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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 304270295
Report Date: 10/16/2025
Date Signed: 10/16/2025 12:34:56 PM

Unsubstantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE COUNTY CC RO, 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
08/07/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Alma Castro
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 06-CC-20250807144755
FACILITY NAME:NORTHWOOD MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF IRVINEFACILITY NUMBER:
304270295
ADMINISTRATOR:FUKUNAGA, LISAFACILITY TYPE:
830
ADDRESS:12100 YALE COURTTELEPHONE:
(714) 508-0400
CITY:IRVINESTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92620
CAPACITY:32CENSUS: 16DATE:
10/16/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
11:30 AM
MET WITH:Acting director, Pennee RoweTIME COMPLETED:
12:45 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Facility is operating out of ratio
Daycare infants are not accorded dignity in their relationship with staff
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 10/16/2025, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Alma Castro, conducted an unannounced, subsequent visit to the facility for the purpose of delivering the findings for a complaint that was initiated on 08/12/2025. LPA met with acting director, Pennee Rowe and explained the reason for the visit. LPA was led on a tour of the facility and observed a total of 16 infant children and 6 staff.

On 08/07/2025, the Orange County Regional Child Care Licensing Office received a complaint with the allegation listed as: (1) Facility is operating out of ratio, and (2) Daycare infants are not accorded with dignity in their relationship with staff

On 08/12/2025, LPA made an unannounced visit to the facility and interviewed staff. Director provided LPA with facility roster, sign in and out sheets and other documents pertinent to the investigation. Children were unable to be interviewed due to age (under 24 months) and eligibility requirements.
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Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Nguyen K Tran
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Alma Castro
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/16/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/16/2025
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 2
Control Number 06-CC-20250807144755
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE COUNTY CC RO, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868
FACILITY NAME: NORTHWOOD MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF IRVINE
FACILITY NUMBER: 304270295
VISIT DATE: 10/16/2025
NARRATIVE
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During investigation, LPA conducted observations on supervision during nap and indoor activities. LPA interviewed five (5) staff and contacted twelve (12) parents. Only one answered/returned the call and was interviewed.

Regarding allegation (1) Facility is operating out of ratio, LPA observed facility operating within its license and capacity on 08/12/2025 and 10/16/2025. Four (4) out of five (5) interviewed staff provided consistent statements about the facility’s compliance with ratio. Children did not qualify to be interviewed. During record review, LPA examined staff and child attendance records. The records did not indicate the facility was operating out of ratio. The interviewed parent did not disclose any concern regarding ratio compliance.

Regarding allegation (2) Day care infants are not accorded dignity in their relationship with staff. Five (5) out of five (5) interviewed staff provided consistent statements about the facility’s age-appropriate interactions with infants in care. Children did not qualify to be interviewed due to age (under 24 months). The interviewed parent did not disclose any concern regarding ratio compliance. During record review, LPA reviewed the facility’s Guidance and Discipline Policies which include, but not limited to the following topics: Speaking Manner, Physical Discipline, Reward and Punishment, Teacher’s Role, etc. At the bottom of these policies states the following “I understand that failure to comply to these policies may be cause for immediate termination” which requires printed name/signature and date.

The Orange County Regional Child Care Licensing Office has investigated the complaint alleging that the facility is operating out of ratio and day care infants are not accorded dignity in their relationship with staff. Based on the information gathered from LPA’s interviews and record reviews, although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there was not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations did or did not occur, therefore the allegations are unsubstantiated.

No deficiencies cited.

A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the acting director, Pennee Rowe.

END OF REPORT

SUPERVISORS NAME: Nguyen K Tran
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Alma Castro
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/16/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/16/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 2