191201899-6-27-2023-12-CC-MRAN-CT859K-20230627194538

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 191201899
Report Date: 06/27/2023
Date Signed: 06/27/2023 11:06:55 AM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
PALMDALE CHILD CARE, 39115 TRADE CENTER DR STE. 201
PALMDALE, CA 93551

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
03/30/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Andrea Pittman

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 12-CC-20230330132750

FACILITY NAME:	LANCASTER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH PRE SCHOOL		FACILITY NUMBER:	191201899
ADMINISTRATOR:	MEDINA, NICOLE		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	918 WEST AVENUE J		TELEPHONE:	(661) 942-0812
CITY:	LANCASTER	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	93534
CAPACITY:	58	CENSUS: 34	DATE:	06/27/2023
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	10:15 AM
MET WITH:	Director Nicole Medina		TIME COMPLETED:	11:30 AM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Personal Rights: Staff releases daycare child to unauthorized adult
Personal Rights: Staff speaks inappropriately to a daycare child
Personal Rights: Staff intimidates a daycare child in care
Personal Rights: Staff left daycare child in soiled clothing

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 6/27/2023 at 10:15am, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Andrea Pittman conducted an unannounced visit at the facility to deliver complaint investigation findings. Upon arrival, LPA was met by Director Nicole Medina and permitted entry into the facility. LPA observed 34 children in care with 7 staff providing care and supervision.

During the investigation, LPA interviewed the Complainant, Children, Parents of the program, and any other relevant parties. As part of the investigation, LPA obtained the facility and children’s rosters and other documents relevant to the investigation. LPA conducted an investigation that included interviews, observations, and record reviews. The investigation revealed the following evidence:

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Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Mariela Ramon
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Andrea Pittman
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 06/27/2023

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/27/2023

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 12-CC-20230330132750

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
PALMDALE CHILD CARE, 39115 TRADE CENTER DR STE. 201
PALMDALE, CA 93551

FACILITY NAME: LANCASTER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH PRE SCHOOL	FACILITY NUMBER: 191201899
	VISIT DATE: 06/27/2023

NARRATIVE

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Allegations 2, 3, and 4: On 3/21/2023, it was alleged that Child 1 was scolded by Staff 2 for having an accident on themselves, Staff 2 intimidated Child 1 for having an accident on themselves, and that Child 1 was left in soiled clothing. It was revealed during the investigation, Parent 4 stated that Child 1 was checked out and released to the parent and said to the parent that they had an accident. Parent 4 informed the child that they needed to tell Staff 2 if they have an accident on themselves. Parent 4 did not inform Staff 2 of the accident but informed another staff person and Parent 4 did not ask Staff 2 to change the child. Parent 4 took Child 1 to the restroom and changed their pull-up. Parent 4 disclosed that the accident did not soil the child’s clothing.

On 3/23/2023, it was alleged that Child 1 was scolded by Staff 2 and sent Child 1 to Staff 3 classroom for having an accident on themselves. During the investigation, Staff 3 stated that Child 1 had never been sent to their classroom and that children have never been sent to their classroom as punishment. The investigation revealed no corroborating evidence for the allegation.

Allegation 1: On 3/28/2023 and 3/29/2023, it was alleged that Child 1 was released to Witness 1 by Staff 2 and escorted to Parent 4 during pick-up. During the investigation, it was revealed that Parent 4 signed out their children attending the day care center and then proceeded to the first child’s classroom as it was the closest. Parent 4 states that when going to pick-up Child 1, the child came running out of the classroom to Parent 4. Witness 1 did not escort the child to the parent nor touch the child at all but was present performing duties while the child was being released. It was revealed by Witness 1 and Parent 4, that Staff 2 was standing at the door and released Child 1 to Parent 4 before Parent 4 arrived at the classroom. Witness 1 stated that Staff 2 was standing at the door and watched the child from the doorway as the child was released to the parent on both 3/28/2023 and 3/29/2023. Parent 4 also stated that on 3/29/2023, Staff 2 watched by sticking their head out of the doorway as Child 1 was released into the custody of the parent.

After observations, record reviews, and interviews, it was determined that there was insufficient evidence that Child 1 was spoken to inappropriately or intimidated by Staff 2, that Child 1 was left in soiled clothing, or that Child 1 was released to an unauthorized adult. The allegations could not be corroborated with the evidence found during the investigation. Therefore, the allegations have been found unsubstantiated. Although, the allegations may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of the evidence to prove that the facility operated in violation of policy in this circumstance.

An exit interview was conducted, and a copy of this report was provided to Director Nicole Medina along with the Notice of Site Visit and Appeal Rights.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Mariela Ramon
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Andrea Pittman
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 06/27/2023

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/27/2023

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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