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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 304371585
Report Date: 06/19/2024
Date Signed: 06/19/2024 04:01:24 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
05/16/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Nguyen K Tran
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 06-CC-20240516153437
FACILITY NAME:KIDDIE ACADEMY OF BUENA PARKFACILITY NUMBER:
304371585
ADMINISTRATOR:BARBA, KARLAFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:7501 COMMONWEALTH AVENUETELEPHONE:
(714) 752-6294
CITY:BUENA PARKSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
90621
CAPACITY:114CENSUS: 23DATE:
06/19/2024
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
08:30 AM
MET WITH:Karla Barba, DirectorTIME COMPLETED:
12:00 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Facility operating out of ratio.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 06/19/2024, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Tran conducted a subsequent inspection to deliver findings for the above complaint allegation. LPA Tran met with Director Karla Barba. A tour of the facility was conducted, and census was taken. Observed at the time of the visit was a total of 11 preschool children and 1 staff the Fours classroom, and 12 preschool children with 3 staff members in the Older Twos classroom.

A review of the Facility Personnel Report Summary on 06/19/2024 indicates all facility staff or other individuals who require caregiver background checks have received criminal record and child abuse index clearances or exemptions.

On 05/16/2024, the Regional Office received a complaint with allegation facility operating out of ratio.

(Continue next page)
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Martha Malane
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Nguyen K Tran
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/19/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/19/2024
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 7
Control Number 06-CC-20240516153437
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: KIDDIE ACADEMY OF BUENA PARK
FACILITY NUMBER: 304371585
VISIT DATE: 06/19/2024
NARRATIVE
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(Page 2 of Report)

During the investigation, LPA interviewed 14 staff members and reviewed staff's records.

During interviews, 10 out of 14 interviewed staff confirmed that they have witnessed S1 helped in the classroom 1-2 times a week since last year to present, when S1 assisted the teachers in the classroom and/or to cover teachers' breaks, ranging from a few minutes to 1 hour. All interviewed staff denied witnessing S1 ever worked alone with the children. S1 denied working alone with the children and stated S1 would fill in to help in a classroom with a fully qualified teacher.

During record review, S1's file showed that S1 has no ECE units but met personnel requirements to work at the facility.

According to Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 1, Section 101216.3 Teacher-Child Ratio (h) Persons employed for clerical, housekeeping and maintenance functions shall not be included as teachers in the teacher-child ratio. (1) The licensee may use such persons as emergency substitutes for teachers while a qualified teacher substitute is being secured. Due to facility has been utilizing S1 to meet ratio in the classroom on a regular basis of 1-2 times a week to assist or giving breaks for other staff, facility is not in compliant with this requirement.

Based on the information gathered from LPA's interviews conducted with 14 staff and record review of staff's file, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the allegation facility operating out of ratio, is found to be substantiated. California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 12 & Chapter 1, 101216.3(h)(1) Teacher-Child Ratio is cited on the attached LIC9099D.

Appeal Rights and deficiency were discussed. The facility representative was provided 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. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Director Karla Barba.

(End of Report)
SUPERVISORS NAME: Martha Malane
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Nguyen K Tran
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/19/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/19/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 7
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
05/16/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Nguyen K Tran
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 06-CC-20240516153437

FACILITY NAME:KIDDIE ACADEMY OF BUENA PARKFACILITY NUMBER:
304371585
ADMINISTRATOR:BARBA, KARLAFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:7501 COMMONWEALTH AVENUETELEPHONE:
(714) 752-6294
CITY:BUENA PARKSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
90621
CAPACITY:114CENSUS: 23DATE:
06/19/2024
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
08:30 AM
MET WITH:Karla Barba, DirectorTIME COMPLETED:
12:00 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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9
Staff did not provide adequate supervision, resulting in daycare children wandering away from the facility.
Staff did not report incidents involving day care children as required.
Staff directed other staff to make false statements to Licensing.
Unqualified staff providing care to children.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 06/19/2024, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Tran conducted a subsequent inspection to deliver findings for the above complaint allegations. LPA Tran met with Director Karla Barba. A tour of the facility was conducted, and census was taken. Observed at the time of the visit was a total of 11 preschool children and 1 staff the Fours classroom, and 12 preschool children with 3 staff members in the Older Twos classroom.
A review of the Facility Personnel Report Summary on 06/19/2024 indicates all facility staff or other individuals who require caregiver background checks have received criminal record and child abuse index clearances or exemptions.
On 05/16/2024, the Regional Office received a complaint with allegations (1) Staff did not provide adequate supervision, resulting in daycare children wandering away from the facility, (2) Staff did not report incidents involving day care children as required, (3) Staff directed other staff to make false statements to Licensing, (4) Unqualified staff providing care to children.
(Continued next page)
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Martha Malane
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Nguyen K Tran
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/19/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/19/2024
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 7
Control Number 06-CC-20240516153437
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: KIDDIE ACADEMY OF BUENA PARK
FACILITY NUMBER: 304371585
VISIT DATE: 06/19/2024
NARRATIVE
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(Page 2 of Report)
During the investigation, LPA interviewed 16 staff members and 5 parents, and reviewed staff records.

During interviews, 15 of 16 interviewed staff denied witnessing any child wandering away from the facility. Staff #15 (S15) stated there was one incident last year when S15 saw (from the facility's camera system) three children opened the Younger Twos classroom door, which leads into the side area of the facility (where it was also fenced) and S15 immediately came to the side area of the facility, redirected the children and took them back into the classroom. According to S15 the children who went to the fenced side area of the facility did not leave the facility premises. 14 out of 16 interviewed staff denied they were told to make false statements to Licensing staff. 10 out of 16 interviewed staff confirmed that S1 helped in the classroom 1-2 times a week to assist the teachers in the classroom and to cover teachers' breaks, ranging from a few minutes to 1 hour. All interviewed staff denied witnessing S1 ever worked alone with the children. S1 denied working alone with the children and stated S1 would fill in to help in a classroom with a fully qualified teacher. All interviewed parents stated the facility is communicative with parents in regards to incidents.

During record review, S1's file showed that S1 has no ECE units but met personnel requirements to work at the facility.

Based on the information gathered from LPA's interviews conducted with 16 staffs and 5 parents, and record reviews of staff file, there is insufficient evidence to corroborate the allegations (1) Staff did not provide adequate supervision, resulting in daycare children wandering away from the facility, (2) Staff did not report incidents involving day care children as required, (3) Staff directed other staff to make false statements to Licensing, (4) Unqualified staff providing care to children. Although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove that (1) Staff did not provide adequate supervision, resulting in daycare children wandering away from the facility, (2) Staff did not report incidents involving day care children as required, (3) Staff directed other staff to make false statements to Licensing, (4) Unqualified staff providing care to children, did or did not occur, therefore the above allegations are unsubstantiated.

(Continue next page)
SUPERVISORS NAME: Martha Malane
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Nguyen K Tran
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/19/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/19/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 7
Control Number 06-CC-20240516153437
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: KIDDIE ACADEMY OF BUENA PARK
FACILITY NUMBER: 304371585
VISIT DATE: 06/19/2024
NARRATIVE
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(Page 3 of Report)

Appeal Rights were discussed. The facility representative was provided 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. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Director Karla Barba.

(End of Report)
SUPERVISORS NAME: Martha Malane
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Nguyen K Tran
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/19/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/19/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 6 of 7
Control Number 06-CC-20240516153437
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: KIDDIE ACADEMY OF BUENA PARK
FACILITY NUMBER: 304371585
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 06/19/2024
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
06/26/2024
Section Cited
CCR
101216.3(h)(1)
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101216.3 Teacher-Child Ratio (h) Persons employed for clerical, housekeeping and maintenance functions shall not be included as teachers in the teacher-child ratio. (1) The licensee may use such persons as emergency substitutes... This requirement is not met eveidenced by:
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Director states she will submit a plan to ensure S1 will only be used to assist in the classroom in an emergency situation and is not on a regular basis, to LPA on due date.
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Based on interviews and record review, facility has been utilizing S1 to meet ratio in the classroom on a regular basis of 1-2 times a week, which posed a potential risks to the health, safety and personal rights to the children in care.
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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: Martha Malane
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Nguyen K Tran
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/19/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/19/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 7 of 7