KinderCare Learning Center

CCR 101416.2(b) · Type B

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: Based on the Director's admissions made on May 13 and May 27, 2026, corroborating staff interviews, and documentation reviewed during the investigation, the LPA determined that staff who had not completed the minimum educational qualifications required by CCR Section 101416.2(b) were assigned and functioning in the role of an infant care teacher. Specifically, the staff had not completed the required ECE and infant care coursework prior to employment as required by regulation. This poses a potential risk to the health, safety, and personal rights of children in care.

HSC 1596.8662(b)(1) · Type B

(1) On or before March 30, 2018, a person who, on January 1, 2018, is a licensed child day care provider, administrator, or employee of a licensed child day care facility shall complete the mandated reporter training provided pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (3) of subdivision (a), and shall complete renewal mandated reporter training every two years following the date on which he or she completed the initial mandated reporter training. This requirement is not met as evidenced by: Based on a review of employee personnel files, the licensee did not comply with the requirements of section 1596.866(b)(1). The LPA observed that staff members S2, S4, and S6 did not have a current California mandated reporter training certificate in their personnel files. This poses a potential health, safety, or personal rights risk to persons in care.

ALLEGATION(S): -Staff did not notify parents of outbreak -Staff accept children with signs of illness into care 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 failed to notify parents of an outbreak and that children exhibiting signs of illness were accepted into care. Specifically, it was reported that on an undisclosed date, multiple infants with symptoms consistent with oral herpes were in attendance and permitted to remain in care, resulting in an outbreak about which authorized representatives of the children were not notified. 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 25, 2025, Director D.C. was interviewed regarding the allegations and denied the claim. Director D.C. acknowledged that there have been several confirmed cases of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1), commonly known as cold sores, at the facility. According to Director D.C., the center promptly notified the authorized representatives of children in the affected classroom(s) through the KinderCare App. Director D.C. stated that teachers cleaned, sanitized, and disinfected their classrooms multiple times and that children exhibiting similar symptoms were sent home. (Continued on LIC 9099-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.

ALLEGATION(S): -Staff do not prevent daycare child(ren) from biting other daycare child(ren) while in care. -Staff are not adequately trained. 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 former center director and now assistant director, A. Pepper to discuss the findings. Previously, investigation visits were made to the facility by the LPA on 05/01/24, 05/10/24, and 06/18/24. It has been alleged that staff do not prevent daycare child(ren) from biting other daycare child(ren) while in care and that staff are not adequately trained to address biting. Specifically, it was alleged that child C1 was bit on numerous occasions while in care due to inadequately trained staff. During the initial investigation visit to the facility on 05/01/24, the LPA met with former center director, A.A.” Pepper to discuss the allegations. Pepper stated that she acknowledges that child C1 and other children in the toddler classroom have been bitten by their classmates on more than one occasion. Pepper stated that the bites were not due to a lack of care and supervision or inadequate staff training. Pepper stated that all staff members are provided on the job training that covers the topics of behavior management and biting. Pepper stated that every classroom is equipped with a Walkie Talkie radio that is used by teachers to communicate with other teachers and the front office. Pepper stated that she will step into a classroom to assist or provide “coaching” to a teacher if necessary. (Continued on LIC9099-C) Unsubstantiated Estimated Days of Completion:

ALLEGATION(S): Staff did not prevent daycare child from being bit by another child. INVESTIGATION FINDINGS: A follow-up complaint investigation visit was made today by Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Y.Y. to deliver complaint investigation findings. Previously, investigation visits were made to the facility by the LPA on 11/16/23, 12/07/23, and 01/26/24. It has been alleged that the facility staff are not preventing a daycare child from being bitten while in care. Specifically, it was alleged that child C1 was bitten on several occasions while in care due to a lack of care and supervision. During the initial investigation visit to the facility on 11/16/23, the LPA met with the center director, A. Pepper to discuss the allegation. Pepper stated that she acknowledges that child C1 was bitten on three occasions while in care but states that the bites were not caused by a lack of care and supervision. Pepper stated that classroom staff observed all three bite incidents involving C1 and immediately redirected the child who performed the biting and then rendered first aid to C1. Pepper stated that the bites often happened quickly and without any precipitating factors. (Continued on LIC 9099-C) Unsubstantiated Estimated Days of Completion:

CCR 101416.2(b) · Type B

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: Based on the LPA's interviews with staff and a personnel record review, the facility did not ensure that staff S1-S5 met the qualifications required to work in the capacity of a teacher. Record review indicates that S1-S5 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 S1-S5 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.

ALLEGATION(S): -Staff are not reporting incidents to CCL -Staff are not meeting day care children's needs INVESTIGATION FINDINGS: A follow-up complaint investigation visit was made today by Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Y.Y. to deliver complaint investigation findings. Previously, investigation visits were made to the facility by the LPA on 08/11/23 and 10/05/23. It has been alleged that the facility is not reporting personal rights violations to Community Care Licensing and that staff are not meeting day care children’s needs. Specifically, it was alleged that the facility is not meeting children’s needs because children are being moved around to different classrooms and the facility is temporarily closing classrooms for the day due to staff shortage. During the initial investigation visit to the facility on 08/11/23, the LPA met with the center director, A. Pepper to discuss the allegations. Pepper stated that she denies the allegations but acknowledges that the center has been short staffed recently due to staff turnover. Pepper stated that there have been instances of daycare children being turned away at morning drop off due to unexpected staff absences. Pepper stated that the infant classroom is currently closed due to the center not having qualified staff with the required infant specific early childhood education (ECE) units, as outlined in Title 22 regulations. (Continued on LIC9099-C) Unsubstantiated Estimated Days of Completion:

CCR 101223(a)(3) · Type A

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 that staff S5 video recorded S8 pushing child C1 as C1 attempted to sit up in their cot. It was also corroborated that S5 then sent the video to other teachers at the center via text message. Lastly, it was corroborated through interviews that S5 and S8 have made inappropriate statements to children and about children regarding their appearance and/or personal hygiene. This poses an immediate health and safety risk to the children in care.

CCR 101429(a)(2)(C)(3) · Type B

(C) Documentation shall be maintained in the infant’s file and be available to the Department for review. Documentation shall include the following: (3) Time of each 15-minute check (4) Initials of staff person who conducted each check. This requirement is not met as evidenced by: Based on the center director’s own admission, the LPA’s observations, and the information obtained from staff members S2-S6, the facility did not comply with the section cited above in 101429(a)(2)(C)(3). The facility was not properly documenting infant 15-minute nap checks by including the time of each 15-minute check and the initials of each staff person who conducted the check on any of the infant nap check logs. This poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care

ALLEGATION(S): Staff did not follow infant’s feeding plan INVESTIGATION FINDINGS: A follow-up complaint investigation visit was made today by Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Y.Y. to deliver complaint investigation findings. Previous investigation visits were made to the facility by the LPA on 10/26/21 and 11/23/21. It was alleged that the facility did not follow an infant’s feeding plan. Specifically, it was alleged that on 10/12/21, child C1 was sent to the center with two bottles of breast milk that were not consumed by the child because staff did not follow the infant’s feeding plan. The LPA met with the center’s interim director M.B. today at 02:30pm discuss the complaint finding. A follow-up tour of the facility was conducted at 02:45pm. There were 27 infants present at the facility. During the LPA’s initial visit to the facility on 10/26/2021, the center’s interim director, M.B. was not present at the facility. The LPA was greeted by the facility’s district manager, J.L. District manager L. stated that the facility and all infant care staff members are required to follow an infant’s feeding plan as it is written. The LPA met with interim center director M.B. (staff S1) on 11/23/21 at 02:18pm to discuss the allegation. B. denied the allegation. B. stated that on the day of the alleged incident, child C1 was sent to the facility with two bottles of milk in the morning. Continued on LIC9099-C Unsubstantiated Estimated Days of Completion: