198017095-10-18-2023-33-CC-BVON-CXD3FQ-20231107171308

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198017095
Report Date: 10/16/2023
Date Signed: 10/18/2023 08:06:33 AM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK CC RO, 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
09/01/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Thelma Razo

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 33-CC-20230901121400

FACILITY NAME:	WALNUT MONTESSORI-PRESCHOOL ACADEMY		FACILITY NUMBER:	198017095
ADMINISTRATOR:	HARVINDERPAL VAGHELA		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	3457 S. NOGALES STREET		TELEPHONE:	(626) 965-9060
CITY:	WEST COVINA	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	91792
CAPACITY:	117	CENSUS: 89	DATE:	10/16/2023
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	03:00 PM
MET WITH:	Harvinderpal Vaghela, Director		TIME COMPLETED:	04:00 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff use inappropriate discipline practices with day care children

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Thelma Razo made a subsequent visit to deliver the findings for the above-mentioned allegations. LPA met with Director Harvinderpal Vaghela and stated the purpose of the visit.
An initial investigation was held on 8/7/23. LPA was guided on a facility tour by the Director which consists of 3 preschool rooms and an outdoor play area. LPA interviewed Director, 1 staff and 7 children at that time. Further interviewees were held over the phone with the complainant, 3 staff and 4 parents.
Staff use inappropriate discipline practices with day care children. Specifically, it was alleged that staff place children on a time out. The director and staff denied placing any child on a time-out. According to staff interviewed, when a child becomes disruptive or shows concerning behavior such as hitting another child, that child is being separated and given an alternative activity to calm the child. Staff talk to the child to find out the cause of the behavior or action. According to the Director, the facility encourages communication, redirection, and the use of positive reinforcement to deal with behavior. If there is no improvement, the staff begin documenting such behavior(s) in a Behavior Correction Report and will conduct a meeting with the parents. The director also stated that there was a staff meeting which was held on September 4th, 2023,

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Brandi VanOosten	TELEPHONE: (323) 981-3365
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Thelma Razo	TELEPHONE: (323) 981-3387
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 10/16/2023

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/16/2023

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 7

Control Number 33-CC-20230901121400

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK CC RO, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: WALNUT MONTESSORI-PRESCHOOL ACADEMY	FACILITY NUMBER: 198017095
	VISIT DATE: 10/16/2023

NARRATIVE

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regarding protecting the rights of the children. This includes the child being free from corporal or unusual punishment. Staff are aware of the children's personal rights and the facility does not tolerate any form of child abuse. This may result in the termination of the staff. There are no disclosures that there was an inappropriate discipline being utilized by the staff with the day care children. The parents interviewed were happy with the care provided by the facility and had no concerns.

Based on the information obtained from the interviews conducted and documents, there is not enough evidence to support the above allegation at this time. Therefore, although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations did or did not occur, the above allegation is deemed UNSUBSTANTIATED.

Exit interview held, copy of report and Appeal Rights provided to Director Harvinderpal Vaghela.

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Brandi VanOosten	TELEPHONE: (323) 981-3365
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Thelma Razo	TELEPHONE: (323) 981-3387
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 10/16/2023

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/16/2023

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 2 of 7

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK CC RO, 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
09/01/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Thelma Razo

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 33-CC-20230901121400

FACILITY NAME:	WALNUT MONTESSORI-PRESCHOOL ACADEMY		FACILITY NUMBER:	198017095
ADMINISTRATOR:	HARVINDERPAL VAGHELA		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	3457 S. NOGALES STREET		TELEPHONE:	(626) 965-9060
CITY:	WEST COVINA	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	91792
CAPACITY:	117	CENSUS: 89	DATE:	10/16/2023
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	03:00 PM
MET WITH:	Harvinderpal Vaghela, Director		TIME COMPLETED:	04:00 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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9

Staff handle day care children in a rough manner

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Thelma Razo made a subsequent visit to deliver the findings for the above-mentioned allegations. LPA met with Director Harvinderpal Vaghela and stated the purpose of the visit.
An initial investigation was held on 8/7/23. LPA was guided on a facility tour by the Director which consists of 3 preschool rooms and an outdoor play area. LPA interviewed Director, 1 staff and 7 children at that time. Further interviewees were held over the phone with the complainant, 3 staff and 4 parents.

The staff interviewed denied handling the children in a rough manner. Various interviews have revealed that there was a staff meeting regarding children's personal rights on September 4, 2023. During that meeting, staff were instructed to let the child hold the staff's fingers. The director provided LPA with a copy of the Minutes of the Meeting, and it clearly specified not to pull/grab children by their hands or arms because they can dislocate very easily. According to Director Vaghela, one staff was terminated because a child was abruptly scooped by under armpits to stop the child from jumping up and down on top of the puzzles that were on the floor. The staff involved stated that this was done to prevent the child from slipping and falling on the floor. However, according to the Director, video footage has shown that it was done abruptly.

Substantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Brandi VanOosten	TELEPHONE: (323) 981-3365
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Thelma Razo	TELEPHONE: (323) 981-3387
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 10/16/2023

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/16/2023

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

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 5 of 7

Control Number 33-CC-20230901121400

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK CC RO, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: WALNUT MONTESSORI-PRESCHOOL ACADEMY	FACILITY NUMBER: 198017095
	VISIT DATE: 10/16/2023

NARRATIVE

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Based on LPA’s observations, interviews, and record review, the preponderance of the evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED. California Code of Regulations, (Title 22, Division 12 being cited on the attached LIC9099D.

Notice of site visit is to be posted for 30 days.

Exit interview held, copy of report and Appeal Rights provided to Director Harvinderpal Vaghela.

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Brandi VanOosten	TELEPHONE: (323) 981-3365
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Thelma Razo	TELEPHONE: (323) 981-3387
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 10/16/2023

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/16/2023

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 6 of 7

Control Number 33-CC-20230901121400

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
MONTEREY PARK CC RO, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: WALNUT MONTESSORI-PRESCHOOL ACADEMY	FACILITY NUMBER: 198017095
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:	VISIT DATE: 10/16/2023

Deficiency Type POC Due Date / Section Number	DEFICIENCIES		PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B 10/16/2023 Section Cited CCR 101223(a)(2)	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	Personal Rights. To be accorded safe, healthful and comfortable accommodations, furnishings and equipment to meet his/her needs. This requirement was not met as evidenced by interviews that a staff roughrly handled a child. This poses a potential health and safety risk to the children in care.	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	Director had already met with the staff to discuss the children's personal rights and copy was provided to LPA. Deficiency was corrected during this visit.
	1 2 3 4 5 6 7		1 2 3 4 5 6 7
	1 2 3 4 5 6 7		1 2 3 4 5 6 7
	1 2 3 4 5 6 7		1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Failure to correct the cited deficiency(ies), on or before the Plan of Correction (POC) due date, may result in a civil penalty assessment.

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Brandi VanOosten	TELEPHONE: (323) 981-3365
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Thelma Razo	TELEPHONE: (323) 981-3387
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 10/16/2023

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/16/2023

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 7 of 7