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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 197407928
Report Date: 07/16/2026
Date Signed: 07/16/2026 10:25:55 AM

Unsubstantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
L.A. DAYCARE-NO.WEST, 300 CONTINENTAL BLVD. STE 290A
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
05/27/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Doris Whitmore
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 30-CC-20260527091911
FACILITY NAME:VOA/HARBOR EARLY HEAD STARTFACILITY NUMBER:
197407928
ADMINISTRATOR:DENISE PEREZFACILITY TYPE:
830
ADDRESS:1081 W. 257TH STREETTELEPHONE:
(310) 257-6892
CITY:HARBOR CITYSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
90710
CAPACITY:32CENSUS: 17DATE:
07/16/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
08:00 AM
MET WITH:Danita Cortes- Site SupervisorTIME COMPLETED:
10:40 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Personal Rights- Children sustain bruises while in care
Personal Rights- Staff intimidate Children
Food Services- Sufficient food not provided
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 06/02/2026Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Doris Whitmore arrived at the facility for the purpose of investigating the above-mentioned allegations. Upon arrival, LPA met with Site Supervisor Danita Cortes and discussed the purpose of the visit. LPA toured the facility and observed 20 children in care with 6 staff members providing care and supervision. LPA conducted staff and children’s interviews. LPA conducted classroom observations and reviewed 3 children’s files. The following documents were obtained Personnel Report, Master List of Participants, Center Incident Forms and Ouch Reports. Copies of Procedures for Family Style Meals, and Incident/ Injury Reports. From the Files the following documents were obtained Family Progress Notes, Doctor's Visits, Ouch Reports, Daily Health Inspection Checklist.

On 06/18/2026 Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Doris Whitmore conducted an unannounced complaint investigation. LPA met with Site Supervisor, Danita Cortes, and explained the purpose of the visit. At the time of the visit there were no children in care and 4 teachers. LPA reviewed three files and obtained a copy of the Progress and Contact Notes.
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Karren Starks
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Doris Whitmore
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/16/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/16/2026
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 2
Control Number 30-CC-20260527091911
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
L.A. DAYCARE-NO.WEST, 300 CONTINENTAL BLVD. STE 290A
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245
FACILITY NAME: VOA/HARBOR EARLY HEAD START
FACILITY NUMBER: 197407928
VISIT DATE: 07/16/2026
NARRATIVE
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The Department conducted a full investigation, which included staff interviews, interviews with relevant parties, observations and other agencies, as well as a record review which included documentation related to the allegations. Information provided by the Reporting Party indicated that the child had a bruise in the ear. LPA conducted a file review and read the Contact Notes. Child was going to the doctor due to having trouble breathing and the doctor noticed that the child’s left ear was purple. There was no incident that happened at the school with the ear. There were no documentation or pictures to support the fact that the child hurt his ear at the facility. Personal Rights - Staff intimidate the children. LPA Whitmore conducted classroom observations and did not observe any intimidation from the staff.

Food Services - Sufficient food not provided- LPA conducted Lunch time observations on 06/2/2026. When the children wanted more food, the children would ask the teacher. LPA observed one child ask the teacher for more salad and the teacher gave the child more salad. Another observation was that a child raised his bowl, and the teacher asked the child if he wanted more fruit and the teacher gave the child more fruit.

Therefore, the allegations are deemed unsubstantiated. Meaning, although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove that the alleged violations occurred. No deficiencies cited.
An exit interview was conducted, copy of this report was reviewed and issued along with appeal rights and Notice of Site Visit. Notice of Site Visit is required to be posted for 30 days.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Karren Starks
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Doris Whitmore
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/16/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/16/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
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