493005113-1-22-2026-01-CC-MMOR-DQYMSM-20260204085208

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 493005113
Report Date: 01/22/2026
Date Signed: 01/22/2026 09:52:26 AM

Unsubstantiated

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
10/24/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Jennifer Patel

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 01-CC-20251024135304

FACILITY NAME:	PINE TREE SCHOOL LLC - PRESCHOOL		FACILITY NUMBER:	493005113
ADMINISTRATOR:	SOTO, ESMERALDA		FACILITY TYPE:	850
ADDRESS:	20 ADELINE WAY		TELEPHONE:	(707) 433-8447
CITY:	HEALDSBURG	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	95448
CAPACITY:	50	CENSUS: 24	DATE:	01/22/2026
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	08:45 AM
MET WITH:	Esmeralda Soto		TIME COMPLETED:	09:00 AM

ALLEGATION(S):

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Staff accepted a child showing signs of illness into care.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Jen Patel and Jamie Clark made an unannounced complaint investigation visit today and met with Director, Esmeralda Soto (CD) for the purpose of delivering findings for the above allegation. LPA Jen Patel previously met with CD on 10/27/25 and 12/01/22 to open the complaint and initiate the investigation.

During the course of the investigation, LPA Patel conducted interviews and received documents pertaining to the investigation. From 10/27/25 to 12/09/25, interviews were conducted with CD, staff (S1-S3), children (C1-C5), and parents (P4-P6). Additional adult interviews were attempted.

Director (CD) stated staff assess each child’s health by checking their face for signs of fever or green mucus.

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Melinda Mohr
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jennifer Patel
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 01/22/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/22/2026

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 2

Control Number 01-CC-20251024135304

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: PINE TREE SCHOOL LLC - PRESCHOOL	FACILITY NUMBER: 493005113
	VISIT DATE: 01/22/2026

NARRATIVE

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32

Interviews with staff (S1-S3) stated they do not accept a child showing signs of illness into care. Interviews with S1-S3 confirmed the facility complies with their sick policy regarding daily illness and health inspections. S1 stated they ensure children are fever-free for at least 24 hours without medication before returning to school. S2 stated staff check for fevers upon school arrival, and if a child has one, the director informs their parents and sends them home for at least 24 hours. S3 stated children who are experiencing diarrhea or vomiting cannot attend, and those presenting with elevated temperatures are also sent home. S3 further stated if a child has a cough or mucus we cannot send them home . Additionally, parents (P4-P5) stated at drop off they check off on the sign-in tablet their child is fever free and does not have any signs of illness, while P4 further stated they have had to pick up their child early due to their child being ill.

Based on the information gathered during this investigation, although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove that the allegation occurred and therefore is determined to be unsubstantiated. There were no Title 22 deficiencies cited. This report was reviewed and discussed with the facility’s Director, Esmeralda Soto. Appeal rights were provided. Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 days from today's visit. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Melinda Mohr
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Jennifer Patel
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 01/22/2026

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

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/22/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 2 of 2