198019813-11-3-2023-33-CC-BVON-CXD23T-20231107160252

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198019813
Report Date: 11/03/2023
Date Signed: 11/03/2023 04:50:59 PM

Substantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
L.A. DAY CARE-EAST, 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
07/27/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Lilli Babcock

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 33-CC-20230727113305

FACILITY NAME:	PRIMANTI MONTESSORI ACADEMY		FACILITY NUMBER:	198019813
ADMINISTRATOR:	HARSHINI GUNASEKARA		FACILITY TYPE:	830
ADDRESS:	10947 VALLEY HOME AVE		TELEPHONE:	(562) 943-0246
CITY:	WHITIER	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	90603
CAPACITY:	54	CENSUS: 34	DATE:	11/03/2023
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	02:05 PM
MET WITH:	Director, Maribeth Peralta		TIME COMPLETED:	05:00 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Day care child sustained injuries due to staff neglect

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Lilli Babcock conducted an unannounced follow-up complaint inspection to deliver findings on the above allegation. A COVID risk assessment was conducted. LPA met with Director, Maribeth Peralta, to whom the reason for the visit was explained. Director guided LPA on a tour of the facility. LPA observed thirty-four (34) children and eight (8) staff present at the facility during this inspection.

During this investigation, interviews were conducted with facility staff, daycare parents, and other witnesses by Investigations Branch (IB) investigator, Laura Garcia and LPA Babcock. Investigator Garcia also obtained several documents related to the complaint allegation, including but not limited to, a copy of the Facility Roster (LIC 9040), a copy of the Personnel Report (LIC 500), and the medical report for Child #1.

Allegation: Day care child sustained injuries due to staff neglect

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Substantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Brandi VanOosten
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Lilli Babcock
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 11/03/2023

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/03/2023

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 33-CC-20230727113305

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
L.A. DAY CARE-EAST, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: PRIMANTI MONTESSORI ACADEMY	FACILITY NUMBER: 198019813
	VISIT DATE: 11/03/2023

NARRATIVE

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On 7/26/23, a child sustained first degree and second degree burns on the bottoms of the feet while in care. Facility staff admitted to not noticing that Child #1 (C1) took off their shoes and socks and continued to play while barefoot on the artificial turf grass during playtime in almost 90-degree weather.

Staff interviewed admitted they were aware that the toddler children often take their shoes and socks off while in care. Staff #3 (S3) stated, “It is non-stop that they take off their shoes the entire day”. Staff #4 (S4) stated, the children take off their shoes “every day”. Staff stated that they are required to check weather conditions however, they failed to check the current temperature before going outside to play. Staff reported the toddlers were outside on the toddler yard from approximately 10:30 am – 11:30 am on 7/26/23.

Staff stated at the time of the incident, there were 3 staff on the toddler yard supervising approximately 14-15 toddlers. Staff admitted to being neglectful and recognized that the injuries of C1 could have been prevented if they had properly supervised the children. During interviews, Staff #2 admitted that they usually walk around the play yard, but due to hot temperatures they were “hanging” around the side gate entrance where there was shade. The toddler yard is rectangular shaped with multiple plastic play structures along the length of the yard. According to interviews the staff were stationed on one end of the toddler yard, where there was shade. Staff #4 stated "We were sitting down in the shade". Staff #4 also stated “Where we were sitting, we couldn’t see all the kids. Probably we weren’t supervising that well. When one of the teacher’s said lunch was ready, we lined them up and (Staff #2) was left with (Child #1) and they were picking up all the shoes and putting them in the basket. I was already inside but I heard (Child #1) crying outside. When I saw (Child #1) they were jumping up and down (alternating their feet) on the fake grass, and crying. I told (Staff #2), “Child #1 is burning their feet” and I picked (Child #1) up". Staff stated Child #1 was not wearing any shoes or socks at that time.

Based on Investigator and LPA observations, interviews which were conducted, and record review, 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, are being cited on the attached LIC 9099D

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SUPERVISORS NAME: Brandi VanOosten
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Lilli Babcock
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 11/03/2023

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/03/2023

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 33-CC-20230727113305

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
L.A. DAY CARE-EAST, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: PRIMANTI MONTESSORI ACADEMY	FACILITY NUMBER: 198019813
	VISIT DATE: 11/03/2023

NARRATIVE

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LPA Lilli Babcock informed facility representative Maribeth Peralta that this report dated 11/3/23 documents 1 Type A citation which shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there is immediate risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care.

Also, LPA Lilli Babcock informed the facility representative to provide a copy of this licensing report dated 11/3/23 that documents any Type A citation to parents/guardians of all children currently enrolled by the next business day or the next day the children are in care, and to any newly enrolled parents/guardians for 12 months from the date of this report. A signed Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Report (LIC 9224), or other written statement, must be placed in the child's file for verification.

A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days.
Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Director, Maribeth Peralta.

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SUPERVISORS NAME: Brandi VanOosten
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Lilli Babcock
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 11/03/2023

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/03/2023

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 33-CC-20230727113305

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
L.A. DAY CARE-EAST, 1000 CORPORATE CNTR DR. 200-B
MONTEREY PARK, CA 91754

FACILITY NAME: PRIMANTI MONTESSORI ACADEMY	FACILITY NUMBER: 198019813
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:	VISIT DATE: 11/03/2023

Deficiency Type POC Due Date / Section Number	DEFICIENCIES		PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A 11/07/2023 Section Cited CCR 101229(a)(1)	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	101229 Responsibility for Providing Care and Supervision (a)...(1) No child(ren) shall be left without the supervision of a teacher at any time...Supervision shall include visual observation. This requirement was not met as evidenced by:	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	Director stated they will develop and submit to licensing a written plan which will ensure all children are visually supervised at all times, including on the playground.
	8 9 10 11 12 13 14	Based on interview and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in 1 of 45 children in care who were left unsupervised and sustained burns on the feet due to staff neglect which poses/posed an immediate health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.	8 9 10 11 12 13 14
	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.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Brandi VanOosten
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Lilli Babcock
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 11/03/2023

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/03/2023

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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