrolled in qualification courses complete their courses and meet the necessary qualifications before supervising aides in their classrooms. The written plan is to
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Based on records reviewed and interviews conducted, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that S3 was not a fully qualified teacher and was left to supervise an aide on multiple occasions, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to children in care.
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be submitted to the San Diego Child Care Regional Office by 09/12/2025.
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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: Cynthia Biszant
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Julieta Abrego
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/03/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/03/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 3