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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198021636
Report Date: 02/20/2026
Date Signed: 02/20/2026 09:52:52 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
01/30/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Staicy Perry
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 33-CC-20260130093550
FACILITY NAME:CHILDREN'S MONTESSORI CENTERFACILITY NUMBER:
198021636
ADMINISTRATOR:DERANIYAGALA, DIMANTHIFACILITY TYPE:
860
ADDRESS:19 N HIDALGO AVETELEPHONE:
(626) 282-8258
CITY:ALHAMBRASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
91801
CAPACITY:106CENSUS: 31DATE:
02/20/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
08:15 AM
MET WITH:Owner Sheela DerniyagalTIME COMPLETED:
10:00 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Ratio-Staff are operating out of ratio
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On February 20, 2026, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Staicy Perry conducted an unannounced complaint investigation visit to deliver findings to the above facility. LPA Perry met with the Owner Sheela Derniyagala to whom the reason for today’s visit was explained. LPA Perry obtained a census of children and staff present at the time of the visit. Per Owner Sheela Derniyagal their are 49 children enrolled.

During the course of the investigation, LPA Perry conducted interviews with staff and parents. LPA Perry obtained and reviewed relevant documents including, but not limited to facility roster, personnel report and other pertinent documents.

Allegation: Ratio- Staff are operating out of ratio.

LPA Perry was unable to interview the reporting party, no information was provided.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Brandi VanOosten
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Staicy Perry
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/20/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/20/2026
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 4
Control Number 33-CC-20260130093550
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: CHILDREN'S MONTESSORI CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 198021636
VISIT DATE: 02/20/2026
NARRATIVE
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LPA Perry interviewed parents and no disclosures were made pertaining to staff operating over ratio.

LPA Perry conducted staff interviews. Staff #6 and Staff #7 stated that on two occasions in January 2026 in Infant room 7, a child arrived prior to their scheduled time, resulting in Staff #6 having to supervise seven children by themselves. Staff #6 disclosed that they immediately notified the owner Sheela and additional staff, Sheela were sent to the classroom minutes later. Exact dates of the incidents were not recalled. Staff interviews further revealed that on two occasions in January 2026, in the infant room 1. S#5 would leave the classroom briefly to use the restroom, leaving S#4 supervising approximately five to six infants by themselves. Staff #4 indicated this lasted “a couple of minutes.” Staff stated these incidents were not reported to the director, as they did not believe it was a big deal. Staff #5 did state that they would leave Staff #4 out of ratio to go to use the restroom. The director confirmed being unaware of the incidents in the infant room 1since it was never disclosed to her by her staff. During interview with Owner, Sheela, she stated that she was unaware of staff leaving classrooms over ratio in the infant room 1. Director was advised that teacher-child ratios must be always maintained and cannot be exceeded, including during restroom breaks. Director acknowledged the scheduling issue and stated adjustments were made to staff schedules to prevent being over ratio again. All staff stated that since these incidents they have not been out of ratio in the classrooms.

LPA Perry toured the facility and conducted observations at the facility during all complaint investigation inspections. It was observed that staffing was sufficient to meet required teacher-child ratios. Children were observed engaged in age-appropriate activities and under visual supervision of staff. LPA requested review of attendance records, including sign-in and sign-out sheets for the month of January 2026, to verify staffing patterns and child attendance during the time frames referenced in staff interviews. Owner Sheela informed LPA Perry that due to a recent transition in management, certain administrative paperwork, including sign-in and sign-out sheets, could not be located. Owner Sheela stated that records may have been misplaced during the transition process. LPA Perry advised Owner Sheela that maintaining complete and accurate attendance records is required for verification of compliance with Title 22 regulations and for ensuring proper supervision and ratio compliance. Due to the unavailability of sign-in and sign-out sheets, LPA Perry was unable to verify the exact dates and times referenced in staff interviews regarding being over ratio in both the infant room 1 and infant room 7. However, LPA Perry documented, staff interviews indicating that they were over ratio in both the infant rooms on multiple (2) occasions. Director stated scheduling adjustments have been made since, which have been implemented to prevent recurrence in the classrooms and that she will continue to speak to her infant staff regarding communication with her whenever they need assistance or if they are over ratio.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Brandi VanOosten
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Staicy Perry
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/20/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/20/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 4
Control Number 33-CC-20260130093550
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: CHILDREN'S MONTESSORI CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 198021636
VISIT DATE: 02/20/2026
NARRATIVE
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Based on interviews conducted and documentation obtained, regarding the above allegation that Staff are operating out of ratio which has been determined that the allegation has been deemed SUBSTANTIATED. A finding of Substantiated means that the preponderance of evidence standard has been met. California Code of Regulations (Title 22 Division & Chapter), The deficiency listed is being cited in accordance with California Code of Regulations Title 22. Two type A deficiencies are being issued today. Please see attached LIC 809-D for citations. Deficiencies that are being cited need to be cleared to protect the children’s health & safety. A copy of this report shall be provided to the parent/guardian of children currently enrolled by the next business day or immediately upon their return. A copy of this report shall also be provided to the parent/guardian of any newly enrolled child for the next 12 months. A signed Acknowledgement of Receipt (LIC9224) shall be in each child’s file, acknowledging receipt.

A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Appeal Rights provided. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100. Appeal rights were given and explained. Exit interview conducted and report provided to Sheela DERANIYAGALA, Owner.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Brandi VanOosten
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Staicy Perry
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/20/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/20/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 4
Control Number 33-CC-20260130093550
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: CHILDREN'S MONTESSORI CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 198021636
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 02/20/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
02/23/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101416.5(b)
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101416.5 (b) Staff-Infant Ratio-There shall be a ratio of one teacher for every four infants in attendance.

This requirement is not met as evidenced by:
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Per owner Sheela, schedule adjustments have been made to ensure ratio compliance. Director will review ratios with staff during a staff training and provide LPA Perry with signatures of staff who attened the meeting along with an understanding from each staff about ratios by POC date to LPA Perry via email.
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Based on observation, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in staff discloures, S#4, S#5 S#6 and S# 7, stating that they have been over ratio on 2 seperate occasions in the month of January 2026, which poses an immediate health, safety or personal rights risk to persons 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: Brandi VanOosten
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Staicy Perry
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/20/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/20/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 4