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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 376700503
Report Date: 09/04/2025
Date Signed: 09/04/2025 02:36:36 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO 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
06/09/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Saul Zazueta
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 20-CC-20250609132231
FACILITY NAME:MONTESSORI EXPLORERFACILITY NUMBER:
376700503
ADMINISTRATOR:DINUSHA PERERAFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:271 EAST J STREETTELEPHONE:
(619) 425-3300
CITY:CHULA VISTASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
91910
CAPACITY:47CENSUS: 40DATE:
09/04/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
01:00 PM
MET WITH:Dinusha PereraTIME COMPLETED:
03:00 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff did not allow parents to inspect child's facility records.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 09/04/2025 at 01:00PM, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Saul Zazueta conducted an unannounced complaint inspection regarding the above allegation(s). Upon arrival, LPA met with Director, Dinusha Perera and discussed the purpose of the inspection, the complaint process and was led on a tour of the facility.

During the course of the investigation, LPA conducted interviews with the director, staff, daycare children, and daycare parents. Correspondence, parent handbook, incident reports and facility roster were obtained and reviewed by LPA.

Based on interviews conducted and records reviewed, it was determined that a parent’s request to inspect their child’s records, made on 06/06/2025, was denied. The facility director admitted to the denial; however, their justification for the decision to deny the request was made as a result of a misunderstanding and explained that the release of records were only going to be delayed, as opposed to a denial.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Jason Garay
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Saul Zazueta
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/04/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/04/2025
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 20-CC-20250609132231
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO CC RO, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR., STE 110
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108
FACILITY NAME: MONTESSORI EXPLORER
FACILITY NUMBER: 376700503
VISIT DATE: 09/04/2025
NARRATIVE
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Based on interviews conducted and records reviewed, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met; therefore, the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED. Per California Code of Regulations, (Title 22, division 12 & Chapter 1) one (1) Type B citation is being cited on the attached LIC 9099-D.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Jason Garay
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Saul Zazueta
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/04/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/04/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 5
Control Number 20-CC-20250609132231
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

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

FACILITY NAME: MONTESSORI EXPLORER
FACILITY NUMBER: 376700503
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 09/04/2025
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
09/05/2025
Section Cited
CCR
101221(e)
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Child’s Records. 101221(e) A child's records shall also be open to inspection by the child's authorized representative.

This requirement is not met as evidenced by:
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Director stated that they will mail a copy of the child’s record to their representative and submit a copy of the certified mail receipt to the San Diego Regional Office by 09/05/2025.
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Based on LPA interviews and record review, the facility did not comply with the section cited above in that they denied the child’s authorized representative the opportunity to inspect the child’s record, which poses 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: Jason Garay
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Saul Zazueta
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/04/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/04/2025
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
SAN DIEGO 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
06/09/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Saul Zazueta
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 20-CC-20250609132231

FACILITY NAME:MONTESSORI EXPLORERFACILITY NUMBER:
376700503
ADMINISTRATOR:DINUSHA PERERAFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:271 EAST J STREETTELEPHONE:
(619) 425-3300
CITY:CHULA VISTASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
91910
CAPACITY:47CENSUS: 40DATE:
09/04/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
01:00 PM
MET WITH:Dinusha PereraTIME COMPLETED:
03:00 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff did not ensure that children were supervised at all times
Staff handled child in a rough manner
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 09/04/2025 at 01:00PM Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Saul Zazueta conducted an unannounced complaint inspection regarding the above allegation(s). Upon arrival, LPA met with Director, Dinusha Perera and discussed the purpose of the inspection, the complaint process and was led on a tour of the facility.

During the course of the investigation, LPA conducted interviews with the director, staff, daycare children, and daycare parents. Photographs, timesheets, parent handbook, incident reports and facility roster were obtained and reviewed by LPA.

It was alleged that on 06/03/2025, staff did not provide adequate supervision resulting in a child inappropriately touching another child. The director denied the allegation, stating that staff are trained to always supervise children and redirect them when exhibiting unwanted behaviors. Based on interviews, Staff #1 (S1) recalled seeing a group of children playing under a playhouse, on the day the incident occurred, and called the group out to do a headcount.
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Jason Garay
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Saul Zazueta
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/04/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/04/2025
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 20-CC-20250609132231
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO CC RO, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR., STE 110
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108
FACILITY NAME: MONTESSORI EXPLORER
FACILITY NUMBER: 376700503
VISIT DATE: 09/04/2025
NARRATIVE
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S1 said that after the children came out, Child #2 (C2) approached them and said that Child #1 (C1) had touched them on the buttocks. S1 spoke to both children about the incident and created the incident reports. S1 stated that they were trained to walk in a circular motion around the yard and refrain from standing in one place. Staff #2 (S2) stated that staff are trained to constantly walk around the yard, forming a triangle with one (1) to two (2) other staff, in order to maximize supervision of children. S2 also said that staff are required to do head counts often to ensure children are supervised and accounted for.

The facility has surveillance cameras, however, the director stated that they were not able to review footage of the incident as the device was found to be faulty and not recording. Based on document review, the facility was in ratio during the incident and reporting requirements were met. LPA was unable to conduct interviews with C1 & C2 about the incident per parents’ request. Parents interviewed stated that they felt staff supervision was satisfactory overall, with some concerns about insufficient staff during extended care.

It was alleged that sometime in 2023, Staff #6 (S6) handled C1 in a rough manner, by pinning their arms to their side. S6 denied the allegation; however, they recalled an incident in which they were bitten by C1. S6 stated that they attempted to redirect C1 by asking them to hold their hand, which is when C1 kicked her and bit her. S6 stated that they do not remember the circumstances surrounding the incident. Five (5) out of six (6) staff interviewed stated that staff are trained to get down to a child’s level when redirecting and refrain from being physical with children. Staff interviewed denied ever observing anyone handling children inappropriately. Parents interviewed stated that they believe the facility provides a safe environment for children and are satisfied with the program and staff. LPA was unable to conduct an interview with C1 about the incident per parents’ request.

Due to conflicting information obtained throughout the course of the investigation and no other witnesses to the alleged incidents, LPA was unable to determine whether or not the allegations occurred. Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation(s) did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED.

Exit interview was conducted and this report was reviewed with the director, Dinusha Perera. A Notice of Site Visit was provided and must remain posted for 30 days.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Jason Garay
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Saul Zazueta
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/04/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/04/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 5