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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 013423129
Report Date: 04/02/2026
Date Signed: 04/02/2026 05:08:45 PM

Unsubstantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 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
11/14/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Indira Loza
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 02-CC-20251114112605
FACILITY NAME:GROWING LIGHT MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF OAKLANDFACILITY NUMBER:
013423129
ADMINISTRATOR:GAYE, AWAFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:4700 LINCOLN AVENUETELEPHONE:
(510) 336-9897
CITY:OAKLANDSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
94602
CAPACITY:72CENSUS: 52DATE:
04/02/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
02:41 PM
MET WITH:Shannon CollinsTIME COMPLETED:
05:22 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Staff inappropriately restrained day care child.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
On April 2, 2026 at 2:41pm Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Indira Loza met with Center Director Crystal Taylor and Teacher Mentor Shannon Collins to deliver the findings for the above allegation. Present during today’s visit were 52 children and 12 staff. LPA toured the facility for a health and safety check.

During the course of the investigation LPA conducted interviews and reviewed documents. It was alleged that there were two separate incidents where a child was inappropriately restrained. Due to conflicting information and insufficient evidence it was unable to be determined whether the incidents occurred. 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, therefore the allegation is unsubstantiated.

Exit Interview conducted. Report reviewed with Center Director Crystal Taylor and Teacher Mentor Shannon Collins. A copy of the report was provided. Notice of Site Visit provided and must remain posted for 30 days.
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Mayla Mendoza
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Indira Loza
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/02/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/02/2026
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 2
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 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
11/14/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Indira Loza
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 02-CC-20251114112605

FACILITY NAME:GROWING LIGHT MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF OAKLANDFACILITY NUMBER:
013423129
ADMINISTRATOR:GAYE, AWAFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:4700 LINCOLN AVENUETELEPHONE:
(510) 336-9897
CITY:OAKLANDSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
94602
CAPACITY:72CENSUS: 52DATE:
04/02/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
02:41 PM
MET WITH:Shannon CollinsTIME COMPLETED:
05:22 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Staff does not ensure day care children are provided a safe environment.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
On April 2, 2026 at 2:41pm Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Indira Loza met with Center Director Crystal Taylor and Teacher Mentor Shannon Collins to deliver the findings for the above allegation. Present during today’s visit were 52 children and 12 staff. LPA toured the facility for a health and safety check.

During the course of the investigation LPA conducted interviews and reviewed documents. Based on interviews, it has been determined that Co-Owner Rachel LaField had an inappropriate interaction with a staff. The preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED. However, a citation will not be issued due to the same allegation on complaint control: 02-CC-20251027125919 which received a Type B citation on November 12, 2025.

Exit Interview conducted. Report reviewed with Center Director Crystal Taylor and Teacher Mentor Shannon Collins. A copy of the report was provided. Notice of Site Visit provided and must remain posted for 30 days.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Mayla Mendoza
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Indira Loza
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/02/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/02/2026
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 2