<meta name="robots" content="noindex">
Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 503808634
Report Date: 09/05/2024
Date Signed: 09/05/2024 06:41:16 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
FRESNO CC RO, 1310 E. SHAW AVE,
FRESNO, CA 93710
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
07/11/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Valerie Mireles
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 04-CC-20240711154443
FACILITY NAME:SEQUOIA PRESCHOOL ACADEMYFACILITY NUMBER:
503808634
ADMINISTRATOR:GUTHMILLER, JANETFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:1308 COFFEE ROADTELEPHONE:
(209) 526-2273
CITY:MODESTOSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
95355
CAPACITY:30CENSUS: 21DATE:
09/05/2024
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
10:00 AM
MET WITH:Assistant Director Michele PhillipsTIME COMPLETED:
07:00 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Facility staff handled day care child in a rough manner.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
On 09/05/2024, Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Valerie Mireles and Julio Rodriguez conducted an unannounced complaint inspection for the purpose of delivering investigation findings. LPAs met with Assistant Director Michele Phillips. A tour of the facility was conducted and a census was taken.

This agency investigated the complaint alleging facility staff handled day care child in a rough manner. During the investigation, LPA Mireles conducted interviews, reviewed the police report, observed photographs and surveillance video. Based on interviews and observation, Staff 1 was observed shoving Child 1 in a forceful manner five times with escalating force each time resulting in bruising to the child’s forehead. Staff 1 was also observed lifting Child 2 by the hand from the ground and dragging the child several feet. Other children in the classroom observed the incident as it transpired and were visibly impacted by the interactions, crying or standing in shock. Children need to be in a safe, healthful, and comfortable environment. This poses an immediate risk to the Health, Safety and Personal Rights to the children in care. Continued to LIC9099-C.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Kari McWilliams
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Valerie Mireles
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/05/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/05/2024
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 3
Control Number 04-CC-20240711154443
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
FRESNO CC RO, 1310 E. SHAW AVE,
FRESNO, CA 93710
FACILITY NAME: SEQUOIA PRESCHOOL ACADEMY
FACILITY NUMBER: 503808634
VISIT DATE: 09/05/2024
NARRATIVE
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
Per California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 1, a Type A citation will be issued for violation of CCR 101223(a)(3) as a result of substantiated allegation. An exit interview conducted with Assistant Director Michele Phillips. A copy of this report and Appeal Rights were provided and discussed. A Notice of Site Visit was given and will be posted for 30 days.

Upon receipt of a Type A violation, licensee shall post and provide copies of this licensing report to parents/guardians of children in care at the facility and to parents/guardians of children newly enrolled at the facility during the next 12 months. A copy of the Fact Sheet - Child Care Parent Notification Requirements and a copy of LIC 9224 Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Reports was given to Assistant Director Michele Philipsr.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Kari McWilliams
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Valerie Mireles
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/05/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/05/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
Control Number 04-CC-20240711154443
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
FRESNO CC RO, 1310 E. SHAW AVE,
FRESNO, CA 93710

FACILITY NAME: SEQUOIA PRESCHOOL ACADEMY
FACILITY NUMBER: 503808634
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 09/05/2024
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
09/06/2024
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(3)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
101223 Personal Rights(a)The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights:(3)To be free from corporal ...punishment, infliction of pain, humiliation, intimidation... threat, mental abuse or other ... punitive nature. This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Assistant Director Michele Philips called Director Janet Guthmiller by telephone and Director Guthmiller intends on appealing the citation.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Based on interviews and observation, Staff1 was observed shoving Child 1 in a forceful manner five times with escalating force each time resulting in bruising to the child’s forehead. Staff 1 was also observed lifting Child 2 by the hand from the ground and dragging the child several feet, which poses an immediate risk to the Health, Safety and Personal Rights to the children in care.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Failure to correct the cited deficiency(ies), on or before the Plan of Correction (POC) due date, may result in a civil penalty assessment.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Kari McWilliams
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Valerie Mireles
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/05/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/05/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 3