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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 343617610
Report Date: 01/03/2024
Date Signed: 01/03/2024 02:22:33 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
10/31/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Christopher Bello
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 03-CC-20231031092409
FACILITY NAME:MERRYHILL SCHOOL - POCKETFACILITY NUMBER:
343617610
ADMINISTRATOR:SUSAN FREITAGFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:7335 PARK CITY DRIVETELEPHONE:
(916) 424-2299
CITY:SACRAMENTOSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
95831
CAPACITY:170CENSUS: 84DATE:
01/03/2024
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
11:40 AM
MET WITH:Terrie CookTIME COMPLETED:
02:30 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff fed daycare child food which they are allergic to.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Christopher Bello arrived at the facility at approximately 11:40am and met with Principal Terrie Cook to continue and close a complaint investigation, regarding the above allegation. Upon arrival, LPA observed 84 Children with eight teachers three aide. LPA made observations, gathered documents pertaining to the investigation and conducted interviews. It was alleged that staff fed a daycare child food that they were allergic to. The facility self-reported the incident to the Sacramento Regional office. Terrie stated that they have implemented a plan so the incident like this does not happen again in the future. Based on LPAs' investigation the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore, the above allegations are found to be substantiated.

In the areas that were evaluated, deficiency was observed at the time of the visit and cited on LIC 9099D. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the Principal [or facility representative] Terrie Cook.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Amanda Blesi
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Christopher Bello
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/03/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/03/2024
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 3
Control Number 03-CC-20231031092409
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: MERRYHILL SCHOOL - POCKET
FACILITY NUMBER: 343617610
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 01/03/2024
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
01/04/2024
Section Cited
CCR
101227(7)(B)
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A child shall not be served any food to which the child's record indicates he/she has an allergy. This has not been met by evidence: Facility self reported that they fed a child a food listed on their allergy list. This is considered as a potential risk to the children in care.
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Principal stated that they have implemented a new plan to preven similar incidents from occuring again. LPA cleared the deficiency.
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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: Amanda Blesi
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Christopher Bello
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/03/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/03/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
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
10/31/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Christopher Bello
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 03-CC-20231031092409

FACILITY NAME:MERRYHILL SCHOOL - POCKETFACILITY NUMBER:
343617610
ADMINISTRATOR:SUSAN FREITAGFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:7335 PARK CITY DRIVETELEPHONE:
(916) 424-2299
CITY:SACRAMENTOSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
95831
CAPACITY:170CENSUS: 84DATE:
01/03/2024
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
11:40 AM
MET WITH:Terrie CookTIME COMPLETED:
02:30 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff do not prevent inappropriate interactions between daycare children
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Christopher Bello arrived at the facility at approximately 11:40am and met with Principal Terrie Cook to continue and close a complaint investigation, regarding the above allegation. Upon arrival, LPA observed 84 Children with eight teachers three aide. LPA made observations, gathered documents pertaining to the investigation and conducted interviews. It was alleged that staff do not prevent daycare child#1 from getting hurt by child#2 and child#3. One out of the five parent interviews corroborated the allegation. Staff interviews revealed that children do tend to bite other children in the two-year old classrooms. Terrie stated that she trusts her staff and the way they handle the situation appropriately with the behavior of two-year-olds. They will continue to give their staff the tools they need to take care of the children. Based on LPAs' investigation, the preponderance of evidence standard has not been met therefore, the above allegations are found to be unsubstantiated.
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Amanda Blesi
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Christopher Bello
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/03/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/03/2024
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 3