490101798-2-9-2021-01-CC-AHON-BY4U35-20210210141255

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 490101798
Report Date: 02/09/2021
Date Signed: 02/09/2021 12:26:54 PM

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office,
, CA

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
09/11/2020 and conducted by Evaluator Jennifer Velasco

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 01-CC-20200911134550

FACILITY NAME:	SPRING HILL MONTESSORI		FACILITY NUMBER:	490101798
ADMINISTRATOR:	HAMIDI, SHAHARAZAD		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	825 MIDDLEFIELD DR		TELEPHONE:	(707) 763-9222
CITY:	PETALUMA	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	94952
CAPACITY:	107	CENSUS: 77	DATE:	02/09/2021
		ANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	11:00 AM
MET WITH:	Shaharazad Hamidid, Karen Tarver, Loryn Hatten		TIME COMPLETED:	11:30 AM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Facility staff use inappropriate form of punishment
Facility staff failed to meet the needs of the children

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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Due to COVID-19, an announced tele-visit was conducted by Licensing Program Analyst Jennifer Velasco (LPA), who met with three facility representatives, Director and Head of School Shaharazad Hamidi (D1), Assistant to Head of School Karen Tarver (D2), and Office Manager and Registrar Loryn Hatten (D3). It was alleged that staff used an inappropriate form of punishment; specifically, staff made a common practice of sending children outside unsupervised when they cried and only allowed them back into the classroom and thus under supervision when they stopped crying. It was also alleged that staff failed to meet the needs of the children; specifically, a child (C1) was made to sit outside unsupervised while crying for several minutes on a day when air quality was potentially hazardous due to smoke from fire(s).
On 09/16/2020, LPA conducted initial complaint investigation inspection via tele-visit due to Covid 19 public health emergency. During the initial investigation inspection, D1 denied both allegations and stated the facility focuses on the well-being of the children and uses positive discipline strategies instead of punishment.
Continued on LIC 9099-C.

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Alexis Hollon	TELEPHONE: (707) 588-5036
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jennifer Velasco	TELEPHONE: (707) 588-5044
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 02/09/2021

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/09/2021

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 01-CC-20200911134550

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office,
, CA

FACILITY NAME: SPRING HILL MONTESSORI	FACILITY NUMBER: 490101798
	VISIT DATE: 02/09/2021

NARRATIVE

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Continued from LIC 9099.
D2 denied both allegations and stated she checks the air quality every day during fire season and contacts all parents and staff to advise them as to the air quality and whether children will be allowed outside based on that air quality. D3 denied both allegations and stated the facility is a very nurturing environment. LPA requested, received, and reviewed facility documents relevant to the investigation. On 09/16/2020, LPA conducted three interviews (D1-D3). On 01/14/2021, LPA conducted six interviews (C1-C4, A1-A2). On 02/01/2021, LPA conducted one interview (S3).
Document review and witness statements failed to corroborate the allegation that facility staff used an inappropriate form of punishment by sending children outside unsupervised. Document review and witness statements also failed to corroborate the allegation that facility staff failed to meet the needs of the children by sending a child or children outside during times of potentially hazardous air quality. Based on interviews conducted and records reviewed, although the allegations may have happened or be valid, there is not a preponderance of the evidence to prove that the alleged violations occurred; therefore, the allegations are unsubstantiated. Appeal rights were provided. This report was read and reviewed with D1, D2, and D3, whose original signatures were not recorded on this report. D1, D2, and D3 were provided with a copy of the LIC9099 Complaint Investigation Report (CIR) and Appeal Rights in an email dated 02/09/2021 and confirmation of read receipt of the CIR is on file. 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: Alexis Hollon	TELEPHONE: (707) 588-5036
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jennifer Velasco	TELEPHONE: (707) 588-5044
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 02/09/2021

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/09/2021

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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