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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 195700199
Report Date: 09/02/2025
Date Signed: 09/03/2025 08:17:41 AM

Substantiated


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
08/27/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Jeanine Lipsey
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 58-CC-20250827151334
FACILITY NAME:APPLE TREE UNIVERSITY PRESCHOOLFACILITY NUMBER:
195700199
ADMINISTRATOR:SEPTEMBER TRACEY EWINGFACILITY TYPE:
860
ADDRESS:18900 SATICOY STREETTELEPHONE:
(818) 996-9023
CITY:RESEDASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
91335
CAPACITY:54CENSUS: 23DATE:
09/02/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
08:40 AM
MET WITH:Licensee September Tracey EwingTIME COMPLETED:
02:10 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff did not adhere to the license terms and conditions by caring for infants in the preschool classroom
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 9/2/2025, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Jeanine Lipsey conducted an unannounced visit for the purpose of conducting an initial inspection regarding the above allegation. LPA met with Licensee Tracey September-Ewing. Program Adminstrator Mariah Larkin Ewing arrived at 10am. LPA toured the facility and there were 23 chiildren being supervised by 6 staff.

Room 1 infant class nine infants three teachers
Room 2 age 2 six children two teachers
Room 3 age 3-5 eight chldren one teacher

LPA conducted an interview with 1 staff and obtained a copy of the childrens roster.

Pertaining to the allegation the allegation: Staff did not adhere to the license terms and conditions by caring for infants in the preschool classroom
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Betty Bell
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jeanine Lipsey
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/02/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/02/2025
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 3
Control Number 58-CC-20250827151334
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: APPLE TREE UNIVERSITY PRESCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 195700199
VISIT DATE: 09/02/2025
NARRATIVE
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Per Reporting Party (RP) children were seen in the 2 year old classroom.

LPA toured the preschool room 2 around 8:50 am and notice two small children co mingling with the older preschoolers. Staff 1 (S1) disclosed that two of the children were under 2 years old and they were playing with the older children because they were in the process of transitioning to the preschool class. Child #2 (C2) was 21 months, and Child #1 (C1) was child was 22 months old. S1 explained that C2 was transitioning early because the parent requested their child to start the program early. S1 stated they have a program that 4 weeks before their birthday of turning 2, they allow the children, along with their infant teacher, to come into the 2 years old classroom to play with the older children and do activities such as playing with play doe. S1 stated that during the walk thorough, they inform the parents of the transitioning plan and explained the benefits of the children getting use to the new class and teachers so it is not so hard on them when they have to go to the new class. S1 stated they did not think anything was wrong with the children being together as long as the infant teachers was right there with them.

Based upon evidence obtained during this investigation, the allegation "Staff did not adhere to the license terms and conditions by caring for infants in the preschool classroom", has been determined to be Substantiated.  A finding that the complaint is substantiated means that the allegation is valid because the preponderance of the evidence standards has been met.  

A Type B citation is being issued. See LIC9099-D for deficiency cited.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Program Adminstrator Mariah Larkin Ewing. Notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Betty Bell
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jeanine Lipsey
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/02/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/02/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
Control Number 58-CC-20250827151334
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: APPLE TREE UNIVERSITY PRESCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 195700199
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 09/02/2025
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
09/30/2025
Section Cited
CCR
101161(a)
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101161 Limitations on Capacity
(a) A licensee shall not operate a child care center beyond the conditions and limitations specified on the license, including the capacity limitation.
This requirement is not met as evidence by:
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Per Director they will immediately will cease the transition program and keep all the children seperate until their second birthday. And they will apply for a toodler componet by the due date.
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Based on LPA observation and staff disclosure C1 twenty two months and C2 twenty one months were cared for in 2 year old room where the children were commingling which poses/posed a health, safety or personal risk to children 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: Betty Bell
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jeanine Lipsey
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/02/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/02/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 3