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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 376105193
Report Date: 08/08/2026
Date Signed: 08/14/2026 12:28:50 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
07/14/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Annette Sutherland
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 51-CC-20260714093842
FACILITY NAME:MONTESSORI BY THE SEAFACILITY NUMBER:
376105193
ADMINISTRATOR:ERICA ROCHAFACILITY TYPE:
860
ADDRESS:6551 SOLEDAD MOUNTAIN ROADTELEPHONE:
(858) 922-6714
CITY:LA JOLLASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92037
CAPACITY:105CENSUS: 70DATE:
08/08/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:00 AM
MET WITH:Alexis VelasquezTIME COMPLETED:
11:00 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Unqualified teachers are providing care to day care children
Staff does not have a criminal record clearance
Facility operates out of ratio
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 8/14/26 at 9:00 am, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Annette Sutherland conducted an unannounced complaint inspection for the purpose of delivering findings regarding the above-referenced allegations. LPA met with DIrector /Owner Alexis Velasquez. During the investigation, LPA conducted an unannounced 10-day complaint inspection on 7/16/26. During the inspection, LPA toured the facility, observed children and staff in multiple classrooms, interviewed staff, and reviewed pertinent facility records, including staff qualification and criminal record clearance/association information.During the 7/16/26 inspection, LPA observed the following:
Nido Room 1 (approximately 2 months to walking): 11 infants with 3 staff members.
Nido Room 2 (walking to approximately 18 months): 11 infants with 3 staff members, (including S1).
Pre-Primary 1 (approximately 18–24 months): 8 children with 2 staff members.
Pre-Primary 2 (approximately 2–3 years): 10 children with 2 staff members, (including S2).
Primary (approximately 3–5 years): 25 children with 4 staff members, (including S1, S3, and S5).
Continued on LIC 9099 C
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Joelle Redding
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Annette Sutherland
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/08/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/08/2026
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 5
Control Number 51-CC-20260714093842
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: MONTESSORI BY THE SEA
FACILITY NUMBER: 376105193
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 08/08/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
08/08/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101216.1(b)(1)
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101216.1(b)(1) Teacher Qualifications and Duties (1) A teacher shall have completed, with passing grades, at least six postsecondary semester or equivalent quarter units of the education requirement specified in (c)(1) below, or shall have obtained a Child Development Assistance Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. This requirement was not met as evidenced by…
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The Director will submit a written statement confirming her understanding of the teacher qualification regulations and will be submitted via email to LPA Annette.Sutherland@dss.ca.gov.
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Based upon record review. S1 was hired as a teacher with out teacher qulifications. which poses a potential health, safety and personal rights risk to children in care.
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Type B
08/08/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101216.3(a)
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Teacher-Child Ratio. There shall be a ratio of one teacher visually observing and supervising no more than 12 children in attendance... This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
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The Director will submit a written statement acknowledging her understanding that the facility must adhere to ratio regulations at all times, both indoors and outdoors. This statement will be submitted via email to LPA Annette.Sutherland@dss.ca.gov.
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Based on observation and interviews, Facility has had multiple incidents when they were out of ratio which poses an immediate risk to the health, safety and personal rights 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.
SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Joelle Redding
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Annette Sutherland
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/08/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/08/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 5
Control Number 51-CC-20260714093842
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: MONTESSORI BY THE SEA
FACILITY NUMBER: 376105193
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 08/08/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
08/08/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101170(e)(1)
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CRIMINAL RECORD CLEARANCE.All individuals subject to a criminal record review ... shall prior to working, residing or volunteering in a licensed facility:(1) Obtain a California clearance or a criminal record exemption as required by the Department.. This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
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Director agrees to provide a written statement confirming that all individuals subject to criminal record clearance requirements will obtain the required clearance or exemption and be associated to the facility prior to working, residing, or volunteering at the facility. The written statement
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Based on record and file review, staff S1 (employed in 8/4/2025) did not have fingerprint clearance on file (Guardian database).
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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.
SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Joelle Redding
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Annette Sutherland
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/08/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/08/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 5
Control Number 51-CC-20260714093842
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: MONTESSORI BY THE SEA
FACILITY NUMBER: 376105193
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 08/08/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
08/10/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101170(e)(2)
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CRIMINAL RECORD CLEARANCE.
All individuals subject to a criminal record review pursuant to...shall prior to working,..Request a transfer of a criminal record clearance ...
This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
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Director agrees to ensure all staff requiring criminal record clearance are properly associated to the facility prior to employment. Director will submit a written statement confirming S2 and that all current staff have been reviewed for proper clearance and association. Written statement will be submitted to LPA by the POC due date.

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Based on record and file review, S2's fingerprint is not associated to the facility. S2 was employed in August 2021.
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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.
SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Joelle Redding
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Annette Sutherland
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/14/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/14/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 5
Control Number 51-CC-20260714093842
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: MONTESSORI BY THE SEA
FACILITY NUMBER: 376105193
VISIT DATE: 08/08/2026
NARRATIVE
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Record review and observations determined that staff members S1, S2, and S3 did not have the required criminal record clearance/association to the facility. Additionally, LPA’s review of staff records determined that S5 did not meet the required qualifications to perform the duties for which the staff member was being utilized. LPA also observed S4, identified as a student staff member, and S1 being utilized in the facility’s staffing arrangement. Based on staff qualifications and the manner in which staff were being utilized, the facility did not have a sufficient number of qualified staff to meet required staffing ratios in multiple classrooms. Title 22 establishes minimum teacher qualifications and applicable teacher-child ratio requirements.
Based on LPA’s observations, interviews conducted, and records reviewed, the investigation established that the facility utilized staff who did not meet required qualifications, utilized individuals who did not have the required criminal record clearance/association, and failed to maintain required staff-to-child ratios.
Therefore, the allegations that staff did not meet qualification requirements, staff did not have required criminal record clearances/associations, and the facility operated out of ratio are SUBSTANTIATED, meaning that the preponderance of the evidence standard has been met.
Deficiencies are being cited in accordance with the California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 12, and are documented on the attached LIC 9099-D.
A civil penalty of $500 has been assessed during today’s inspection related to the criminal record clearance/association violation. An additional civil penalty of $250 has been assessed for the repeat violation related to staffing/ratio requirements. Civil penalties are due when billed. The facility will receive an invoice by mail. DO NOT SEND PAYMENT UNTIL AN INVOICE IS RECEIVED. DO NOT SEND CASH.
Due to the Type A deficiency cited during today’s inspection, LPA Annette Sutherland informed facility Owner/Director Alexis Velasquez that the licensing report documenting the Type A deficiency shall be posted for 30 consecutive days. The facility representative was also informed of the requirement to provide a copy of the licensing report documenting the Type A deficiency to parents/guardians of currently enrolled children by the next business day or the next day the children are in care, and to parents/guardians of newly enrolled children for 12 months from the date of the report. A signed Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Report (LIC 9224), or other written statement, shall be maintained in each applicable child’s file for verification. An exit interview was conducted, and the report was reviewed with Alexis Velasquez . A Notice of Site Visit was provided and shall remain posted for 30 days.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Joelle Redding
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Annette Sutherland
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/14/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/14/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
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