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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 013417441
Report Date: 01/21/2026
Date Signed: 01/21/2026 02:59:56 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
OAKLAND CC RO, 1515 CLAY STREET, SUITE 1102
OAKLAND, CA 94612
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
12/18/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Liam Bucsko
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 02-CC-20251218155703
FACILITY NAME:SUGAR AND SPICEFACILITY NUMBER:
013417441
ADMINISTRATOR:CALI ESPINELLOFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:2238 MARINER SQUARE DRIVETELEPHONE:
(510) 865-1055
CITY:ALAMEDASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
94501
CAPACITY:40CENSUS: 8DATE:
01/21/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
01:15 PM
MET WITH:Alejandra MartinezTIME COMPLETED:
02:30 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Director is not on site during operating hours.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 1/21/26 at 1:15 PM, Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Liam Bucsko and Kayla Merchant conducted an Unannounced Subsequent Complaint Investigation at Sugar and Spice. LPAs met with Teacher Alejandra Martinez and explained the purpose of the investigation. Finding for the above allegation was delivered during the inspection.


Complainant alleges that the Director is not on site during operation hours. During the course of the investigation, LPAs inspected the facility, reviewed records and conducted interviews. Based on interviews, it was determined that the Director has been absent from the facility since 06/20/25. In the absence of the Director, Teacher S2 has taken over as Acting Director. Record review showed that S2 lacks the full qualifications required to be the Director of a Child Care Facility.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Sherelle Johnson
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Liam Bucsko
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/21/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/21/2026
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 02-CC-20251218155703
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
OAKLAND CC RO, 1515 CLAY STREET, SUITE 1102
OAKLAND, CA 94612
FACILITY NAME: SUGAR AND SPICE
FACILITY NUMBER: 013417441
VISIT DATE: 01/21/2026
NARRATIVE
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Based on the interviews and information obtained throughout the investigation, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met. Therefore, the allegation is SUBSTANTIATED. California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 12 is being cited on attached 9099-D page.

Exit interview was conducted with Alejandra Martinez. Appeal rights were provided.
A NOTICE OF SITE VISIT WAS ISSUED AND MUST BE POSTED FOR 30 CONSECUTIVE DAYS.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Sherelle Johnson
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Liam Bucsko
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/21/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/21/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
Control Number 02-CC-20251218155703
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
OAKLAND CC RO, 1515 CLAY STREET, SUITE 1102
OAKLAND, CA 94612

FACILITY NAME: SUGAR AND SPICE
FACILITY NUMBER: 013417441
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 01/21/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
01/21/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101215.1(f)(1)
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When the child care center director is absent from the center, arrangements shall be made for a fully qualified teacher as specified in Section 101216.1(c) to act as substitute. (...) (1) If the child care center director is absent for more than 30 consecutive calendar days, the substitute director shall meet the qualifications of a director.
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Director or Acting Director shall submit proof of completion of training to become a qualified director to LPA by 1/30/26.
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Director was absent from the facility for more than 30 consecutive calendar days and the appointed subsitute does not meet the full qualifications of a director, which poses a potential risk to the Health, Safety or Personal Rights to children in care.
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Failure to correct will result in a $100 per day civil penalty until corrected. Repeat violations are $250 per violation and $100 per day until corrected.
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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: Sherelle Johnson
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Liam Bucsko
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/21/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/21/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 3