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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 013417441
Report Date: 03/03/2026
Date Signed: 03/03/2026 04:29:42 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
12/20/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Liam Bucsko
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 02-CC-20251220130553
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: 0DATE:
03/03/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
03:05 PM
MET WITH:Yvette DailTIME COMPLETED:
03:07 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff did not provide adequate food service to day care children.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 03/03/2026 at 3:05 PM, Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Liam Bucsko and Kayla Merchant attempted to conduct an Unannounced Subsequent Complaint Visit via phone with Former Acting Director Yvette Dail of Sugar and Spice. Due to facility request to close on 01/30/2026, the facility was not able to be visited by LPAs to deliver findings. Owner/Director Cali Espinello was unable to be contacted by LPAs to receive the findings of the investigation. Former Acting Director refused to discuss findings.

Complainant alleges that staff did not provide adequate food service to day care children. During the course of the investigation, LPAs inspected the facility, reviewed records and conducted interviews. It was determined that food service at the facility was not of the quality and in the quantity necessary to meet the needs of the children as milk is not served to children in care during lunch unless specifically requested by a parent or guardian.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Sherelle Johnson
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Liam Bucsko
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/03/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/03/2026
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 5
Control Number 02-CC-20251220130553
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: 03/03/2026
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 today. See 9099-D page for details.

Exit interview was not able to be conducted with facility representative due to lack of available representative.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Sherelle Johnson
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Liam Bucsko
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/03/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/03/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 5
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
12/20/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Liam Bucsko
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 02-CC-20251220130553

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: 0DATE:
03/03/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
03:05 PM
MET WITH:Yvette DailTIME COMPLETED:
03:07 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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2
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9
Staff did not comply with admission agreement when staff expelled day care child.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 03/03/2026 at 3:05 PM, Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Liam Bucsko and Kayla Merchant attempted to conduct an Unannounced Subsequent Complaint Visit via phone with Former Acting Director Yvette Dail of Sugar and Spice. Due to request to close on 01/30/2026, the facility was not able to be visited by LPAs to deliver findings. Owner/Director Cali Espinello was unable to be contacted by LPAs to receive the findings of the investigation. Former Acting Director refused to discuss findings.
Complainant alleges that staff did not comply with the admission agreement when staff expelled a day care child. During the course of the investigation, LPAs inspected the facility and conducted interviews. Neither Complainant nor Owner/Director was able to be contacted to provide documentation regarding the admission agreement. Based on the interviews and information obtained throughout the investigation, the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED which means 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. No Deficiency has been cited for this allegation.
Exit interview was not able to be conducted with facility representative due to lack of available representative.
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Sherelle Johnson
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Liam Bucsko
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/03/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/03/2026
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 5
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
12/20/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Liam Bucsko
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 02-CC-20251220130553

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: 0DATE:
03/03/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
03:05 PM
MET WITH:Yvette DailTIME COMPLETED:
03:07 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
1
2
3
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5
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9
Staff terminated care for a day care child in retaliation for parent addressing concerns.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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5
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10
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12
13
On 03/03/2026 at 3:05 PM, Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Liam Bucsko and Kayla Merchant attempted to conduct an Unannounced Subsequent Complaint Visit via phone with Former Acting Director Yvette Dail of Sugar and Spice. Due to facility request to close on 01/30/2026, the facility was not able to be visited by LPAs to deliver findings. Owner/Director Cali Espinello was unable to be contacted by LPAs to receive the findings of the investigation. Former Acting Director refused to discuss findings.
Complainant alleges that staff terminated care for a day care child in retaliation for a parent addressing concerns. During the course of the investigation, LPAs inspected the facility and conducted interviews. Neither Complainant nor Owner/Director was able to be contacted to provide documentation regarding the admission agreement. Based on the interviews and information obtained throughout the investigation, the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED which means 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. No Deficiency has been cited for this allegation.
Exit interview was not able to be conducted with facility representative due to lack of available representative.
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Sherelle Johnson
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Liam Bucsko
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/03/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/03/2026
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 5
Control Number 02-CC-20251220130553
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: 03/03/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
03/03/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101227(a)(1)
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(a) In child care centers providing meals to children, the following shall apply: (1)All food shall be safe and of the quality and in the quantity necessary to meet the needs of the children.
This requirement is not met as evidenced by:
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Due to the facility requesting to close on 01/30/26 and no longer operating, a POC is not required at this time.
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Based on observation, interview, and record review, milk is not offered at lunch unless requested by a parent which poses a potential risk to the health, safety, or personal rights to children in care.
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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: 03/03/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/03/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 5