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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 376105064
Report Date: 03/06/2026
Date Signed: 03/06/2026 01:00:33 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO N. CC RO, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR STE 110
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
12/29/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Gerald Poindexter
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 51-CC-20251229143918
FACILITY NAME:MORNING CREEK ELEMENTARY: PEARL CENTERFACILITY NUMBER:
376105064
ADMINISTRATOR:HUYEN PHAMFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:10925 MORNING CREEK DRIVE S.TELEPHONE:
(858) 248-7507
CITY:SAN DIEGOSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92128
CAPACITY:68CENSUS: 16DATE:
03/06/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
12:00 PM
MET WITH:Christine KutznerTIME COMPLETED:
01:15 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff left child unsupervised
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 3/6/26 at 12:00 pm, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Gerald Poindexter made an unannounced visit regarding the complaint received on 12/29/25 and for the purpose of delivering findings on the above reference allegation. LPA met with Christine Kutzner, preschool operations supervisor. There were 16 children and 3 staff present today, in one classroom – another classroom had concluded its day. Facility is within ratio and capacity.

During the investigation, LPA interviewed staff members, toured the facility, and reviewed facility documents and personnel files relevant to the allegation. The LPA also interviewed the Reporting Party (RP) who alleged that “staff left child unsupervised,” as it pertained to an incident at the facility on 12/18/25. The incident involved a child (C1) who was outside for recess time and was left behind in the playground area at approximately 4:30 pm, while their classmates were escorted inside by staff S1 to their classroom and bathrooms. Also at that time, parents were arriving for pick up. C1 was alone, but confined to the
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Joelle Redding
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Gerald Poindexter
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/06/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/06/2026
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 3
Control Number 51-CC-20251229143918
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO N. CC RO, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR STE 110
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108
FACILITY NAME: MORNING CREEK ELEMENTARY: PEARL CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 376105064
VISIT DATE: 03/06/2026
NARRATIVE
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playground and within the campus, when their parent and staff S2 found them at around 4:33 pm. C1 was uninjured and unharmed, and left the facility with their parent. The duration of time C1 was left alone is estimated at 3 to 5 minutes. Per investigation interviews and the LIC624 Unusual Incident Report submitted by the facility to the Licensing Department, there is acknowledgement and documentation that C1 was left unsupervised. The Poway Unified School District, which supervises the preschool facility, conducted a formal review and referenced the incident, stating: “As a result, the District has taken steps to strengthen the implementation of supervision protocols.”

The above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED. The allegation is valid because the preponderance of evidence has been met.

See LIC9099D for Type B deficiency cited.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Christine Kutzner, preschool operations supervisor. A Notice of Site Visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100. Appeal Rights were provided.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Joelle Redding
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Gerald Poindexter
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/06/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/06/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
Control Number 51-CC-20251229143918
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO N. CC RO, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR STE 110
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108

FACILITY NAME: MORNING CREEK ELEMENTARY: PEARL CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 376105064
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 03/06/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
04/13/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101229(a)(1)
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Responsibility for Providing Care and Supervision: (a) The licensee shall provide care and supervision as necessary to meet the children's needs. (1) No child(ren) shall be left without the supervision of a teacher at any time... Supervision shall include visual observation. This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
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Ms. Kutzner stated, that per the District’s internal review, additional staff training and coaching will be completed by 4/3/26. Documentation of the training agenda and staff attendance will be submitted to the Department by the POC due date 4/13/26. Email: Gerald.Poindexter@dss.ca.gov.
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Based on interviews and witness documentation, it is determined that on 12/18/25 a staff member left a child outside in the facility playground, unsupervised and without required visual observation, for a period of approximately 3 to 5 minutes, which is a potential health, safety and personal rights risk to 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: Joelle Redding
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Gerald Poindexter
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/06/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/06/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
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