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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 483009817
Report Date: 05/26/2022
Date Signed: 05/26/2022 12:53:08 PM

Unsubstantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
02/28/2022 and conducted by Evaluator Elpidia Hernandez Torres
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 01-CC-20220228140018
FACILITY NAME:GROWING HEARTS EARLY LEARNING CENTERFACILITY NUMBER:
483009817
ADMINISTRATOR:PENNY BOWERSFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:1830 WEST TEXAS AVENUETELEPHONE:
(707) 399-8113
CITY:FAIRFIELDSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
94533
CAPACITY:90CENSUS: 54DATE:
05/26/2022
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
10:05 AM
MET WITH:Center Director Aly BowersTIME COMPLETED:
01:00 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff are not wearing masks
Staff are not assisting child with toileting needs
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Elpidia Hernandez Torres conducted a subsequent complaint investigation visit with center director for the purpose of delivering complaint investigation findings. It has been alleged that Staff are not wearing masks and staff are not assisting child with toileting needs. Specifically, while face masks were required to be worn in the facility staff were not wearing it coving their nose and mouth as was required; And that staff refuse to assist children with wiping after using the bathroom.

During the initial investigation an interview was conducted with Center Director, two teachers and two children on 03/03/22. Five guardians, one staff member, and six children were interviewed between 05/13/22, 05/16/22, 05/20/22, and 05/23/22. Center director and teachers denied the allegations. Center Director stated they no longer have to wear masks, but when it was required, they did wear face masks and there was a period of time where the rules kept changing from no mask, to wear a mask to no mask again. Staff members corroborated the center directors’ statements, stating masks were worn anytime staff were in close proximity when masks were mandated. Continued on 9099-C
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Leslie LeporiTELEPHONE: (707) 588-5060
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Elpidia Hernandez TorresTELEPHONE: (707) 771-5568
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/26/2022
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/26/2022
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 01-CC-20220228140018
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405
FACILITY NAME: GROWING HEARTS EARLY LEARNING CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 483009817
VISIT DATE: 05/26/2022
NARRATIVE
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Some Staff reported there were a few instances were some staff were observed not wearing their face mask correctly, where their nose was not covered, and on another occasion, it was only on their chin. Some children stated they remember when teachers wore masks and they remember wearing masks too. There was one instance between January and March 2022 where LPA Hernandez Torres arrived at the facility and some staff and some children were not wearing masks while indoors. During that visit LPA Hernandez Torres reminded Center Director Masks were required for children 2 years and older and all staff while indoors. Center Director immediately went around telling all staff to put on their masks and to help children with theirs. Some guardians stated they remember seeing staff with masks on from January 2022- March 2022 while dropping off children, however they couldn’t determine if staff kept them on or wore them over their nose throughout the day. LPA Hernandez Torre reminded all interviewees, face masks are currently not required to be worn.

Center Director reported if children demonstrate they can’t wipe after using the bathroom then I wipe them. We practice with dolls and baby wipes. She further stated if children say they need help and ask for help in the bathroom, staff will help the child wipe. If a child doesn’t ask for help and staff notice the child needs additional support staff will ask the child if they need help, if the child refuses help staff will offer more toilet paper and baby wipes but will not physically wipe the child. Staff corroborated the Center Director’s statements, reporting they encourage children to ask for help if they need help wiping in the bathroom and if they notice a child needs to wipe extra, they offer baby wipes. Center Director reported she is not aware if children have skid marks on their underwear, but if they pooped in their pants they are cleaned and changed. Staff also stated accidents are usually pee accidents, and the child is cleaned and changed. Center Director did mention there were a few children whose guardians had come forward and asked for additional support in wiping. Center Director then created a list and reminded staff to take extra notice of those children during bathroom breaks to offer additional support in wiping. Staff corroborated the statement and added with those children we ask if they need help and encourage them to wipe, but again if they decline the offer then we do not physically wipe the child. Some guardians stated their children had gotten ill due to not wiping, and they noticed their children were not wiping at home they were using the bathroom then putting their underwear up without wiping. When they asked the center about their policy, center director relayed the center does not physically wipe the child if the child is potty trained and declined verbally for the additional support. Furthermore, when children are in the bathroom, in the stalls the doors are closed so if a child pulls their pants up the staff would not notice, unless the child smelled like poop. Some guardians stated their children are potty trained, and don’t want the staff to wipe their child. Continued on 9099-C
SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Leslie LeporiTELEPHONE: (707) 588-5060
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Elpidia Hernandez TorresTELEPHONE: (707) 771-5568
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/26/2022
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/26/2022
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 5
Control Number 01-CC-20220228140018
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405
FACILITY NAME: GROWING HEARTS EARLY LEARNING CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 483009817
VISIT DATE: 05/26/2022
NARRATIVE
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 Some children stated they use the potty by themselves, and stated their guardians wipe them at home. Some stated they don’t poop at the center they only pee and they go alone. They mentioned the teachers only wipe the babies, not the big kids who use the potty.

Some Guardians expressed concerns about staff not wiping their child after using the bathroom and the center no longer wearing masks. Center director and staff members stated they offer help wiping and remind the children to wipe, but if the child refuses help the staff will not physically wipe them. Center Director and Staff stated masks were worn when required. Children expressed staff do ask if children need help wiping in the bathroom, but only babies have accidents and need help wiping. Based on interviews conducted and records reviewed, although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove that the alleged violations occurred, therefore the allegations are Unsubstantiated.

This report was reviewed and discussed with Center Director, She was provided with a copy of this CIR; and Appeal Rights. All licensing reports are public information and must be made available upon request for at least three years. There were no Title 22 deficiencies cited during today’s inspection.
SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Leslie LeporiTELEPHONE: (707) 588-5060
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Elpidia Hernandez TorresTELEPHONE: (707) 771-5568
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/26/2022
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/26/2022
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 5