191804654-8-30-2023-58-CC-BBEL-CV86DX-20230830204351

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 191804654
Report Date: 08/30/2023
Date Signed: 08/30/2023 12:51:29 PM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO CC NORTH, 300 CONTINENTAL BLVD. STE 290A
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
06/02/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Suzette Ornelas

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 58-CC-20230602111707

FACILITY NAME:	JUST LIKE MOM'S # 2 DAY CARE CENTER		FACILITY NUMBER:	191804654
ADMINISTRATOR:	PODELKO, MARINA		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	1535 N. POINSETTIA PLACE		TELEPHONE:	(323) 969-9021
CITY:	LOS ANGELES	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	90046
CAPACITY:	50	CENSUS: 13	DATE:	08/30/2023
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	08:23 AM
MET WITH:	PODELKO, MARINA - Director		TIME COMPLETED:	10:45 AM

ALLEGATION(S):

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Allegation 1 - Staff is belittling child
Allegation 2 - Staff is checking diapers inappropriately
Allegation 3 - Child sustained unexplained bruises
Allegation 4 - Staff is using inappropriate discipline
Allegation 5 - Child left in soiled diapers

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

On 08/30/2023, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Suzette Ornelas conducted an unannounced visit for the purpose of delivering the findings for the above-mentioned allegations. LPA Ornelas met with Director PODELKO, MARINA. LPA toured the facility and observed 13children in care being supervised by 7 staff.

During the course of the investigation, LPA Ornelas made observations, conducted interviews with Director, four staff, seven children and four parents, and collected documentation in the form of the Child Care Facility Roster.

-Pertaining to the allegation that “Staff is belittling child”:
According to the Reporting Party, staff told the child that if child does not "poop" in the toilet, the child cannot go upstairs with the big kids and will have to stay with the little kids. Licensee stated that children upstairs are all potty trained and children who require diaper change remain downstairs. Children interviewed stated that their teachers are nice and they like their teachers. Parents interviewed reported that they have no concerns about the way the staff talk to their children.

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Betty Bell
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Suzette Ornelas
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 08/30/2023

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/30/2023

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 2

Control Number 58-CC-20230602111707

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO CC NORTH, 300 CONTINENTAL BLVD. STE 290A
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245

FACILITY NAME: JUST LIKE MOM'S # 2 DAY CARE CENTER	FACILITY NUMBER: 191804654
	VISIT DATE: 08/30/2023

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

-Pertaining to the allegation that “Staff is checking diapers inappropriately”:
According to the Reporting Party, staff would "pinch" the child's diaper in the "private area" to see if the diaper was full. RP feels that staff pinched the private part of Child #1 because Child #1 was observed to “flinch.” According to staff, they check diapers visually or by the smell most of the time, or by checking every two hours otherwise. Parents are reporting that their children are potty trained before attending school and do not have any concerns.

-Pertaining to the allegation that “Staff is using inappropriate discipline”:
According to the Reporting Party, Child 1 stated at S1 pushes down on the pressure points of the left side of the collarbone of C1 as a form of discipline “because (C1) didn’t listen” and at times, left bruises. All staff denied using this as a form of discipline, stating that they re-direct or place the child on time out to discipline them.

- Pertaining to the allegation that “Child sustained unexplained bruises”:
On different occasions, (RP did not have dates) bruises were observed on the child's arms, legs, shoulder and neck. Parents are reporting that their children have not been injured while in care other than normal bruising that comes from child play similar to taking their child to the park. Children are reporting that they have not been mistreated by their teachers,

-Pertaining to the allegation that “Child left in soiled diapers.”:
According to the Reporting Party, child was sent home with soiled diaper 5 different times. Staff is stating that children are checked regularly; however, there are not denying that there are times after they have been changed that a child might soil their diaper right before parents arrive. Parents are reporting that their children are potty trained before attending school and do not have any concerns.

Based on the evidence as documented above, the allegations have been determined to be Unsubstantiated. A finding that the complaint is unsubstantiated means that although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of the evidence to prove that the allegation occurred.

A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days.
Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Director, PODELKO, MARINA.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Betty Bell
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Suzette Ornelas
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 08/30/2023

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/30/2023

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 2 of 2