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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 483010324
Report Date: 12/12/2023
Date Signed: 12/12/2023 11:54:16 AM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 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
09/21/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Elpidia Hernandez Torres
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 01-CC-20230921145746
FACILITY NAME:LITTLE FLOWERS MONTESSORIFACILITY NUMBER:
483010324
ADMINISTRATOR:VANESSA STEVENSONFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:2500 NORTH TEXAS STREETTELEPHONE:
(707) 665-5530
CITY:FAIRFIELDSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
94533
CAPACITY:164CENSUS: 28DATE:
12/12/2023
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:42 AM
MET WITH:Regional Director VanessaTIME COMPLETED:
12:00 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff yells at day care children
Staff did not report incident to CCL
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Elpidia Hernandez Torres, conducted a subsequent complaint investigation inspection on 12/12/2023 at 09:45AM for the purpose of delivering the findings regarding the above allegations. LPA met with the regional director Vanessa Stevenson LPA previously met with acting center director to discuss the purpose of the visit and requested a facility roster, as well as obtained Parent Handbook, Personnel Report, Personnel records; and children's ouch reports ranging from 08/01/23 through 09/15/23. It was alleged that staff yell at day care children and staff did not report incident to the department.

During the course of the investigation, interviews were conducted with seven staff members, three children, and five guardians between 09/27/23 and 12/08/2023. Acting Center director reported she had not heard teachers yell but some teachers have been stern. A staff member reported the staff yell in the twos room for children to pay attention and raise their voice. Another staff member reported one staff member has a stern voice and is loud. Guardian interviews corroborated staff yell and are harsh with the children. One guardian reported they had dropped off their child, when a staff member in the twos classroom began to yell aggressively at the child.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Leslie Lepori
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Elpidia Hernandez Torres
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/12/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/12/2023
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 01-CC-20230921145746
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405
FACILITY NAME: LITTLE FLOWERS MONTESSORI
FACILITY NUMBER: 483010324
VISIT DATE: 12/12/2023
NARRATIVE
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Another guardian reported she had arrived to the center and heard a staff member talking sternly to the whole class. Another guardian reported they walked into the center and witnessed a staff member speaking sternly to a child in their face and making them sit alone outside of the classroom and the child was crying.

As of September 2023 the facility did not report any Unusual Incidents to the department. The acting center director reported she believed the only incidents required to be reported are those that require medical treatment. On 09/27/2023, LPA Hernandez Torres reviewed reporting requirements with Acting center director. On 11/29/2023, LPA reviewed reporting requirements with new center director. LPA reviewed ouch reports from 08/01/2023- 09/15/2023, and found four incidents that threatened the physical or emotional health or safety of the child. Multiple children on different days split their lip ( top or bottom) and another child received an injury to the face under the eyebrow.

Based on interviews conducted and records reviewed, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met and the above allegations are found to be substantiated. The California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 12 & Chapter 1, sections 101223(a)(3) and 101212 (d) is being cited on attached LIC 9099D . This report was reviewed with the Licensee and an exit interview was conducted. Licensee’s signature was not recorded on this Complaint Investigation Report (CIR), however; a copy was provided and Licensee’s confirmation of read receipt is on file. Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 days. Appeal Rights were provided.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Leslie Lepori
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Elpidia Hernandez Torres
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/12/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/12/2023
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 5
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 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
09/21/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Elpidia Hernandez Torres
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 01-CC-20230921145746

FACILITY NAME:LITTLE FLOWERS MONTESSORIFACILITY NUMBER:
483010324
ADMINISTRATOR:VANESSA STEVENSONFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:2500 NORTH TEXAS STREETTELEPHONE:
(707) 665-5530
CITY:FAIRFIELDSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
94533
CAPACITY:40CENSUS: 28DATE:
12/12/2023
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:42 AM
MET WITH:Regional Director VanessaTIME COMPLETED:
12:00 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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2
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9
Staff inappropriately handles day care children in a rough manner.
Staff does not provide adequate supervision to day care children.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Elpidia Hernandez Torres, conducted a subsequent complaint investigation inspection on 12/12/2023 at 09:45AM for the purpose of delivering the findings regarding the above allegations. LPA met with the regional director Vanessa Stevenson, LPA previously met with acting center director to discuss the purpose of the visit and requested a facility roster, as well as obtained Parent Handbook, Personnel Report, Personnel records; and children's ouch reports ranging from 08/01/23 through 09/15/23. It was alleged that staff inappropriately handle day care children in a rough manner and staff do not provide adequate supervision to day care children.

During the course of the investigation, interviews were conducted with seven staff members, three children, and five guardians between 09/27/23 and 12/08/2023. Acting Center director reported the center disciplines children by using feeling words to let children know how their actions impact other children, and has not seen any staff handle a child roughly. Some staff reported they have not seen other staff handle a child roughly.
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Leslie Lepori
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Elpidia Hernandez Torres
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/12/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/12/2023
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 5
Control Number 01-CC-20230921145746
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405
FACILITY NAME: LITTLE FLOWERS MONTESSORI
FACILITY NUMBER: 483010324
VISIT DATE: 12/12/2023
NARRATIVE
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Some staff reported they had seen another staff grab a child by the shirt. One staff member reported if children are not following directions then staff will walk the child by the arm over to another staff to provide additional support to the child and perhaps a different activity. Some Guardians reported they had not seen any staff handle their children in a rough manner. One Guardian reported they had seen staff redirect their child by staff placing hands on child to put the child back in line, but the child followed the direction and didn’t appear fearful. Another guardian reported they had seen a staff place a child on time out but couldn’t remember how the staff lead the child to time out, the child was crying and upset.

On 09/27/2023, Acting center director reported since she has been here, she has not had to train staff on supervision. Staff interviews revealed, that some staff count the children during transition time as a way to supervise the children, and other staff will walk around the room. A few staff reported, some staff will be on their phones during outside play time and some staff don’t engage and play with the children. One staff member reported they would train their fellow staff on how to supervise the children by walking around the classroom and the play yard. One staff reported there was one instance where children were entering from the play yard and walking down the hall to the classroom when the acting center director brought another child in letting the staff know they had left a straggler child in the hallway. Acting center director corroborated the statement reporting the classroom was walking down the hall way when a child was slowing down as the class began to enter the classroom and another staff member walked back to hurry along the straggler child. Some guardians reported upon arrival when they are dropping off children, the staff in the classroom are setting up the classroom for the day while the children sit and do an independent activity. One interview revealed upon arrival there was one occasion where the staff were not present in the classroom and there were three guardians with four children left alone, other interviews could not corroborate the instance. Another interview revealed a guardian arrived to drop of a child, there was no staff in the classroom, but the staff entered shortly after from the kitchen.

Based on interviews conducted and records reviewed, although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove that the alleged violations occurred, therefore the allegations are Unsubstantiated. This report was reviewed and discussed with Center Director, She was provided with a copy of this CIR; and Appeal Rights. All licensing reports are public information and must be made available upon request for at least three years.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Leslie Lepori
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Elpidia Hernandez Torres
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/12/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/12/2023
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 5
Control Number 01-CC-20230921145746
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

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

FACILITY NAME: LITTLE FLOWERS MONTESSORI
FACILITY NUMBER: 483010324
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 12/12/2023
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
01/12/2024
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(3)
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(a) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights:To be free from corporal or unusual punishment. . . intimidation, ridicule, coercion, threat, mental abuse or other actions of a punitive natue. . . This was not met as evidence by. . .
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Regional director agreed to conduct a training with all staff present. Center director reported previous staff no longer work at the center who may have been involved with the violation but to ensure it doesn't occur in the future staff training will be completed.
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Based on interviews one or more staff members used loud, stern voices at the whole class and/or at an individual child in an aggressive manner. This poses a potential health and safety risk to children in care.
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Regional director agreed to continue and model the behavior for the staff and submit training agenda and staff who were present and submit to LPA Hernandez Torres via email, mail or fax on or before 01/12/2024.
Type B
01/12/2024
Section Cited
CCR
101212(d)
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Upon the occurrence,. . .of any of the events specified in (d)(1) below, a report shall be made to the Department. . .
this was not met as evidence by. . .
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The ouch reports currently have two signatures required, one of the staff and of the director. To prevent from failing to report an incident in the future, regional director agreed to implement an end of the day check in with the classrooms.
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Based on records reviewed there were four or more incidents that occurred that were not reported to the department. This poses a potential health or safety 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: Leslie Lepori
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Elpidia Hernandez Torres
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/12/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 12/12/2023
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 5