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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 045404371
Report Date: 11/07/2024
Date Signed: 11/07/2024 09:41:47 AM

Unsubstantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CHICO CC RO, 520 COHASSET RD., SUITE 170
CHICO, CA 95926
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
09/17/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Elizabeth Friese
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 13-CC-20240917090554
FACILITY NAME:SMART START PRESCHOOLFACILITY NUMBER:
045404371
ADMINISTRATOR:THOMAS, JULIEFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:1565 EAST AVENUETELEPHONE:
(530) 897-6278
CITY:CHICOSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
95926
CAPACITY:106CENSUS: 54DATE:
11/07/2024
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
08:30 AM
MET WITH:Ann NelsonTIME COMPLETED:
09:45 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff did not properly supervise day care child resulting in head injury
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 11/07/24 at 8:30am, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Elizabeth Friese conducted an unannounced complaint inspection and met with Administrator Ann Nelson. It was alleged that staff did not properly supervise a day care child resulting in head injury, specifically an injury which caused a concussion and required emergency treatment.
The administrator was interviewed on 9/24/24 at 8:45am and acknowledged that she was aware of a recent head injury that occurred 9/13/24 @ 4:20pm. C1 had been rolling on basketballs on their belly when one ball popped out and they bumped their head on the concrete. Ann stated that S1 had been on the playground supervising the children and assisted the child immediately. LPA toured the facility, observed the concrete area where the incident occurred and obtained a roster and the incident report this date.
On 9/24/24, 10/11/24 and 10/17/24, interviews were conducted with 1 child, 3 staff, 3 parents and 1 witness. All parents and staff stated that supervision at the facility was sufficient. S1 stated that they had been watching children on the playground within 10 feet of C1 when they fell and rushed to them immediately to comfort them. S1 did not observe a red mark, bump, or bruise. C1 wiggled away after approximately one minute of tears and went back to playing. C1 stated they had been kicking a ball when the injury occurred but confirmed that S1 was supervising. S2 and S3 supervised C1 the remainder of the day inside the classroom and neither noticed any unusual behavior or signs of injury. Both recounted C1 participating in activities as normal that afternoon.
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion: 60
SUPERVISORS NAME: Erin Virrueta
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Elizabeth Friese
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/07/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/07/2024
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 13-CC-20240917090554
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CHICO CC RO, 520 COHASSET RD., SUITE 170
CHICO, CA 95926
FACILITY NAME: SMART START PRESCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 045404371
VISIT DATE: 11/07/2024
NARRATIVE
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During this investigation, LPA Friese obtained the medical report indicating that C1 was treated for a concussion caused by this incident.
Although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations did or did not occur, therefore the allegations are unsubstantiated.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Erin Virrueta
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Elizabeth Friese
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/07/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/07/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 5
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CHICO CC RO, 520 COHASSET RD., SUITE 170
CHICO, CA 95926
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
09/17/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Elizabeth Friese
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 13-CC-20240917090554

FACILITY NAME:SMART START PRESCHOOLFACILITY NUMBER:
045404371
ADMINISTRATOR:THOMAS, JULIEFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:1565 EAST AVENUETELEPHONE:
(530) 897-6278
CITY:CHICOSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
95926
CAPACITY:106CENSUS: 54DATE:
11/07/2024
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
08:30 AM
MET WITH:Ann NelsonTIME COMPLETED:
09:45 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Authorized representatives were not notified of a child's injury
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 11/07/24 at 8:30am, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Elizabeth Friese conducted an unannounced complaint inspection and met with Administrator Ann Nelson. It was alleged that that authorized representatives were not notified of a child's injury, specifically a head injury causing a concussion which required medical treatment.
The administrator Ann Nelson was interviewed on 9/24/24 at 8:45am and admitted to the allegation. She acknowledged that she was aware of a recent head injury that occurred 9/13/24 at 4:20pm which was not reported by the supervising teacher (S1) timely. She stated this was due to S1 having been distracted by a parent on their way out of the facility and was a rare oversight. C1 had been rolling on basketballs on their belly when one ball popped out and they bumped their head on the concrete. S1 then left at 4:30pm without notifying the other staff. Generally, staff will complete an incident report on the ipad provided as soon as possible after the incident and advise the parents either through the app or by telephone for more serious injuries or injuries involving the head.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion: 60
SUPERVISORS NAME: Erin Virrueta
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Elizabeth Friese
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/07/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/07/2024
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 5
Control Number 13-CC-20240917090554
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CHICO CC RO, 520 COHASSET RD., SUITE 170
CHICO, CA 95926
FACILITY NAME: SMART START PRESCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 045404371
VISIT DATE: 11/07/2024
NARRATIVE
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During this inspection, LPA Elizabeth Friese toured the facility, observed the concrete area where the incident occurred and obtained a children’s roster, employee contact information and incident report.
On 9/24/24, 10/11/24 and 10/17/24, interviews were conducted with 1 child, 3 staff, 3 parents and 1 witness. The parents interviewed were unaware of any unreported incidents and were satisfied with the communication provided. S1 admitted to forgetting to report the injury to anyone or complete an incident report. S1 stated that they had been watching children on the playground within 10 feet of C1 when the injury occurred. S1 did not complete an incident report until Monday 9/16/24. S2 and S3 stated they had no knowledge of C1’s injury until the following week.
During this investigation, LPA Friese obtained the medical report which indicated that C1 was treated for a concussion caused by this incident. The facility did not follow their internal policy or Title 22 regulations in not reporting this incident to authorized representatives.
Based on the evidence obtained, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation is found to be substantiated. California Code of Regulations, (Title 22), is being cited on the attached LIC 9099D.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Erin Virrueta
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Elizabeth Friese
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/07/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/07/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 5
Control Number 13-CC-20240917090554
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CHICO CC RO, 520 COHASSET RD., SUITE 170
CHICO, CA 95926

FACILITY NAME: SMART START PRESCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 045404371
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 11/07/2024
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
12/07/2024
Section Cited
CCR
101212(F)
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101212(f) Reporting Requirements
The items specified... shall also be reported to the child's authorized representative.
Specifically: ...Any unusual incident…that threatens the physical or emotional health or safety of any child.
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Facility administrator has provided guidance for all staff regarding injuries that occur to children who are in care at the facility and reporting requirements. This citation will be cleared as of this date, 11/07/24
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This standard was not met as evidenced by:
This requirement was not met as evidenced by: based on interviews it was determined that the facility failed to report an injury which occurred to a child to the child's authorized representative. This is a potential health and safety risk 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: Erin Virrueta
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Elizabeth Friese
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/07/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/07/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 5