444417138-7-14-2026-07-CC-AHAR-DWWUG3-20260813153340

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 444417138
Report Date: 07/14/2026
Date Signed: 07/14/2026 01:12:52 PM

Substantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN JOSE CC RO, 2580 N FIRST STREET, STE. 300
SAN JOSE, CA 95131

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
07/07/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Jennifer Beehler

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 07-CC-20260707193710

FACILITY NAME:	SECRET GARDEN PRESCHOOL - RIO DEL MAR, THE		FACILITY NUMBER:	444417138
ADMINISTRATOR:	JAQUELINE GALLEGOS		FACILITY TYPE:	860
ADDRESS:	221 THUNDERBIRD DRIVE		TELEPHONE:	(831) 383-7414
CITY:	APTOS	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	95003
CAPACITY:	36	CENSUS: 23	DATE:	07/14/2026
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	09:25 AM
MET WITH:	Jacqueline Gallegos - Director		TIME COMPLETED:	11:25 AM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Facility is in an unsanitary condition.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 07/14/2026, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Jennifer "Jen" Beehler conducted an unannounced 10 Day Complaint Investigation. Upon arrival, LPA was greeted by the Director and provide access to the facility. LPA stated the reason for the visit and toured the facility.

There were 23 preschool children and four (4) staff (2 - Teachers/ 1 - Aide and 1 - Director) which is compliant with ratio and capacity requirements.

LPA toured the facility, conducted interviews and collected relevant documentation. The investigation revealed that the facility had a pipe burst causing moisture under the facility kitchen which resulted in unsanitary conditions. LPA observed tenting constructed around the kitchen so that the enviornment does not contaminate the areas licensed for the children.

Continued on Page 2

Substantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Adam Hamer
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jennifer Beehler
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 07/14/2026

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/14/2026

This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 07-CC-20260707193710

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN JOSE CC RO, 2580 N FIRST STREET, STE. 300
SAN JOSE, CA 95131

FACILITY NAME: SECRET GARDEN PRESCHOOL - RIO DEL MAR, THE	FACILITY NUMBER: 444417138
	VISIT DATE: 07/14/2026

NARRATIVE

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LPA observed the kitchen area to be blocked off, inaccessible to children. The staff bathroom was also affected by the pipe leak and was made inaccessible from use.

This facility is the tenant of the Aptos United Methodist Church. LPA interviewed the groundskeeper for the church who stated a claim had been filed with the insurance company. An adjuster had been to the property and the remediation crew was brought in last week. The remediation crew sectioned off the affected area to ensure the safety of staff and children.

During LPA's inspection, church staff were actively removing personal items stored in the kitchen and would be transporting the items to a storage facility until the renovation was complete. The groundskeeper confirmed a full renovation would be completed for the kitchen, but the area had to be dried out first so that it was safe to complete demolition. The expected date of completion would be the end of August.

The church provided the facility with temporary access to the second kitchen on campus. The church stated the facility had access to the kitchen during the renovation. LPA observed the kitchen to be clean and sanitary. A dedicated refrigerator and cupboard for dry goods was provided to the facility. LPA observed it to be labeled with the facility name and the food to be stored in accordance with health and safety codes.

Based on LPAs observations, record review, and interviews which were conducted, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED.

As a result of today's investigation, one Type B Deficiency is cited. Exit interview conducted with the Director. Report was reviewed and provided to Director Jacqueline Gallegos, along with appeal rights.

A NOTICE OF SITE VISIT WAS GIVEN AND MUST REMAIN POSTED FOR 30 DAYS.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Adam Hamer
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jennifer Beehler
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 07/14/2026

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/14/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 07-CC-20260707193710

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN JOSE CC RO, 2580 N FIRST STREET, STE. 300
SAN JOSE, CA 95131

FACILITY NAME: SECRET GARDEN PRESCHOOL - RIO DEL MAR, THE	FACILITY NUMBER: 444417138
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:	VISIT DATE: 07/14/2026

Deficiency Type POC Due Date / Section Number	DEFICIENCIES		PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B 07/14/2026 Section Cited CCR 101223(a)(2)	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	101223 Personal Rights (a)(2) To be accorded safe, healthful and comfortable accommodations, furnishings and equipment to meet his/her needs. This requirement has not been met as evidenced by:	1 2 3 4 5 6 7	Facility has completed safety measures to ensure the affected area is inaccessible from children in care. The facility will continue to utilize the church's kitchen for meal prep and will keep the kitchen's renovation inaccessible from children in care at all times by using alternate classrooms and playgrounds.
	8 9 10 11 12 13 14	an unsanitary condition was present in the kitchen area of the facility. This poses a potential risk to the health, safety and personal rights of children in care.	8 9 10 11 12 13 14	Licensee will keep the Department updated on the progress of these repairs and provide photographic proof of the completion to the Department.
	1 2 3 4 5 6 7		1 2 3 4 5 6 7
	1 2 3 4 5 6 7		1 2 3 4 5 6 7

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: Adam Hamer
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jennifer Beehler
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 07/14/2026

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/14/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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