KinderCare Learning Center

CCR 101223(a)(3) · Type B

Personal Rights.To be free from corporal or unusual punishment, infliction of pain, humiliation, intimidation, ridicule, coercion, threat, mental abuse or other actions of a punitive nature including but not limited to: interference with functions of daily living including eating, sleeping or toileting; or withholding of shelter, clothing, medication or aids to physical functioning. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Based on the Center Director’s admission, corroborating staff interviews, and documentation reviewed during the investigation, it was corroborated that Staff S2 violated children’s personal rights by using food and mealtime as a form of discipline. Specifically, Staff S2 withheld food from children as a consequence for their behavior, threatened children with consequences if they did not behave, and discarded a child’s food after the child did not comply with S2’s directions. This poses a potential health and safety risk to children in care.

ALLEGATION(S): Staff yell at children INVESTIGATION FINDINGS: A follow-up complaint investigation was conducted today by Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Y. to deliver the findings of the investigation. The complaint alleged that facility staff yelled at children. Specifically, it was alleged that Staff S2 frequently yelled at daycare children and threatened them with isolation or other forms of punishment that were not consistent with positive discipline practices or respectful communication. It was further alleged that Staff S2 spoke to children in a manner intended to create fear in order to obtain compliance. During the initial complaint investigation conducted on May 27, 2026, the LPA interviewed the facility’s Center Director, N.D.C. (Staff S1), regarding the allegation. During the interview, the Director acknowledged that some of the reported incidents had occurred. The Director stated that she had heard Staff S2 elevate her voice when addressing children but had not personally heard S2 yell at a child. The Director stated that, after receiving corroborating reports from other staff members regarding Staff S2’s conduct, S2 was issued written disciplinary action and provided coaching for violating company policy and Title 22 regulations pertaining to children’s personal rights. The Director stated that she takes these concerns seriously and recognized the importance of ensuring that staff understand and follow facility policies and applicable Title 22 requirements regarding appropriate interactions with children. (Continued on LIC9099-C) Substantiated Estimated Days of Completion:

ALLEGATION(S): Staff do not ensure that a room is free of hazards. INVESTIGATION FINDINGS: A follow-up complaint investigation was conducted today by Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Y.Y. to deliver the findings of the investigation. The complaint alleged that staff do not ensure that a room is free of hazards. Specifically, it was alleged that the facility's "movement room," described as the last classroom on the left, contained blocked exits, stacked furniture, and numerous safety hazards that posed a risk to children. During the initial complaint investigation conducted on May 13, 2026, LPA interviewed the facility's Center Director, N.D.C. (staff S1), regarding the allegation. The Director denied that the movement room posed a hazard to children. The Director acknowledged that the room contained stored furniture and equipment and stated that it appeared cluttered because it had previously been used as a storage area before being repurposed as a movement room for children's gross motor activities during periods of inclement weather. The Director explained that the room had originally operated as a classroom but was taken out of service following a decline in the facility's enrollment. According to the Director, the facility later repurposed the space as an auxiliary classroom for indoor gross motor activities when outdoor play was not feasible due to weather conditions. The Director further stated that the movement room had only been used on a limited number of occasions since being converted for that purpose. (Continued on LIC9099-C) Unsubstantiated Estimated Days of Completion:

CCR 101216.1(b)(1) · Type B

Teacher Qualifications and Duties. Prior to employment, a teacher shall meet the requirements of (b)(1) or (b)(2) below:(1) 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 C. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Based on the Director’s admissions on May 13 and May 27, 2026, corroborating staff interviews, and documentation reviewed during the investigation, the LPA determined that staff assigned to function as teachers at the facility did not meet the minimum teacher qualification requirements pursuant to CCR Section 101216.1. Specifically, staff were assigned teacher duties without completing the required educational coursework or obtaining an applicable permit prior to employment as a teacher. This poses a potential risk to the health and safety of children in care.

CCR 101212(d)(1)(C) · Type B

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. (1)Events reported shall include the following: (C)Any unusual incident or child absence that threatens the physical or emotional health or safety of any child. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Based on the Director’s admission on May 13, 2026 and staff interviews, the LPA determined that an unusual incident occurred at the facility that met the reporting requirements pursuant to CCR Section 101212(d)(1)(C). The facility did not report the incident to Community Care Licensing. This poses a potential risk to the health, safety of children in care.

CCR 101223(a)(3) · Type A

Personal Rights (a)The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights: (3)To be free from corporal or unusual punishment, infliction of pain, humiliation, intimidation, ridicule, coercion, threat, mental abuse or other actions of a punitive nature including but not limited to: interference with functions of daily living including eating, sleeping or toileting; or withholding of shelter, clothing, medication or aids to physical functioning. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Based on the Center Director’s statements on 4/14/26 and the Unusual Incident Report (UIR) submitted by the facility on 3/19/26, it was determined that staff member S1 violated the personal rights of children C1, C2, and C3 on more than one occasion by denying a child the ability to use the bathroom and by roughly handling two children in care. This posed a potential health and safety risk to persons in care.

CCR 101238(b) · Type B

Buildings and Grounds. All children shall be protected against hazards within the center... This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Based on interviews and the LPA’s observations during the complaint investigation, it was corroborated that daycare children were allowed to use a play structure that had been designated off-limits due to safety concerns, and the structure was not made inaccessible to children in care.

CCR 101239(o)(1) · Type A

Fixtures, Furniture, Equipment and Supplies (o) Playground equipment shall be securely anchored to the ground unless it is portable by design. (1)Equipment shall be maintained in a safe condition, free of sharp, loose or pointed parts. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Based on the LPA's observation on 11/14/25 and 11/20/25, the LPA observed observed that the facility’s Little Tikes plastic play structure was not in safe operating condition. The LPA noted that a metal cylindrical pin,approximately four feet in length, which is intended to secure a section of the play structure’s interlocking plastic panels to the frame, had become loose. Additionally, the LPA observed that the plastic pyramid-shaped roof component of the play structure was no longer securely attached to the metal frame. This poses an immediate health, safety and/or personal rights risk(s) to children in care.

CCR 101238.2(d)(1) · Type B

Outdoor Activity Space (d)The surface of the outdoor activity space shall be maintained: (1) In a safe condition for the activities planned. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Based on the LPA's observations on 11/14/25 and 11/20/25, the LPA observed an area of lawn immediately next to the concrete play area/tricycle track that is uneven and sunken compared to the surrounding ground. In some spots, the dirt has sunk approximately eight inches, creating a tripping hazard for children and staff. This poses a potential health, safety and/or personal rights risk(s) to children in care.

ALLEGATION(S): Due to a lack of supervision, child had a nail in their mouth INVESTIGATION FINDINGS: An unannounced follow-up complaint investigation visit was conducted by Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Y.Y. to present the findings of the investigation. The complaint alleged that staff do not adequately supervise children in care. Specifically, it was reported that due to insufficient supervision, a child found a nail on the ground at an undisclosed location on the premises and placed it in their mouth. Today, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Y.Y. met with Center Director N.D.C. to review the findings of the investigation. During the initial visit on November 20, 2025, Director D.C. was interviewed regarding the allegation. She denied that staff failed to provide adequate supervision and stated that children in care consistently receive appropriate supervision. However, she acknowledged that roofing nails have been found on the playground and parking lot by both staff and children. Director D.C. stated that on one occasion, a teacher observed a child attempt to place an unidentified object into their mouth. Director D.C. stated that the teacher immediately intervened and removed the item, which was identified as a nail. (Continued on LIC9099-C) Unsubstantiated Estimated Days of Completion:

ALLEGATION(S): -Facility staff did not report incidents to responsible parties in a timely manner -Child sustained unexplained injuries while in care INVESTIGATION FINDINGS: An unannounced follow-up investigation visit was conducted by Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Y.Y. to present the investigation’s findings. The complaint alleged that facility staff failed to report incidents in a timely manner to responsible parties and that a child in care sustained unexplained injuries. Specifically, the allegation states that on a certain day, an unidentified preschool-age child suffered a bruise on the bridge of their nose as a result of an injury from a slide; staff were unaware of how the injury occurred and did not notify the child’s authorized representative. Today, the LPA met with Center Director N.D.C. to discuss the findings of the investigation. During the LPA’s initial visit on October 7, 2025, Director D.C. was interviewed about the allegations. She denied the specific complaint allegations but acknowledged that the facility had a similar incident involving a child (referred to as “child C1”) whose circumstances closely matched the complaint. She noted, however, that she was uncertain whether the current complaint involved the same child as the child’s identity was not disclosed. (Continued on LIC9099-C) Unsubstantiated Estimated Days of Completion:

ALLEGATION(S): Facility staff left daycare child soiled for an extended period of time. INVESTIGATION FINDINGS: An unannounced follow-up complaint investigation visit was conducted by Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Y.Y. to present the findings of the investigation. The complaint alleged that facility staff left a daycare child in a soiled diaper for an extended period of time. Specifically, it has been alleged that on multiple occasions, child C1 was left in a soiled diaper for up to four hours while at the facility. Additionally, in one instance at pick-up time, child C1 was reportedly found with both urine and feces in their diaper. Today, the LPA met with Center Director N.D.C. to discuss the investigation’s findings. During the LPA’s initial visit on July 29, 2025, Director D.C. was interviewed about the allegation. The director denied it, stating that children’s diapers are always changed every two hours or sooner, depending on soiling. Director D.C. stated that children are also changed before being picked up in the afternoon by their authorized representative. Director D.C. stated that if a child is picked up from the outdoor play yard or before their scheduled diaper change time, teachers will offer to change the diaper if needed before the child is signed out. Director D.C. added that the center maintains extra diapers in case children forget to bring them from home or run out during the day. (continued on LIC9099-C) Unsubstantiated Estimated Days of Completion:

CCR 101226.2(a) · Type B

Isolation for Illness. A center shall be equipped to isolate and care for any child who becomes ill during the day. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Based on interviews conducted with facility staff S1 through S15 during the investigation, it was corroborated that on numerous occasions, sick children remained in their classrooms with symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, vomiting, or signs of hand, foot, and mouth disease including mouth sores and rashes on the hands and feet while awaiting pick up. Former Director R. admitted that the facility did not have an isolation area set up for sick children. This poses a potential risk to the children in care.

CCR 101226(a) · Type B

Health-Related Services. The licensee shall immediately notify the child's authorized representative if the child becomes ill or sustains an injury more serious than a minor cut or scratch. The licensee shall obtain specific instructions from the authorized representative regarding action to be taken. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Based on the interviews conducted by the LPA and former center director, K.R.’s own admission on June 20, 2025, it was corroborated that the facility did not notify child C1's authorized representative of their concerns regarding a suspected head injury in a timely manner. It was corroborated through interviews that child C1 was struck on the back of the head by another child with a metal water bottle, resulting in a bump. It was further corroborated through interviews that C1’s authorized representative was not notified until pick up time that day. This posed a potential risk to the health and safety of children in care.

ALLEGATION(S): Facility is not ensuring children's needs are being met INVESTIGATION FINDINGS: An unannounced follow-up complaint investigation visit was conducted by Licensing Program Analyst Y. Y. to present the findings of the investigation. The complaint alleged that the facility failed to ensure preschool-aged children’s needs were met. Specifically, it alleged that on multiple occasions children in a preschool classroom were visibly distressed and crying, exhibited untreated runny noses, and were not cleaned after eating or playing. In one instance, it was alleged that a staff member (staff S3) reportedly ignored the children because the staff member was preoccupied with an iPad in the classroom. The LPA met today with the center’s newly appointed director, N.D.C., to review the investigation findings. During the LPA’s initial visit on June 4, 2025, the former director, K.R. (staff S1), was interviewed regarding the allegation. Director R. denied the allegation and explained that preschool classrooms can appear chaotic during morning drop-off, particularly when newly enrolled children are still adjusting. She stated that the atmosphere typically calms once children settle in and noted that children’s behavior may vary when an authorized representative is present. Director R. reported that staff routinely wipe children’s noses and faces, and change soiled clothing as needed. (Continued on LIC9099-C) Unsubstantiated Estimated Days of Completion:

ALLEGATION(S): -Staff do not properly clean and sanitize facility resulting in day care children developing pink eye and hand, foot, mouth disease. -Staff does not ensure facility is free of insects. -Facility has mold. -Facility classroom AC is in disrepair. INVESTIGATION FINDINGS: A follow-up complaint investigation visit was made today by Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Y.Y. to deliver complaint investigation findings. The LPA met with the facility’s newly appointed center director, K.R. to discuss the findings. Previously, investigation visits were made to the facility by the LPA on 05/14/24 and 06/18/24. It has been alleged that staff do not properly clean and sanitize the facility resulting in daycare children developing pink eye and hand, foot, mouth disease. It has also been alleged that staff do not ensure the facility is free of insects such as fleas, that the facility has mold in the preschool classroom’s bathroom, and that a preschool classroom’s air conditioner (AC) is in disrepair. During the initial investigation visit to the facility on 05/14/24, the LPA met with former center director, A.A.” Pepper to discuss the allegations. Pepper stated that she denies the allegations but acknowledged that there have been several cases of pink eye and hand, foot, and mouth disease at the center within the past two months. (Continued on LIC9099-C) Unsubstantiated Estimated Days of Completion:

CCR 101229(a)(1) · Type B

Care and Supervision. No child(ren) shall be left without the supervision of a teacher at any time, except as specified in Sections 101216.2(e)(1) and 101230(c)(1). Supervision shall include visual observation. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: based on the center director's admission on 08/17/23 and the unusual incident report (UIR) submitted to CCLD on 08/08/23, on 08/07/23 at approximately 05:00pm, child C1 and C2 were left without supervision of a teacher for approximately two minutes while on the center's main playground before being reunited with their class.This presents a potential threat to the health and safety of children in care.

CCR 101223(a)(3) · Type B

The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights: To be free from corporal or unusual punishment, infliction of pain, humiliation, intimidation, ridicule, coercion, threat, mental abuse or other actions of a punitive nature including but not limited to: interference with functions of daily living including eating, sleeping or toileting; or withholding of shelter, clothing, medication or aids to physical functioning. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Based on information obtained through interviews, the center director's own admission, and documents obtained during the investigation, it was corroborated that children's personal rights were violated while at this facility. Specifically, it was corroborated through interviews that S5 and S8 have made inappropriate statements to children regarding their appearance and/or personal hygiene. This poses an immediate health and safety risk to the children in care.

101700.3(b)(1) · Type B

101700.3(b)(1) A result with values of 5.5 ppb or greater shall be deemed an Action Level Exceedance. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Based on a record review, the facility had three faucets (Site “A”, "F", and "M") that exceeded the allowable levels of lead in the water. They had a reading of 19.0ppb, 13.0ppb, and 6.0ppb, respectively. This is a potential health and safety risk to children in care.

CCR 101229(a)(1) · Type B

Care and Supervision. No child(ren) shall be left without the supervision of a teacher at any time, except as specified in Sections 101216.2(e)(1) and 101230(c)(1). Supervision shall include visual observation. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: based on the center director's admission on 10/07/22 and the unusual incident report (UIR) submitted to CCLD on 09/28/22 that on 09/27/22 at approximately 11:30am, child C1 and C2 were left without supervision of a teacher for approximately five to ten minutes while in a preschool classroom before being reunited with their class. This presents a potential threat to the health and safety of children in care.

CCR 101229(a)(1) · Type B

Care and Supervision. No child(ren) shall be left without the supervision of a teacher at any time, except as specified in Sections 101216.2(e)(1) and 101230(c)(1). Supervision shall include visual observation. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: the center director's admission on 05/20/22 and the unusual incident report (UIR) submitted on 05/03/22 that on 05/02/22 at approximately 04:00pm, child C1 was left without supervision of a teacher for approximately five minutes while on the fully fenced playground during an outdoor to indoor transition. This presents a potential threat to the health and safety of children in care.

ALLEGATION(S): -Daycare child was his hit/kicked by another daycare child -Day care child sustained unexplained injuries while in care INVESTIGATION FINDINGS: An unannounced follow-up complaint investigation visit to the facility was made today by Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Y.Y. to deliver complaint investigation findings. It was alleged that daycare child C1 was hit/kicked by another daycare child, and it was alleged that daycare child C1 sustained unexplained injuries while in care. Specifically, it was alleged that child C1 developed bruises on their ankles, back, between their legs, and cuts/scratches on their arm and face while at the center. The LPA met with the facility’s acting center director, A. Pepper (staff S3) today to discuss the investigation findings and a tour of the facility was conducted at 01:15 pm. During the initial investigation visit on 04/20/22, the LPA met with the facility’s former center director, T.D. (staff S1) to discuss the allegations. During the follow-up investigation visit by the LPA on 05/20/22, D. notified the LPA that she was resigning and would no longer be working at this facility effective 05/28/22. As of 05/28/22, Pepper is the facility’s acting center director. Continued on LIC 9099-C Unsubstantiated Estimated Days of Completion:

CCR 101223(a)(3) · Type B

Personal rights: To be free from corporal or unusual punishment, infliction of pain, humiliation, intimidation, ridicule, coercion, threat, mental abuse or other actions of a punitive nature. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: based on a witness statement and the center's own admission, staff S1 put their hand underneath child C1's armpit in order to lift up C1 from their chair and walk C1 to a different area of the classroom after the child declined to cooperate. Per the acting center director and S2, this did not result in any injury for C1. This is a potential threat to the health and safety of children in care.