490101798-3-15-2023-01-CC-AHON-CQ6N7V-20230322101318

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 490101798
Report Date: 03/15/2023
Date Signed: 03/15/2023 05:47:20 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
12/27/2022 and conducted by Evaluator Yang Yang

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 01-CC-20221227134718

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: 82	DATE:	03/15/2023
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	04:34 PM
MET WITH:	Shaharazad Hamidi		TIME COMPLETED:	05:22 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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-Uncleared staff are supervising children
-Facility does not ensure that personnel records are maintained
-Staff without a drivers license transporting children
-Facility did not submit an application for change of ownership

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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An unannounced follow-up complaint investigation visit to the facility was made today by Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Y. Yang to deliver complaint investigation findings. The LPA met with the center’s Executive Director, Shaharzad Hamidi to discuss the investigation findings. It has been alleged that the facility utilizes uncleared adults to supervise daycare children, that the facility is not maintaining personnel files for its staff, that staff without a driver’s license are transporting daycare children, and that the facility did not submit an application for a change of ownership.

The initial complaint investigation visit to the center was made by LPA. S. Phouthavong on 01/06/23; LPA Phouthavong met with Executive Director Hamidi, made observations, and obtained documents pertaining to the investigation. During LPA Yang’s follow-up visit on 02/02/23, the LPA interviewed the center’s Associate Head of School, Tracy Walthard regarding the allegations. Walthard denied the allegations and provided information regarding the center’s operations. Executive Director Hamidi was not present during the LPA’s follow-up visit and was interviewed by the LPA on 02/08/23. Hamidi stated that she also denies all allegations made against the center. Hamidi stated that all staff and volunteers at the center are fingerprint cleared before being allowed to work on site. (Continued on LIC9099-C)

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Alexis Hollon	TELEPHONE: (707) 588-5036
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Yang Yang	TELEPHONE: 707-588-5026
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 03/15/2023

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/15/2023

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-20221227134718

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: SPRING HILL MONTESSORI	FACILITY NUMBER: 490101798
	VISIT DATE: 03/15/2023

NARRATIVE

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Hamidi stated that she understands that all adults 18 and over, including employees and volunteers, must obtain a criminal record clearance or exemption, or transfer their existing clearance or exemption, prior to initial presence in a childcare center. A civil penalty of $100.00 minimum/day up to $500.00 maximum per day/per person will be assessed if this regulation is violated. Hamidi stated that the center maintains a personnel file for each staff member at the center.

Hamidi stated that this center does not provide any form of transportation to children in care. Hamidi stated that daycare children are transported to and from the center by their authorized representative(s). Hamidi stated that the center has not had an ownership change and has not been transferred or sold and is currently owned by the licensee, The Spring Hill School, which also manages two grade school campuses nearby (an elementary school and a middle school). Hamidi stated that since the licensee is a nonprofit organization, there have been changes within the organization, however. Hamidi stated that the changes are reported to Community Care Licensing as required per regulations.

During the investigation, interviews were conducted with the center’s staff S1-S4 on 02/02/23, S5 on 02/06/23, and S6-S7 on 03/13/23. The staff members that were interviewed all corroborated Executive Director Hamidi’s statements. Staff members that were interviewed stated that they were required to submit all employment and Licensing related paperwork prior to starting work at the center. Staff stated that they were all fingerprint cleared before being permitted to work at this center. Additionally, staff all stated that they have not observed any transportation services being provided by the center.

During the LPA’s visits to the center on 02/02/23 and 03/15/23, the LPA performed a personnel file review. The LPA observed that each staff member present on site that day had a completed personnel file located in the center’s main office. A review of the personnel report on 01/06/23, 02/02/23, and 03/15/23 indicated that all facility staff or other individuals who require caregiver background checks have received their criminal record clearances or exemptions. Furthermore, the LPA did not find any evidence to suggest that transportation services were being provided by the center.

Based on available information and interviews conducted, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations did or did not occur. Therefore, the allegations are unsubstantiated. All licensing reports are public information and must be made available upon request for at least three years. This report was read and reviewed with Executive Director Shaharazad Hamidi. There were no Title 22 deficiencies cited during today's inspection. Appeal rights were provided.

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Alexis Hollon	TELEPHONE: (707) 588-5036
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Yang Yang	TELEPHONE: 707-588-5026
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 03/15/2023

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/15/2023

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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