304371702-4-17-2025-06-CC-TNGN-DG2KY6-20250424081835

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 304371702
Report Date: 04/17/2025
Date Signed: 04/17/2025 09:45:16 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
03/26/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Cindy Nguyen

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 06-CC-20250326090114

FACILITY NAME:	SUNNY DAY MONTESSORI ACADEMY		FACILITY NUMBER:	304371702
ADMINISTRATOR:	TEJEDA-RUIZ, MARIA		FACILITY TYPE:	860
ADDRESS:	6221 LINCOLN AVENUE		TELEPHONE:	(714) 821-7800
CITY:	BUENA PARK	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	90620
CAPACITY:	105	CENSUS: 23	DATE:	04/17/2025
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	08:30 AM
MET WITH:	Licensee, Maria Tejeda-Ruiz		TIME COMPLETED:	10:00 AM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Facility staff failed to intervene resulting in child being hurt by peer.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Cindy Nguyen conducted an unannounced complaint investigation. This is a continuation of the investigation initiated on 04/02/2025. Upon arrival, LPA met with the Licensee, Maria Tejeda-Ruiz, who accompanied LPA on a tour of the facility. Census was taken as follow: 3 infants, 4 toddlers and 16 preschool children with 8 staff members. A review of staff criminal records indicates all facility staff or individuals who require caregiver background checks have received a criminal record clearance or exemption and a child abuse index clearance.

On 03/26/2025 a complaint was filed with the Department alleging staff failed to intervene resulting in child being hurt by peers. It was reported that on 03/25/2025, Child #1 (C1) was observed being pushed and kicked by Child #2 (C2). C1 then was observed to start hitting C2 back to defend themselves. It was reported that the C1 and C2 were physically fighting for about two minutes while the teacher was standing right next to them, doing nothing.

Continued on 9099C

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Nguyen K Tran
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Cindy Nguyen
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 04/17/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/17/2025

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-20250326090114

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: SUNNY DAY MONTESSORI ACADEMY	FACILITY NUMBER: 304371702
	VISIT DATE: 04/17/2025

NARRATIVE

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Page 9099C

During the course of the investigation, LPA Nguyen conducted two (2) physical plant inspections, interviewed five (5) staff members, two (2) parents, the complainant, attempted to interviewed children, obtained facility children's roster, reviewed one (1) child's file, parent and employee handbooks.

During the staff interview, all the staff interviewed stated that the facility is in compliance with children's personal rights regulations. Staff #1 (S1) stated S1 immediately intervened C1 and C2 to prevent them kicking each other. Staff #5 (S5) stated the video footage showed C1 kicked the other child and C2 attempted to kick C1 back. S1 intervened and stepped in between the children, who were attempting to kick each other between S1’s legs. Prior to this moment, S1 was tending to another child 5 feet away.

On 04/09/2025, LPA contacted 11 parents requesting an interview. Two (2) parents were reached. The interviewed parents did not express any concerns related to the allegation and did not provide any information that could corroborate the allegation. The rest of the parents did not respond to the Department’s request for an interview.

LPA attempted to interview four (4) children, however; the children were not qualified for the interview due to being too young.

Based on LPA’s observations, document reviews and interviews, the preponderance evidence to prove allegation staff failed to intervene resulting in child being hurt by peers was not met. Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged staff failed to intervene resulting in child being hurt by peers did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is found to be UNSUBSTANTIATED.

Exit interview was conducted with Licensee, Maria Tejeda-Ruiz. Notice of Site Visit was posted during the visit. Licensee was informed that the notice of site visit must be posted for 30 consecutive days.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Nguyen K Tran
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Cindy Nguyen
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 04/17/2025

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 04/17/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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