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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 195700355
Report Date: 09/16/2025
Date Signed: 09/29/2025 09:49:11 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
09/03/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Tatiana Bickham
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 58-CC-20250903133640
FACILITY NAME:ZUCKER JEWISH ACADEMY OF WOODLAND HILLSFACILITY NUMBER:
195700355
ADMINISTRATOR:MAYAN BENHAMOFACILITY TYPE:
860
ADDRESS:6025 VALLEY CIRCLE BLVDTELEPHONE:
(818) 912-6225
CITY:WOODLAND HILLSSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
91367
CAPACITY:150CENSUS: 128DATE:
09/16/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:05 AM
MET WITH:Haya Chorodov, Executive Director TIME COMPLETED:
01:35 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Care staff do not have a criminal background clearance
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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**This is an amended report. This report was amended to correct the civil penalty amount.**
Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Tatiana Bickham conducted an unannounced complaint site visit on 09/16/2025 at 9:05 AM to this facility to deliver findings on the above-mentioned allegations. Upon arrival, LPA met with Executive Director Haya Chorodov, and explained the purpose of the visit. There were 128 children being supervised by 23 staff at the time of visit.

During the course of the investigation, interviews were conducted with Executive Director and Director. Copies of the children's and staff rosters were also obtained and reviewed.

Per Reporting Party, care staff do not have a criminal background clearance.

During interview with the Director and Executive Director, it was stated that all staff had been instructed to
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Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Raul Navarro
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Tatiana Bickham
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/16/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/16/2025
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 5
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
09/03/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Tatiana Bickham
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 58-CC-20250903133640

FACILITY NAME:ZUCKER JEWISH ACADEMY OF WOODLAND HILLSFACILITY NUMBER:
195700355
ADMINISTRATOR:MAYAN BENHAMOFACILITY TYPE:
860
ADDRESS:6025 VALLEY CIRCLE BLVDTELEPHONE:
(818) 912-6225
CITY:WOODLAND HILLSSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
91367
CAPACITY:140CENSUS: 128DATE:
09/16/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:05 AM
MET WITH:Haya Chorodov, Executive Director TIME COMPLETED:
01:35 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Licensee is operating the facility beyond the license terms and conditions
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Tatiana Bickham conducted an unannounced site visit on 09/16/2025 at 9:05 AM to this facility to deliver findings on the above-mentioned allegations. Upon arrival, LPA met with Executive Director Haya Chorodov, and explained the purpose of the visit. There were 128 children being supervised by 23 staff at the time of visit.

During the course of the investigation, interviews were conducted with Executive Director and Director. Copies of the children's and staff rosters were also obtained and reviewed.

Per Reporting Party, Licensee is operating the facility beyond the license terms and conditions.

During an interview with the Executive Director, it was stated that the facility cannot be considered over capacity when it is not operating at full enrollment. According to the Executive Director, the center is
Page 1.
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Raul Navarro
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Tatiana Bickham
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/16/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/16/2025
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 5
Control Number 58-CC-20250903133640
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: ZUCKER JEWISH ACADEMY OF WOODLAND HILLS
FACILITY NUMBER: 195700355
VISIT DATE: 09/16/2025
NARRATIVE
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intentionally operating below its licensed capacity to provide higher quality experience for the children. The Executive Director also noted that there is currently a waitlist for families seeking enrollment. Additionally, the facility has more staff than is needed to ensure that children receive appropriate care and attention. Classroom ratios are maintained in accordance with regulations. The toddler classrooms operate with a ratio of 2:12, while preschool classrooms follow ratios of either 2:15 or 3:18, depending on the group size.

During site visits conducted on 9/12/25 and 9/16/25, LPA did not observe the facility to be over capacity or out of compliance with required staff-to-child ratios. On 9/12/25 LPA observed 13 toddlers and 102 preschoolers and on 9/16/25 LPA observed 18 toddlers and 106 preschoolers.

Based on the investigation conducted, there is insufficient evidence to support the above-mentioned allegations to be true. Therefore, although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations did or did not occur, therefore the allegations are Unsubstantiated.

The Notice of Site Visit was provided and must remain posted for 30 days during the hours of operation after each site visit by a licensing representative. Failure to maintain posting as required will result in a civil penalty of $100.00.

Exit interview was conducted with Mayan Benhamo, Director and appeal rights were provided.

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SUPERVISORS NAME: Raul Navarro
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Tatiana Bickham
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/16/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/16/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 5
Control Number 58-CC-20250903133640
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: ZUCKER JEWISH ACADEMY OF WOODLAND HILLS
FACILITY NUMBER: 195700355
VISIT DATE: 09/16/2025
NARRATIVE
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submit their Live Scan forms prior to the first day of school. However, the Executive Director acknowledged they were not aware that all staff needed to be fingerprint cleared before beginning work at the facility.

During a review of staff records, LPA observed that seven staff members had not received fingerprint clearance. LPA informed the Directors that all staff must be fingerprint cleared prior to entering the facility. If a clearance letter from the Department of Social Services has not been received, the individual may not begin employment.

LPA advised the Directors that they may contact the Regional Office to verify whether a staff member is cleared or not. Additionally, LPA explained the difference between a Department of Justice (DOJ) letter and the official clearance letter issued by the Department of Social Services.

Based on the LPA observations and interview with the Director's, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation is found to be Substantiated. California Code of Regulations, Title 22 (code) is being cited on the attached LIC 9099D. A violation regarding an uncleared adult warrants an immediate civil penalty of $400.00 and is hereby assessed, see LIC 421BG.

A copy of this report shall be provided to the parent/guardian of children currently enrolled by the next business day or immediately upon return.  A copy of this report shall also be provided to the parent/guardian of any newly enrolled children for the next 12 months (1 year).  The Acknowledgement form must be maintained in each child’s file immediately upon receipt from parent.  Licensee was provided with a copy of the parent Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Reports Form during this visit. 

Exit interview was conducted with Mayan Benhamo, Director . Appeals Rights and the Notice of Site visit were provided.

The Notice of Site Visit must remain posted for 30 days during the hours of operation. Failure to maintain posting as required will result in a civil penalty of $100.00.

Page 2.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Raul Navarro
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Tatiana Bickham
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/16/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/16/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 5
Control Number 58-CC-20250903133640
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: ZUCKER JEWISH ACADEMY OF WOODLAND HILLS
FACILITY NUMBER: 195700355
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 09/16/2025
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
09/16/2025
Section Cited
HSC
1596.871(c)(1)(A)
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Subsequent to initial licensure, a person specified in subdivision (b) who is not exempt from fingerprinting shall obtain either a criminal record clearance or an exemption... from the State Department of Social Services prior to employment, residence, or initial presence in the facility.
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Director had live scan attendant come to the center and start the fingerprint process for the uncleared staff.
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This requirement was not met as evidenced by LPA observations and record review of staff.
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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: Raul Navarro
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Tatiana Bickham
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/16/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/16/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 5