153808748-1-26-2026-57-CC-CBRN-DQSVAR-20260129151619

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 153808748
Report Date: 01/26/2026
Date Signed: 01/26/2026 11:06:18 AM

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
12/12/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Xona Xayavong

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 57-CC-20251212150043

FACILITY NAME:	GARDEN PATHWAYS DOWNTOWN EDUCATION CENTER		FACILITY NUMBER:	153808748
ADMINISTRATOR:	LAURIE CURBOW		FACILITY TYPE:	830
ADDRESS:	1130 17TH STREET		TELEPHONE:	(661) 633-2302
CITY:	BAKERSFIELD	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	93301
CAPACITY:	24	CENSUS: 15	DATE:	01/26/2026
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	10:15 AM
MET WITH:	Director Laurie Curbow & Assistant Director Candice Lujan		TIME COMPLETED:	11:15 AM

ALLEGATION(S):

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1) Staff member physically abused day care child in care.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On January 26, 2026, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Xona Xayavong and Licensing Program Manager (LPM) Cynthia Brannon conducted an unannounced complaint inspection. LPA and LPM met with Director Laurie Curbow & Assistant Director Candice Lujan. LPA toured the inside and outside of the facility and a census was taken. The purpose of today’s inspection was to deliver findings.

During the complaint investigation, LPAs Xona Xayavong and Valentin Hernandez conducted two unannounced inspections at the facility on 12/17/2025 and 01/15/2026. As part of the investigation, the LPAs interviewed staff and parents, reviewed staff and children’s records, obtained relevant documentation, and observed the facility.

Interviewees reported that Staff #1 (S1) used a toy bell to strike Child #2 (C2) in the face and pushed a table while Child #3 (C3) was behind it, causing the infant’s head to hit the wall. (Continue on LIC 9099-C)

Substantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Cynthia Brannon
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Xona Xayavong
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 01/26/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/26/2026

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 4

Control Number 57-CC-20251212150043

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: 153808748
	VISIT DATE: 01/26/2026

NARRATIVE

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Additionally, during classroom observations, LPAs Xona Xayavong and Valentin Hernandez observed S1 grab Child #1’s (C1) left forearm and pull C1 into a seated position in a chair in a rough manner. The LPAs then observed S1 sitting next to C1 and physically preventing C1 from standing up by placing her right leg behind the chair in which the infant was sitting. As a result, the infant was unable to scoot the chair back and stand up. These actions by S1, resulted in infants crying from the mistreatment.

Furthermore, interviewees revealed that S1 would grab infants by the triceps and squeeze when they tried to run away during transitions between different areas of the facility. Interviewees also reported that S1 pinches infants on the forearm when they attempt to get up during lunch.

Based on interviews and observation conducted, the preponderance of evidence has been met that a staff member physically abused day care child in care.

Therefore, the allegation is SUBSTANTIATED.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Director Laurie Curbow & Assistant Director Candice Lujan. Appeal rights were provided.

Per Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 1 of the California Code of Regulations, the following (1) Type A deficiency is being cited: (see next page LIC 9099-D).

LPA Xona Xayavong informed Director Laurie Curbow & Assistant Director Candice Lujan that this report dated January 26,2026 document (1 Type A citation) Type A citation which shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there is immediate risk(s) to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care. Also, LPA Xona Xayavong informed Director Laurie Curbow & Assistant Director Candice Lujan to provide a copy of this licensing report dated January 26,2026 that documents any Type A citation to 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 placed in the child's file for verification.

(Continue on LIC 9099-C)

SUPERVISORS NAME: Cynthia Brannon
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Xona Xayavong
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 01/26/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/26/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 2 of 4

Control Number 57-CC-20251212150043

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: 153808748
	VISIT DATE: 01/26/2026

NARRATIVE
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32	A copy of the Fact Sheet - Child Care Parent Notification Requirements and a copy of LIC 9224 Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Reports was given to Director Laurie Curbow & Assistant Director Candice Lujan. This report shall be made available to the public upon request. LIC 9213 Notice of Site Visit is provided and required to be posted for 30 days.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Cynthia Brannon
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Xona Xayavong
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 01/26/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/26/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 3 of 4

Control Number 57-CC-20251212150043

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: 153808748
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:	VISIT DATE: 01/26/2026

Deficiency Type POC Due Date / Section Number	DEFICIENCIES		PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A 01/26/2026 Section Cited CCR 101223(a)(3)	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	Personal Rights…(a) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights:..(3) 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…This requirement was not met by evidence by:	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	Effective immediately, the licensee shall ensure that no staff member uses corporal or unusual punishment. The licensee will provide a copy of the detailed Personal Rights training agenda along with attendance records. The licensee will also submit a written protocol outlining the implementation of increased supervision and monitoring of staff interactions with children to ensure compliance.
	8 9 10 11 12 13 14	Interviewees reported that Staff #1 used a toy bell to strike an infant in the face and pushed a table while an infant was behind it, causing the infant’s head to hit the wall. Additionally, during classroom observations, LPAs Xona Xayavong and Valentin Hernandez observed Staff #1 (S1) grab Child #1’s (C1) left forearm and pull C1 into a seated position in a chair in a rough manner. LPAs then observed S1 sit next to C1 and physically prevent C1 from standing up. Furthermore, interviewees revealed that S1 would grab infants by the triceps and squeeze when they tried to run away during transitions between different areas of the facility. Interviewees also reported that S1 pinches infants on the forearm when they attempt to get up during lunch. This poses a risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care.	8 9 10 11 12 13 14	Ongoing monitoring shall be documented and made available for review as needed. All documentation must be submitted to the Fresno South Child Care Regional Office no later than February 09, 2026.
	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: Cynthia Brannon
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Xona Xayavong
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 01/26/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/26/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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