045405611-12-12-2024-13-CC-EVIA-DC4RNV-20241219121055

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 045405611
Report Date: 12/12/2024
Date Signed: 12/12/2024 01:57:21 PM

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
09/25/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Tammy Dutra

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 13-CC-20240925183532

FACILITY NAME:	CASTLES PRESCHOOL (INFANT)		FACILITY NUMBER:	045405611
ADMINISTRATOR:	LOVE, KATIE		FACILITY TYPE:	830
ADDRESS:	55 JAN CT.		TELEPHONE:	(530) 892-2273
CITY:	CHICO	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	95928
CAPACITY:	14	CENSUS: 12	DATE:	12/12/2024
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	01:30 PM
MET WITH:	Chelsey Bleeke		TIME COMPLETED:	02:00 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Facility is operating out of ratio

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 12/12/24 at 1:30pm, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Tammy Dutra and Emily Curiel conducted an unannounced complaint inspection and met with facility representative Chelsey Bleeke. It was alleged that facility is operating out of ratio.

The Director was interviewed on 9/27/24 at 12:49pm and denied the allegation and stated that they have three permanent qualified infant teachers and four aides that are scheduled throughout the day to maintain the 4:1 ratio per title 22 regulations. She also stated they have additional staff that work in the preschool rooms that can be rotated into the infant room when needed. The Director is also infant qualified and is used in the infant room to cover breaks or support if they need support to stay in ratio.

On 9/27/24 six staff members were interviewed and stated they are not aware of the facility operating out of ratio. Each staff member stated they operate at a 4:1 ratio with infants in care. They stated they use staff from other areas in the center to cover when they need to give breaks or if a staff member is ill.

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Erin Virrueta
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Tammy Dutra
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 12/12/2024

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/12/2024

This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 13-CC-20240925183532

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: CASTLES PRESCHOOL (INFANT)	FACILITY NUMBER: 045405611
	VISIT DATE: 12/12/2024

NARRATIVE

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Staff indicated they have had parents comment that the excessive crying in the infant room makes them feel uncomfortable. Staff stated that infants, especially those under 12 months tend to cry when they are not being held and with a 4:1 ratio, there are not enough arms to hold them all. The staff indicated the center is operating with proper ratios during all day parts. They added that they communicate the number of infants to each other multiple times throughout the day to ensure the 4:1 ratio is being maintained.

On 11/26/24 and 11/27/24, six parents were interviewed. Four parents (P2-P4, P6) stated they had not seen the infant room out of ratio and three parents (P1, P5, P7) indicated they had seen the infant room out of ratio.
During today’s inspection, the facility was toured, and the facility was operating within ratio requirements. LPA observed 12 children in care being supervised by four staff members.

Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of the evidence to prove that the alleged violation occurred, and the findings are unsubstantiated.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the facility representative. Appeal rights were provided.

A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Erin Virrueta
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Tammy Dutra
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 12/12/2024

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/12/2024

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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