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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 426213715
Report Date: 06/25/2021
Date Signed: 08/19/2021 11:42:49 AM



STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 6500 HOLLISTER AVE., SUITE 200
GOLETA, CA 93117
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
06/04/2021 and conducted by Evaluator Sylvia Mendoza-Ceja
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 17-CC-20210604104223
FACILITY NAME:VEGA FCC AKA SANTA BARBARA GARDEN MONTESSORIFACILITY NUMBER:
426213715
ADMINISTRATOR:VEGA, EVA & ISRAELFACILITY TYPE:
810
ADDRESS:TELEPHONE:
(805) 569-3897
CITY:SANTA BARBARASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
93101
CAPACITY:14CENSUS: 0DATE:
06/25/2021
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
10:32 AM
MET WITH:Eva VegaTIME COMPLETED:
11:40 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Neglect/Lack of Supervision
Personal Rights
Physical Plant




*This report has been amended to correct Type A citation on the 9099D*
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) S. Mendoza-Ceja and A. Rios conducted an unannounced inspection. Prior to entering the home, the Pre- Screening questions related to COVID-19 were asked. The complaint was initiated on June 4, 2021. The purpose of the unannounced inspection is to conclude the complaint investigation. The investigation included obtaining the childcare roster, obtaining complainant's statement, interviewing Licensee, witnesses, and parents of children in care. In addition, obtaining Santa Barbara Police Report.

On 6/3/2021, child #1 wandered from the premises of the licensed family childcare home without the licensee’s knowledge. Licensee stated to Santa Barbara Police Officers, she and the 4 children were in the backyard. Licensee stated she went to look for child #1 leaving 3 other children unattended in the backyard. Licensee failed to notify the local police department of child #1 missing from the day care home.

Child #1 wandered from the licensed day care home located at 1825 Garden Street to the cross streets of Garden and Pedregosa Streets. Further investigation of the incident revealed child #1 missing from the licensed day care for approximately 15 minutes.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Ana TolentinoTELEPHONE: (805) 562-0437
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Sylvia Mendoza-CejaTELEPHONE: (805) 722-5132
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/19/2021
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/19/2021
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 6
Control Number 17-CC-20210604104223
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 6500 HOLLISTER AVE., SUITE 200
GOLETA, CA 93117
FACILITY NAME: VEGA FCC AKA SANTA BARBARA GARDEN MONTESSORI
FACILITY NUMBER: 426213715
VISIT DATE: 06/25/2021
NARRATIVE
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6/3/2021, at 10:47AM. Santa Barbara Police Officers responded to a found child call and arrived at 11:00AM at the intersection of East Pedregosa Street and Garden Street, Santa Barbara, CA. The Police Officers met with 3 witnesses who were with child #1. Witness #1 was the first to observe child #1 alone without supervision. The other two witness #2 and #3, were passersby, who also observed child #1 with witness #1. The witnesses discussed the incident and had knocked on doors of homes to find where the child belonged, including the 1825 Pedregosa home where no one answered. One of the passersby contacted the local Police Department.

The Police Officers went to the licensed day care home to further investigate the incident. While at the licensed day care home, the Police Officers observed three other infants in her backyard unsupervised, an unlocked hot tub cover, can of paint thinner on a picnic table near where the children were sitting on the grass, and extension cords strewn about the yard.

According to CCR, Title 22, Division 12, the following Type A deficiencies are cited in regard to Revocation or Suspension of a License or Registration: Conduct Inimical, and Operation of a FCCH. Appeal Rights were reviewed.

Licensee shall post and provide copies of the licensing report to parent/guardians of children in care at the facility and to parents/guardians of children newly enrolled at the facility during the next 12 months. Licensee has been provided a copy of LIC 9058 Applicant/Licensee Appeal Rights and a copy of LIC 9224 Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Reports.

LPAs observed the "Notice of Site Visit" posted.

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Ana TolentinoTELEPHONE: (805) 562-0437
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Sylvia Mendoza-CejaTELEPHONE: (805) 722-5132
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/25/2021
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/25/2021
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 6 of 6
Control Number 17-CC-20210604104223
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 6500 HOLLISTER AVE., SUITE 200
GOLETA, CA 93117

FACILITY NAME: VEGA FCC AKA SANTA BARBARA GARDEN MONTESSORI
FACILITY NUMBER: 426213715
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 06/25/2021
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
06/25/2021
Section Cited
CCR
102402(a)(3)
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Revocation or Suspension of a License or Registration: Conduct Inimical The Department shall have the authority to suspend or revoke any license for the following reasons: Conduct in the operation or maintenance of a family day care home which is inimical to the health, morals, welfare, or safety of either an individual in or receiving services from the facility or the people of the State of California.
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Correct Immediately. Please submit a written plan of correction to Licensing to ensure this is not repeated by 6/28/2021.
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This requirement was not met as evidenced by interviews and record review which revealed Licensee failed to contact the local police department when she became aware child #1 was missing from her day care home. Licensee went outside looking for child#1 and left 3 other infants in the backyard unsupervised. Licensee stated child #5 who is under th age of 14 has helped licensee care for children. This Poses an immediate Health, Safety, or Personal Rights risk to children in care.
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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: Ana TolentinoTELEPHONE: (805) 562-0437
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Sylvia Mendoza-CejaTELEPHONE: (805) 722-5132
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/19/2021
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/19/2021
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 6
Control Number 17-CC-20210604104223
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 6500 HOLLISTER AVE., SUITE 200
GOLETA, CA 93117

FACILITY NAME: VEGA FCC AKA SANTA BARBARA GARDEN MONTESSORI
FACILITY NUMBER: 426213715
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 06/25/2021
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
06/25/2021
Section Cited
CCR
102417(a)
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Operation of a Family Child Care Home: The licensee shall be present in the home and shall ensure that children in care are supervised at all times…. This requirement was not met as evidenced by interviews and record review which revealed child #1 left the premises of the licensed family child care home without the licensee’s knowledge.
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Correct Immediately. Please submit a written plan of correction to Licensing to ensure this is not repeated by 6/28/2021.
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Child #1 wandered from the licensed childcare home located at 1825 Garden Street, Santa Barbara, CA to the corner of Garden and Pedregosa. Child #1 was missing for up to 15 minutes. Witness #1 observed child #1 unattended & assisted child #1. Witness #1 stated he knocked on the door of 1825 Garden Street. but no one answered. This Poses an immediate Health, Safety, or Personal Rights risk to children in care. An immediate civil penalty assessed $500.00 for failure to supervise children appropriately.
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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: Ana TolentinoTELEPHONE: (805) 562-0437
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Sylvia Mendoza-CejaTELEPHONE: (805) 722-5132
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/25/2021
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/25/2021
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 6
Control Number 17-CC-20210604104223
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 6500 HOLLISTER AVE., SUITE 200
GOLETA, CA 93117

FACILITY NAME: VEGA FCC AKA SANTA BARBARA GARDEN MONTESSORI
FACILITY NUMBER: 426213715
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 06/25/2021
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
06/25/2021
Section Cited
CCR
102417(g)(5)(A)
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Operation of a Family Child Care Home- The home shall be free from defects or conditions which might endanger a child. Safety precautions shall include but not be limited to: ensure the inaccessibility of pools...hot tubs, spas... through a pool cover or by surrounding the pool with a fence.
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Correct Immediately. Please submit a written plan of correction to Licensing to ensure this is not repeated by 6/28/2021.
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This requirement was not met based on interviews, record review, and observation by local law enforcement who observed an unlocked hot tub cover on 6/3/2021 during an inspection of the backyard facility. Licensee failed to ensure the inaccessibility of the hot tub during operating hours. This poses an immediate health and safety risk to children in care. A violation regarding accessible bodies of water warrants an immediate civil penalty of $500 and is hereby assessed, see LIC421IM
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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: Ana TolentinoTELEPHONE: (805) 562-0437
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Sylvia Mendoza-CejaTELEPHONE: (805) 722-5132
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/25/2021
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/25/2021
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 6
Control Number 17-CC-20210604104223
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 6500 HOLLISTER AVE., SUITE 200
GOLETA, CA 93117

FACILITY NAME: VEGA FCC AKA SANTA BARBARA GARDEN MONTESSORI
FACILITY NUMBER: 426213715
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 06/25/2021
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
06/25/2021
Section Cited
CCR
102417(g)(4)
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102417(g)(4) Operation of a Family Child Care Home. Poisons, detergents, cleaning compounds, medicines, firearms and other items which could pose a danger to children shall be stored where they are inaccessible to children.
This requirement was not met based on interviews, record review, and observation
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Correct Immediately. Please submit a written plan of correction to Licensing to ensure this is not repeated by 6/28/2021.
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 by local law enforcement who observed can of paint thinner on a picnic table near where the children were sitting on the grass, and extension cords strewn about the yard where the children primarily stay also near the jacuzzi and pool. This poses an immediate health and safety risk to children in care.
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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: Ana TolentinoTELEPHONE: (805) 562-0437
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Sylvia Mendoza-CejaTELEPHONE: (805) 722-5132
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/25/2021
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/25/2021
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 6