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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 376600348
Report Date: 07/30/2025
Date Signed: 07/30/2025 10:34:55 AM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVERSIDE SE CC RO, 3737 MAIN STREET, STE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
07/01/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Keely Messerschmidt
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 10-CC-20250701112607
FACILITY NAME:KINDERCARE S. CENTRE CITY PARKWAY PRESCHOOLFACILITY NUMBER:
376600348
ADMINISTRATOR:GRACE PENDERGRASSFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:2415 S. CENTRE CITY PARKWAYTELEPHONE:
(760) 745-2474
CITY:ESCONDIDOSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92025
CAPACITY:72CENSUS: 44DATE:
07/30/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:40 AM
MET WITH:Grace PendergrassTIME COMPLETED:
10:40 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Due to a lack of supervision children exited classroom without teachers knowledge.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On the above date and time listed, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Keely Messerschmidt arrived at the facility for the purpose of delivering the complaint findings on the above-referenced allegation. LPA met with Director Grace Pendergrass. LPA toured the facility, conducted census, and verified facility staff and children enrollment.

On July 1st, 2025, Community Care Licensing (CCL) received a complaint alleging that due to a lack of supervision two children exited classroom without teachers knowledge onto the side yard.

See LIC9099-C
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Deborah Mullen
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Keely Messerschmidt
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/30/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/30/2025
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 10-CC-20250701112607
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVERSIDE SE CC RO, 3737 MAIN STREET, STE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
FACILITY NAME: KINDERCARE S. CENTRE CITY PARKWAY PRESCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 376600348
VISIT DATE: 07/30/2025
NARRATIVE
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Regarding allegation that due to a lack of supervision children exited classroom without teachers knowledge, based on interviews conducted 7 out of 7 staff members disclosed that Child #1 (C1) and Child #2 (C2) both got out of the Discovery Preschool (DP) classroom onto the side yard unsupervised. It was also stated that a preschool classroom was outside during time of incident and staff heard the DP classroom door ding, when staff looked over they saw both C1 and C2 on the side yard alone. Both staff attempted to contact the front office to inform them as they kept an eye on both children standing by the door. It was stated that C1 and C2 were outside their classroom door for up to 5 minutes before the Director stepped outside and placed them back into their classroom where all teachers were not aware that they had eloped.

Based on interviews conducted the preponderance of evidence standard has been met. Therefore, the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED.

An exit interview was conducted, and this report was reviewed with the Director Grace Pendergrass, and a copy was provided. Appeal rights were discussed and provided during the exit interview.



A Notice of Site visit was given, and Director understands that it must remain posted for 30 days.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Deborah Mullen
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Keely Messerschmidt
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/30/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/30/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 5
Control Number 10-CC-20250701112607
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVERSIDE SE CC RO, 3737 MAIN STREET, STE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501

FACILITY NAME: KINDERCARE S. CENTRE CITY PARKWAY PRESCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 376600348
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 07/30/2025
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
07/25/2025
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... This requirement was not met as evidenced by,
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Director stated they will complete a supervision training with staff and provide proof of completion via email to LPA. Director also stated they have turned the volume up on the door dinger to ensure all can hear the door open.
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Based on interviews conducted, 7 out of 7 staff members disclosed that Child #1 (C1) and Child #2 (C2) both got out of the Discovery Preschool (DP) classroom onto the side yard unsupervised. This is a potential health and safety 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: Deborah Mullen
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Keely Messerschmidt
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/30/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/30/2025
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
RIVERSIDE SE CC RO, 3737 MAIN STREET, STE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
07/01/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Keely Messerschmidt
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 10-CC-20250701112607

FACILITY NAME:KINDERCARE S. CENTRE CITY PARKWAY PRESCHOOLFACILITY NUMBER:
376600348
ADMINISTRATOR:GRACE PENDERGRASSFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:2415 S. CENTRE CITY PARKWAYTELEPHONE:
(760) 745-2474
CITY:ESCONDIDOSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92025
CAPACITY:72CENSUS: 44DATE:
07/30/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:40 AM
MET WITH:Grace PendgergrassTIME COMPLETED:
10:40 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff are not ensuring hazardous items are inaccessible to children.
Staff do not ensure reporting requirements are followed
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On the above date and time listed, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Keely Messerschmidt arrived at the facility for the purpose of delivering the complaint findings on the above-referenced allegations. LPA met with Director Grace Pendergrass. LPA toured the facility, conducted census, and verified facility staff and children enrollment.

On July 1st, 2025, Community Care Licensing (CCL) received a complaint alleging that staff are not ensuring hazardous items are inaccessible to children and that staff do not ensure reporting requirements are followed.

See LIC9099-C
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Deborah Mullen
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Keely Messerschmidt
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/30/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/30/2025
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 10-CC-20250701112607
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVERSIDE SE CC RO, 3737 MAIN STREET, STE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
FACILITY NAME: KINDERCARE S. CENTRE CITY PARKWAY PRESCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 376600348
VISIT DATE: 07/30/2025
NARRATIVE
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Regarding the allegation that staff are not ensuring hazardous items are inaccessible to children, it was stated a vape pen was found on the floor in the classroom. Based on interviews conducted 2 out of 2 staff members stated that while Staff #1 (S1) opened the closet door in the Discovery Preschool classroom a vape pen was noticed, and Staff #2 (S2) grabbed it putting it away. Both S1 and S2 stated that children were not near the vape pen as it was found in the closet where the purses were stored and the door remains locked.

Lastly, pertaining to allegation that staff do not ensure reporting requirements are followed, based on interviews conducted 7 out of 7 staff members stated that when a child gets injured, they will create an incident report for the child and contact parents depending on the incident. It was also disclosed that if one staff member doesn't write the incident report then another staff member will, to ensure it gets completed. Staff also stated that they place the incident reports on the child's cubby and sometimes parents forget to grab them right away.

Based on the information obtained during this investigation, it has been determined that although the allegations may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove that the alleged violations did or did not occur. Therefore, the allegations are UNSUBSTANTIATED.

An exit interview was conducted, and this report was reviewed with the Director, Grace Pendergrass, and a copy was provided. Appeal rights were discussed and provided during the exit interview.

A Notice of Site visit was given, and Director understands that it must remain posted for 30 days.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Deborah Mullen
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Keely Messerschmidt
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/30/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/30/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 5