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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 197415736
Report Date: 04/13/2026
Date Signed: 04/13/2026 02:51:46 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO CC RO, 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
03/26/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Judy Laureano
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 30-CC-20260326101049
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: 29DATE:
04/13/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:05 AM
MET WITH:Bonnie Brandt, Director, and Michelle Raz, OwnerTIME COMPLETED:
02:00 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Personal Rights: Staff caused injury to daycare child
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 04/13/2026, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Judy Laureano arrived at the above referenced facility to deliver findings. LPA Laureano was greeted by Facility Director, Bonnie Brandt. Present during today’s inspection was Owner, Michelle Raz.

A tour of the facility was conducted indoors and outdoors, LPA observed the Blue Room with 9 children and 2 staff members providing supervision in the outdoor activity area. Yellow Room was observed with 6 children and 1 staff member providing care and supervision and Green Room was observed with 14 children and 2 staff members present.

On 04/07/2026, LPAs Cristina Castellanos and Judy Laureano conducted an inspection at the facility to investigate the above mentioned allegation. LPAs toured the indoor and outdoor areas and observed 27 children in care supervised by 5 staff members. LPA Laureano requested and reviewed the following documents: Children’s Roster, Children’s Files, Staff Roster, Personnel Files, Parent Handbook, Incident/Ouchie Reports for March 2026, and the Unusual Incident Report (LIC 624 dated 03/24/2026). Staff interviews were initiated.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Loyce Phillips
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Judy Laureano
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/13/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/13/2026
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-20260326101049
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO CC RO, 300 CONTINENTAL BLVD. STE 290A
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245
FACILITY NAME: BRIGHT STEP, INCORPORATED DBA BEGINNINGS
FACILITY NUMBER: 197415736
VISIT DATE: 04/13/2026
NARRATIVE
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On 04/13/2026, LPA Laureano interviewed the Director, who confirmed the incident that occurred on 03/23/2026. The Unusual Incident Report (LIC 624) indicates that the Staff 7 used her fingers to de-tangle the child’s hair, resulting in hair loss.

Based on the review of the LIC 624 Unusual Incident Report, Corrective Action Form, medical documentation, and staff interviews, it was determined that the staff member violated the child’s personal rights. Interviews revealed that the staff member (S7) attempted to de-tangle the child’s hair while changing the child’s diaper, without parental authorization, resulting in child’s hair loss.

Based on information reviewed the above allegation of staff causing injury to child is substantiated. The facility is being issued a Type A citation; please see LIC 9099D.

LPA Judy Laureano informed Director Bonnie Brandt that this report dated 04/13/2026 documents 1 Type A citation which shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there is immediate risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care.

Also, LPA Laureano informed the Director Bonnie Brandt to provide a copy of this licensing report dated 04/13/2026 that documents any Type A citation to parents/guardians of all children currently enrolled by the next business day or the next day the children are in care, and to any newly enrolled parents/guardians for 12 months from the date of this report. A signed Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Report (LIC 9224), or other written statement, must be placed in the child's file for verification.

The notice of Site Visit (LIC 9213) 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 results in a civil penalty of 100.00.

An exit interview was conducted, and a copy of this report and appeals rights was provided to Director Bonnie Brandt.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Loyce Phillips
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Judy Laureano
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/13/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/13/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
Control Number 30-CC-20260326101049
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO CC RO, 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: 04/13/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
04/13/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(3)
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101223 Personal Rights
(a) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights: (3) To be free from corporal or unusual punishment, infliction of pain, humiliation, intimidation, ...or aids to physical functioning.
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Facility agrees to review personal rights regulation video and regulation with all staff and submit a statement of understanding that includes attendees’ signatures to LPA via email.
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This requirement is not met as evidenced by:
Based on documents reviewed and staff interviews conducted, it was determined that the staff member violated the child’s personal rights on 3/23/26 by de-tangling child’s hair without parental authorization, resulting in child’s hair loss.
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https://ccld.childcarevideos.org/child-care-center-operators/childrens-personal-rights-in-child-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: Loyce Phillips
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Judy Laureano
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/13/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/13/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
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