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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 153808747
Report Date: 12/23/2025
Date Signed: 12/23/2025 12:08:04 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
FRESNO SOUTH CC RO, 1310 E. SHAW AVE,
FRESNO, CA 93710
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
11/26/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Valentin Hernandez
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 57-CC-20251126102537
FACILITY NAME:GARDEN PATHWAYS DOWNTOWN EDUCATION CENTERFACILITY NUMBER:
153808747
ADMINISTRATOR:LAURIE CURBOWFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:1130 17TH STREETTELEPHONE:
(661) 633-2302
CITY:BAKERSFIELDSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
93301
CAPACITY:72CENSUS: 36DATE:
12/23/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
10:40 AM
MET WITH:Candice LujanTIME COMPLETED:
12:40 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff hit day care child
Staff handled day care children in a rough manner
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 12/23/2025, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Valentin Hernandez conducted an unannounced complaint inspection to deliver findings regarding the above allegations. LPA Hernandez met with Assistant Director, Candice Lujan, and discussed the allegations and the purpose of the inspection.

The allegation that staff hit a day care child was determined to be SUBSTANTIATED. During the investigation, LPA Hernandez interviewed the Program Director, day care staff, and day care parents, and reviewed facility records. Based on observations, record review, and information obtained through interviews, the preponderance of evidence standard was met.

The allegation that staff handled day care children in a rough manner was also determined to be SUBSTANTIATED. During the investigation, LPA Hernandez interviewed the Program Director, day care staff, and day care parents, and reviewed facility records.
Continued on LIC 9099C
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion: 60
SUPERVISORS NAME: Cynthia Brannon
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Valentin Hernandez
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/23/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/23/2025
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 57-CC-20251126102537
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
FRESNO SOUTH CC RO, 1310 E. SHAW AVE,
FRESNO, CA 93710
FACILITY NAME: GARDEN PATHWAYS DOWNTOWN EDUCATION CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 153808747
VISIT DATE: 12/23/2025
NARRATIVE
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Based on observations, record review, and information obtained through interviews, the preponderance of evidence standard was met.

Per California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 1, a deficiency is being cited on the attached LIC 9099D.

This report dated 12/23/2025 documents Type A citation, which must be posted for 30 consecutive days, as there is an immediate risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care. A copy of this licensing report documenting the Type A citation must be provided to the parents/guardians of all children currently enrolled by the next business day or the next day the children are in care, and to any newly enrolled parents/guardians for 12 months from the date of this report. A signed Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Report (LIC 9224), or other written statement, must be maintained in each child’s file for verification.

A copy of the Fact Sheet – Child Care Parent Notification Requirements and the LIC 9224 Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Reports were provided to the facility representative.

An exit interview was conducted with Assistant Director Candice Lujan. A copy of this report and Appeal Rights were provided. A Notice of Site Visit was issued and must remain posted for 30 days. This report shall be made available to the public upon request.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Cynthia Brannon
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Valentin Hernandez
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/23/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/23/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
Control Number 57-CC-20251126102537
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
FRESNO SOUTH CC RO, 1310 E. SHAW AVE,
FRESNO, CA 93710

FACILITY NAME: GARDEN PATHWAYS DOWNTOWN EDUCATION CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 153808747
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 12/23/2025
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
12/30/2025
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(3)
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Personal Rights - To be free from corporal or unusual punishment, infliction of pain, humiliation, intimidation, ridicule, coercion, threat, mental abuse or other actions of a punitive nature including but not limited to: interference with functions of daily living including eating, sleeping or toileting; or withholding of shelter,
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Per Assistant Director Candice Lujan, licensee effective immediately, will ensure that no staff use corporal or unusual punishment. Licensee will provide a copy of detailed Personal Rights training agenda and attendance. Licensee will provide written protocol to implement increased supervision
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clothing, medication or aids to physical functioning.This requirement was not met as evidenced by: LPA Hernandez’s interviews and review of facility records it was revealed that daycare staff hit day care children and daycare staff handled day care children in a rough manner. This poses a risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care.
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and monitoring of staff interactions with children to ensure compliance. Ongoing monitoring to be documented available for review as needed. Documentation will be received by Fresno South Child Care Regional Office no later than December 30, 2025.
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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: Cynthia Brannon
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Valentin Hernandez
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/23/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/23/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 3