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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 376701227
Report Date: 01/26/2026
Date Signed: 01/26/2026 11:47:00 AM

Substantiated


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
11/07/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Gerald Poindexter
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 51-CC-20251107140944
FACILITY NAME:CHILDREN'S CHOICE ACADEMYFACILITY NUMBER:
376701227
ADMINISTRATOR:SHANNON SPENCERFACILITY TYPE:
840
ADDRESS:12464 WOODSIDE AVENUETELEPHONE:
(619) 561-8880
CITY:LAKESIDESTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92040
CAPACITY:24CENSUS: 0DATE:
01/26/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
10:30 AM
MET WITH:Giavanna AguliarTIME COMPLETED:
11:30 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff yelled at day care children.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 1/26/26 at 10:30 am, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Gerald Poindexter conducted an unannounced visit for a complaint received on 11/7/25. The LPA met with Giavanna Aguilar, assistant director. Elizabeth Smith, director was unavailable but was contacted by phone during the visit. There were no children present, as the program start time is at 3 pm.

During the investigation, the LPA toured the facility, interviewed the director, staff members, and children, and reviewed facility documents and personnel files relevant to the allegations. It was alleged by the anonymous Reporting Party (RP) that “staff yelled at day care children.” The RP provided details that the children in the school age classroom were subjected to teachers yelling at them. Interviews conducted by the LPA yielded sufficient information that children were yelled at in order for teachers to be heard, but also yelled at by teachers in the context of “anger” or “frustration” to get children to clean up toys or to pay attention.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Joelle Redding
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Gerald Poindexter
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/26/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/26/2026
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
Control Number 51-CC-20251107140944
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: CHILDREN'S CHOICE ACADEMY
FACILITY NUMBER: 376701227
VISIT DATE: 01/26/2026
NARRATIVE
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Based on the information obtained from file review and interviews with relevant parties, it was determined that multiple facility staff members yelled at children in care. The above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED. The allegation is valid because the preponderance of evidence has been met.

See LIC9099D for Type B deficiency cited.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Giavanna Aguilar, assistant director. 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. Appeal rights and copy of this licensing report were provided.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Joelle Redding
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Gerald Poindexter
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/26/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/26/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 5
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
11/07/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Gerald Poindexter
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 51-CC-20251107140944

FACILITY NAME:CHILDREN'S CHOICE ACADEMYFACILITY NUMBER:
376701227
ADMINISTRATOR:SHANNON SPENCERFACILITY TYPE:
840
ADDRESS:12464 WOODSIDE AVENUETELEPHONE:
(619) 561-8880
CITY:LAKESIDESTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92040
CAPACITY:24CENSUS: 0DATE:
01/26/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
10:30 AM
MET WITH:Giavanna AguliarTIME COMPLETED:
11:30 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff did not allow day care child to use the restroom when needed
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 1/26/26 at 10:30 am, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Gerald Poindexter conducted an unannounced visit for a complaint received on 11/7/25. The LPA met with Giavanna Aguilar, assistant director. Elizabeth Smith, director was unavailable but was contacted by phone during the visit. There were no children present, as the program start time is at 3 pm.

During the investigation, the LPA toured the facility, interviewed the director, staff members, and children, and reviewed facility documents and personnel files relevant to the allegation. It was alleged by the anonymous Reporting Party (RP) that “Staff did not allow day care child to use the restroom when needed.” The RP provided details that the children in the school age classroom were required to wait for their bathroom turn which sometimes caused some children to have “accidents.” Staff and children interviewed by the LPA identified protocols for bathroom use indoors and also when transitioning from outdoors. The LPA did not find
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Joelle Redding
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Gerald Poindexter
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/26/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/26/2026
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 5
Control Number 51-CC-20251107140944
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: CHILDREN'S CHOICE ACADEMY
FACILITY NUMBER: 376701227
VISIT DATE: 01/26/2026
NARRATIVE
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sufficient information that children were denied bathroom access or were made to wait excessively – either intentionally or otherwise. Parents interviewed did not express concerns that aligned with those of the RP.

Based on the information obtained from file review and interviews with relevant parties, the above allegation could not be verified and is found to be UNSUBSTANTIATED. 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 Giavanna Aguilar, assistant director. 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. Appeal rights and copy of this licensing report were provided.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Joelle Redding
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Gerald Poindexter
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/26/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/26/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 5
Control Number 51-CC-20251107140944
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: CHILDREN'S CHOICE ACADEMY
FACILITY NUMBER: 376701227
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 01/26/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
02/09/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101223
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101223 Personal Rights:(a) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights: (3) To be free from corporal or unusual punishment, infliction of pain, humiliation, intimidation, ridicule, coercion, threat, mental abuse or other actions of a punitive nature...This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
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Giavanna Aguilar, assistant director, states that she will forward this report and deficiency to Elizabeth Smith, director. She states that an all-staff training will be conducted on redirection and dealing with
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Based on LPA interviews with relevant parties, multiple staff members have been witnessed and heard yelling at a child in care. This poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risks to the children in care.
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challenging behaviors. Ms. Smith is advised to submit proof of staff attendance (signatures) and topics covered to the Dept by 2/9/26.
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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: Joelle Redding
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Gerald Poindexter
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/26/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/26/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 5