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13 | Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Jen Patel and Selena Mariani made an unannounced complaint investigation visit today and met with facility representative, Mackenzie Miller for the purpose of delivering findings for the above allegation. It was alleged there was lack of supervision resulting in infant receiving injuries, specifically a child being bitten. LPA Jen Patel previously met with Director, Millie Pintacsi, (D1) on 11/12/25 to open the complaint and initiate the investigation.
During the course of the investigation, LPAs Patel and Mariani conducted interviews and received documents pertaining to the investigation. From 11/12/25 to 01/23/26, interviews were conducted with D1, Adrean Takemoto, Assistant Director (AD), and adults (A1-A8). Additional adult interviews were attempted.
AD stated staff tend to children after a biting incident, staff clean the wound and applying band-aids. Parents are notified through Brightwheel. Interviews with adults (A1-A4) stated their policy for biting incidents is to provide a teether, redirect, write incident reports in Brightwheel, and talk to parents at pick up. A1 stated they were instructed to shadow children to prevent biting. |
| Unsubstantiated | Estimated Days of Completion: |
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32 | The bottles are labeled with each child’s name and organized accordingly in the refrigerator. A2 further stated they verify the name on the bottle to ensure each child receives the correct one. Adult interview (A4) confirmed a child was fed the wrong bottle further stating teachers can be distracted. Adult interview (A6) stated they were informed by D1 on 09/22/2025 that C1’s bottle was served to another child. In addition, A6 received a message from AD that the facility had not documented the brand of formula C1 eats on C1’s individual feeding plan. Infant record review from 2/4/26 revealed that 5 of 5 files contained completed infant needs and services plan. Evidence received corroborated statements from A6. Interviews and evidence confirm that the infants were not fed in accordance with the individual feeding plan.
A1-A4 all state opening staff are responsible for ensuring the outdoor play area is clean and free of debris but have also observed children putting rocks and / or bark in their mouths. A4 further stated they immediately take the items out of the child’s mouth. A5 and A6 both stated they have observed children to put rocks and/or bark in their mouths. In addition, A7 stated they picked their child up at the end of the day and their child had bark in their mouth.
On 11/12/2025 LPAs observed seven infants using a sensory table with four sections which were filled with dried chickpeas, dried beans, and dried corn kernels. The dried chickpeas, dried beans, and dried corn kernels were also observed to be on the asphalt. LPAs observed one infant standing at the sensory table putting the items in their mouth. LPAs also observed 5 infants walking on top of the spilt dried chickpeas, dried beans and dried corn kernels, the infants would slip on the dried chickpeas, and cry. There was one staff member present in that area and was observed assisting the infants when they fell. While that one staff member was providing comfort to the infant that slipped and fell other infants were observed to be slipping on the dried chickpeas and falling to the ground. In addition, LPAs observed the infant's outdoor play yard to have small pebbles and bark embedded in the fake grass.
Interviews and observations confirm that the outdoor activity space is not free from hazardous items allowing infants to put rocks and/ or bark in their mouths.
Based on the investigation, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met. Therefore, the above allegations are found to be substantiated. The following violations of the California Code of Regulations, Title 22; Division 12: see LIC 9099D.
This report was reviewed and discussed with the facility representative, Mackenzie Miller. Appeal rights were provided. A Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 days from today’s visit. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100. |
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number | DEFICIENCIES | PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs) |
Type B
02/20/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101238.2(d)(1) | 1
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7 | (d) The surface of the outdoor activity space shall be maintained: (1) In a safe condition for the activities planned.
This was not met as evidenced by: | 1
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7 | Facility Representative stated a staff meeting is planned for 2/6/26 which covers lession plan and material approval process by Facility Representative; ensuring proper use of material in the play yard and sensory bins. Additionally, |
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14 | Based on LPAs interviews and observations, A4-A7 observed children putting rocks and/or bark in their mouths. Addionally, LPAs observed one infant putting dried chickpeas in their mouth. The facility did not ensure outdoor activity space was in a safe condition for the activities planned which poses/posed a potential health, safety and/or personal rights risk(s) to children in care. | 8
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14 | a daily check list for safety hazards was implemented in October 2025 which will be discussed at the staff meeting to ensure the area is safe and effectively free of debris including the edges of the play yard. |
Type B
02/20/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101427(c) | 1
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7 | The infant shall be fed in accordance with the individual plan.
This is not met as evidenced by: | 1
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7 | Facility Representative stated she will talk to staff to implement the best procedure which may include using color coded stickers for infants if they have the same brand bottle or use labeled baskets in the fridge or use tape set boundaries. |
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14 | Based on LPAs record review and interviews with A4,A6, C1’s bottle was served to another child. This poses/posed a potential health, safety and/or personal rights risk(s) to children in care. | 8
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14 | She will conduct staff training on the 4 R's of feeding which will be posted in the classroom. |