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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 493009944
Report Date: 11/22/2021
Date Signed: 11/22/2021 03:42:41 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 101 GOLF COURSE DR. STE. A-230
ROHNERT PARK, CA 94928
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
08/23/2021 and conducted by Evaluator Yang Yang
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 01-CC-20210823125510
FACILITY NAME:LEARNING EXPERIENCE-INFANT, THEFACILITY NUMBER:
493009944
ADMINISTRATOR:RETHERFORD, STEPHANIEFACILITY TYPE:
830
ADDRESS:6150 COMMERCE BLVDTELEPHONE:
(707) 585-5990
CITY:ROHNERT PARKSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
94928
CAPACITY:32CENSUS: 20DATE:
11/22/2021
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
02:29 PM
MET WITH:Denise OlsenTIME COMPLETED:
03:56 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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-Facility is operating over ratio
-Unqualified staff supervising children
-Child was left in the hallway unsupervised
-Staff did not report an unusual incident to the Department
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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A follow-up complaint investigation visit was made to the facility today by Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Y. Yang to deliver complaint investigation findings. During today’s visit, the LPA met with the center’s acting director, Denise Olsen (S1) at 12:10pm to discuss the findings. Previous visits were made to the facility by the LPA on 09/01/21,10/22/21, 10/28/21, and 11/17/21. It was alleged that the facility is operating over ratio, that unqualified staff members are supervising children at the facility, that a child was left in the hallway unsupervised, and that staff did not report the incident to the Department as required. Specifically, it has been alleged that staff S9 and S10, who are lacking the required educational units, are supervising awake children without working under the direct supervision of a teacher. It has also specifically been alleged on a specific date, child C1, an infant under 12 months of age, was unintentionally left in the center’s main hallway for an unspecified amount of time during an indoor to outdoor transition and this incident was not reported to the Department as required.
Continued on LIC9099-C
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Alexis Hollon
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Yang Yang
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/22/2021
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/22/2021
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 10
Control Number 01-CC-20210823125510
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 101 GOLF COURSE DR. STE. A-230
ROHNERT PARK, CA 94928
FACILITY NAME: LEARNING EXPERIENCE-INFANT, THE
FACILITY NUMBER: 493009944
VISIT DATE: 11/22/2021
NARRATIVE
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The LPA interviewed the center’s assistant director, Sarah Kalua (S7) on 09/01/21 at 01:08pm. Kalua denied the allegation that unqualified staff members are supervising children at the facility. Kalua stated that all aides must work under the supervision of a teacher unless the children in the classroom are napping. Kalua, however, acknowledged that infant and/or toddler classrooms may be out of ratio during morning drop off. Kalua stated that teachers are instructed to call the front desk using a phone located in each classroom to request additional assistance when this occurs.

Kalua stated that there was a lack of supervision incident involving child C1 that occurred at the facility. Kalua stated that teacher S2 was using the center’s buggy stroller to transport four infants from their classroom to the outdoor infant play yard, which is located down the hall from the infant room. Kalua stated that the buggy stroller does not fit through the exterior door leading to the play yard and requires the teacher to remove the children one-by-one from the buggy while in the hallway. Kalua stated that as S2 transitioned three children outdoors, the exterior door shut behind S2. Kalua stated that it is unknown to her how long C1 was unsupervised in the buggy stroller. Per S2, who was interviewed on 09/01/21 at 02:53pm, C1 was without supervision for “a couple of minutes” before she realized that the child was missing from her group. S2 stated that the child was still buckled in and did not appear to be in distress. Kalua stated that former center director, Karen Arena was notified of the incident. However, the Department was not notified, and no Unusual Incident Report (UIR) was submitted. This lack of supervision incident was an immediate health and safety hazard and is being cited as a “type A” violation due to the age of the child involved.

The center director, Karen Arena was not available for an interview. Arena’s last day working at the facility was on 09/03/21. The center’s acting director, Denise Olsen (S1) was interviewed on 11/17/21 at 11:45am. Olsen stated that she has worked at this center since the last week of August 2021. Olsen stated that since being appointed acting center director, she has not observed any unqualified staff supervising children or any classrooms operating over ratio. Olsen stated that if a classroom needs an additional staff member, either due to a child or children waking up from a nap or due to many children being dropped off in the morning around the same time, she will step in to assist. Olsen stated that she did not have knowledge of the incident involving C1 and S2 as the incident occurred before she started working at the center.

Continued on LIC9099-C
SUPERVISORS NAME: Alexis Hollon
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Yang Yang
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/22/2021
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/22/2021
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 10
Control Number 01-CC-20210823125510
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 101 GOLF COURSE DR. STE. A-230
ROHNERT PARK, CA 94928
FACILITY NAME: LEARNING EXPERIENCE-INFANT, THE
FACILITY NUMBER: 493009944
VISIT DATE: 11/22/2021
NARRATIVE
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During the investigation, the LPA reviewed the personnel files of S9 and S10. Both staff members did not have the required units necessary to qualify as a teacher and therefore were required to work under the direct supervision of a teacher when working with awake children. Olsen stated that S9 and S10 are no longer employed by the center. During the LPA’s site visits on 09/01/21,10/22/21, 10/28/21, 11/17/21 and /11/22/21, the LPA conducted head counts in every classroom and made observations. No classrooms were observed to be operating over ratio.

Interviews with facility staff were conducted by the LPA during the investigation. Staff members S7 and S2 were interviewed on 09/01/21. S3 was interviewed on 10/22/21. S8 was interviewed on 10/28/21. S1, S4-S6 were interviewed on 11/17/21. Staff that were interviewed that were familiar with S9 and S10 all reported that they have observed staff S9 and S10 supervising awake children without working under the direct supervision of a teacher in a classroom. Staff stated that this was done due to a lack of staff at the center. All staff members that were interviewed reported that they either have experienced their classroom operating out of ratio or they have observed other classrooms at the center operating over ratio.

Based on information obtained from interviews and personnel documents, 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 facility’s acting center director, Denise Olsen. The Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 days.

Reports citing Type A violations are to be provided to parents/guardians of children currently enrolled and to parents/guardians of children newly enrolled at the facility during the next 12 months. Parents/guardians must sign Form LIC 9224 to be kept in each child's file.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Alexis Hollon
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Yang Yang
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/22/2021
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/22/2021
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 10
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 101 GOLF COURSE DR. STE. A-230
ROHNERT PARK, CA 94928
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
08/23/2021 and conducted by Evaluator Yang Yang
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 01-CC-20210823125510

FACILITY NAME:LEARNING EXPERIENCE-INFANT, THEFACILITY NUMBER:
493009944
ADMINISTRATOR:RETHERFORD, STEPHANIEFACILITY TYPE:
830
ADDRESS:6150 COMMERCE BLVDTELEPHONE:
(707) 585-5990
CITY:ROHNERT PARKSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
94928
CAPACITY:32CENSUS: 20DATE:
11/22/2021
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
02:29 PM
MET WITH:Denise OlsenTIME COMPLETED:
03:56 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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-Insufficient supplies available for sanitation
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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An unannounced follow-up complaint investigation visit was made today by Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Y. Yang to deliver complaint investigation findings. The LPA met with the center’s acting director, Denise Olsen (staff S1) during today’s visit. Previous investigation visits were made to the facility by the LPA on 09/01/21, 10/22/21, 10/28/21, and 11/17/21. It was alleged that there are insufficient sanitation supplies available at the facility.
During the initial investigation visit on 09/01/21, the LPA met with the facility’s assistant director, Sarah Kalua (staff S7) at 01:08pm to discuss the allegations. The former center director, Karen Arena was not available for an interview. Arena’s last day working at the facility was on 09/03/21. Kalua stated that she denies the allegations that there are insufficient sanitation supplies available. Kalua stated that the facility maintains an adequate amount of sanitation supplies on hand. Kalua stated that the facility receives deliveries from food service distributor US Food twice a month. The center’s acting director, Denise Olsen (S1) was interviewed on 11/17/21 at 11:45am. Olsen stated that she has worked at this center since the last week of August 2021. Olsen stated that she also denies the allegation and stated that sanitation supplies are always available at the center. Continued on LIC9099-C
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Alexis Hollon
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Yang Yang
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/22/2021
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/22/2021
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 10
Control Number 01-CC-20210823125510
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 101 GOLF COURSE DR. STE. A-230
ROHNERT PARK, CA 94928
FACILITY NAME: LEARNING EXPERIENCE-INFANT, THE
FACILITY NUMBER: 493009944
VISIT DATE: 11/22/2021
NARRATIVE
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During the LPA’s inspection visits to the center, facility tours were provided by the acting center director, Denise Olsen. The LPA toured all classrooms and observed that sanitation supplies were available in all classrooms. No health and safety hazards were observed during any of the site visits.
Interviews with facility staff were conducted by the LPA during the investigation.

Staff members S7 and S2 were interviewed on 09/01/21. S3 was interviewed on 10/22/21. S8 was interviewed on 10/28/21. S1, S4-S6 were interviewed on 11/17/21. Staff that were interviewed corroborated the assistant director’s and the acting center director’s statements. Staff interviewed all stated that they believe that there are sufficient sanitation supplies available in their classroom and in storage at the center. Staff interviewed all reported that they have not had any difficulties obtaining sanitation supplies from management for their classroom.

Based on available information and interviews conducted, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur. Therefore, the allegation is unsubstantiated. All licensing reports are public information and must be made available upon request for at least three years. This report was read and reviewed with the facility’s acting director, Denise Olsen. There were no Title 22 deficiencies cited during today's inspection. Appeal rights were provided.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Alexis Hollon
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Yang Yang
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/22/2021
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/22/2021
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 10
Control Number 01-CC-20210823125510
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 101 GOLF COURSE DR. STE. A-230
ROHNERT PARK, CA 94928

FACILITY NAME: LEARNING EXPERIENCE-INFANT, THE
FACILITY NUMBER: 493009944
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 11/22/2021
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
11/23/2021
Section Cited
CCR
101429(a)(1)
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Responsibility for Providing Care and Supervision for Infants. Each infant shall be constantly supervised and under direct visual observation and supervision by a staff person at all times. This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
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Acting center director Denise Olsen stated that all staff are currently required to conduct name-to-face head counts during every transiton to ensure that all children are accounted for.
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Based on the LPA’s interviews with facility staff and the former assistant director, Sarah Kalua's admission on 09/01/21 at 01:08pm, it was corroborated that child C1 was left without direct visual supervision and observation in the center's main hallway for an unknown amount of time during an indoor to outdoor transition at the center. During this time, child C1 was still buckled in on the buggy stroller that the center uses to transport children to and from their room. This presented an immediate health and safety risk for the child in care.
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The facility will submit a written plan detailing how it intends to comply with supervision requirements by 11/23/21 via mail, email or fax.

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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: Alexis Hollon
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Yang Yang
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/22/2021
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/22/2021
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 8 of 10
Control Number 01-CC-20210823125510
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 101 GOLF COURSE DR. STE. A-230
ROHNERT PARK, CA 94928

FACILITY NAME: LEARNING EXPERIENCE-INFANT, THE
FACILITY NUMBER: 493009944
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 11/22/2021
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
12/03/2021
Section Cited
CCR
101416.5(b)
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Staff-Infant Ratio.There shall be a ratio of one teacher for every four infants in attendance. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: based on the LPA's interviews with staff and former assistant director Sarah Kalua's admission on 09/01/21 at 01:08pm, it was corroborated that the facility was out of ratio on more than one occasion during
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The acting center director Denise Olsen stated that she conducts a head count of all classrooms every 30 minutes to anticipate changes in ratios and makes adjustments as necessary. Olsen stated that teachers are also required to notify her if they are one child away from being at capacity.
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morning drop off time for a brief period before additional teachers arrived at the center to begin their shift. This presented a potential health and safety risk for the child in care.
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Olsen stated that she will also provide a training to all staff members regarding care, supervision, and maintaining ratios. Olsen stated that she will submit a training agenda along with staff sign in sheet to CCLD.
Type B
12/03/2021
Section Cited
CCR
101416.2(b)
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Infant Care Teacher Qualifications and Duties. Prior to employment, an infant care teacher shall have completed, with passing grades, at least three postsecondary semesters or equivalent quarter units in early childhood education or child development, and three postsecondary semester or equivalent quarter units related to the care of infants, at an accredited or approved college or university.This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
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Olsen stated she will submit to CCLD an updated LIC500 along with a written plan detailing staff's work schedule showing coverage of the classrooms at the center.
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Based on the LPA's interviews with staff and a personnel record review, the facility did not ensure that S9 and S10 met the qualifications required to work in the capacity of a teacher. Record review indicates that S9 and S10 were only qualified to work as an aide under the direct supervision of a teacher. Based on the LPA's interviews, it was corroborated that S9 and S10 supervised awake children for a portion of the day without being under direct supervision of a qualified teacher, which poses a potential risk to the 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: Alexis Hollon
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Yang Yang
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/22/2021
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/22/2021
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 9 of 10
Control Number 01-CC-20210823125510
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 101 GOLF COURSE DR. STE. A-230
ROHNERT PARK, CA 94928

FACILITY NAME: LEARNING EXPERIENCE-INFANT, THE
FACILITY NUMBER: 493009944
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 11/22/2021
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
12/03/2021
Section Cited
CCR
101212(d)
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Reporting Requirements. Upon the occurrence, during the operation of the child care center of any of the events specified in (d)(1) below, a report shall be made to the Department by telephone or fax within the Department's next working day and during its normal business hours. In addition, a written report containing the information specified in (d)(2) below shall be submitted to the Department within seven days following the occurrence of such event. This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
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The center's acting director, Denise Olsen stated that she will submit to the Department an Unusual Incident Report (UIR) for the lack of supervision incident involving child C1.
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Based on the LPA’s interviews with facility staff and the former assistant director, Sarah Kalua's admission on 09/01/21 at 01:08pm, it was corroborated that child C1 was left without direct visual supervision and observation in the center's main hallway for an unknown amount of time during an indoor to outdoor transition at the center. This incident was not reported to the Department. This is a potential health and safety risk for the child 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: Alexis Hollon
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Yang Yang
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/22/2021
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 11/22/2021
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 10 of 10