304371295-10-29-2024-06-CC-MMAE-DB5V5H-20241118150755

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 304371295
Report Date: 10/29/2024
Date Signed: 10/29/2024 10:41:37 AM

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
09/26/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Nguyen K Tran

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 06-CC-20240926103835

FACILITY NAME:	LA PALMA PEPPER TREE PRESCHOOL		FACILITY NUMBER:	304371295
ADMINISTRATOR:	LLAURY, IRMA		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	5112 LA PALMA AVENUE		TELEPHONE:	(714) 827-2850
CITY:	LA PALMA	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	90623
CAPACITY:	41	CENSUS: 19	DATE:	10/29/2024
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	08:30 AM
MET WITH:	Irma Llaury, Director		TIME COMPLETED:	11:00 AM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff use inappropriate discipline practices with day care children.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Nguyen Nick Tran conducted an unannounced complaint inspection to deliver the finding for the above allegation. This is a continuation of the investigation initiated on 10/01/2024. At 8:45am, LPA Tran met with Director Irma Llaury, who guided LPA on tour of the facility. Census was taken and observed were 10 preschool children supervised by one teacher in one classroom and 9 preschool children supervised by one teacher in another classroom .

A review of the Facility Personnel Report Summary on 10/29/2024 indicates all facility staff or other individuals who require caregiver background checks have received criminal record and child abuse index clearances or exemptions.

On 09/26/2024, the Regional Office received a complaint with allegation alleging Staff use inappropriate discipline practices with day care children.
(Continue next page)

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Martha Malane	TELEPHONE: (310) 740-3022
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Nguyen K Tran	TELEPHONE: (714) 658-6048
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 10/29/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/29/2024

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-20240926103835

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: LA PALMA PEPPER TREE PRESCHOOL	FACILITY NUMBER: 304371295
	VISIT DATE: 10/29/2024

NARRATIVE

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(Page 2 of Report)
During a confidential interview, Reporting Party reported (RP) that RP saw children were given time-out and were placed on a highchair during the time-out.

During investigation, LPA interviewed 4 staff members, 5 children and 7 parents and reviewed facility disciplinary procedures.

During interviews, all interviewed staff shared that the children in care are given rewards to encourage good behaviors or given a few minutes time-out depending on their age if all verbal redirection have failed. Interviewed staff stated children will be asked to sit on one of the classroom's chair while being on time-out. Interviewed staff denied the use of high chair for time-out period. Five out of five interviewed children stated the children in care will be given time-out if they do not follow teacher's direction and showed LPA the classroom chairs that they have witnessed other children were sitting in during time-out. Interviewed children denied that they have seen other children sitting in the high chair during time-out. Interviewed parents did not share concern related to the allegation.

During record review, LPA reviewed facility's "Rules of Discipline", in which, teachers are to speak softly but firmly to children, and when all efforts have failed, children will be giving a space in a "relaxing time chair" away from the group for a few minutes according to their age, for example, 2 minutes for 2 years of age. Staff should explain to the children the reason for the necessary Thinking Time, and parents can be contacted as needed.

Based on the information gathered from LPA's interviews and record review, there is insufficient evidence to corroborate the allegation that Staff use inappropriate discipline practices with day care children. Although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove staff use inappropriate discipline practices with day care children did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is unsubstantiated.

Appeal Rights were explained. The Director was provided a copy of 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. First level appeals should be sent to the regional manager to the address listed above. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Director Irma Llaury. (End of Report)

SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Martha Malane	TELEPHONE: (310) 740-3022
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Nguyen K Tran	TELEPHONE: (714) 658-6048
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 10/29/2024

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/29/2024

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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