The center director stated that the incident occurred in the morning at approximately 11:00am and she was not notified by S2 until after the child was signed out by their authorized representative that day at approximately 04:30pm. Staff S2 stated that she verbally notified C1’s authorized representative of the incident after being questioned about the dried blood at pick up time. Per the center’s written policy regarding head injuries, any time a child hits or bumps their head, the lead teacher or center director shall immediately call the child’s authorized representative, send a message along with a photo attachment to the child’s authorized representative via the “Line Leader” app, complete an incident report, and notify the center director of the injury. Based on interviews conducted, it was corroborated that C1’s authorized representative was not notified of C1 bumping their head on the playground’s rubber playground surfacing.

Based on information obtained from interviews and documents obtained during the investigation, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met; therefore, the above allegation is found to be substantiated. California Code of Regulations, Title 22 is being cited on the attached LIC 9099-D. An exit interview was conducted, and this report was read and discussed with the center director, Farm Saelee. Appeal rights were provided. The Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 days.

During the investigation, the LPA obtained and reviewed security camera footage from the facility. In the camera footage, the LPA observed child C1 and staff S2 standing next to each other on the playground. Child C1 was observed standing on an approximately one-foot-tall plastic stepping block-- a part of a “Kaplan Alfresco Modular Gym” that was on the playground. The video shows the plastic block slide forward as C1 leaned back onto the wooden permitter fence and fall onto the rubberized floor below. Within seconds of C1 falling onto the floor, staff S2, who was positioned next to C1 picked C1 up from the floor. Staff S2 checked C1 for injuries and held C1 in her arms and for approximately two minutes before releasing C1 back on to the playground to resume playing. Staff S2 was observed on camera performing a follow up check on C1 one minute after C1 was allowed to resuming playing.

During the investigation, the LPA made unannounced site visits on 03/28/24 and 04/03/24 to make observations in the classrooms and interview staff. The LPA did not observe any evidence of a lack of care and supervision in any of the classrooms during the unannounced visits. The LPA reviewed the center’s care and supervision and injury policies with the center director. Staff members S1-S4 were interviewed regarding the allegations. The interviews did not reveal information to support the allegations.

Although it was corroborated that child C1 sustained an injury while in care, based on available information, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove that the injury was due to staff neglect or that staff failed to provide child C1 with first aid. Therefore, the allegations are determined to be unsubstantiated at this time. There were no Title 22 deficiencies cited. This report was reviewed and discussed with the facility’s director, Farm Saelee. Appeal rights were provided. Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 days from today’s date.