493003399-7-5-2023-01-CC-AHON-CTHUZP-20230707160153

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 493003399
Report Date: 07/05/2023
Date Signed: 07/05/2023 04:23:10 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
04/10/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Yang Yang

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 01-CC-20230410114449

FACILITY NAME:	KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER		FACILITY NUMBER:	493003399
ADMINISTRATOR:	KRISTEN AMARAL		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	1485 N. MC DOWELL BOULEVARD		TELEPHONE:	(707) 794-0211
CITY:	PETALUMA	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	94954
CAPACITY:	85	CENSUS: 43	DATE:	07/05/2023
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	09:27 AM
MET WITH:	Brenda Bustamante, Assistant Director		TIME COMPLETED:	11:13 AM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff did not prevent a day care child from engaging in inappropriate behaviors

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 facility’s Assistant Director, Brenda Bustamante today. It has been alleged that the facility’s staff did not prevent a child from engaging in inappropriate behaviors. Specifically, it has been alleged that the facility’s staff are not addressing child C1’s disruptive behaviors and tantrums, resulting in children and staff being put at risk.

During the initial investigation visit on 04/12/23, the LPA interviewed Center Director Mindy Meronek (staff S1) regarding the allegation. The Center Director denied the allegation and stated that the center’s staff are working with C1 and C1’s authorized representatives to address C1’s behaviors and tantrums. The center director acknowledged that C1 has had behavior episodes while in care, which has resulted in others being struck by C1’s hands or toy(s). The center director stated that no children have been injured because of C1’s actions. The center director stated that C1’s behaviors occurred either when the child was over stimulated or when the child felt threatened by another child in care. The center director stated that staff are able to successfully redirect C1 or provide C1 with an area to calm down. The center director stated that C1 typically kept to themselves and avoided other children or loud environments. (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: 07/05/2023

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/05/2023

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-20230410114449

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: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER	FACILITY NUMBER: 493003399
	VISIT DATE: 07/05/2023

NARRATIVE

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The center director stated that C1 originally brought a toy from home made of a wooden material. The center director stated that the purpose of the toy was to support C1’s anxiousness and allow the child to feel calm while at the center. The center director stated that C1’s toy was eventually replaced by their authorized representatives with one made of a softer, rubber/plastic material after staff notified C1’s authorized representatives that C1 had hit others with the toy on several occasions. The center director stated that she does not believe that C1’s behaviors pose a risk to others.

During today’s follow up interview with Assistant Director Brenda Bustamante (staff S2), the assistant director stated that since the LPA’s initial visit on 04/12/23, child C1 has been promoted to a different classroom with older children. The assistant director stated that C1 has since relinquished their toy and no longer brings any items to the facility. The assistant director, along with C1’s current teachers have stated that the center is continuously working with C1’s authorized representatives, and C1 is performing well in their current classroom.

The center director stated that the center’s primary discipline method is redirection and providing alternate activities to children in care. The center director stated that if a child is having persistent behavior issues that become a health and safety issue for the child or the other children in care, the center will work with the child’s authorized representatives and create a behavior plan to address the behavior(s). The center director stated that a KinderCare behavior consultant may be consulted to provide additional support and guidance when creating the behavior plan.

During the investigation, interviews were conducted with the center’s staff S2-S6 on 04/12/23. Staff members corroborated the center director’s statements. Staff members stated that they believe that the center is adequately addressing C1’s behaviors. Staff members familiar with C1 states that they do not believe that C1’s behaviors pose a risk to the health and safety of other children or adults in the classroom.

Childcare clients interviewed during the complaint investigation stated that they have not observed any personal rights violations at the facility. Clients interviewed stated that they believe that children’s behaviors at the center are being appropriately addressed. During the LPA’s site visits on 4/12/23 and today’s date, the LPA did not observe any evidence of personal rights violations at the center.

Based on available information, although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove alleged violations did or did not occur, therefore, the allegation is determined to be unsubstantiated at this time. There were no Title 22 deficiencies cited. Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 days from today's visit. 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 Assistant Center Director Brenda Bustamante. Appeal rights and Licensee’s 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: 07/05/2023

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/05/2023

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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