304371613-8-21-2026-06-CC-TNGN-DXDPB7-20260828110952

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 304371613
Report Date: 08/20/2026
Date Signed: 08/21/2026 08:00:27 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
06/12/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Kathy Trinh

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 06-CC-20260612145439

FACILITY NAME:	MONTESSORI ACADEMY ON THE RANCH		FACILITY NUMBER:	304371613
ADMINISTRATOR:	KIM, TAMARA		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	74 ESENCIA DRIVE		TELEPHONE:	(949) 234-6136
CITY:	RANCHO MISSION VIEJO	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	92694
CAPACITY:	180	CENSUS: 70	DATE:	08/20/2026
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	02:00 PM
MET WITH:	Facility Representative, Tia Ko		TIME COMPLETED:	03:30 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Staff did not treat child with dignity and respect

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 08/20/2026, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), K. Trinh conducted an unannounced subsequent complaint inspection for the purpose of delivering findings for the complaint investigation that was initiated on 06/18/2026. Upon arrival, LPA met with Facility Representative, Tia Ko and the overall census was 70 children along with 18 staff.

A review of the Facility Report Summary on this date indicates all facility staff or other individuals who require caregiver background checks have received criminal record and child abuse index clearances or exemptions. During today’s inspection the facility was operating within its licensed capacity and within compliance of staffing ratios.

On 06/12/2026, the Orange County Regional Child Care Licensing Office received a complaint with the following allegation: Staff did not treat child with dignity and respect. (Continue to page 2)

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion: 90

SUPERVISORS NAME: Tina Nguyen
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Kathy Trinh
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 08/20/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/20/2026

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 3

Control Number 06-CC-20260612145439

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: MONTESSORI ACADEMY ON THE RANCH	FACILITY NUMBER: 304371613
	VISIT DATE: 08/20/2026

NARRATIVE

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(Page 2)
Reporting Party (RP) stated that Child 1 (C1) was often excluded from circle time. C1 was instead put in a corner of the room with another teacher and not able to be part of the class.

During investigation, LPA conducted interviews with six (6) staff, four (4) children, three (3) parents, conducted observations and obtained pertinent documents.

During staff interviews, all staff stated that Child 1 (C1) displayed challenging behaviors.

One classroom staff member stated that C1 showed little interest during circle time unless the activity involved shapes or colors, making it difficult for C1 to remain seated. When C1 was not engaged during circle time, another staff member would follow C1 around the classroom, provide an alternative activity, or walk with C1. The staff member further reported that they communicated C1’s behaviors to the authorized representatives verbally and by email. The staff also reported participating in an in-person meeting with the director and C1’s authorized representatives to discuss the staff member’s observations of C1’s behavior.
Another classroom staff member stated that C1 preferred to do their own thing. When C1 did not want to remain seated, C1 would run around the classroom and occasionally grab work and throw them on the floor. Staff responded by holding C1’s hand and walking with C1.

During record review, LPA reviewed three (3) children’s files, and email correspondence. Each file contain a signed copy of the facility’s Disciplinary Policy. The Disciplinary Policy states, "A child with inappropriate behavior will be redirected to a new activity to help the child change behavior... teacher may remove the child from an activity in order to maintain order in the classroom. Counseling children individually about their behavior would occur after child is removed from classroom activity… If the child has difficulty managing his/her behavior on a recurring basis, a parent will be asked to meet with the child's teacher and school director to develop an action plan for the issue."

During observations, LPA observed C1’s former classroom during morning circle time. All children were seated on the carpet listening to a staff member who was singing while playing a ukulele. A second staff member was cleaning at the counter during the observation.
(Continue to page 3)

SUPERVISORS NAME: Tina Nguyen
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Kathy Trinh
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 08/20/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/20/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 2 of 3

Control Number 06-CC-20260612145439

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: MONTESSORI ACADEMY ON THE RANCH	FACILITY NUMBER: 304371613
	VISIT DATE: 08/20/2026

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(Page 3)
LPA conducted parent interviews. The interviewed parents did not divulge any information pertaining to the allegation or express any concerns regarding care of the children. LPA also conducted children’s interviews. The children interviewed did not divulge any information pertaining to the allegation.

Based on LPA’s observations, interviews, and record review, the preponderance evidence of: Staff did not treat child with dignity and respect, has not been met. Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is unsubstantiated.

Exit interview was conducted. Notice of Site Visit was posted during the visit. Facility representative was informed that the notice of site visit must be posted for 30 consecutive days. Failure to post will result in civil penalties of $100.

Appeal Rights were explained. The Director was provided with a copy of the 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.

End of report.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Tina Nguyen
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Kathy Trinh
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 08/20/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/20/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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