393615579-7-1-2021-53-CC-BENN-C4NQCM-20210706120322

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 393615579
Report Date: 07/01/2021
Date Signed: 07/01/2021 11:58:38 AM

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 2525 NATOMAS PARK DR. STE 250
SACRAMENTO, CA 95833

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
06/25/2021 and conducted by Evaluator Elvira Sierra

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 53-CC-20210625130858

FACILITY NAME:	MERRYHILL SCHOOL-TRINITY		FACILITY NUMBER:	393615579
ADMINISTRATOR:	TAMARA WELLS		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	10250 TRINITY PARKWAY		TELEPHONE:	(209) 474-0518
CITY:	STOCKTON	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	95219
CAPACITY:	163	CENSUS: 65	DATE:	07/01/2021
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	09:15 AM
MET WITH:	TAMARA WELLS		TIME COMPLETED:	12:10 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Lack of Supervision-Daycare child wandered away from the school.
Physical Plant-Fence at facility is in need of repair.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On Thursday July 01, 2021 at 09:15 a.m. Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Elvira Sierra conducted a complaint investigation inspection at the facility and met with Director Tamara Wells. During today's inspection there were 65 preschool children present being supervised by 12 staff members. During the course of the investigation LPA interviewed the Director, Staff, witness and the Reporting Party (RP).

The Reporting Party (RP) allegued Child # 1 (C1) wandered away from the school on 06/24/21 at about 03:30 p.m. and also the fence at the facility is in need of repair. LPA received an Unusual Incident Report (UIR) from the facility that was self-reported by the Director regarding a situation that occurred at the facility on June 24, 2021. A child wandered away from the preschool playground through a gap underneath the gate and walked away from the center to the sidewalk outside of the gate.

Report continues on subsuquent page 809C---

Substantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Bettina Engelman	TELEPHONE: (916) 263-5820
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Elvira Sierra	TELEPHONE: (916) 216-8826
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 07/01/2021

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/01/2021

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 53-CC-20210625130858

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 2525 NATOMAS PARK DR. STE 250
SACRAMENTO, CA 95833

FACILITY NAME: MERRYHILL SCHOOL-TRINITY	FACILITY NUMBER: 393615579
	VISIT DATE: 07/01/2021

NARRATIVE

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LPA Sierra interviewed staff who disclosed that in 06/24/21 at approximately 03:52 C1 walked out of the playground crawling through an open gap underneath the security gate. LPA received photographs before and after the repairs were made to the gate area and the opening was about 5 1/2 inches. C1 was found shortly after by a grandparent closed to the facility gate.

Director stated moving forward staff will not be permitted to be alone on the playground, regardless of the number of children present and also facility implemented a playground safety checklist and transition observation checklist into their daily routine.

Based on the evidence obtained, the allegations are substantiated meaning that the preponderance of evidence standard has been met. One Type A deficiency was cited on the attached LIC 9099D and a civil penalty was assessed regarding an absence of supervision. Upon receipt of a Type A citation, the Director shall post and provide copies of the LIC 9099D for parents/guardians of children in care and for parents/guardians of newly enrolled children for the next 12 months. The Director must also keep the signed LIC 9224, acknowledging receipt of LIC 9099D in each child's file.

Exit interview was conducted, appeal rights were provided, and Notice of Site Visit was posted. The Director understands it must remain posted for 30 days.

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Bettina Engelman	TELEPHONE: (916) 263-5820
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Elvira Sierra	TELEPHONE: (916) 216-8826
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 07/01/2021

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/01/2021

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 53-CC-20210625130858

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 2525 NATOMAS PARK DR. STE 250
SACRAMENTO, CA 95833

FACILITY NAME: MERRYHILL SCHOOL-TRINITY	FACILITY NUMBER: 393615579
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:	VISIT DATE: 07/01/2021

Deficiency Type POC Due Date / Section Number	DEFICIENCIES		PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A 07/02/2021 Section Cited CCR 101229(a)(1)	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	101229(a)(1) No child(ren) shall be left without the supervision, including visual observation, of a teacher at any time…This requirement was not met as evidenced by: LPA Sierra received a complaint allegation and self reported Unusual Incident Report stating C1 had left the facility playground through an opening underneath the playground gate	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	Director stated staff will not be permitted to be alone on the playground, regardless of the number of children present and also facility implemented a playground safety checklist and transition observation checklist into their daily routine. LPA received a copy of the Facility Licensing Updates that was provided to Staff and also the Playground checklist and the transition observation checklist.
	8 9 10 11 12 13 14	C1 was found shortly after on the sidewalk in front of the center by a grandparent. This is an immediate health and safety risk to the children in care.	8 9 10 11 12 13 14	Director stated that staff will be retrain on face to name protocol in every transition.
Type B 07/02/2021 Section Cited CCR 101238.2(d)(2)	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	101238.2 (d) (2) Outdoor Activity Space (d) The surface of the outdoor activity space shall be maintained: (2) Free of hazards including, but not limited to, holes, broken glass and other debris, and dry grasses that pose a fire hazard. This requirement was not met as evidence by;	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	LPA observed the gap underneath the preschool playground gate has been reduced by placing a temporary wood panel until concrete is poured to minimize the gap.
	8 9 10 11 12 13 14	Facility fence had an opening or hole of 5 1/2 inches between the ground and the gate; C1 was able to crawl under the gate leaving the outdoor play area. This poses a risk to the health and safety of the children in care.	8 9 10 11 12 13 14

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: Bettina Engelman	TELEPHONE: (916) 263-5820
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Elvira Sierra	TELEPHONE: (916) 216-8826
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 07/01/2021

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/01/2021

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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