304370822-5-5-2026-06-CC-MMAE-DUUL8E-20260608083147

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 304370822
Report Date: 05/05/2026
Date Signed: 05/05/2026 12:00:39 PM

Substantiated

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
03/13/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Anna Francesca Chan

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 06-CC-20260313084603

FACILITY NAME:	STEPPING STONES		FACILITY NUMBER:	304370822
ADMINISTRATOR:	KIM, ESTHER		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	3320 NORTH HARBOR BLVD.		TELEPHONE:	(714) 526-6300
CITY:	FULLERTON	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	92835
CAPACITY:	201	CENSUS: 127	DATE:	05/05/2026
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	11:15 AM
MET WITH:	Assistant Director Paul Kim		TIME COMPLETED:	12:15 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff handled child care child in a rough manner
Staff spoke inappropriately towards child care children.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 5/5/2026, at 11:15am Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Anna Chan, conducted a follow up investigation to deliver findings regarding the above complaint allegations which was initiated on 03/20/26. LPA met with Asst Director Paul Kim. Overall census observed was 127 children and 17 staff.

A review of the Facility Personnel Report Summary shows all facility staff or individuals who require caregiver background checks have received a criminal record clearance and a child abuse index clearance or an exemption clearance.

The Department received a Complaint on 3/13/2026 alleging:
(1) Staff handled child care child in a rough manner
(2) Staff spoke inappropriately towards child care children.

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Substantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Martha Malane
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Anna Francesca Chan
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 05/05/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/05/2026

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-20260313084603

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: STEPPING STONES	FACILITY NUMBER: 304370822
	VISIT DATE: 05/05/2026

NARRATIVE

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During the investigation, LPA interviewed 7 staff members and the director, 7 children, and 4 parents. LPA reviewed documents obtained; Employee Handbook, Teacher’s Handbook, Code of Conduct and Teacher incident report.

Regarding allegation (1) Staff handled child care child in a rough manner and (2) Staff speak inappropriately towards day care children

Reporting Party (RP) stated Staff 1 (S1) grabbed a child roughly and raised their voice and spoke aggressively and loudly at children.

LPA interviewed staff. 3 of 7 staff stated they witnessed S1 violating children’s personal rights. Staff 5 (S5) stated they witnessed S1 pulling a child through their t-shirt and moved the child a little rough. S5 stated it made them feel uncomfortable seeing what happened. Staff 2 (S2) stated S1’s voice is loud. Staff (S3) stated they witnessed S1 being on a child’s face like scolding and it scared the child and went child back to their seat. Staff 4 (S4) stated they witnessed S1 screaming and yelling at children during lunch outside and children got sad.

LPA attempted in interview S1, however, there were no response.

Based on record review, Staff 1 violated the Teacher’s Handbook by not following “Guidelines to teachers” by yelling or raising voices and did not respect children by invading their personal space. A copy of the written warning issued by the facility to Staff 1 on March 12, 2026, was reviewed.

LPA interviewed 4 parents, none of the parents interviewed disclosed any information that could support the allegations.

LPA interviewed 7 children. None of the children interviewed disclosed any information that could support the allegations.

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SUPERVISORS NAME: Martha Malane
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Anna Francesca Chan
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 05/05/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/05/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 06-CC-20260313084603

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: STEPPING STONES	FACILITY NUMBER: 304370822
	VISIT DATE: 05/05/2026

NARRATIVE

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Based on interviews and records reviewed, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegations on Staff handled child care child in a rough manner and Staff spoke inappropriately towards child care children were found to be SUBSTANTIATED. See LIC9099D for 1 Type B violation.

An exit interview was conducted and report and deficiency were reviewed and discussed with Director, Paul Kim. The Notice of Site Visit was posted during the visit and be posted for 30 consecutive days. Appeal Rights provided.

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SUPERVISORS NAME: Martha Malane
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Anna Francesca Chan
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 05/05/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/05/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 06-CC-20260313084603

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: STEPPING STONES	FACILITY NUMBER: 304370822
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:	VISIT DATE: 05/05/2026

Deficiency Type POC Due Date / Section Number	DEFICIENCIES		PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B 06/05/2026 Section Cited CCR 101223(a)(3)	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	101223(a)(3)Personal Rights (a) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights: (3) To be free from... infliction of pain, humiliation, intimidation... This requirement was not met as evidenced by:	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	Assistant Director stated they will send an action plan to LPA and staff training on personal rights by dues date of 6/5/26.
	8 9 10 11 12 13 14	Staff interviewed witnessed staff 1 violated children’s personal rights. Staff witnessing S1 yelling at a child when mad and speaking inappropriately to children and handled children in a rough manner. This poses a potential risk to health, safety or personal rights 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: Martha Malane
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Anna Francesca Chan
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 05/05/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 05/05/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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