Santee Head Start/State Preschool

ALLEGATION(S): Staff raised her voice at a child and removed a chair the child was sitting on. INVESTIGATION FINDINGS: On 10/30/2025, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), S.B. conducted an unannounced inspection at the center to deliver complaint findings. LPA met the Director, J.D. and explained the purpose of the visit. LPA toured the indoor and outdoor areas of the facility with the Director. During the course of the investigation, LPA interviewed staff and reviewed records. LPA obtained personnel reports, facility roster and other supporting documents. Based on staff interviews, one child (C1) was observed grabbing a chair to hit another child (C2). Staff stated that one staff (S1) removed a chair from child (C1), to prevent the child (C1) from hitting other child (C2) with it. Staff stated that the removal of the chair was done to ensure safety and de-escalate the situation. Based on staff interviews, staff stated that they have not observed any staff raised their voice inappropriately to any children. Staff stated that they sometimes raise their voice to get a child’s attention, only if the child is far away from them. Staff noted that language can be a barrier to manage challenging behavior in children. [Continue to page 2] Unsubstantiated Estimated Days of Completion:

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 record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care. Two staffs (S3, S5) do not have updated Mandated Reporter Training Certificates.

HSC 1596.7995(a)(1) · Type B

(1) Commencing September 1, 2016, a person shall not be employed or volunteer at a day care center if he or she has not been immunized against influenza, pertussis, and measles. Each employee and volunteer shall receive an influenza vaccination between August 1 and December 1 of each year. This requirement is not met as evidenced by: Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care. Updated Immunization records (Measles, Pertussis, and Influenza) are missing for four staff (S1, S2, S3, S5).

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 [(observation) (interview) (record review)], the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in [count] out of [total count] [(objects) (persons)] [identifiers] which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

HSC 1596.7995(a)(1) · Type B

(1) Commencing September 1, 2016, a person shall not be employed or volunteer at a day care center if he or she has not been immunized against influenza, pertussis, and measles. Each employee and volunteer shall receive an influenza vaccination between August 1 and December 1 of each year. This requirement is not met as evidenced by: Based on [(observation) (interview) (record review)], the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in [count] out of [total count] [(objects) (persons)] [identifiers] which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

CCR 101229(a)(1) · Type B

Responsibility for Providing Care and Supervision: (a) The licensee shall provide care and supervision as necessary to meet the children's needs.(1)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 interviews and records review, the child (C1) was left unsupervised in the play area and brought back to the room, Madrone 1 by Staff (S4), which poses a potential Health, Safety, or Personal Rights risk to persons in care.

ALLEGATION(S): Staff handled daycare child in a rough manner. INVESTIGATION FINDINGS: Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) J.B. conducted a subsequent complaint visit and met with J.D., Site Director today. The purpose of LPA’s visit was to deliver investigation findings. On March 27, 2024, and April 09, 2024, LPA conducted unannounced inspections of the facility. During the course of the investigation, staff interviews were conducted. Facility records were reviewed. Sign in sheets for the children were obtained. It was reported to the department that a staff member handled a child in a rough manner while in care. Based on interviews conducted, witnesses stated staff grabbed child’s plate while child (C1) was still eating. No physical contact with C1 was reported. Unsubstantiated Estimated Days of Completion:

CCR 101223(a)(3) · Type B

(a) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights:(3) To be free from... other actions of a punitive nature including but not limited to: interference with functions of daily living including eating... This requirement was not met as evidence by: Based on interviews and the self reported incident the licensee did not comply with the section cited above by a teacher taking food away from a child which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.

CCR 101229(a)(1) · Type A

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 Site Supervisor R.G. reported on 07/06/2023 at around 9:50am -10:00am child 1 left through the back door of Maple 3 classroom and was outside for less than a minute without supervision. This poses an immediate risk to the Health, Safety or Personal Rights to children in care.

CCR 101223(a)(3) · Type A

Personal Rights. 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. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: Based on interviews and record reviews, Licensee did not comply with section cited above. A child’s personal rights was violated when child was forcefully pulled out from the facility garden and was grabbed by the wrist by a preschool staff which posed an immediate health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.