198016409-9-14-2023-54-CC-KCHS-CWFNNV-20231009103723

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198016409
Report Date: 09/14/2023
Date Signed: 09/14/2023 01:05:04 PM

Unsubstantiated

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 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
07/17/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Warren Birks

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 54-CC-20230717111149

FACILITY NAME:	WEE CARE MONTESSORI CENTER		FACILITY NUMBER:	198016409
ADMINISTRATOR:	NALI JAYASINGHE		FACILITY TYPE:	830
ADDRESS:	1901 PALO VERDE AVENUE		TELEPHONE:	(562) 594-6911
CITY:	LONG BEACH	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	90815
CAPACITY:	38	CENSUS: 22	DATE:	09/14/2023
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	08:35 AM
MET WITH:	Dhamika Jayakodi		TIME COMPLETED:	01:17 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Facility is out of ratio.
Staff force feeds day care children.
Staff withholds food from day care children.
Staff handles day care children in a rough manner.
Staff yells at day care children.
Unqualified staff are left alone with day care children.
Staff are not following safe sleeping practices.
Staff does not ensure that day care children don't have access to dangerous objects.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Warren Birks conducted an unannounced complaint inspection to deliver findings for the above allegations. Initially, LPA met with Assistant Director Dhamikka Jayakodi who provided assistance for the investigation. Director Nali Jayasinghe arrived 30 minutes later and provided assistance.

Upon arrival LPA conducted surveillance and at approximately 8:50am LPA observed: Infant Room (Two Teachers, One Aid with 10 infants); Toddler Room (One Teacher and six toddlers); Wobbler Room (One Teacher and One Aid with six toddlers). The middle room was empty and ratios were in compliance.

During the course of the investigation, LPA conducted interviews with five staffmembers and made multiple surveilled unnanounced observations (unbeknownst to staff). LPA also observed and compared surveilled classroom ratios to reviewed sign in sheets. In addition, LPA conducted interviews with non-staff outside individuals (connected to the faciliity). CONTINUED

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Karen Chambers
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Warren Birks
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 09/14/2023

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/14/2023

This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 54-CC-20230717111149

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 CENTER DR 200B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: WEE CARE MONTESSORI CENTER	FACILITY NUMBER: 198016409
	VISIT DATE: 09/14/2023

NARRATIVE

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LPA received no corroborated disclosure or information that would substantiate or make unfounded the following allegations: Facility is out of ratio, staff force feeds children, staff withholds food from daycare children, staff handles daycare children in a rough manner, staff yells at daycare children, unqualified staff are left alone with daycare children, staff are not following safe sleep practices, and staff does not ensure that daycare children dont have access to dangerous objects.

LPA observed facility to be in ratio during surveillance (unbeknownst to staff) and during unannounced classroom counts. LPA observed classroom sign in sheets which matched the classroom ratio. Staff indicated that they never witnessed classrooms being out of ratio. Note: The facility has an Assistant Director and a Director available to maintain ratios if someone calls out sick or whenever necessary.

Staff corroborated that children are never force fed. Staff indicated that during snack and lunchtime, if children do not want to eat, then staff will leave food out for the child in case they choose to eat it a few minutes later. Staff also indicated that they never withheld a child's food for any reason.

LPA received no corroborated disclosure regarding any staff handling children in a rough manner or staff yelling at children. Staff indicated that they communicate with children in softer tones and redirect behavior.

Staff corroborated that they have never witnessed an assistant left alone without a qualified teacher. LPA during surprise visits never witnessed an assistant left alone with children (including during surveillance unbeknownst to staff).

Staff corroborated that they have never witnessed any children sleep with bibs on. Staff also indicated that infants that nap in cribs are not allowed to sleep with anything in the crib. During multiple inspections, LPA never observed any napping children to have bibs on. LPA observed the cribs to be empty while the children napping.

Staff corroborated that they have never witnessed any staples or hazardous objects on the floor. Staff indicated they would obviously remove any items that are dangerous. During multiple inspections, LPA did not observe any staples or hazardous items on the floor of any rooms. CONTINUED

SUPERVISORS NAME: Karen Chambers
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Warren Birks
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 09/14/2023

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/14/2023

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 2 of 3

Control Number 54-CC-20230717111149

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 CENTER DR 200B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: WEE CARE MONTESSORI CENTER	FACILITY NUMBER: 198016409
	VISIT DATE: 09/14/2023

NARRATIVE

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Note: The complainant is anonymous and unavailable to interview. Therefore, LPA was unable to clarify more specific information with the individual. In addition, five of the same allegations were recently investigated and found unsubstantiated days before this complaint was submitted to Licensing.

Director believes the allegations have more to do with previous staff relations than actual allegations. LPA informed Director that the department investigates complaints using evidence gathered or received internal or external relations.

Although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations did or did not occur. Therefore, at this time the allegation is Unsubstantiated.

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 result in a civil penalty of $100.00. This report along with a copy of the appeal rights was provided. Exit interview was conducted with Director Nali Jayasinghe

SUPERVISORS NAME: Karen Chambers
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Warren Birks
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 09/14/2023

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/14/2023

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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