313624805-6-16-2026-03-CC-MLOR-DVJPWY-20260630114130

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 313624805
Report Date: 06/16/2026
Date Signed: 06/16/2026 06:36:51 PM

Substantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO CC RO, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
06/11/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Matthew Gallo

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 03-CC-20260611131652

FACILITY NAME:	STERLING & BAMBINI MONTESSORI		FACILITY NUMBER:	313624805
ADMINISTRATOR:	JUAN PAOLO SARMIENTO		FACILITY TYPE:	860
ADDRESS:	801 STERLING PARKWAY, STE 120		TELEPHONE:	(650) 430-2037
CITY:	LINCOLN	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	95648
CAPACITY:	24	CENSUS: 11	DATE:	06/16/2026
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	09:20 AM
MET WITH:	Paolo Sarmiento		TIME COMPLETED:	06:35 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Licensee is not addressing pests at facility
Due to licensee neglect, children are being bitten

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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At 9:20am on 6/16/2026, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Matthew Gallo arrived at the facility to open a complaint investigation into the above allegations. Upon arrival, LPA observed a census of 6 toddlers supervised by 1 staff and 5 infants supervised by 2 staff. Director Paolo Sarmiento arrived at approximately 9:40am and was present for the rest of the visit.

Throughout the course of the investigation, LPA conducted observation, interviews, and record review concerning the following allegations:

(1) Licensee is not addressing pests at facility

It was alleged that the licensee is not addressing pests at the facility in the case of wasps and spiders being present in the toddler outdoor play yard. During today's visit, LPA observed a hole in the wall of a plastic play house, and the silhouette of wasps nests inside the wall. Report continues on LIC9099-C

Substantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Mai Lor
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Matthew Gallo
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 06/16/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/16/2026

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 4

Control Number 03-CC-20260611131652

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO CC RO, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827

FACILITY NAME: STERLING & BAMBINI MONTESSORI	FACILITY NUMBER: 313624805
	VISIT DATE: 06/16/2026

NARRATIVE

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However, no current wasp activity was observed near the hole or inside the playhouse walls. Director Sarmiento stated that he had sprayed the walls with insecticide over the 6/6/26 and 6/13/26 weekends and placed the playhouse towards the back of the play yard and instructed staff not to allow children inside. Based on interview and record review, LPA determined that three different toddlers had suffered suspected wasp stings on 5/15/2026, 6/5/2026, and 6/10/2026. Review of staff communications provided evidence that a video of wasps flying around the hole in the playhouse was sent to director Paolo Sarmiento on 6/2/2026, indicating that staff were aware of the issue from at least that date. Director states that they did not see the video and did not have memory of the issue being raised on the 2nd. LPA also observed a video taken on 6/5/2026 that showed wasps flying around the same hole. This video was taken by another staff member after a child was suspected to have been stung by a wasp. Based on director interview, the house was not sprayed until the weekend of 6/6/2026, after the second child was suspected to have been stung. In addition to the wasps, LPA observed during his 6/16/2026 visit that a shiny jet-black spider with a large round body has made a tangle web inside the playhouse, and that two smooth, cream-colored sphere eggs were present. LPA additionally observed the same species of spider on the underside of the plastic jungle gym structure. Markings on the undersides of the spiders' abdomens were not visible. The preponderance of evidence standard has been met; therefore, the allegation is SUBSTANTIATED.

(2) Due to licensee neglect, children are being bitten

It was alleged that, due to license neglect, children were being bitten by insects. As stated above, LPA gathered evidence that facility staff was aware of the wasp infestation of the outdoor playhouse by at least 6/2/2026, when a video of wasps collecting around the hole in the playhouse was sent from a staff member to the director. Record review and interview revealed that a toddler suffered a suspected wasp sting on 6/5/2026, with another suspected wasp sting occurring to another child on 6/10/2026. In interview, the director stated that they did not see the 6/2/2026 wasp video or have memories of conversations about wasps from that day, and that the suspected wasp stings on 5/15/2025 and 6/10/2026 could be unrelated to the playhouse. The director additionally stated that they were not informed about the suspected stings on 5/15/2026 and 6/10/2026. Director stated he started addressing the wasp issue by insecticide on the weekend of 6/6/2026 after being notified of the 6/5/2026 suspected sting. Therefore, a number of days passed between staff becoming aware that there were nests inside the playhouse and action being taken to neutralize the wasps. During this time, a child suffered a suspected sting. The preponderance of evidence standard has been met; therefore, the allegation is SUBSTANTIATED. Report continues on LIC9099-C

SUPERVISORS NAME: Mai Lor
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Matthew Gallo
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 06/16/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/16/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 03-CC-20260611131652

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO CC RO, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827

FACILITY NAME: STERLING & BAMBINI MONTESSORI	FACILITY NUMBER: 313624805
	VISIT DATE: 06/16/2026

NARRATIVE

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Title 22 deficiencies are cited on the following LIC9099-D

LPA Matthew Gallo informed facility representative Paolo Sarmiento that this report dated 6/16/2026 document(s) 2 Type A citation(s) which shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there is/are immediate risk(s) to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care.

Also, LPA Gallo informed the licensee to provide a copy of this licensing report dated 6/16/2026 that documents any Type A citation(s) to parents/guardians of all children currently enrolled by the next business day or the next day the children are in care, and to any newly enrolled parents/guardians for 12 months from the date of this report. A signed Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Report (LIC 9224), or other written statement, must be placed in the child's file for verification.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the facility representative, Paolo Sarmiento. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. LPA provided appeal rights.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Mai Lor
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Matthew Gallo
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 06/16/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/16/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 3 of 4

Control Number 03-CC-20260611131652

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SACRAMENTO CC RO, 9835 GOETHE ROAD, SUITE 100
SACRAMENTO, CA 95827

FACILITY NAME: STERLING & BAMBINI MONTESSORI	FACILITY NUMBER: 313624805
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:	VISIT DATE: 06/16/2026

Deficiency Type POC Due Date / Section Number	DEFICIENCIES		PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A 06/17/2026 Section Cited CCR 101238(a)	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	101238(a) The child care center shall be clean, safe, sanitary and in good repair at all times to ensure the safety and well-being of children, employees and visitors. This requirement was not met as evidenced by:	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	Director stated that they will throw away the plastic playhouse due to the open hole and spider, and will pressure wash \ the jungle gym to remove the spider and its webbing. Director can send pictures of completed removal and cleaning of jungle gym to LPA Gallo by the POC due date.
	8 9 10 11 12 13 14	Based on observation, interview, and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above due to a delay to remove wasps from an outdoor playhouse after first being observed by staff, and spiders fitting the characteristics of the Black Widow species living in said playhouse and underside of the plastic jungle gym. This poses/posed an immediate health, safety, or personal rights risk to persons in care.	8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Type A 06/17/2026 Section Cited CCR 101223(a)(2)	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	101223(a) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights: (2) To be accorded safe, healthful and comfortable accommodations, furnishings and equipment to meet his/her needs. This requirement was not met as evidenced by:	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	Director stated they will review procedure that all staff, teachers, aides, and directors will follow once a potential hazard is observed on site. Director will send copy of procedure to LPA Gallo by the POC due date.
	8 9 10 11 12 13 14	Based on observation, interview, and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above due to a delay to remove wasps from an outdoor playhouse after first being observed by staff, leading to a child sustaining a suspected sting. This posed an immediate health, safety, or personal rights risk to persons in care.	8 9 10 11 12 13 14

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: Mai Lor
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Matthew Gallo
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 06/16/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/16/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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