191870566-5-1-2026-33-CC-KCHE-DTZVSY-20260512164215

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 191870566
Report Date: 05/01/2026
Date Signed: 05/01/2026 03:03:58 PM

Substantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK CC RO, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
02/22/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Monica Ruiz

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 33-CC-20260222204223

FACILITY NAME:	CENTRO DE NINOS, INC.		FACILITY NUMBER:	191870566
ADMINISTRATOR:	LETICIA SANTOS CUEVAS		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	4850 E. CESAR CHAVEZ AVENUE		TELEPHONE:	(323) 268-4600
CITY:	LOS ANGELES	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	90022
CAPACITY:	68	CENSUS: 57	DATE:	05/01/2026
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	08:40 AM
MET WITH:	Executive Director, Lorena Soto		TIME COMPLETED:	03:15 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Personal Rights - safety

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 5/1/2026 Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Monica Ruiz conducted an unannounced case management inspection to deliver findings for following the allegation:
Staff did not ensure the childcare center is free of hazards while children are in care.
LPA met with Executive Director Lorena Soto to whom the reason for the visit was explained. Director provided a tour of the facility, both indoors and outdoors. Present during the inspection were 57 children with 16 staff. Executive Director, states that 11 children are absent.
During the complaint investigation, LPA conducted several inspections, and conducted interviews with children, parents, and child care center staff. Observations and interviews revealed that repairs have been conducted while children are present.
One type A deficiency was issued on 4/8/26 for regulation 101238(b)(c) Personal Rights – safety.
On 2/26/2026, LPA Ruiz observed a ladder to be set up in front of children’s cubbies in the Preschool Room #1. On the top of the ladder, on the "cap", was an electrical device that had exposed wires, photo taken.
(continued on next page)

Substantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Katrina Chicote
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Monica Ruiz
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 05/01/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/01/2026

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 33-CC-20260222204223

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK CC RO, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: CENTRO DE NINOS, INC.	FACILITY NUMBER: 191870566
	VISIT DATE: 05/01/2026

NARRATIVE

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Staff #15 (S#15) stated that the maintenance man was repairing a light and left the ladder out because he would return later to finish repairs. LPA Ruiz advised S#15 to move ladder from classroom. LPA observed S#15 move ladder outside to staff area.
LPA advised S#15 to schedule maintenance and repairs to be completed when children are not present or to work with teachers so children can be moved to another area while repairs are made. S#15 states that the S#16 will schedule repairs to be made when children are not present.
Interviews with staff members disclosed that the maintenance man was present and conducting repairs when children were near and present. This posed an immediate health, safety, or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Interviews with center administrative staff revealed that some repairs were urgent due to an intruder that was encountered on the premise by a teacher, during her morning playground inspection on 1/26/2026. All staff interviewed over the course of this investigation state that the intruder was escorted off premise without incident. The incident was reported to licensing. Administrative staff have taken measures to increase safety at this site. The last incident of intruder occurred on 3/17/26 and was reported to licensing.
The facility is equipped with security cameras and on 3/24/26, the facility had additional security cameras installed to cover all the outdoor play ground. The facility also had additional safety features added to their security package which include outdoor motion detectors, SDS Alarms response, Sheriff’s Department notification/response and the center is notified.
Interviews with parents and staff disclosed that the censors are working and there has not been an incident of an intruder since 3/17/2026.
Over the course of this investigation, interviews with Center Staff revealed that on more than one occasion the tarps that provide shade to the outdoor play yard have fallen and hit staff and/or children in care. Interviews with staff revealed that the tarps are too low and sometimes obstruct the view of the teachers that are supervising children playing outside. During today’s inspection, LPA Ruiz observed a large blue tarp attached to a large tree and to the building, on the Pre-K playground. LPA observed the tarp to be hanging low.
Staff #16 states that the tarp is there to catch the mulberries and needles that fall from the trees, which creates a slipping hazard for children and staff on the playground. LPA advised Staff #16 to have the tarp secured so that it does not touch staff members’ heads when they walk under the tarp.
LPA Ruiz and Staff #16 discussed placement of tarps and securing the tarps so that they clear the height of all staff, volunteers, parents, and children in care. Tarps have been ordered.
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SUPERVISORS NAME: Katrina Chicote
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Monica Ruiz
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 05/01/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/01/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 33-CC-20260222204223

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK CC RO, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: CENTRO DE NINOS, INC.	FACILITY NUMBER: 191870566
	VISIT DATE: 05/01/2026

NARRATIVE

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LPA Ruiz obtained a signed declaration from Executive Director, Lorena Soto, that indicates that the facility will ensure that the rights of children and staff present are being observed when repairs are carried out.

Executive Director states that she will meet with the manager of the property to discuss repairs that need to be made and how they will be completed while ensuring the safety of the children, parents, and staff present.

Based on LPA Ruiz's observations, interviews conducted and records reviewed, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED. California Code of Regulations, Title 22, 101238 (a)(b)(c).

An exit interview was conducted, and a copy of this report was provided.
Exit interview was conducted with Executive Director Lorena Soto. Appeal rights were provided and discussed. A Notice of Site Visit was provided and must be posted for 30 days.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Katrina Chicote
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Monica Ruiz
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 05/01/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/01/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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