570311280-9-25-2020-53-CC-JSMH-BTZUXW-20201002155857

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 570311280
Report Date: 09/02/2020
Date Signed: 09/25/2020 12:04:48 PM

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 2525 NATOMAS PARK DR. STE 250
SACRAMENTO, CA 95833

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
08/27/2020 and conducted by Evaluator Chayntel Hunter

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 53-CC-20200827143728

FACILITY NAME:	MERRYHILL SCHOOL-LA VIDA		FACILITY NUMBER:	570311280
ADMINISTRATOR:	ROBIN SWEENEY		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	222 LA VIDA WAY		TELEPHONE:	(530) 753-9210
CITY:	DAVIS	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	95618
CAPACITY:	88	CENSUS: 29	DATE:	09/02/2020
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	11:40 AM
MET WITH:	Principal, Robin Sweeney and Assistant Principal, Morgan Callaway		TIME COMPLETED:	01:30 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff not qualified to watch children in care.
Staff failed to provide a safe environment for daycare children.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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This is an amended report for the original report delivered on September 2, 2020.

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Chayntel Hunter is conducting a tele-inspection via FaceTime with the Principal Robin Sweeney and Assistant Principal, Morgan Callaway to open and close a 10-day complaint investigation regarding the above allegation. In lieu of Principal's signature, LPA Hunter is emailing the report with a read receipt request. During today's inspection LPA toured all classrooms in the facility and observed 29 children supervised by 9 staff.

Complainant alleged that staff member (S1) was not qualified to watch children in care. Interviews conducted revealed that although S1 is qualified to be a teacher's assistant, they are not left unsupervised, except during nap time.

Report continues on 9099C.

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Sharon Ogbodo	TELEPHONE: (916) 263-5721
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Chayntel Hunter	TELEPHONE: (916) 917-8620
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 09/02/2020

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/02/2020

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 53-CC-20200827143728

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 2525 NATOMAS PARK DR. STE 250
SACRAMENTO, CA 95833

FACILITY NAME: MERRYHILL SCHOOL-LA VIDA	FACILITY NUMBER: 570311280
	VISIT DATE: 09/02/2020

NARRATIVE

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Interviews also revealed there is usually one teacher in the classroom during nap time due to staff lunch schedules. LPA was unable to gather documentation of scheduled breaks or lunch times to determine if S1 is left alone and providing care to children without having direct supervision from a fully qualified teacher. LPA discussed Title 22 regulations regarding teacher's aides being utilized during nap time and supervision. Principal stated when children start to wake up from nap, another staff member will come to support.

Based on the lack of proof that S1 watches children in care without being under direct supervision from a fully qualified staff, the complaint was found to be UNSUBSTANTIATED, meaning although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur.

It was also alleged that staff failed to provide a safe environment for daycare children. It was alleged that the facility blocks one of the classroom doors next to the infant room, which can be used as an emergency exit, with children's nap mats. LPA received documentation that children's mats were stored in front of one of classroom doors. Interviews conducted revealed that the mats no longer block the door, and that the door that was being blocked is not an emergency exit. During the tour LPA observed three doors inside the infant room that were not blocked, and observed the emergency exit door. LPA discussed Title 22 regulations surrounding indoor and outdoor passageways, and advised principal that all passageways are to be free of obstruction.

Even though LPA received documentation that children's mat were stored in front of one of the doors, LPA noted facility had two other exits that can be used. LPA has found the complaint to be UNSUBSTANTIATED, meaning although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur.

Exit interview was conducted. Appeal rights were printed and provided. Notice of Site Visit was provided and should remain posted for 30 days.

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Sharon Ogbodo	TELEPHONE: (916) 263-5721
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Chayntel Hunter	TELEPHONE: (916) 917-8620
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 09/02/2020

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/02/2020

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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