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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 483001838
Report Date: 03/06/2026
Date Signed: 03/06/2026 02:24:23 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA ROSA CC RO, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
12/18/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Yang Yang
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 01-CC-20251218162531
FACILITY NAME:KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTERFACILITY NUMBER:
483001838
ADMINISTRATOR:FIELDS, DONJEFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:35 ROTARY WAYTELEPHONE:
(707) 557-3007
CITY:VALLEJOSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
94591
CAPACITY:72CENSUS: 40DATE:
03/06/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
11:29 AM
MET WITH:Nakia Orlando, Assistant DirectorTIME COMPLETED:
01:16 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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-Staff are operating out of ratio
-Unqualified staff are supervising children
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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A follow-up complaint investigation visit was conducted today by Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Y. Yang to deliver the findings of the investigation. Previous visits to the facility occurred on December 23 and December 29, 2025. The complaint alleged that the facility was operating over the required staff-to-child ratios and that unqualified staff were supervising children. Specifically, it was reported that preschool classrooms were often staffed above the mandated ratio, with instances of a single staff member supervising up to 20 awake children. Additionally, the complaint stated that staff without the required early childhood education (ECE) qualifications were working in classrooms and performing the duties of a qualified teacher, despite lacking the necessary units or credentials.

During the initial investigation visit on December 23, 2025, the facility’s assistant director, Nakia Orlando (staff S2), was interviewed regarding the allegations outlined in the complaint. The center director, Nikita Wallace (staff S1), was not present at the facility during this visit. During the interview, Orlando acknowledged that the allegations were accurate and confirmed that the incidents did occur as described in the complaint. Director Wallace was interviewed at the facility on December 29, 2025. (Continued on LIC9099-C)
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Melchisedeck Augustin
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Yang Yang
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/06/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/06/2026
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 3
Control Number 01-CC-20251218162531
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA ROSA CC RO, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405

FACILITY NAME: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 483001838
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 03/06/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
03/13/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101216.3(a)
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Teacher-Child Ratio. There shall be a ratio of one teacher visually observing and supervising no more than 12 children in attendance.

This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
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Assistant Director Orlando stated that changes have already been made to the facility's staff plan to ensure compliance with regulations.This was observed by the LPA during the December 29, 2025 and March 6, 2026 inspection visits. Additionally, the director stated that she will submit an updated LIC500 "Personnel Report" as well as submit a written plan to the LPA by March 13, 2026 outlining how the center plans to remain in compliance with teacher-child ratio requirements and staff qualification requirements.
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Based on the LPA's interviews with facility staff, the LPA’s personal observations on December 23, 2025, and Center Director Nikita Wallace’s own admission, it was corroborated that the facility operated out of ratio on more than one occasion. This posed a potential health and safety risk to the children in care.
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Type B
03/13/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101216.2(e)
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Teacher Aide Qualifications and Duties. An aide shall work only under the direct supervision of a teacher.

This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
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Assistant Director Orlando stated that changes have already been made to the facility's staff plan to ensure compliance with regulations.This was observed by the LPA during the December 29, 2025 and March 6, 2026 inspection visits. Additionally, the director stated that she will submit an updated LIC500 "Personnel Report" as well as submit a written plan to the LPA by March 13, 2026 outlining how the center plans to remain in compliance with teacher-child ratio requirements and staff qualification requirements.
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Based on the LPA's interviews with facility staff, the LPA’s personal observations on December 23, 2025, and Center Director Nikita Wallace’s own admission, it was corroborated that staff members without the required early childhood education (ECE) units have been tasked with supervising awake children without working under the direct supervision of a teacher.
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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: Melchisedeck Augustin
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Yang Yang
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/06/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/06/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
Control Number 01-CC-20251218162531
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA ROSA CC RO, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405
FACILITY NAME: KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 483001838
VISIT DATE: 03/06/2026
NARRATIVE
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She also verified that the allegations were true and provided additional context regarding staffing challenges at the center. Both Orlando and Wallace stated that they began their respective roles at the facility in September 2025 and November 2025. They reported that, upon assuming their positions, they inherited a significant staff shortage, which contributed to the incidents in question.

Wallace and Orlando further explained that, while the staffing deficit had existed prior to their employment, they are actively taking measures to address the issue. This includes efforts to recruit and hire additional staff members who possess the necessary early childhood education units and credentials required for classroom supervision and teaching roles. Both administrators expressed awareness of the importance of maintaining proper staff-to-child ratios and ensuring that all classroom staff meet the required qualifications, and they are working to implement corrective actions to prevent future violations.

During the investigation, the LPA interviewed staff members S1 through S7 regarding the allegations. The LPA was able to corroborate the complaints through staff interviews, personal observations made during visit on December 23, 2025, and reviews of personnel files.

The majority of classroom staff interviewed reported that they either did not possess any ECE units or lacked the appropriate amount of ECE units required to serve as a qualified teacher in the preschool classrooms. Staff members that did not possess any ECE units also stated that, on multiple occasions, they had been assigned to supervise awake preschool children without working under the direct supervision of a fully qualified teacher.

The LPA’s interviews and observations on December 23, 2025, confirmed that preschool classrooms had been operating above the required staff-to-child ratio on multiple occasions. During the December 23 visit, the LPA observed two preschool classrooms in operation: the “Discovery Preschool” classroom and “Preschool” classroom. In the Discovery Preschool classroom, there were 20 awake children and two staff members (S6 and S7). Staff S7 is a fully qualified teacher, while S6 was an aide with no ECE units. In the Preschool classroom, there were 19 awake children and two staff members (S4 and S5), neither of whom had any ECE units. At the time of the visit, no fully qualified teacher was present to supervise S4 and S5 in this classroom. These findings corroborate the allegations that the facility operated with insufficiently qualified staff and exceeded the required staff-to-child ratios in preschool classrooms.

Based on information obtained from staff interviews and the LPA’s direct observations, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met; therefore, the above allegations are found to be substantiated. California Code of Regulations, Title 22, is being cited on the attached LIC 9099-D. Appeal rights were provided. An exit interview was conducted, and this report was read and discussed with the Assistant Director Nakia Orlando. The Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 days.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Melchisedeck Augustin
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Yang Yang
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/06/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/06/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 3