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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 197415736
Report Date: 04/10/2025
Date Signed: 04/10/2025 12:15:08 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 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
02/06/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Judy Laureano
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 30-CC-20250206125744
FACILITY NAME:BRIGHT STEP, INCORPORATED DBA BEGINNINGSFACILITY NUMBER:
197415736
ADMINISTRATOR:GAMBURD, MICHELLEFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:1516 19TH STREETTELEPHONE:
(310) 828-0858
CITY:SANTA MONICASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
90404
CAPACITY:55CENSUS: 24DATE:
04/10/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
10:31 AM
MET WITH:Bonnie Brandt, Facility Director TIME COMPLETED:
12:30 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Physical Plant: Staff do not ensure that play equipment is age appropriate
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 4/10/2025 Licensing Program Analyst arrived at Bright Step DBA Beginnins for the purpose of delivering findings of the above mention allegation. LPA was greeted by Bonnie Brandt, Facility Director. LPA toured the facility both indoors and outdoors, including the food preparation area. LPA observed 24 children and 5 staff members providing care and supervision.

On 2/10/2025 Licensing Program Analyst Laureano arrived at aboved mentioned facility for the purpose of investigating the above-mentioned allegations. Upon arrival, LPA met with Bonnie Brandtt and toured the facility. LPA observed 25 children in care and 5 staff providing care and supervision. Present during today’s was facility’s cook V. Dubovska. When LPA arrived at facility the blue room, toddler component classroom, was outside playing in the outdoor yard.

LPA requested and reviewed the following documents: children's roster, staff rosters/schedules and Menu. Staff interviews were initiated, and file review was completed.

Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Claudia Escobedo
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Judy Laureano
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/10/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/10/2025
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 30-CC-20250206125744
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 300 CONTINENTAL BLVD. STE 290A
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245
FACILITY NAME: BRIGHT STEP, INCORPORATED DBA BEGINNINGS
FACILITY NUMBER: 197415736
VISIT DATE: 04/10/2025
NARRATIVE
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On 4/10/2025 LPA concluded all investigative interviews and observations.

Based on interviews with staff and LPA’s observation, facility is allowing their Toddler Component classroom, Blue Room, to utilize the children’s apparatus that is designed for children ages 2 years old to 5 years old, based on manufacturing label. Toddler Component, Blue Classroom, provides care and supervision to children ages 18 months to 30. There is a preponderance of evidence to prove the allegation of staff do not ensure that play equipment is age appropriate is found to be substantiated. LPA issued a Type B citation, please see LIC 9099D for reference.

Exit interview was conducted with director Bonnie Brandt and a copy of the report was provided with a Notice of Site Visit.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Claudia Escobedo
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Judy Laureano
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/10/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/10/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
Control Number 30-CC-20250206125744
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 300 CONTINENTAL BLVD. STE 290A
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245

FACILITY NAME: BRIGHT STEP, INCORPORATED DBA BEGINNINGS
FACILITY NUMBER: 197415736
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 04/10/2025
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
04/24/2025
Section Cited
CCR
101239(m)
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101239 Fixtures, Furniture, Equipment and Supplies

(m) All play equipment and materials used by children shall be age-appropriate.

This requirement is not met as evidenced by:
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Director agrees to submit an out door schedule showing the Toddler Room/Blue room outdoor schedule. Director agrees to create a plan on how the children's aparatus will be off limits to the children and when it was
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Based on interviews with staff and LPA’s observation, facility is allowing their Toddler Component classroom to use children’s apparatus that is designed for children ages 2 years old to 5 years old. Toddler Classroom enrollls chidlren ages 18-30 months.
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discussed with staff. Plan will be submitted to LPA via email by due date.
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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: Claudia Escobedo
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Judy Laureano
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/10/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/10/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 3