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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198013166
Report Date: 08/14/2024
Date Signed: 08/14/2024 01:38:02 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, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
07/09/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Carolyn Tuba
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 33-CC-20240709094137
FACILITY NAME:MONTESSORI ACADEMY OF LA PUENTEFACILITY NUMBER:
198013166
ADMINISTRATOR:MEGHA SAHNIFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:846 N. ORANGE AVENUETELEPHONE:
(626) 917-3638
CITY:LA PUENTESTATE: CAZIP CODE:
91744
CAPACITY:138CENSUS: 43DATE:
08/14/2024
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:45 AM
MET WITH:TIME COMPLETED:
02:00 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Facility staff are interfering with children's eating by removing their food before they are finished eating
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 8/14/2024 at 9:45 am Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Carolyn Tuba conducted an unannounced inspection to deliver findings for a complaint. A Covid Risk Assessment was completed. LPA met with Director, Melissa Villareal. LPA took a census of 43 children with 11 staff.

LPA interviewed Reporting Party (RP). LPA conducted investigation visits on 7/12/2024, 7/26/2024 and 8/14/2024. Interviews were conducted with Director, Staff #1 (S1), #2 (S2), #3 (S3), #4 (S4), #5 (S5) #6 (S6), Children #2 (C2), #5 (C5), Parent #3 (P3), and #4 (P4). Parent #1 (P1), #2 (P2) were contacted but were not able to be reached. LPA was unable to interview Child #1 (C1) #3 (C3) and #4 (C4).

Reporting Party alleges that Facility staff are interfering with children’s meals by removing their food before they are finished eating. LPA interviewed Director who stated that children are allowed time to finish family style meals. LPA was given a schedule of the following mealtimes: Breakfast/AM Snack 7:00 am-9:00am,
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Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Ana Chico
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Carolyn Tuba
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/14/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/14/2024
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
Control Number 33-CC-20240709094137
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: MONTESSORI ACADEMY OF LA PUENTE
FACILITY NUMBER: 198013166
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 08/14/2024
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
08/30/2024
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(3)
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(3) To be free from corporal or unusual punishment, infliction of pain, humiliation, intimidation, ridicule, coercion, threat, mental abuse or other actions of a punitive nature including but not limited to: interference with functions of daily living including eating, sleeping or toileting; or....
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Director will show Personal rights training modules and have staff write reflections of what they learned from those videos. LPA will be provided staff reflections, staff signature log and meeting itinerary. LPA will refer facility to Techinical Support Program (TSP) for personal rights regulations and resources.
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This requirement is not met as evidenced by: Based on interviews with children and staff that meals are being thrown out before children have an opportunity to be finished. This poses an immediate Health and Safety risk to 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: Ana Chico
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Carolyn Tuba
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/14/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/14/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 5
Control Number 33-CC-20240709094137
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754
FACILITY NAME: MONTESSORI ACADEMY OF LA PUENTE
FACILITY NUMBER: 198013166
VISIT DATE: 08/14/2024
NARRATIVE
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 Lunch 11:30 am – 12:30 pm, PM Snack 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm and Evening Snack 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm. According to staff interviewed, nap time takes place immediately following lunch.
S1 disclosed that they witnessed that C5 was very upset during lunch time. S1 states that they asked C5 why they were crying and C5 stated that S5 had thrown their lunch away before they were done eating. According to S1, C5 tends to be a social eater and takes a long time to finish their lunch. LPA interviewed C5 who disclosed that they have observed S5 throw other children’s food away, stating that “The teacher throws is away and I am still eating but today my food wasn’t thrown away”. Interviews with C2, also disclosed that S5 has told the children that if they do not finish eating then S5 is going to throw their food away in the trash and they will have to go to bed. C2 also stated that they have witnessed S5 take away another child’s food and throw it away because the child was crying and not listening. S6 does not have knowledge of S5 throwing meals away before the children have a chance to finish, however states that reminders to staff are given to allow children to finish their meals.

S2, S3, S4, P3 and P4 did not make any disclosures.

Based on the interviews conducted, records reviewed, and observations conducted the
preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation
is found to be substantiated.

The following deficiency listed on the attached LIC 809 (deficiency page) are being cited in accordance with California Code of Regulations Title 22. Deficiency that are being cited need to be cleared to protect the children’s health & safety.

One (1) Type A - 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.

A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. An exit interview was conducted, and report was reviewed with the Director, Melissa Villareal.
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SUPERVISORS NAME: Ana Chico
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Carolyn Tuba
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/14/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/14/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
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