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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 223810262
Report Date: 07/18/2025
Date Signed: 07/18/2025 12:18:35 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
FRESNO CC RO, 1310 E. SHAW AVE,
FRESNO, CA 93710
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
05/30/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Miguel Herrera
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 04-CC-20250530135829
FACILITY NAME:WHERE THE WILD THINGS PLAY PRESCHOOL LLCFACILITY NUMBER:
223810262
ADMINISTRATOR:KELSEY WILKENSONFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:5114 BULLION STTELEPHONE:
(209) 347-7322
CITY:MARIPOSASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
95338
CAPACITY:36CENSUS: 15DATE:
07/18/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
10:20 AM
MET WITH:Lori DixonTIME COMPLETED:
12:35 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Unqualified staff is providing care and supervision.
Staff is operating out of ratio.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On July 18, 2025, Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Miguel Herrera and Meche Rosales conducted an unannounced inspection to conclude the complaint investigation that was submitted on 05/30/2025. LPAs met with Director, Lori Dixon and explained the purpose of the inspection and delivered investigation findings. A tour of the facility was conducted, and a census was taken. During the course of the investigation, LPAs obtained & reviewed records, conducted interviews, and made facility observations.
During the course of the investigation, LPAs observed the facility operating out of ratio during their outdoor play time (see LIC 809-D Type B deficiency). On 06/04/2025 at 10:16 am, LPAs commenced their observations and observed the facility operating over ratio by 1 student. LPAs observed staff #1, staff #2, and staff #3 with 19 children present, and at 10:19 am staff #4 returned from break. During records review LPAs verified staff qualifications and observed that staff #1 was the only fully qualified teacher present in the play yard. LPAs observed that staff #2 had 6 ECE units, while staff #3 and staff #4 only had 3 ECE units on file.
Continued on 9099-C.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Jose Penate
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Miguel Herrera
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/18/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/18/2025
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 3
Control Number 04-CC-20250530135829
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
FRESNO CC RO, 1310 E. SHAW AVE,
FRESNO, CA 93710
FACILITY NAME: WHERE THE WILD THINGS PLAY PRESCHOOL LLC
FACILITY NUMBER: 223810262
VISIT DATE: 07/18/2025
NARRATIVE
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Based on LPAs’ observations and records review, the preponderance of evidence has been met that staff are operating out of ratio; therefore, the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED.
Through interviews, records review and observations, the allegation that unqualified staff are supervising children was corroborated (see LIC 809-D Type B deficiency). Based on interviews and records reviewed LPAs confirmed that S2 was utilized as a fully qualified teacher. Records reviewed indicated that S2 was not a fully qualified teacher as they only had 6 units in early childhood education (ece). Although S2 was enrolled in school their major was unrelated to early childhood education, therefore S2 was not enrolled in any further ECE courses or similar field of study that would meet the education requirements (12 ece units) for a qualified teacher.

Furthermore, LPAs did not observe that S2 had any type of permits, credentials or certificates that would qualify them as a fully qualified teacher and LPAs did not observe an exception on file. Based on LPAs observations and records review, the preponderance of evidence has been met that unqualified staff are supervising children; therefore, the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Director Lori Dixon. Appeal rights were provided. Per Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 1, of the California Code of Regulations, the following deficiencies are being cited: (see LIC. 809-D). This report shall be made available to the public upon request. LIC 9213 Notice of Site Visit is provided and required to be posted for 30 days.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Jose Penate
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Miguel Herrera
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/18/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/18/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
Control Number 04-CC-20250530135829
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
FRESNO CC RO, 1310 E. SHAW AVE,
FRESNO, CA 93710

FACILITY NAME: WHERE THE WILD THINGS PLAY PRESCHOOL LLC
FACILITY NUMBER: 223810262
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 07/18/2025
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
07/25/2025
Section Cited
CCR
101216.1(c)(1)(A)
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(c) To be a fully qualified teacher, a teacher shall have one of the following:
(1) Twelve post-secondary semester or equivalent quarter units in early childhood education or child development completed, with passing grades...
(A) The units specified in (c)(1) above shall include courses that cover the general areas of child growth and development, or human growth and development; child, family and community, or child and family; and program/curriculum.
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Director Dixon reviewed regulation CCR 101216.1 and stated they will immediately ensure that all staff utilized as teachers and teacher aides meet the regulatory requirements as of start of business 7/21/2025. Licensee will create a classroom staffing plan that meets
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This requirement was not met as evidenced by: LPAs conducted file reviews and observed staff #2, was not a qualified teacher. LPAs observed the facility utilizing staff #2 as a fully qualified teacher in the preschool classroom, which poses a potential risk to the health, safety, and personal rights of children in care.
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all regulatory requirements for teacher/teacher aide requirements and ratios for all classrooms and will submit the staffing plan to CCLD by 07/25/2025. Director Dixon will also submit exception requests for staff that are currently pursuing teacher qaulifications(12 ECE units).
Type B
07/25/2025
Section Cited
CCR
101216.3(b)(1)
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(b) The licensee may use teacher aides in a teacher-child ratio of one teacher and one aide for every 15 children in attendance. (1) A ratio of one fully qualified teacher (as specified in Section 101216.1(c)) and one aide for every 18 children in attendance in a preschool...
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Licensee will change personnel in the clasrooms to meet ratios. Furthermore, Licensee agrees to provide CCLD with a written plan on how the facility will ensure proper ratios are being maintained in all the classrooms. The facility will provide the plan of correction to CCLD Fresno by 07/25/2025 via email.
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program is allowed when the aide meets
the qualifications specified in Section 101216.2(d).
This requirement was not met as evidenced by: LPAs observed an instance on 06/04/2025 where the facility operated over ratio.
LPAs observed 19 chidlren with a fully qualified teacher and 2 aides. LPA confirmed the census with staff and reviewed facility records that confirmed the facility operating over ratio, which poses a potential risk to the health, safety, and personal rights of children 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: Jose Penate
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Miguel Herrera
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/18/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/18/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
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