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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 304270109
Report Date: 11/28/2023
Date Signed: 11/28/2023 03:39:56 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
10/12/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Carmen Odom
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 06-CC-20231012095635
FACILITY NAME:CENTRALIA HEAD STARTFACILITY NUMBER:
304270109
ADMINISTRATOR:ERIKA TAMAYOFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:6627 LA CIENEGATELEPHONE:
(714) 228-9004
CITY:BUENA PARKSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
90620
CAPACITY:80CENSUS: 36DATE:
11/28/2023
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:00 AM
MET WITH:Pauline Abu-Tayeh - DirectorTIME COMPLETED:
04:00 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Licensee does not ensure playground is free from tripping hazards.
Staff do not provide children access to water on the playground.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Licensing Program Analysts (LPA) Odom conducted an unannounced complaint investigation. Upon arrival LPA met with Director, Pauline Abu-Tayeh. Director guided LPA on a tour of the facility. At 9:10am LPA observed a total of 36 preschool age children with 7 staff. Children from room 2 were heading outside to the playground, staff was carrying water jug with disposable cups and children from room 1 and 4 were inside the classroom for circle time, both classrooms had water jugs with disposable cups.

A review of staff records on this date indicated that all facility staff or other individuals who required caregiver background checks have received criminal record and child abuse index clearances or exemptions.

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Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Judy Hanson
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Carmen Odom
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/28/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/28/2023
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 5
Control Number 06-CC-20231012095635
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868
FACILITY NAME: CENTRALIA HEAD START
FACILITY NUMBER: 304270109
VISIT DATE: 11/28/2023
NARRATIVE
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The department received a complaint on 10/12/23 alleging 1) licensee does not ensure playground is free from tripping hazards, and 2) staff do not provide children access to water on the playground. Reporting Party (RP) stated the last two months there has been a hole the size of a manhole on the playground. RP stated there have been 2 staff and 4 children that have fallen into the hole but did not sustain any injuries. RP disclosed there have been different times that staff have forgotten to bring water to the playground and it has taken up to 20 minutes for staff to unlock the classroom door to get the water jug.

During the investigation LPA Odom interviewed 7 staff members, attempted to interview 7 children however only 5 children qualified for interviews, conducted a facility inspection, took pictures, and reviewed the children’s roster, personnel report, and e-mail thread.

During the investigation, Staff #1 (S1) was interviewed on 10/16/23. S1 stated the sink hole was on the playground since they arrived at the facility in August 2023. In September 2023 the Health and Safety supervisor inspected the sink hole to determine if there are pipes underneath. S1 stated they have spoken to their supervisor regarding the sink hole, which has been an ongoing conversation with the school district because the facility is located on the school district property. S1 stated the licensee is planning to begin repairs the week of 11/21/23 while the facility is closed. S1 stated in the meantime they have placed cones to avoid from staff and children walking through the sink hole. Staff remind children not to get close or play by the sink hole. S1 stated there haven’t been any injuries at this time. S1 stated the staff will carry out the water jug with disposable cups outside to the playground during outdoor play. Staff know to bring the water outside every time they go outside, sometimes S1 will assist on bringing the water outside. S1 stated they are planning to buy additional water jugs that can stay outside.

During the investigation, 6 staff members were interviewed on 10/16/23. All the staff confirmed that the sink hole has been getting bigger in last year. Staff #2 (S2) disclosed at the beginning when the hole appeared on the ground staff and children have tripped but there haven’t been any injuries. When that happened staff began to place cones around the hole to avoid from staff and children walking through or around the hole. All the staff stated they will make sure they review the expectation and rules of the playground with the children before going outside and part of the rules is not getting close to the sink hole.
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SUPERVISORS NAME: Judy Hanson
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Carmen Odom
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/28/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/28/2023
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 5
Control Number 06-CC-20231012095635
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868
FACILITY NAME: CENTRALIA HEAD START
FACILITY NUMBER: 304270109
VISIT DATE: 11/28/2023
NARRATIVE
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Also, there is a staff that will stand near the hole to maintain supervision and make sure the children do not play near the hole.
Four out of six staff disclosed there have been different occasions when they forgot to bring the water jug outside to the playground and a staff member had to run back to the classroom to bring the water jug outside. Staff #7 stated there was a time when Child #2 wanted to drink water and staff forgot to bring the water jug outside.

During the investigation LPA attempted to interview 7 children on 10/16/23 and 11/28/23, however only 5 children qualified for interviews. During the interviews all the children disclosed when they are thirsty while playing outside in the playground, they will drink water and there is water available for them to drink outside in the playground. None of the children disclosed observing a child playing or falling inside the sink hole. Child #5 (C5) disclosed they are not supposed to play around the sink hole because they can fall inside, and the teacher will be sad.

During the facility inspection LPA Odom observed a sink hole that measured 4 feet wide with cones around the hole to keep children away from the area. The sink hole is located inside the outdoor playground on the black pavement on one of the sides of the pavement. The hole was not obstructing the pathway for children to access the playground. LPA observed each classroom had a Brita water jug and disposable cups inside the classrooms. There wasn’t a water jug or water fountains outside in the playground. LPA observed staff carrying the water jug with disposable cups outside to the playground.

Based on LPA’s facility inspection, observations, interviews conducted with 7 staff members, 5 children, pictures taken, and records reviewed, it has been determined that the facility does have a large sink hole on the playground and children have not had access to water while in the playground. Therefore, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegations are found to be Substantiated. California Code of Regulations, Title 22, 101238.2(d)(2) Outdoor Activity Space and 101239.2(a) Drinking Water is being cited on the attached LIC 9099D.

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SUPERVISORS NAME: Judy Hanson
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Carmen Odom
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/28/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/28/2023
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 5
Control Number 06-CC-20231012095635
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868
FACILITY NAME: CENTRALIA HEAD START
FACILITY NUMBER: 304270109
VISIT DATE: 11/28/2023
NARRATIVE
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Exit interview was conducted with Director Pauline Abu-Tayeh. Notice of Site Visit was posted during the visit. Director was informed that the notice of site visit must be posted for 30 consecutive days. Failure to post will result in civil penalties of $100. Director was provided a copy of their appeal rights (LIC 9058 01/16) and their signature on this form acknowledges receipt of these rights. First level appeals should be sent to the regional manager to the address listed above.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Judy Hanson
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Carmen Odom
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/28/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/28/2023
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 5
Control Number 06-CC-20231012095635
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868

FACILITY NAME: CENTRALIA HEAD START
FACILITY NUMBER: 304270109
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 11/28/2023
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
11/28/2023
Section Cited
CCR
101238.2(d)(2)
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101238.2 Outdoor Activity Space
(d) The surface of the outdoor activity space shall be maintained: (2) Free of hazards including, but not limited to, holes, broken glass and other debris, and dry grasses that pose a fire hazard. This requirement was not met evidence by:
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Director stated on 10/27/23 they began to repair the hole. There was a pipe that was broken that was causing the hole to sink. They are planning to fix the hole by 12/4/23.
Director will send pictures of hole fixed by 12/8/23.
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Based on observation and interviews conducted with staff. The last year the hole has gotten bigger making it unsafe for the children to play outside in the playground. Staff and children have also tripped. This is a potential Health and Safety risk to the children in care.
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Type B
11/28/2023
Section Cited
CCR
101239.2(a)
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101239.2 Drinking Water (a) Drinking water from a noncontaminating fixture or container shall be readily available both indoors and in the outdoor activity area. This requirement was not met evidence by:
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Director stated they ordered more Brita water jugs to leave outside in the playground, that way the there will be water jugs inside and outside. Director will send pictures of water jugs inside and outside and sign in and out sheet on training by 12/8/23.
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Based on staff interviews there have been times when staff forgotten to bring the water jug when heading out to the playground. S7 stated there was a time C2 wanted to drink water, but staff forgot to bring the water jug outside. This is a potential Health and Safety risk to the 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: Judy Hanson
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Carmen Odom
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/28/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/28/2023
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 5