<meta name="robots" content="noindex">
Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 493005113
Report Date: 01/22/2026
Date Signed: 01/22/2026 09:54:05 AM

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
10/24/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Jennifer Patel
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 01-CC-20251024135304
FACILITY NAME:PINE TREE SCHOOL LLC - PRESCHOOLFACILITY NUMBER:
493005113
ADMINISTRATOR:SOTO, ESMERALDAFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:20 ADELINE WAYTELEPHONE:
(707) 433-8447
CITY:HEALDSBURGSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
95448
CAPACITY:50CENSUS: DATE:
01/22/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:00 AM
MET WITH:EsmeraldaTIME COMPLETED:
10:15 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Staff did not ensure food served to day care children met food service requirements.
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 allegations. LPA Jen Patel previously met with CD on 10/27/25 and 12/01/25 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. It was alleged the children were served cookies for breakfast.
Substantiated
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 3
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
Director (CD) stated that she creates the menu, and parents are welcome to bring food for the children if they would like. CD further stated that breakfast foods include, oatmeal, applesauce and French toast, along with animal crackers, milk and a fruit option. Staff interviews (S1-S3) all stated they provide breakfast, lunch and snacks for the children. Parent interviews (P5 & P6) both stated they were made aware that children were served animal crackers and milk for breakfast. Interviews and evidence confirm children ages 18 months to 2 years old were served milk and animal crackers for breakfast.

Based on the investigation, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met. Therefore, the above allegation are found to be substantiated. The following violations of the California Code of Regulations, Title 22; Division 12: see LIC 9099D.

This report was reviewed and discussed with the facility’s representative, Esmeralda Soto. Appeal rights were provided. A 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 3
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
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 01/22/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
02/05/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101227(a)(1)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
All food shall be safe and of the quality and in the quantity necessary to meet the needs of the children. Each meal shall include, at a minimum, the amount of food components as specified by
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
D1 stated she is going to remove the animal crackers from the breakfast menu and the room 1/22/26 and advise staff that animal crackers should only be provided as an afternoon snack. D1 stated she will update breakfast menu.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Title 7, CFR, Part 226.20, (Revised January 1, 1990) Requirements for Meals, for the age group served.
This was not met as evidenced by:
Based on interviews and evidence received, the facility served milk and animal crackers for breakfast to children ages 18 months to 2 years old which poses/posed a potential health, safety and/or personal rights risk(s) to children in care.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
POC documents will be sent to jennifer.patel@dss.ca.gov by 2/5/26.
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.
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 appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 01/22/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 3