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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198011975
Report Date: 05/06/2025
Date Signed: 05/06/2025 12:25:45 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK SW RO, 1000 CORPORATE CENTER DR 200B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
02/14/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Jeanette Estrada
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 54-CC-20250214121950
FACILITY NAME:MONTESSORI ON ELM PRESCHOOL + KINDERGARTENFACILITY NUMBER:
198011975
ADMINISTRATOR:WIJEYEWICKREMA, CASSANDRAFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:930 ELM AVENUETELEPHONE:
(562) 570-8080
CITY:LONG BEACHSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
90813
CAPACITY:94CENSUS: 29DATE:
05/06/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:50 AM
MET WITH:Facility Representative TIME COMPLETED:
11:30 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff threaten to use inappropriate discipline to children in care
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Licensing Program Analyst Jeanette Estrada conducted an unannounced complaint inspection at the facility. LPA met with Designated Facility Representative Vijayalaxmi Shadagopan (Ms. Vicki) and explained the reason of the visit was to deliver findings for the allegation above. Director Cassandra Wijeyewickrema was not present during the inspection. There were a total of 29 children supervised by 6 staff upon arrival.
During the investigation LPA conducted interviews with staff and children enrolled. It was reported that Staff 1 was witnessed to have told children they would put tape or a band aid on their mouth for excessive talking. Staff 1 denied the allegation. Other staff interviewed did not corroborate the allegation. Two out of four children interviewed did corroborate the allegation.
Based on interviews, there is a preponderance of evidence to substantiate the above allegation. A type B deficiency is being cited in accordance with Title 22 regulations, see 9099D.
Exit Interview was condcuted with Facility Representative, Vijayalaxmi Shadagopan . Appeal rights were discussed. A copy of this report, appeal rights and a notice of site visit, which must be posted for 30 days, were provided.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Warren Birks
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jeanette Estrada
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/06/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/06/2025
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
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK SW RO, 1000 CORPORATE CENTER DR 200B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
02/14/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Jeanette Estrada
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 54-CC-20250214121950

FACILITY NAME:MONTESSORI ON ELM PRESCHOOL + KINDERGARTENFACILITY NUMBER:
198011975
ADMINISTRATOR:WIJEYEWICKREMA, CASSANDRAFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:930 ELM AVENUETELEPHONE:
(562) 570-8080
CITY:LONG BEACHSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
90813
CAPACITY:94CENSUS: DATE:
05/06/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:50 AM
MET WITH:Facility Representative TIME COMPLETED:
11:30 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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2
3
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9
Staff inappropriately handled children in care
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Jeanette Estrada conducted an unannounced complaint inspection at the facility. LPA met with Designated Facility Representative Vijayalaxmi Shadagopan (Ms. Vicki) and explained the reason of the visit was to deliver findings for the allegation above. Director Cassandra Wijeyewickrema was not present during the inspection. There were a total of 29 children supervised by 6 staff upon arrival.
During the course of the investigation LPA conducted interviews with staff, children and parents. It was reported that Staff 1 physically moved a child to a corner of the room while they were crying. Staff interviews did not corroborate the allegation. Parent interviews did not reveal concerns of any similar incidents. Interviews with children also did not corroborate the allegation.
Based on interviews, although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is unsubstantiated.
A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted and a copy of the report were provided to Facility Representative Vijayalaxmi Shadagopan.
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Warren Birks
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jeanette Estrada
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/06/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/06/2025
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
Control Number 54-CC-20250214121950
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK SW RO, 1000 CORPORATE CENTER DR 200B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: MONTESSORI ON ELM PRESCHOOL + KINDERGARTEN
FACILITY NUMBER: 198011975
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 05/06/2025
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
05/16/2025
Section Cited
CCR
101223
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101223 Personal Rights(a)The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights:(1) To be accorded dignity in his/her personal relationships with staff and other persons. This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
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Staff will attend a training related to personal rights of children in care and appropriate ways to handle classroom disruptions.
Sign in sheet and training agenda will be provided to LPA by due date 5/16/25.
https://ccld.childcarevideos.org/
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Based on interviews, Staff 1 has been witnessed to tell children they will put tape over their mouths for excessive talking. This poses a potential threat to the personal rights of 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: Warren Birks
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jeanette Estrada
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/06/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/06/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 3