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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 197495375
Report Date: 04/21/2026
Date Signed: 04/21/2026 12:54:02 PM

Unsubstantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
L.A. DAYCARE-NO.WEST, 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
03/06/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Doris Whitmore
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 30-CC-20260306151729
FACILITY NAME:GARDNER'S LEARNING ACADEMY & INFANT CTRFACILITY NUMBER:
197495375
ADMINISTRATOR:JASMIN SMITHFACILITY TYPE:
860
ADDRESS:3661 IMPERIAL HWYTELEPHONE:
(310) 910-0291
CITY:INGLEWOODSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
90303
CAPACITY:30CENSUS: 21DATE:
04/21/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
11:39 AM
MET WITH: Darlene Gardner- LicenseeeTIME COMPLETED:
12:55 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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 Food Services Staff provided food to child that contained a known food allergen
Personal Rights- Staff did not follow child's IMS plan
Personal Rights- Staff did not seek timely medical attention for child
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 03/11/2026 at 2:00p.m. Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Doris Whitmore and Patsy Plancarte conducted an unannounced complaint investigation and met with licensee Darlene Gardner. LPA Whitmore explained the purpose of the visit to conduct interviews with staff. LPAs toured the facility indoors and outdoors and observed a total of 15 children and 3 staff. LPA Whitmore conducted interviews. After conducting interviews, the allegations need further investigation. No deficiencies cited, an exit interview was conducted, a copy of this report, Appeal Rights and Notice of Site Visit were issued to the licensee Darlene Gardner.
On 03/19/2026 at 8:11 a.m. Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Doris Whitmore and Patsy Plancarte conducted an unannounced complaint investigation and met with licensee Darlene Gardner. LPA Whitmore explained the purpose of the visit to conduct interviews and review one file. LPAs toured the facility indoors and outdoors and observed a total of 20 children and 4 staff. The documents obtained were the Personnel Report, Roster, Parent Handbook, Consent Form, Pre- Admission Health History, & Letter. The Department conducted a full investigation, which included interviews with licensee and relevant parties as well as
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Karren Starks
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Doris Whitmore
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/21/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/21/2026
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 2
Control Number 30-CC-20260306151729
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
L.A. DAYCARE-NO.WEST, 300 CONTINENTAL BLVD. STE 290A
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245
FACILITY NAME: GARDNER'S LEARNING ACADEMY & INFANT CTR
FACILITY NUMBER: 197495375
VISIT DATE: 04/21/2026
NARRATIVE
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a record review which included documentation related to the allegations. LPA did not observe, nor was information provided via interviews that provided sufficient evidence to substantiate the allegation of Food Services- Staff provided food to a child that contained a known food allergen. When interviewing staff, it was disclosed that the infants were not separated enough to prevent one infant from sharing a cracker with peanut butter with the other infant who is allergic to peanut butter and had an allergic reaction after biting the cracker. There was no documented IMS plan for the child. After reviewing the child’s file there was no documented medication listed for the child’s allergy relating to the administering of medication. Also, in the Parent Handbook there was a medication policy in place. Staff did not seek timely medical attention for children. During the interviews it was disclosed that medical attention via telephone when staff could not reach the parents when called, therefore, the allegations are deemed unsubstantiated. Meaning although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of the evidence to prove that the alleged violations occurred. No deficiencies cited.

An exit interview was conducted, copy of this report was read, appeal rights along with the Notice of Site Visit were provided to director, Darlene Gardner.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Karren Starks
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Doris Whitmore
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/21/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/21/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 2