304270686-3-24-2026-06-CC-THOO-DSXNUU-20260408104656

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 304270686
Report Date: 03/24/2026
Date Signed: 03/24/2026 04:52:23 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
03/24/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Mahnaz Malek

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 06-CC-20260324094955

FACILITY NAME:	KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER		FACILITY NUMBER:	304270686
ADMINISTRATOR:	GARCIA, SAVANNAH		FACILITY TYPE:	830
ADDRESS:	25189 BEACON HILL WAY		TELEPHONE:	(949) 240-4004
CITY:	LAGUNA NIGUEL	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	92677
CAPACITY:	36	CENSUS: 7	DATE:	03/24/2026
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	01:30 PM
MET WITH:	Director		TIME COMPLETED:	05:20 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Teacher appears to be high and disoriented while caring for children.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Mahnaz (Nancy) Malek conducted an investigation regarding the above allegation. LPA met with director, Savannah Garcia. LPA observed 7 napping/awake infants and toddlers in the infant 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 3/24/2026, the Orange County Childcare Office received a complaint alleging "teacher appears to be high and disoriented while caring for children".
Reporting Party reported that on 3/24/2026 a teacher (Staff # 1) was observed to be appeared high and smelled like marijuana at 9:40 am. The teacher was caring for two kids in that condition.
Continued on page 2

Substantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Thuy Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Mahnaz Malek
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 03/24/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/24/2026

This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 06-CC-20260324094955

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: 03/24/2026

NARRATIVE

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Today, LPA obtained some documentation and LPA interviewed 10 staff who have work at the facility and might have information regarding this incident. (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9, and S10.
S1 reported that they were never under the influence. S1 admitted that they smoked some drugs the night before and they never took care of children under influence of any drugs.
S2 reported they never noticed any change of behavior in S1 before. However, this morning S3 reported that S1 admitted to S3 that they smoked a substance this morning before arrival to work. S2 added that S1 admitted to them that they smoked a substance the night before. S2 noticed some changes in S1's behavior and observing tiredness eyes while talking to S1. S1 was pulled out of the classroom immediately once it was brought up to S3's attention.
S3 reported S1 admitted to them that they smoked a substance before coming to work. S3 reported observing red eyes in S1.
S4 reported that they did not have any contact with S1 today. However, S4 had noticed some change of behavior in S1 in the past.
S5 , S6, S7, S8, and S9 did not notice any change of behavior in S1 today and any other days.
S10 reported that this morning they observed S1 with red puffy eyes while being disoriented. This was observed after S1 was pulled out of the room. S10 reported they smelled a substance smell in the hallway when S1 was removed from the room.

Based on LPA’s interviews with 10 staff today, admitting of S1 smoking a substance the night before, reporting S1 to S2 smoking the night before, observation of S2 of S1, reporting S3 of S1's admission that S1 smoked in the morning before arrival to work, and S10's observation of S1 being dissociated and smelled a substance in the hallway, it was determined the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, the allegation of "teacher appears to be high and disoriented while caring for children" is found to be SUBSTANTIATED.

Health and Safety Code (H&S) Section 1596.885(c) is cited on 9099D next page.
A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days.
Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the director, Savannah Garcia.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Thuy Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Mahnaz Malek
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 03/24/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/24/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 2 of 3

Control Number 06-CC-20260324094955

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: 03/24/2026

Deficiency Type POC Due Date / Section Number	DEFICIENCIES		PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B 03/27/2026 Section Cited HSC 1596.885(c)	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	1596.885(c): Conduct Inimical Conduct which is inimical to the health, morals, welfare, or safety of either an individual in or receiving services from the facility or the people of this state. This requirement was not met as evidenced by:	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	Today, the director informed LPA that S1 no longer works for the facility. Director will conduct an all staff policy and procedures training on this issue.
	8 9 10 11 12 13 14	Based on a complaint report, and interviews with 10 staff, and reporting of S1, S2, S3, S4, and S10 that S1 has appeared to be under the influence of drug while arrived at work. This is a potential risk to the health and safety of the children in care.	8 9 10 11 12 13 14	Director will submit agenda and staff signatures acknowledging completing the training by the due date of 3/27/2026.
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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: Thuy Ho
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Mahnaz Malek
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 03/24/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/24/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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