364845471-9-11-2026-09-CC-ANOE-DXXLUB-20260915090337

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 364845471
Report Date: 09/11/2026
Date Signed: 09/11/2026 05:03:47 PM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVERSIDE CC RO, 3737 MAIN ST., SUITE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
06/15/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Tiffanie Diep

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 09-CC-20260615105849

FACILITY NAME:	MONTESSORI ACADEMY OF UPLAND		FACILITY NUMBER:	364845471
ADMINISTRATOR:	ADAM THEWES		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	934 N MOUNTAIN AVENUE, SUITE E		TELEPHONE:	(909) 931-0511
CITY:	UPLAND	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	91786
CAPACITY:	129	CENSUS: 92	DATE:	09/11/2026
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	09:15 AM
MET WITH:	Adam Thewes		TIME COMPLETED:	05:15 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Admission Agreement - Daycare child was terminated from care by the licensee as a form of retaliation

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

On 09/11/2026 at 9:15 AM, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Tiffanie Diep met with Director Adam Thewes for the purpose of an unannounced complaint visit to deliver the finding regarding the above allegation. LPA observed 13 staff supervising 92 children.

It was alleged that a day care child was terminated from care by the licensee as a form of retaliation. Throughout the course of the investigation, LPA obtained relevant documents and conducted interviews with pertinent individuals.

Continues on LIC 9099-C

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Ana Noble
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Tiffanie Diep
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 09/11/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/11/2026

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 2

Control Number 09-CC-20260615105849

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVERSIDE CC RO, 3737 MAIN ST., SUITE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501

FACILITY NAME: MONTESSORI ACADEMY OF UPLAND	FACILITY NUMBER: 364845471
	VISIT DATE: 09/11/2026

NARRATIVE

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32

Continued from LIC 9099 (Page 2)

Interviews conducted disclosed a child’s authorized representative(s) expressed concerns regarding the care and supervision provided for the child within the last year. It was disclosed the child demonstrated challenging behavior towards other children and staff, such as hitting and pushing others and throwing things. Information obtained indicated the behavior was ongoing for at least two years, and staff implemented positive discipline and provided alternative activities to the child when challenging behaviors arose. Interviews conducted disclosed the child was moved between classrooms over the course of their enrollment to further support the child. Records reviewed indicated staff documented and notified the child’s authorized representative regarding the child’s behavior via telephone, through an incident report, or at pick-up. Information obtained indicated the facility responded to similar challenging behaviors involving other children in a similar manner. It was also revealed other children had been terminated from care due to behavior. Records reviewed indicated the child remained enrolled at the facility for several months after the child’s authorized representative(s) exercised their rights. Information obtained indicated the facility determined it could no longer meet the child’s needs following an incident that occurred prior to the child’s termination. An interview with Director disclosed the decision to terminate care was based on multiple factors, including the child’s behavioral history and concerns regarding the relationship and level of trust between the child’s family and facility staff. Records reviewed revealed the written notice provided to the child’s authorized representative referenced concerns expressed by the family but did not identify a specific reason for the termination. It is determined there was not sufficient information evident to support the allegation that a day care child was terminated from care by the licensee as a form of retaliation.

Based on information obtained during interviews and records reviewed, it is determined that the allegation could not be substantiated or dismissed. 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.

An exit interview was conducted and report was reviewed with the director, Adam Thewes. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted on, or immediately adjacent to, the interior side of the main door for 30 days. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Ana Noble
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Tiffanie Diep
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 09/11/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/11/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 2 of 2