376701138-4-2-2025-51-CC-JREG-DFJ2F6-20250407172102

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 376701138
Report Date: 04/02/2025
Date Signed: 04/02/2025 11:47:46 AM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO N. 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
01/13/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Gerald Poindexter

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 51-CC-20250113085020

FACILITY NAME:	DOT TO DOT		FACILITY NUMBER:	376701138
ADMINISTRATOR:	BELINDA A RICO		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	12160 ALTA CARMEL COURT		TELEPHONE:	(858) 485-1978
CITY:	SAN DIEGO	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	92128
CAPACITY:	56	CENSUS: 32	DATE:	04/02/2025
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	11:15 AM
MET WITH:	Hillary Clark		TIME COMPLETED:	12:15 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff do not ensure outside playground surface is safe for children
Licensee does not ensure the director, or a designated substitute is present during operating hours

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 4/2/25 at 11;30 am, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Gerald Poindexter made an unannounced visit for the complaint received on 1/13/25 for the purpose of delivering findings on the above referenced allegations. LPA met with Hillary Clark, lead teacher. Interim director, Erica Castaneda, was not present. There were 32 children present in 4 classrooms with 8 staff. Facility is with ratio.

It was alleged by the Reporting Party (RP) that “staff do not ensure outside playground surface is safe for children” and that “licensee does not ensure the director, or a designated substitute is present during operating hours.” During the course of the investigation, LPA Poindexter toured all classrooms, reviewed facility documents, and interviewed the RP, current and former facility staff, and parents.

LPA toured and observed the entire playground with several children present at the time. LPA also measured several surface areas, all which ranged from 4 to 7 inches, and shifted higher or lower depending on how children use them. The surfaces were free of any hazards such as debris or foreign materials. The

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Joelle Redding
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Gerald Poindexter
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 04/02/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/02/2025

This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 51-CC-20250113085020

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO N. CC RO, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR STE 110
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108

FACILITY NAME: DOT TO DOT	FACILITY NUMBER: 376701138
	VISIT DATE: 04/02/2025

NARRATIVE

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licensee stated that the playground area is cleaned weekly, and that playground mulch and sand are replaced annually each December. The licensee provided a compliance certificate from December 2024 for “playfiber,” as a well a vendor’s invoice for playground service. Parents interviewed did not express concern with the safety of the outdoor play areas. The RP did not provide any visual evidence to support the allegations, and in interviews, acknowledged uncertainty if the playground surface was safe or not safe.

The licensee reported to CCLD on January 13 that the center director had resigned and that a search for a new director would commence. In the absence of a permanent director, the licensee installed Erica Castaneda, the director from the licensee’s other child care center, to be the interim director present at the facility. In the event of their absence, fully qualified teachers and/or the licensee were present as substitutes. The RP stated a designated substitute was not present – specifically, afternoons from 2-5 pm – but also, that the facility’s “The Core Team,” which consists of qualified staff was present. Staff interviewed conveyed that either the interim director or a staff lead was present in the afternoon to greet parents. During a visit to the facility, LPA observed the presence of both, at the hours the violation alleges. LPA has determined that the licensee arranged for fully qualified staff to be in place during operating hours.

Based on observation, record review, and interviews, the above allegations cannot be proven or disproven. Therefore, they are considered UNSUBSTANTIATED. A finding that the complaint is unsubstantiated means that although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of the evidence to prove that the alleged violation occurred.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Hillary Clark, lead teacher. 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. Appeal rights provided.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Joelle Redding
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Gerald Poindexter
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 04/02/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/02/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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