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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 493009945
Report Date: 11/22/2021
Date Signed: 11/22/2021 02:55:45 PM



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-20210823124002
FACILITY NAME:LEARNING EXPERIENCE-P/S, THEFACILITY NUMBER:
493009945
ADMINISTRATOR:RETHERFORD, STEPHANIEFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:6150 COMMERCE BLVDTELEPHONE:
(707) 585-5990
CITY:ROHNERT PARKSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
94928
CAPACITY:105CENSUS: 37DATE:
11/22/2021
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
01:12 PM
MET WITH:Denise OlsenTIME COMPLETED:
02:28 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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-Facility is operating over ratio
-Unqualified staff are supervising children
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 and that unqualified staff members are supervising children at the facility. 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.

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 preschool classrooms may be out of ratio by approximately two-to-four children during the morning drop off period. Continued on LIC9099-C
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Alexis HollonTELEPHONE: (707) 588-5036
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Yang YangTELEPHONE: 707-588-5026
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 7
Control Number 01-CC-20210823124002
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-P/S, THE
FACILITY NUMBER: 493009945
VISIT DATE: 11/22/2021
NARRATIVE
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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. 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.

The LPA reviewed the personnel files of S9 and S10 during the investigation. 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. 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 are 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. All staff members that were interviewed reported that they have either 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.
SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Alexis HollonTELEPHONE: (707) 588-5036
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Yang YangTELEPHONE: 707-588-5026
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 7
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-20210823124002

FACILITY NAME:LEARNING EXPERIENCE-P/S, THEFACILITY NUMBER:
493009945
ADMINISTRATOR:RETHERFORD, STEPHANIEFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:6150 COMMERCE BLVDTELEPHONE:
(707) 585-5990
CITY:ROHNERT PARKSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
94928
CAPACITY:105CENSUS: 0DATE:
11/22/2021
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
01:12 PM
MET WITH:Denise OlsenTIME COMPLETED:
02:28 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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9
-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:
SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Alexis HollonTELEPHONE: (707) 588-5036
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Yang YangTELEPHONE: 707-588-5026
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: 3 of 7
Control Number 01-CC-20210823124002
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-P/S, THE
FACILITY NUMBER: 493009945
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 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.
SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Alexis HollonTELEPHONE: (707) 588-5036
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Yang YangTELEPHONE: 707-588-5026
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: 4 of 7
Control Number 01-CC-20210823124002
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-P/S, THE
FACILITY NUMBER: 493009945
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
101216.3(a)
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Teacher-Child Ratio. There shall be a ratio of one teacher visually observing and supervising no more than 12 children in attendance. This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
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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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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 the facility has operated out of ratio on more than one occasion for brief periods of time due to staffing shortages around the morning drop off period. This is a potential health and safety risk to the children 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
101216.1(b)(1)
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Teacher Qualifications and Duties.A teacher shall have completed, with passing grades, at least six postsecondary semester or equivalent quarter units of the education requirement specified in (c)(1) below, or shall have obtained a Child Development Assistance Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.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.
SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Alexis HollonTELEPHONE: (707) 588-5036
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Yang YangTELEPHONE: 707-588-5026
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: 7 of 7