304270686-1-29-2026-06-CC-THOO-DSBPPJ-20260319112934

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 304270686
Report Date: 01/29/2026
Date Signed: 01/29/2026 03:31:02 PM

Substantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE CO CHILD CARE, 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
01/16/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Mahnaz Malek

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 06-CC-20260116121057

FACILITY NAME:	KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER		FACILITY NUMBER:	304270686
ADMINISTRATOR:	BROWN, BARBARA		FACILITY TYPE:	830
ADDRESS:	25189 BEACON HILL WAY		TELEPHONE:	(949) 240-4004
CITY:	LAGUNA NIGUEL	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	92677
CAPACITY:	36	CENSUS: 9	DATE:	01/29/2026
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	08:00 AM
MET WITH:	Assistant director		TIME COMPLETED:	11:30 AM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff are operating out of ratio

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Mahnaz (Nancy) Malek conducted a follow up investigation regarding the above allegation. This is a follow-up for the visit conducted on 1/26/2026. LPA met with assistant director, Savannah Garcia. Upon arrival census was taken. There were a total of 9 infants and toddlers with 3 staff in the infant room and staff were in the middle of transitioning the toddlers to toddler room.

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.
On 1/16/2026, the Orange County Childcare Office received a complaint alleging “staff are operating out of ratio”. Reporting party # 1(RP1) reported the center has been operating out of ratio for about 3 days in the mornings. There are not enough staff to transition toddlers and infants.
Continued page 2.

Substantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Thuy Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Mahnaz Malek
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 01/29/2026

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/29/2026

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 06-CC-20260116121057

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE CO CHILD CARE, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868

FACILITY NAME: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER	FACILITY NUMBER: 304270686
	VISIT DATE: 01/29/2026

NARRATIVE

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On 1/22/2026 LPA investigated regarding the above allegation interviewing 10 Staff S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9, and S10 who have worked in the infant/toddler program.

S1 stated they would assist the infant/toddler room as needed. S1 acknowledged few staff were out recently. However, they are not aware of being out of ratio in the infant/toddler rooms.
S2 reported they would ask them to help out wherever needed and they denied the above allegation.
S3 stated last week, Tuesday, 1/13/2026 around 7:45 am there were 9 children with S3 and S8 in the infant room. S1 arrived after 5 minutes to the room to keep them in ratio. S3 continued that on an unknown date and time that there were 11 infants and toddlers with 2 staff for 10 to 15 minutes until 3rd staff arrived. S3 was aware that the teacher child ratio in the infant/toddler program is one staff to 4 children.
S4 reported they were out of ratio in the toddler room. S4 reported on 1/9/2026 around 10:00
am., S4 was with S3 with 9 toddlers for 10 minutes.
S5 reported S5 did not have information regarding early start hours. S5 did not disclose being out of ratio.
S6 reported being out of ratio in the infant/toddler room. However, S6 did not have accurate date and time to report. S6 mentioned some dates and time but S6 was not sure about the date and time.
S7 and S8 did not disclose being out of ratio.
S9 reported on an unknown date recently, S9 went to the toddler room and observed S3 and S8 with 9 toddlers during lunch time. S9 stayed in the toddler room with S3 while S8 left for lunch break. Then children went to nap after lunch.
S10 reported that on 1/23/2026 they had 9 children with S3 around 7:45 to 8:00 am. S10 reported they could not have additional children so they turned away next parent until help came. S10 stated it was observed the staff sign in on the CSR and leave the room for few minutes.

LPA obtained the Kindercare Internal Child Supervision Reports (CSR) for the week of 1/12/2026 and 1/19/2026. The CSR shows the number of children and staff arrival time and departure time. It also records in two hour increments only. However, there are discrepancies in filling out the CSR observed. LPA observed on 1/13/2026 S3 and S8 with 9 children at 8:15 am for few minutes. On 1/20/2026, S4 signed S4 with 8 toddlers in toddler room with 8 toddlers for one minute.

On 1/27/2026 additional information received by RP2 who reported that it was observed that one of the dayContinued on page 3

SUPERVISORS NAME: Thuy Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Mahnaz Malek
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 01/29/2026

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/29/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 2 of 4

Control Number 06-CC-20260116121057

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE CO CHILD CARE, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868

FACILITY NAME: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER	FACILITY NUMBER: 304270686
	VISIT DATE: 01/29/2026

NARRATIVE

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of the week of 1/19/2026 there were 9 to 10 children with two staff in the infant room around 8:00 am. RP2 was advised not to leave their child due to not having enough staff.

LPA also reviewed the staff timecards for the week of 1/12/2026 and 1/19/2026. LPA verified couple of staff were out on few days. However, the timecards for signing in and out do not show the time of the staffs' presence in each room precisely.

LPA contacted 10 random parents of infant/toddler program. Out of 10 parents, 3 responded with no concerns regarding the above allegation.

Based on LPA’s interviews with 10 staff, reviewing CSR for the mentioned dates on the report, and admitting of 5 staff (S3, S4, S6, S9, and S10) and RP2 being out of ratio in the infant/toddler program, it was determined the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, the allegation of “Staff are operating out of ratio" is found to be SUBSTANTIATED. Type "A" citation under California Title 22 Regulations Section 101415(a)(b) staff infant ratio is cited on 9099D next page.

The assistant director, Savannah Garcia was informed that the “Notice of Site Visit” must be posted for 30 consecutive days. The “Notice of Site Visit” must be posted on or adjacent to the door. Failure to post will result in Civil Penalties of $100.00. LPA Malek informed the assistant director, Savannah Garcia that this report dated 1/29/2026 documents type A citation shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there is immediate risks to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care. Also, LPA Malek informed the assistant director, Savannah Garcia to provide a copy of this licensing report dated 1/29/2026 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.
The assistant director, Savannah Garcia, was provided with a copy of their appeal rights (LIC 9058) and their signature on this form acknowledges receipt of these rights. All appeals must be in writing and received by the Regional Office within 15 business days. The exit interview was conducted with the assistant director, Savannah Garcia.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Thuy Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Mahnaz Malek
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 01/29/2026

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/29/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 3 of 4

Control Number 06-CC-20260116121057

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE CO CHILD CARE, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868

FACILITY NAME: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER	FACILITY NUMBER: 304270686
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:	VISIT DATE: 01/29/2026

Deficiency Type POC Due Date / Section Number	DEFICIENCIES		PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A 01/30/2026 Section Cited CCR 101416.5(a)(b)	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	Staff Infant Ratio-(a) In addition to Sections 101216.3 (c), (e), (g) and (h), and notwithstanding Sections 101216.3, (a), (b), (d) and (f), the following shall apply:(b) There shall be a ratio of one teacher for every four infants in attendance. This requirement was not met as evidenced by:	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	The assistant director agreed to send a statement with the new staff’s scheduling to show that the infant/toddler classrooms are staying in ratio at all times. The proof of correction will be sent to LPA's email address by the due date of 1/30/2026.
	8 9 10 11 12 13 14	Staff interviews admission of S3, S4, S6, S9, S10, and RP2 and reviewing CSR showing the infant/toddler program has been out of ratio on different days from approximately one minute to 10 minutes. This is an immediate risk to the health and safety of children in care.	8 9 10 11 12 13 14
	1 2 3 4 5 6 7		1 2 3 4 5 6 7
	1 2 3 4 5 6 7		1 2 3 4 5 6 7

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: Thuy Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Mahnaz Malek
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 01/29/2026

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/29/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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