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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 283010138
Report Date: 08/02/2024
Date Signed: 08/02/2024 12:18:10 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA ROSA RO, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
05/10/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Melinda Mohr
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 01-CC-20240510125144
FACILITY NAME:HOPPER CREEK MONTESSORIFACILITY NUMBER:
283010138
ADMINISTRATOR:TAMARA KINMANFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:2141 2ND STREETTELEPHONE:
(707) 231-8768
CITY:NAPASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
94559
CAPACITY:35CENSUS: 12DATE:
08/02/2024
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
08:05 AM
MET WITH:Tamara KinmanTIME COMPLETED:
11:00 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff caused injury to daycare child.
Staff pinched daycare child.
Staff handles daycare child(ren) in a rough manner.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Mindy Mohr made an unannounced complaint investigation visit today and met with Director Tamara Kinman for the purpose of delivering findings for the above allegations. LPA Mindy Mohr previously met with Director Tamara Kinman on 05/14/2024 to open the complaint. A subsequent visit was made on 06/05/2024 to further investigate the complaint.
During the course of the investigation, LPA Mohr conducted interviews, received documents, and made observations. From 05/14/2024 through 07/26/2024, interviews were conducted with Licensee (L1) two staff (S1 – S2), four children (C1 & C9- C11), and ten adults (A1-A10).
L1 denied the allegations stating that she is unsure if the involved child (C8) was injured while at school and that staff never put their hands on children. Instead, staff talk to children when they need the children to do something.
(continued on LIC9099-C)
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Leslie Lepori
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Melinda Mohr
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/02/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/02/2024
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 4
Control Number 01-CC-20240510125144
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA ROSA RO, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405
FACILITY NAME: HOPPER CREEK MONTESSORI
FACILITY NUMBER: 283010138
VISIT DATE: 08/02/2024
NARRATIVE
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According to staff interviews (S1 & S2), children have been observed to have marks on their bodies, specifically on their necks and shoulders. S1 stated she observed C8 had bruise marks on their shoulder, one on the front and one on the back, “perfect for a pinch”. S2 observed C8 coming out of the kitchen crying and holding their shoulder saying, “Brenna pinch me”, S2 also observed visible marks on C8’s shoulder. In addition, S1 stated she has seen marks on children, and the incidents seem to occur when L1 is alone in a room with children. S1 also stated she knows L1 is the one leaving the marks on the children, and that sometimes the facility is not a safe place for the children. S2 further stated L1 is still grabbing the children, specifically that she grabs them, closes her hand and marks them with her nails.

Children interviews (C1, C9 & C10) revealed they are sometimes scared while at school, specifically when L1 is mad. C1 stated that L1 still gets mad and yells and has grabbed their arm. C9 and C10 stated that when a child gets in trouble or L1 gets mad, they go into the kindergarten room. C9 further stated that L1 yells and it scares them.

A1 stated C6 does not like L1 and does not go near her and that L1 targets specific children. Additionally, A1 has observed L1 pinch a child in care. A2 stated C6 was very scared of L1 and that A2 observed L1 grab C6’s arm pulling C6 back into circle time when C6 tried to get up and leave the circle. A2 also stated they observed L1 pick C6 up multiple times by their arm to a standing position and then would place C6 down roughly to sit either on a chair or bench.

Both A6 and A7 stated their children have come home with bruises and marks on their bodies which could not be explained. A7 specifically stated their child (C1) came home with bruising on their shoulder and has safety concerns about the school. Furthermore, A6 stated their child (C12) told them L1 pushed and pulled their arm and C12 further demonstrated how L1 pulled their arm by grabbing and pulling their own arm. A6 added they do not trust L1 to be alone with their child.

(continued on LIC9099-C)

SUPERVISORS NAME: Leslie Lepori
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Melinda Mohr
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/02/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/02/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 4
Control Number 01-CC-20240510125144
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA ROSA RO, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405
FACILITY NAME: HOPPER CREEK MONTESSORI
FACILITY NUMBER: 283010138
VISIT DATE: 08/02/2024
NARRATIVE
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During the course of the investigation further evidence was received documenting injuries children sustained. Therefore, 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. Appeal rights were provided.

Licensee is also being cited civil penalties totaling $1000; one immediate civil penalty of $500 for a violation of regulation resulting in injury to a child in care, and two civil penalties of $250 each for repeat violations within a 12 month period. Appeal rights provided.

LPA Mohr informed Director Tamara Kinman that this report dated 08/02/2024 documents two Type A citations. Type A citations shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there is an immediate risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care.

LPA Mohr informed Director to provide a copy of this licensing report dated 08/02/2024 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.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Leslie Lepori
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Melinda Mohr
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/02/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/02/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 4
Control Number 01-CC-20240510125144
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA ROSA RO, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405

FACILITY NAME: HOPPER CREEK MONTESSORI
FACILITY NUMBER: 283010138
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 08/02/2024
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
08/02/2024
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(2)
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101223(a)(2) To be accorded safe, healthful and comfortable accommodations, furnishings and equipment to meet his/her needs. This requirement is not met as evidenced by:
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Director stated she would like to have CCL’s Technical Support Program (TSP) come out and observe and give advice / pointers on how the facilty can improve. Director stated a new teacher has been hired so they are not stretched so thin.
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Based on interviews and observations children are being handled in a rough manner, and not provided a safe environment. This poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
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Type A
08/02/2024
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(3)
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101223(a)(3) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights: (3)To be free from corporal or unusual punishment, infliction of pain, humiliation, intimidation, ridicule, coercion, threat, mental abuse or other actions of a punitive nature …
This requirement is not met as evidenced by:
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Directed stated she will provide a written plan on discipline and how the facility plans to comply with regulation, to use words instead of hands. Redirecting the children, and using positive interactions with all children in care. Director will email the plan to LPA @
melinda.mohr@dss.ca.gov
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Based on interviews and observations Licensee has been observed pinching a child in care as well as causing injury to child(ren) in care. This poses a potential 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: Leslie Lepori
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Melinda Mohr
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/02/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/02/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 4