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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 376600348
Report Date: 09/24/2025
Date Signed: 09/24/2025 02:36:27 PM

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
09/02/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Keely Messerschmidt
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 10-CC-20250902131330
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: 32DATE:
09/24/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
12:40 PM
MET WITH:Grace PendergrassTIME COMPLETED:
02:50 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff handle day care children in a rough manner
Staff do not follow reporting requirements
Staff engaged in inappropriate altercations in the presence of daycare children
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 September 2nd, 2025, Community Care Licensing (CCL) received a complaint alleging that Staff #1 (S1) handled day care children in a rough manner, staff do not follow reporting requirements and staff engaged in inappropriate altercations in the presence of daycare children.


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

DATE: 09/24/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/24/2025
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 4
Control Number 10-CC-20250902131330
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: 09/24/2025
NARRATIVE
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Regarding allegation that Staff #1 (S1) handled day care children in a rough manner, based on interviews conducted 3 staff stated that they were told about incident, while 1 staff member stated they had witnessed the incident occur while heading to the playground with their class. LPA interviewed S1 who admitted to grabbing Child #1 (C1) by the ankle to get them to come off the play structure which caused them to fall but didn't mean any harm. S1 also stated that they do not recall grabbing Child #2 (C2) but they were just trying to get C1 and C2 to go line up to go inside from the playground.

Pertaining to allegation that staff do not follow reporting requirements, based on interviews conducted staff stated they were not aware if C2's parents were notified but C1's parent is a current employee and was notified. Director stated that C1's parent was notified but not C2 and Community Care Licensing (CCL) was not notified of the incident but they did create a coaching plan with S1 about the incident. Based on record review LPA did not observe any incident reports in C1 or C2s file or find any evidence that the incident was reported to the parents or CCL.

Lastly, regarding allegation that Director engaged in inappropriate altercations with Staff #2 (S2) who was a center floater in the presence of day-care children of the toddler room, based on interviews conducted 2 of 2 staff members disclosed that they witnessed the Director enter the toddler room speaking in a firm voice to S2 in front of them and the children, then leave and slam the door. Staff also stated that the approach from the Director was not appropriate.



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: 09/24/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/24/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 4
Control Number 10-CC-20250902131330
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: 09/24/2025
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
10/17/2025
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(2)
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(a) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights: (2) To be accorded safe, healthful and comfortable accommodations, furnishings and equipment to meet his/her needs. This requirement was not met as evidenced by,
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Director stated that they have already completed a coaching plan with S1 and LPA obtained a copy. Director also stated that TSP will be conducting a training with all staff on 10/13/25 and will submit proof of completion via email to LPA.
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Based on interviews conducted Staff #1 (S1) admitted to grabbing Child #1 (C1) by the ankle in the attempt to bring C1 down from the play structure, causing C1 to fall down. This is a potential health and safety risk to children in care.
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Type B
10/03/2025
Section Cited
CCR
101212(d)
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(d) Upon the occurrence, during the operation of the child care center of any of the events specified in (d)(1) below, a report shall be made to the Department... In addition, a written report containing the information specified in (d)(2) below shall be submitted to the Department within seven days following the occurrence of such event.
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Director stated they will review regulation and will send a breakdown process of what facillity will do moving forward when an incident occurs via email to LPA.
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This requirement was not met as evidenced by, Director sttaed that they did not notify CCL about incident that was reported to them. 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: 09/24/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/24/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 4
Control Number 10-CC-20250902131330
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: 09/24/2025
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
10/03/2025
Section Cited
CCR
101212(f)
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(f) The items specified in (d)(1)(A) through (H) above shall also be reported to the child's authorized representative.
This requirement was not met as evidenced by,
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Director stated they will review regulation and will send a breakdown process of what facillity will do moving forward when an incident occurs via email to LPA.
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Based on interviews conducted, Diretcor stated that 1 of the 2 childrens parents were notified of the incdent that was reported to them. This is a potential health and safety risk to children in care.
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Type B
10/03/2025
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(1)
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(a) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights:
(1) To be accorded dignity in his/her personal relationships with staff and other persons.
This requirement was notmet as evidenced by,
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Director stated that they recently attended a conference with SD QPI called Early Education & Adminstrator Institute involving leadership styles and how to reach each person individually. Director stated they will create a plan on how to handle situations with staff in the future sending to LPA via email.
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Based on interviews conducted, 2 of 2 staff members disclosed that they witnessed the Director speak inappropriately to S2 and slam the classroom door in front of the children. 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: 09/24/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/24/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 4