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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 426216166
Report Date: 10/14/2025
Date Signed: 10/14/2025 04:07:42 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA BARBARA CC RO, 6500 HOLLISTER AVE., SUITE 200
GOLETA, CA 93117
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
07/21/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Bill-Brian Billones
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 17-CC-20250721162002
FACILITY NAME:HERE WE GROW EARLY LEARNING CENTERFACILITY NUMBER:
426216166
ADMINISTRATOR:CRISTA TRUJILLOFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:487 N. TURNPIKE RD.TELEPHONE:
(805) 967-8318
CITY:SANTA BARBARASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
93111
CAPACITY:0CENSUS: 22DATE:
10/14/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
01:00 PM
MET WITH:Christa TrujilloTIME COMPLETED:
04:20 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff does not provide adequate supervision resulting in child sustaining injuries.
Staff do not ensure incident reports are documented.
Staff does not ensure playground equipment is in good repair.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On October 14, 2025, at 1:00 PM Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Bill Billones and Elizabeth George conducted an unannounced inspection to deliver the findings regarding an investigation of the above-mentioned allegations. Due to the closure of this facility, LPA's arrived at Here We Grow Early Learning Center (426217453), which owned by Heather Robbins. LPAs met with Director Christa Trujillo and explained the purpose of the inspection. LPAs, in the company of the Director and Licensee, toured the interior and exterior of the facility. LPAs observed 22 children present with 5 staff providing care and supervision.

The complaint alleged a violation of neglect / lack supervision, specifically staff does not provide adequate supervision resulting in child sustaining injuries. The complaint also alleged a violation of reporting requirements, specifically staff do not ensure incident reports are documented. The complaint also alleged a violation of physical plant, specifically staff does not ensure playground equipment is in good repair.

Continued on LIC9099-C
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Ana Tolentino
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Bill-Brian Billones
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/14/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/14/2025
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 6
Control Number 17-CC-20250721162002
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA BARBARA CC RO, 6500 HOLLISTER AVE., SUITE 200
GOLETA, CA 93117
FACILITY NAME: HERE WE GROW EARLY LEARNING CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 426216166
VISIT DATE: 10/14/2025
NARRATIVE
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The investigation consisted of two unannounced inspections. LPA Billones reviewed the children’s roster, staff handbook, and the Guardian personnel roster. LPA conducted interviews with staff and parents of currently and formerly enrolled children. LPA reviewed unusual incident reports submitted by the center to Licensing as well as ouch reports maintained by the center. LPA also reviewed relevant electronic communication. Relevant documentation and witness statements revealed discrepancies in how the center documented and reported the injuries that resulted from a lack of care and supervision as well as LPAs observation and previous inspections of the outdoor play areas, specifically the sandbox, corroborated the above allegations.

Based on LPA's interviews, review of documentation, and evidence gathered, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met. Therefore, the alleged violation of neglect / lack of supervision – staff does not provide adequate supervision resulting in child sustaining injuries, and the alleged violation of reporting requirements - staff do not ensure incident reports are documented, and the alleged violation of physical plant - staff does not ensure playground equipment is in good repair are determined to be SUBSTANTIATED.

As a result, three Type B deficiencies are being cited today under California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 12 (see attached LIC9099Ds).

An exit interview was conducted and appeal right provided, and report was reviewed with Director Christa Trujillo.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Ana Tolentino
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Bill-Brian Billones
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/14/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/14/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 6
Control Number 17-CC-20250721162002
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA BARBARA CC RO, 6500 HOLLISTER AVE., SUITE 200
GOLETA, CA 93117

FACILITY NAME: HERE WE GROW EARLY LEARNING CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 426216166
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 10/14/2025
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
10/17/2025
Section Cited
CCR
101229(a)
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101229 Responsibility for Providing Care and Supervision (a) The licensee shall provide care and supervision as necessary to meet the children's needs.

This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
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Licensee to submit a written statement on how "Here We Grow Early Learning Center (426217435) will comply with regulation. This will be submitted to LPA Billones via email at bill.billones@dss.ca.gov no later than October 17, 2025.
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Based on review of relevant documentation, elctronic communication, and witness statements, a child (C1) sustained an injury that was due to a lack of supervision, which posed a potential health, safety, and personal rights to children in care.
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Type B
10/17/2025
Section Cited
CCR
101212(d)(1)(C)
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101212 Reporting Requirements (d) Upon the occurrence... a report shall be made to the Department... (1) ...shall include the following: (C) Any unusual incident or child absence that threatens the physical or emotional health or safety of any child.

This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
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Licensee to submit a written statement on how "Here We Grow Early Learning Center (426217435) will comply with regulation. This will be submitted to LPA Billones via email at bill.billones@dss.ca.gov no later than October 17, 2025.
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Based on review of relevant documentation, electronic communication, and witness statements, a child (C1) sustained an injury that was not documented, which posed a potential health, safety, and personal rights 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: Ana Tolentino
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Bill-Brian Billones
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/14/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/14/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 6
Control Number 17-CC-20250721162002
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA BARBARA CC RO, 6500 HOLLISTER AVE., SUITE 200
GOLETA, CA 93117

FACILITY NAME: HERE WE GROW EARLY LEARNING CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 426216166
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 10/14/2025
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
10/17/2025
Section Cited
CCR
101238.2(f)
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101238.2 Outdoor Activity Space
(f) Sandboxes shall be inspected daily and kept free of hazardous foreign materials.

This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
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Licensee to submit a written statement on how "Here We Grow Early Learning Center (426217435) will comply with regulation. This will be submitted to LPA Billones via email at bill.billones@dss.ca.gov no later than October 17, 2025.
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Based on observation and interview, the licensee did not maintain the sandbox free of hazardous foreign materials and wood was splintered which posed a potential health, safety, and personal rights 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: Ana Tolentino
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Bill-Brian Billones
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/14/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/14/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 6
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA BARBARA CC RO, 6500 HOLLISTER AVE., SUITE 200
GOLETA, CA 93117
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
07/21/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Bill-Brian Billones
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 17-CC-20250721162002

FACILITY NAME:HERE WE GROW EARLY LEARNING CENTERFACILITY NUMBER:
426216166
ADMINISTRATOR:CRISTA TRUJILLOFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:487 N. TURNPIKE RD.TELEPHONE:
(805) 967-8318
CITY:SANTA BARBARASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
93111
CAPACITY:0CENSUS: 22DATE:
10/14/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
01:00 PM
MET WITH:Christa TrujilloTIME COMPLETED:
04:20 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
1
2
3
4
5
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7
8
9
Staff do not ensure facility is clean and sanitized.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On October 14, 2025, at 1:00 PM Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Bill Billones and Elizabeth George conducted an unannounced inspection to deliver the findings regarding an investigation of the above-mentioned allegations. Due to the closure of this facility, LPA's arrived at Here We Grow Early Learning Center (426217453), which is owned by Heather Robbins. LPAs met with Director Christa Trujillo and explained the purpose of the inspection. LPAs, in the company of the Director and Licensee, toured the interior and exterior of the facility. LPAs observed 22 children present with 5 staff providing care and supervision.

The complaint alleged a violation of physical plant, specifically staff do not ensure facility is clean and sanitized.

Continued 9099-D.
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Ana Tolentino
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Bill-Brian Billones
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/14/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/14/2025
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 6
Control Number 17-CC-20250721162002
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA BARBARA CC RO, 6500 HOLLISTER AVE., SUITE 200
GOLETA, CA 93117
FACILITY NAME: HERE WE GROW EARLY LEARNING CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 426216166
VISIT DATE: 10/14/2025
NARRATIVE
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The investigation consisted of two unannounced inspections. LPA Billones reviewed the children’s roster, staff handbook, and the Guardian personnel roster. LPA conducted interviews with staff and parents of currently and formerly enrolled children. LPAs previous inspection visits of the facility unrelated to the complaint revealed issues with the physical plant regarding the facility’s sanitary condition that were subsequently corrected before the allegations were reported to the Department.

LPA’s interviews revealed most parents are satisfied with the center and shared no concerns regarding the physical plant. Although the allegations may or may not have happened and/or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur; therefore, the allegation above is determined to be UNSUBSTANTIATED.

An exit interview was conducted and appeal right provided, and report was reviewed with Director Christa Trujillo.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Ana Tolentino
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Bill-Brian Billones
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/14/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/14/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 6 of 6