045408049-5-14-2026-13-CC-EVIA-DU7TEF-20260518143952

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 045408049
Report Date: 05/14/2026
Date Signed: 05/14/2026 04:26:39 PM

Substantiated

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
02/12/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Tammy Dutra

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 13-CC-20260212074702

FACILITY NAME:	LITTLE TREASURES PRESCHOOL		FACILITY NUMBER:	045408049
ADMINISTRATOR:	NITZEN, MICHELLE		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	1450 SPRINGFIELD DR., #219		TELEPHONE:	(530) 345-3415
CITY:	CHICO	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	95928
CAPACITY:	36	CENSUS: 15	DATE:	05/14/2026
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	04:04 PM
MET WITH:	Michelle Nitzen		TIME COMPLETED:	04:35 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff use inappropriate forms of discipline

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 5/14/26 at 4:04 pm, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Tammy Dutra conducted an unannounced complaint inspection and met with licensee Michelle Nitzen. It was alleged that staff (S2) use inappropriate forms of discipline, specifically that the reporting party had concerns about the length of time children were placed in time out.

The licensee was interviewed on 2/12/26 at 10:47am and stated that she had received feedback indicating a staff member (S2) gave a child a 10-minute time out and immediately addressed the issue with the staff member. Licensee stated she coached them to use the child’s age as a measure for the length of the time out. Licensee stated that all staff understood the policy aside from the individual coached and the issue was immediately resolved once it was brought to her attention.

Substantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Erin Virrueta
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Tammy Dutra
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 05/14/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/14/2026

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-20260212074702

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: LITTLE TREASURES PRESCHOOL	FACILITY NUMBER: 045408049
	VISIT DATE: 05/14/2026

NARRATIVE

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Two staff were interviewed on 2/12/26 and 5/8/26. One staff member, (S1) shared that the center’s policy is to make the time out period is 1 minute per age of child. One staff member, (S2) stated they had been coached on their delivery of a time out after a witness observed a child being put in a 10-minute time out. S2 stated they were corrected on that action by the licensee and understood that was inappropriate for the developmental age of the child. S2 ensured this disciplinary action would not be repeated moving forward.

Three children (C1-C3) were interviewed on 2/12/26. All children interviewed stated that kids get time out when they are not listening or making bad choices. One child, C2 stated that children are in time out for “a long time” but they could not articulate how long. Another child, C3 stated children get put in time out when they don’t make good choices but they could not share the amount of time they spend. None of the kids interviewed shared any concerns or fears with regards to staff discipline.

Eight parents were interviewed on 5/8/26 and 5/11/26. All parents interviewed disclosed they are aware of the disciplinary policy and have witnessed staff using appropriate forms of discipline. Parents interviewed indicated that the staff policy is to put children in time out for a period of a minute per age. All parents shared they have observed the disciplinary actions and believe they were appropriate for their child and none had concerns regarding the safety or personal rights of children in care.

On 2/12/26 LPA received copies of the facility roster, the parent handbook with discipline policy and the staff handbook with the discipline policy. Documentation showed the facility’s discipline policy is to administer a time out which includes one minute per age for children in care.

Based on interviews LPA determined that S2 did administer a 10-minute time out and licensee coached and corrected the behavior. LPA determined that the staff did use an inappropriate form of discipline. 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. CCR 101223.2 (a)

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the licensee Michelle Nitzen. 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: 05/14/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/14/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 13-CC-20260212074702

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: LITTLE TREASURES PRESCHOOL	FACILITY NUMBER: 045408049
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:	VISIT DATE: 05/14/2026

Deficiency Type POC Due Date / Section Number	DEFICIENCIES		PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B 05/14/2026 Section Cited CCR 101223.2(a)	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	Discipline (a) Any form of discipline or punishment that violates a child's personal rights as specified in Section 101223 shall not be permitted regardless of authorized representative consent or authorization.This requirement was not met as evidenced by:	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	Licensee immediately coached the behavior once it was brought to her attention. S2 no longer works at the facility. Licensee will continue to coach new staff regarding time out policy. POC was cleared prior to delivery.
	8 9 10 11 12 13 14	Based on interview the facility did not comply with the section cited above in a child was given an inappropriate disciplinary policy.	8 9 10 11 12 13 14
	1 2 3 4 5 6 7		1 2 3 4 5 6 7
	1 2 3 4 5 6 7		1 2 3 4 5 6 7

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: Tammy Dutra
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 05/14/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/14/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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