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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 367700283
Report Date: 11/29/2022
Date Signed: 11/29/2022 04:06:28 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
PALMDALE CHILD CARE, 39115 TRADE CENTER DR STE. 201
PALMDALE, CA 93551
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
09/15/2022 and conducted by Evaluator Kendal Zirbes
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 12-CC-20220915131839
FACILITY NAME:MCDOWELL FAMILY CHILD CAREFACILITY NUMBER:
367700283
ADMINISTRATOR:PATIENCE MCDOWELLFACILITY TYPE:
810
ADDRESS:TELEPHONE:
(760) 596-7315
CITY:YUCCA VALLEYSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92284
CAPACITY:14CENSUS: 3DATE:
11/29/2022
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
03:20 PM
MET WITH:Licensee Patience McDowell TIME COMPLETED:
04:15 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Licensee operating beyond the terms of the license
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On November 29, 2022, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Zirbes conducted a follow-up complaint inspection to McDowell Family Child Care. LPA met with licensee Patience McDowell. The purpose of the inspection was to deliver the findings for the above complaint allegation.
The Department received an allegation alleging the licensed family child care home (FCCH) was caring for more infants than the FCCH license allowed. Over the course of the investigation, LPA conducted confidential interviews with staff and parents. In addition, LPA reviewed child, staff and facility records. Confidential interviews confirmed the FCCH cared for more than four infants at one time. LPA reviewed the FCCH attendance records for the following dates: 9/7/22, 9/8/22, 9/9/22, 9/12/22, 9/13/22, 9/14/22, 9/15/22, 9/16/22, 9/19/22, 9/20/22, 9/21/22. Per LPAs record review on 9/14/22 and 9/9/22 there were six infants in care at one time. On 9/20/22 there were four infants in care and on 9/21/22 there were three infants in care. All other dates reviewed had a total of five infants in care at one time. Based on the information obtained during interviews and documentation reviewed the Department determined that the facility was operating beyond the terms of the license. Report continued on page two
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Lady King
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Kendal Zirbes
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/29/2022
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/29/2022
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 5
Control Number 12-CC-20220915131839
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
PALMDALE CHILD CARE, 39115 TRADE CENTER DR STE. 201
PALMDALE, CA 93551
FACILITY NAME: MCDOWELL FAMILY CHILD CARE
FACILITY NUMBER: 367700283
VISIT DATE: 11/29/2022
NARRATIVE
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The allegation is valid because the preponderance of the evidence has been met, therefore, the above allegation is found to be Substantiated. California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 1, regulation 102416.5 (d)(1) Staffing Ratio and Capacity, is being cited on the attached LIC 9099D. In addition, each report (documenting a Type A citation- that pose an immediate Health and Safety risk to children in care) shall remain posted for 30 days along with the Notice of Site Visit, Parents of any currently enrolled children and any newly enrolled children for the following 12 months shall sign form LIC 9224 (Acknowledgment of Receipt of Licensing Reports), a copy shall be kept in each child’s file. Failure to meet the posting requirements shall result in an immediate $100.00 civil penalty for each child’s parent who did not sign the LIC 9224 (Acknowledgment of Receipt of Licensing Reports).

A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. An exit interview was conducted, and the report was reviewed with facility representative Patience McDowell. .
SUPERVISORS NAME: Lady King
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Kendal Zirbes
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/29/2022
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/29/2022
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 5
Control Number 12-CC-20220915131839
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
PALMDALE CHILD CARE, 39115 TRADE CENTER DR STE. 201
PALMDALE, CA 93551

FACILITY NAME: MCDOWELL FAMILY CHILD CARE
FACILITY NUMBER: 367700283
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 11/29/2022
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
11/29/2022
Section Cited
CCR
102416.5(d)(1)
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102416.5 (d)(1) Staffing Ratio and Capacity: For a Large Family Child Care Home, the maximum number of children for whom care may be provided at any one time when there is an assistant provider in the home...no more than four of whom may be infants…This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
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Per Licensee the FCCH will follow the required ratios. Families have been disenrolled to meet the ratios. No further action required.
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Based on record review and interviews the FCCH was caring for more than four infants on 9/7/22, 9/8/22, 9/9/22, 9/12/22, 9/13/22, 9/14/22, 9/15/22, 9/16/22, 9/19/22. This posed an immediate risk to the health and safety of children in care.
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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: Lady King
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Kendal Zirbes
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/29/2022
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/29/2022
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 5
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
PALMDALE CHILD CARE, 39115 TRADE CENTER DR STE. 201
PALMDALE, CA 93551
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
09/15/2022 and conducted by Evaluator Kendal Zirbes
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 12-CC-20220915131839

FACILITY NAME:MCDOWELL FAMILY CHILD CAREFACILITY NUMBER:
367700283
ADMINISTRATOR:PATIENCE MCDOWELLFACILITY TYPE:
810
ADDRESS:8034 JOSHUA LNTELEPHONE:
(760) 596-7315
CITY:YUCCA VALLEYSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92284
CAPACITY:14CENSUS: 3DATE:
11/29/2022
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
03:20 PM
MET WITH:Licensee Patience McDowell TIME COMPLETED:
04:15 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Licensee is absent from the facility.
Minors are providing care and supervision to day-care children.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On November 29, 2022, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Zirbes conducted a follow-up complaint inspection to McDowell Family Child Care. LPA met with Licensee Patience McDowell. The purpose of the inspection was to deliver the findings for the above complaint allegations.
The Department received an allegation alleging the Licensee is absent from the family child care home (FCCH). Over the course of the investigation, LPA conducted confidential interviews with staff and parents. In addition, LPA reviewed child, staff and facility records. Confidential interviews confirmed the Licensee leaves the FCCH for personal reasons during operating hours. However, interviews were inconsistent regarding if the Licensees absence exceeded 20 percent of the FCCH operating hours. License confirmed they leave the FCCH during operating hours. Licensee denied absence exceeded 20 percent of the FCCH operating hours. Per FCCH application, the facility operating hours are Monday through Friday 6:45 AM to 5:15 PM. LPA reviewed the September 2022 staff calendar. Per LPAs review, on September 6, 2022, and September 15, 2022, the schedule reflected the Licensee would be absent for an appointment.
Report continued on page two
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Lady King
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Kendal Zirbes
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/29/2022
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/29/2022
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 5
Control Number 12-CC-20220915131839
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
PALMDALE CHILD CARE, 39115 TRADE CENTER DR STE. 201
PALMDALE, CA 93551
FACILITY NAME: MCDOWELL FAMILY CHILD CARE
FACILITY NUMBER: 367700283
VISIT DATE: 11/29/2022
NARRATIVE
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Report continued from page one

The staff schedule does not list the Licensees scheduled times at the FCCH, only the assistants. The staff schedule does not list the actual time the staff members signed in and out.
The Department received a second allegation alleging unknown minors are providing care and supervision to day care children. Over the course of the investigation, LPA conducted confidential interviews with staff and parents. In addition, LPA reviewed child, staff and facility records. Confidential interviews confirmed the facility employs assistants under the age of 18. Staff interviews denied assistants under the age of 18 are left alone at the facility providing care and supervision. LPA reviewed the staff calendar for September 2022. The staff schedule confirmed assistants under the age of 18 are employed. Per record review, LPA could not conclude if the assistants were left alone to provide care and supervision. During LPAs inspection on September 21, 2022, LPA observed the License and an assistant under the age of 18 providing care to six children.
Based on the information obtained during interviews, observation and documentation reviewed the Department determined that based on inconsistences the Licensee may or may not have been absent from the facility and minors may or may not have provided care and supervision to day care children. Therefore, the allegations are unsubstantiated at this time. Although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of the evidence to prove that the alleged violations occurred.

A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. An exit interview was conducted, and the report was reviewed with Licensee Patience McDowell.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Lady King
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Kendal Zirbes
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/29/2022
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/29/2022
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 5