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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 155601000
Report Date: 06/30/2025
Date Signed: 06/30/2025 03:51:24 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
05/06/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Octavia Nolan
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 57-CC-20250506115713
FACILITY NAME:SMALL STEPS CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERFACILITY NUMBER:
155601000
ADMINISTRATOR:FERGUSON, DECONDIAFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:4201 UNIVERSITY AVETELEPHONE:
(661) 872-4908
CITY:BAKERSFIELDSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
93306
CAPACITY:28CENSUS: 0DATE:
06/30/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
08:00 AM
MET WITH:Christina MendezTIME COMPLETED:
10:00 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Licensee failed to report incident that occurred at facility
Licensee failed to report incident to parent/authorized representative
Licensee is not operating as stated on facility's plan of operation
There is not a qualified supervisor on site
Site Supervisor is not carrying out the administrator's responsibilities or fulfilling their job duties
Staff mishandled a child
Staff yelled at another staff in front of children
Unqualified staff providing transportation to children
Volunteers at facility do not have the required documentation
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 06/30/2025, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Octavia Nolan and Licensing Program Manager (LPM)
Cynthia Brannon conducted an unannounced complaint inspection to deliver findings for the above allegations and met with Facility Representative Christina Mendez. LPA took a census and a tour of the facility.

This agency has investigated the complaint alleging the licensee failed to report an incident to Community Care Licensing, failed to report an incident to parent/ authorized representative, the licensee is not operating as stated on the facility’s plan of operation, there is not a qualified supervisor on site, the site supervisor is not carrying out administrator’s responsibilities or fulfilling their job duties, unqualified staff providing transportation to children and volunteers at facility do not have the required documentation.

During interviews, it was revealed that a child was mishandled by Staff #1 (S1). Staff #2 (S2) reported that a child was mishandled by Staff #1 (S1) to management. This incident was not reported to
Continued on LIC 9099-C
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Cynthia Brannon
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Octavia Nolan
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/30/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/30/2025
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 6
Control Number 57-CC-20250506115713
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: SMALL STEPS CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 155601000
VISIT DATE: 06/30/2025
NARRATIVE
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Community Care Licensing or the child's parent/ authorized representative.

It was also revealed during interviews that the Site Supervisor allowed staff to comingle children from the
toddler program with preschool age children and Staff #1 has spoken rudely to Staff #2 in front of children.

A review of records showed that that the Site Supervisor does not meet Title 22 qualifications. The Site
Supervisor has not completed lead prevention training and does not have infant units or pediatric first aid and
CPR from an acceptable vendor. LPA observed during the investigation that the Site Supervisor was not
present at the facility or providing support to the Small Steps Child Development Center staff.

During interviews, it was determined that Staff #3 (S3) has provided transportation to children in care this year. A review of records showed that Staff #3's drivers license expired in 2022. The facility was unable to provide an unexpired drivers license, therefore Staff #3 is unqualified to provide transportation to children.

During the investigation, LPA requested the records for the volunteers twice. The facility was unable to provide documentation for the volunteers.

Based upon information gathered through interviews, record review, and observations, the preponderance of
evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegations are SUBSTANTIATED.

Per Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 1, of the California Code of Regulations, the following deficiencies are being cited: (see LIC9099-D).

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the Facility Representative Christina Mendez. Appeal
rights were provided.

A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Cynthia Brannon
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Octavia Nolan
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/30/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/30/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 6
Control Number 57-CC-20250506115713
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: SMALL STEPS CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 155601000
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 06/30/2025
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
07/14/2025
Section Cited
CCR
101212(d)(1)(C)(f)
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(d) Upon the occurrence… a report shall be made to the Department by telephone or fax within the Department's next working day... (1)Events reported shall include the following: (C) Any unusual incident… that threatens the physical or emotional health or safety of any child. (f) The items specified… above shall also be reported to the child's authorized representative.
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The Site Supervisor agrees to watch the video titled "Child Care Reporting Requirements" available on ccld.childcarevideos.org and email LPA a summary of the video by 07/14/2025. LPA also provided the Site Supervisor with a copy of the Reporting Requirements regulations.
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This requirement was not met as evidenced by: The Licensee did not report an incident of staff mishandling a child in care to the Department or the child’s authorized representative which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
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Type B
07/14/2025
Section Cited
CCR
101173(d)
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(d) The child care center shall operate in accordance with the terms specified in the plan of operation. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: The plan of operation for the center states, “Small Steps offers a toddler component… following regulations:
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The Licensee will no longer allow toddler program children and preschool children to comingle for any amount of time.
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… The toddler program shall be conducted in areas physically separate from those used by older or younger children…” however the Licensee allowed staff to comingle children from the toddler program with preschool children which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons 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: Cynthia Brannon
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Octavia Nolan
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/30/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/30/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 6
Control Number 57-CC-20250506115713
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: SMALL STEPS CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 155601000
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 06/30/2025
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
07/31/2025
Section Cited
CCR
101215.1(d)(m)
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(d) The child care center director, or the substitute director as specified in (f) below, shall be on the premises during the hours the center is in operation. (m) A child care center director shall complete 16 hours of health and safety training if necessary pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 1596.866.
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The Site Supervisor stated they will complete the Health and Safety training, lead prevention training, and obtain pediatric First Aid/ CPR training from an approved vendor. LPA will send the Site Supervisor the link to the required trainings. Site Supervisor will send LPA the certificates by 07/31/2025.
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This requirement was not met as evidenced by: The supervisor was not observed on site during the investigation and records review shows the supervisor has not completed lead prevention training and pediatric CPR/ first aid training from Red Cross, American Heart Association, or EMSA which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
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Type B
07/14/2025
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(1)
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(a) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights: (1) To be accorded dignity in his/her personal relationships with staff and other persons. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: a child in care was mishandled by staff and staff are not
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The Licensee agrees to met with the staff to address any ongoing issues and take disciplinary action as needed. Training was provided to all staff. Site Supervisor will send LPA the write ups for the staff by email by 07/14/2025.
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respectful to each other in front of children which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons 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: Cynthia Brannon
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Octavia Nolan
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/30/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/30/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 6
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
05/06/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Octavia Nolan
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 57-CC-20250506115713

FACILITY NAME:SMALL STEPS CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTERFACILITY NUMBER:
155601000
ADMINISTRATOR:FERGUSON, DECONDIAFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:4201 UNIVERSITY AVETELEPHONE:
(661) 872-4908
CITY:BAKERSFIELDSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
93306
CAPACITY:28CENSUS: 0DATE:
06/30/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
08:00 AM
MET WITH:Christina MendezTIME COMPLETED:
10:00 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Licensee is moving preschool children from this facility to another facility without authorized consent
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 06/30/2025, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Octavia Nolan and Licensing Program Manager (LPM) Cynthia Brannon conducted an unannounced complaint inspection to deliver findings for the above allegations and met with Facility Representative Christina Mendez. LPA took a census and a tour of the facility.

This agency has investigated the complaint alleging the licensee is moving preschool children from this facility to another facility without authorized consent. During the course of the investigation, LPA conducted interviews, reviewed facility records, and completed observations. Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED.

Per California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 1, no deficiency is cited. Exit interview conducted with Facility Representative Christina Mendez. 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.
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Cynthia Brannon
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Octavia Nolan
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/30/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/30/2025
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 6
Control Number 57-CC-20250506115713
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: SMALL STEPS CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 155601000
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 06/30/2025
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
07/14/2025
Section Cited
CCR
101225(a)
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(a)Only drivers licensed for the type of vehicle operated shall be permitted to transport children. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: the Licensee allowed Staff #3 to provide transportation to children with an unexpired drivers license on file which poses a potential health, safety, or personal rights risk to persons in care.
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Staff #3 will no longer provide transportation to children in care without a current license on file. Per Program Director, the facility will keep a current drivers licenses on file for all staff and will update protocol for ensuring all licenses in staff files are updated by 07/14/2025.
Type B
07/14/2025
Section Cited
CCR
101217(b)
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(b) Personnel records shall be maintained for all volunteers and shall contain the following: (1) A health statement as specified in Section 101216(g). (2) Tuberculosis test documents as specified in Section 101216(g)(3). (3) For volunteers that are required to be
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Program Director agrees to send LPA the files for the volunteers that were present at Small Steps by 07/14/2025.
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fingerprinted pursuant to Section 101170: (B) Documentation of either a criminal record clearance or a criminal record exemption as required by 101170(e). This requirement was not met as evidenced by: The Licensee did not keep volunteer records available for Department review which poses a potential health, safety, and personal rights risk to persons 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: Cynthia Brannon
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Octavia Nolan
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/30/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/30/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 6 of 6