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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198018027
Report Date: 09/06/2024
Date Signed: 09/06/2024 10:26:44 AM

Substantiated


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
07/11/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Nolan Tcheng
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 33-CC-20240711082154
FACILITY NAME:SCHOOL OF LITTLE SCHOLARSFACILITY NUMBER:
198018027
ADMINISTRATOR:BETTY CASTILLOFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:932 BUENA VISTA STREETTELEPHONE:
(626) 357-9660
CITY:DUARTESTATE: ZIP CODE:
91010
CAPACITY:80CENSUS: DATE:
09/06/2024
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
08:35 AM
MET WITH:Betty Castillo - DirectorTIME COMPLETED:
10:40 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Child was bit twice by another child due to lack of supervision
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Nolan Tcheng and Saul Valenzuela conducted a subsequent inspection to a complaint investigation. Upon arrival at 8:35am, LPAs met with Director Betty Castillo, to whom the purpose of the inspection was explained. A tour of the facility was provided. There were children present during the time of inspection.

Census was taken. There were 34 children with 8 staff members.

During the course of the investigation, interviews were conducted with eight staff members, five children, and four parents. Documentation in the form of Child Care Facility Roster, Personnel Report, Parent Handbook, Brightwheel message threads, and incident reports, were obtained.

Information from the complainant indicates that lack of supervision resulted in Child #5 (C5) biting Child #1 (C1) on two different occasions. REPORT CONTINUES PAGE 1 of 3
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Ana Chico
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Nolan Tcheng
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/06/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/06/2024
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 6
Control Number 33-CC-20240711082154
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: SCHOOL OF LITTLE SCHOLARS
FACILITY NUMBER: 198018027
VISIT DATE: 09/06/2024
NARRATIVE
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Director was interviewed on 08/29/2024 and disclosed that there have been up to three biting incidents with C5. LPAs confirmed that there were three documented biting incidents involving C5. According to Director, the last incident was recent and was unprovoked. Director stated that C5 walked up to another child and bit them for no reason. On 08/29/2024, LPAs also observed that C5 was at the facility. LPAs were initially informed that C5 had been terminated. Director explained that C5 was allowed to come back after parents stated that they needed more time to find a school that would accept C5.

Staff interviews disclosed additional information regarding Child #5. Staff #2 disclosed that C5 was moved to another classroom due to their behavior. Staff #4 corroborated that C5 had moved classrooms and that they had to pay more attention to C5. Staff #5 corroborated that they would often follow C5 as child tended to have “a temper”. Staff # 5 also stated that they “don’t feel safe having [C5] running around with other children. ” Staff #8 corroborated that there was a need for “increased supervision”. During interview with Staff #6 , LPAs asked about the incident where C5 bit C1, and how it was observed. S#6 stated that the biting incident did in fact occur, however, they did not observe the incident as their back was turned. S#6 further stated that they had to rely on camera footage to see what happened.

Interview with Child #1 disclosed that Child #5 had bitten them before. LPAs confirmed the incident during a review of facility incident reports. No other disclosures were made during child interviews.

Parent interviews made no disclosures regarding the above allegation.

LPAs reviewed the Parent handbook and saw no information regarding a “Biting Policy” or “Discipline Policy.” There were 10 documented incidents over the last 8 months, with Child #5 acting in an aggressive manner towards other children in care, including 3 instances of biting. During today’s inspection, Director confirmed there was no documented plan in place for Child #5, regarding their history of aggression and biting others.

A review of incident reports involving Child #5, found that there is a pattern of behavior that has resulted in the risk to students and staff at the facility. Per Director, facility allowed Child #5 to return to the facility on 08/14/2024, after being terminated. On 08/30/2024, LPA received call from Director stating that they had terminated Child #5’s contract once again due to another incident on 08/29/2024. The allowance of Child #5 to remain at the facility, after repeated instances, required added supervision and is a violation to the personal rights of other children in care.

REPORT CONTINUES PAGE 2 of 3

SUPERVISORS NAME: Ana Chico
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Nolan Tcheng
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/06/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/06/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 6
Control Number 33-CC-20240711082154
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: SCHOOL OF LITTLE SCHOLARS
FACILITY NUMBER: 198018027
VISIT DATE: 09/06/2024
NARRATIVE
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Based on LPAs observations and interviews which were conducted and record reviews, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED. California Code of Regulations, (Title 22, Division 12 Chapter 1 101229(a)(1) Responsibility for Providing Care and Supervision, and 101223 Personal Rights(a)(1)), are being cited on the attached deficiencies page.”)

The deficiencies listed on the following pages were observed by the LPA and are being cited in accordance with California Code of Regulations Title 22. Please see attached LIC 809D for deficiencies that are being cited and need to be cleared to protect the children’s health & safety.

Upon receipt of this report, the Licensee shall post the Notice of Site visit and any licensing report documenting a type “A” deficiency. The report and the Notice of Site visit shall be posted for 30 consecutive days. Failure to maintain posting as required, will result in an immediate $100 civil penalty. 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 copy of the Parent Notification Requirements was also provided to the licensee.

A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Director Betty Castillo, at 10:20am. Plan of corrections were developed and copy of Report provided.

END OF REPORT PAGE 3 of 3

SUPERVISORS NAME: Ana Chico
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Nolan Tcheng
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/06/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/06/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 6
Control Number 33-CC-20240711082154
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: SCHOOL OF LITTLE SCHOLARS
FACILITY NUMBER: 198018027
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 09/06/2024
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
09/09/2024
Section Cited
CCR
101229(a)(1)
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101229 Responsibility for Providing Care and Supervision
(1) No child(ren) shall be left without the supervision of a teacher at any time... Supervision shall include visual observation.

This requirement is not met as evidenced by:
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Per Director, they will host a staff meeting where Supervsion will be discussed. Training on the topic, as well as discussing step-by-step approach to children with behavioral issues. Staff will watch "Supervising Children in Child Care Centers" videos on
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Based on interview and record review, Licensee did not ensure that supervision of Child #5 was maintained given their history, resulting in Child #5 biting Child #1. This posed an immediate risk to the health, safety, and personal rights of children in care.
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www.ccld.childcarevideos.org. They will write summaries regarding the video. Staff agenda, signed attendance sheet of staff, and summaries, will be submitted to LPA by POC date.
Type A
09/09/2024
Section Cited
CCR
101223(1)(a)
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101223 Personal Rights
(1) To be accorded dignity in his/her personal relationships with staff and other persons.


This requirement is not met as evidenced by:
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Per Director, they will host a staff meeting where Personal Rights will be discussed and a training on the topic. Parent handbook will be updated with a Biting policy and the steps used to address it, and discipline policy. Staff will watch "Children's Personal Rights in Child Care" videos on
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Based on interview and record review, Licensee allowed a child with repeated instances of biting and misbehavior to stay enrolled in the facility without proper plan in place, resulting in incident report. This posed an immediate risk to the health, safety, and personal rights of children in care
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www.ccld.childcarevideos.org. They will write summaries regarding the video. Staff agenda, signed attendance sheet of staff, updated parent handbook, and summaries, will be submitted to LPA by POC date.
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: Nolan Tcheng
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/06/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/06/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 6 of 6