<meta name="robots" content="noindex">
Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 376105105
Report Date: 06/19/2024
Date Signed: 07/25/2024 10:33:32 AM

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
06/11/2024 and conducted by Evaluator Keturah Lane
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 51-CC-20240611160738
FACILITY NAME:TAPROOT MONTESSORI PRESCHOOLFACILITY NUMBER:
376105105
ADMINISTRATOR:MARGARITA CAMARGOFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:1431 EAST BROADWAYTELEPHONE:
(619) 444-0131
CITY:EL CAJONSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92021
CAPACITY:58CENSUS: 37DATE:
06/19/2024
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
11:25 AM
MET WITH:Maggie Camargo & Nicole HallTIME COMPLETED:
03:30 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
1. Facility staff are not properly addressing cockroaches in the facility
2. Teachers do not have the required ECE units
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
THIS IS AN AMENDED REPORT DELIVERED ON 7/25/24. On 6/19/24 at 11:25 AM, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Keturah Lane conducted an unannounced initial 10-day visit, for the complaint received 6/11/24 regarding the above allegations. Upon arrival LPA Lane met with Director Maggie Camargo and toured the facility. LPA observed a total of 37 children at the facility:

26 children in Palm Room (ages 3 years - Kindergarten) with staff members: Director Maggie Camargo, Karina Nercessina and Guadalupe Ruiz. Children were observed eating lunch when LPA arrived.

11 toddlers in Pine Room (ages 18 months - 36 months) with staff members Anya Chavarria and Katie Brown. Pine room is a toddler component. Toddlers were transitioning to naptime when LPA arrived. (continued on LIC9099-C...)
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Tashima Daniel
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Keturah Lane
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/25/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/25/2024
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 5
Control Number 51-CC-20240611160738
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: TAPROOT MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 376105105
VISIT DATE: 06/19/2024
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
All staff were fingerprint cleared and associated to the facility. During this visit, LPA toured the facility, conducted interviews with staff, reviewed staff records and obtained updated LIC500 personnel roster, LIC9040 facility roster and other documents. Owner Nicole Hall arrived at approximately 11:40 AM.

Based upon information obtained during LPA observation and interviews with owner, director and staff members it is determined that the facility had some cockroaches in the facility recently. LPA observed two glue traps in front office with multiple dead cockroaches. LPA observed a dead cockroach in kitchen drawer and one under a children's table in a web near the kitchen. One of the traps was dated 6/11/24. The facility has a regular pest control company that sets glue traps and baits monthly. However, the glue traps and bait traps do not seem to be enough to control the situation. LPA advises facility to discuss with pest control company what else can be done in addition to the monthly glue traps and bait traps in order to address the situation properly.

Based upon record review, LPA observed that staff members S1 & S2 in the Palm classroom did not have any ECE units and are considered aides not teachers. Owner stated that one of the fully qualified teachers for that classroom called in sick today. Since there were 26 preschool children present with only one fully qualified teacher (the director) the Palm classroom was out of ratio, which would require 2 fully qualified teachers and an aide to meet ratio requirements for the 26 children.

The allegations are valid because the preponderance of evidence has been met, therefore the above allegations are found to be SUBSTANTIATED. (see LIC9099-D for Type B violations cited). Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with owner Nicole Hall. Notice of Site Visit was posted and must remain posted for 30 days.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Tashima Daniel
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Keturah Lane
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/19/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/19/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 5
Control Number 51-CC-20240611160738
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: TAPROOT MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 376105105
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 06/19/2024
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
07/08/2024
Section Cited
CCR
101238(a)(1)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
101238 Buildings and Grounds (a)(a) The child care center shall be clean, safe, sanitary and in good repair at all times...(1) The licensee shall take measures to keep the center free of flies, other insects, and rodents. This requirement was not met as evidenced by...
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Licensee/owner stated she would increase the frequency of the pest control visits to twice monthly and advise what other treatments may be necessary in addition to glue traps and bait stations. Licensee/owner will send the next pest control report to: keturah.lane@dss.ca.gov by 7/8/24.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Based upon LPA observation and staff interviews, there has been a recent issue with cockroaches and LPA observed traps with dead roaches - trap was dated 6/11/24 which is a potential health, safety and personal rights risk to children in care.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Type B
06/21/2024
Section Cited
CCR
101216.1(c)(1)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
101216.1 Teacher Qualifications and Duties (c) To be a fully qualified teacher, a teacher shall have one of the following: (1) Twelve post-secondary semester or equivalent quarter units in early childhood education or child development completed, with passing grades, at an accredited or approved college or university; and at least six months of work experience in a licensed child care center or comparable group child care program. This requirement was not met as evidenced by...
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Licensee/Owner stated she would make sure there are enough qualified teachers in the classroom at all times and when a qualified teacher calls out sick, will come in to replace the teacher. Licensee/Owner will provide a written statement regarding this to: Keturah.Lane@dss.ca.gov by 6/21/24.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Based upon LPA observation, there were 26 preschool children in the Palm room with one qualified teacher (director) and two aides (S1 & S2) without any completed ECE units or experience which is a potential health, safety and personal rights risk to children 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: Tashima Daniel
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Keturah Lane
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/19/2024
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 06/19/2024
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 5