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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 013423096
Report Date: 03/18/2026
Date Signed: 03/18/2026 12:49:29 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
02/25/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Ashley Hollinger
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 02-CC-20260225095254
FACILITY NAME:PRIDE IN LEARNING MONTESSORI SCHOOLFACILITY NUMBER:
013423096
ADMINISTRATOR:LEON, DARA E.FACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:1707 GOULDIN ROADTELEPHONE:
(510) 219-5189
CITY:OAKLANDSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
94611
CAPACITY:20CENSUS: 18DATE:
03/18/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:06 AM
MET WITH:Dara LeonTIME COMPLETED:
11:31 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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RATIO - Staff are operating out of ratio
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 03/18/2026 at 09:06 AM, Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Ashley Hollinger and Dana Santiago conducted an Unannounced Subsequent Complaint Investigation at Pride in Learning Montessori School. LPAs met with Director Dara Leon and explained the purpose of the investigation. During today’s inspection LPAs observed eighteen (18) and three (3) Teaching staff including two (2) aides, one (1) fully-qualified teacher, and Director. The finding for the above allegation was delivered during the inspection to which the Complainant alleges that Staff are operating out of ratio.

During the investigation, LPAs inspected the facility, conducted interviews with the Director and staff and reviewed relevant records, including classroom attendance records through the facility’s Procare application. Although record reviews confirmed that relevant staff were qualified and maintained current CPR and Mandated Reporter training, LPAs determined that the facility was not operating within the required teacher-to-child ratio at the time of the allegation.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Monica Mathur
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Ashley Hollinger
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/18/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/18/2026
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-20260225095254
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: PRIDE IN LEARNING MONTESSORI SCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 013423096
VISIT DATE: 03/18/2026
NARRATIVE
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PAGE 2

Based on observations and interviews, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation(s) is found to be SUBSTANTIATED. California Code of Regulations Title 22, Division 12 and Chapter 1 are being cited on the attached LIC 9099D.

Exit interview was conducted with Director Dara Leon and appeal rights were provided.

A NOTICE OF SITE VISIT WAS ISSUED AND MUST BE POSTED FOR 30 CONSECUTIVE DAYS.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Monica Mathur
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Ashley Hollinger
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/18/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/18/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 3
Control Number 02-CC-20260225095254
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: PRIDE IN LEARNING MONTESSORI SCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 013423096
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 03/18/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
04/15/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101216.3(b)(1)
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101216.3 Teacher-Child Ratio
(b) The licensee may use teacher aides in a teacher-child ratio of one teacher and one aide for every 15 children in attendance.
(1) A ratio of one fully qualified teacher (as specified in Section 101216.1(c)) and one aide for every 18 children in attendance in a preschool program is allowed when the aide meets the qualifications specified in Section...
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Director and Staff shall complete training on ratio requirements using the CDSS website link provided and submit proof of completion by 04/15/2026. Director must also send LPA Hollinger a record of the ratios in the infant room by listing how many infants are present and how many staff are present at 8:00am until the POC date, 04/15/2026...
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...101216.2(d). This requirement has not been met as evidenced by: Based on observations, records review, and interviews, the facility did not comply with the section cited above due to being understaffed on several occassions which poses a potential risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of 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: Monica Mathur
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Ashley Hollinger
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/18/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/18/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3