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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 197414470
Report Date: 08/25/2026
Date Signed: 08/25/2026 03:44:51 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO CC NORTH, 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
08/25/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Tatiana Bickham
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 58-CC-20260825090223
FACILITY NAME:SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCHFACILITY NUMBER:
197414470
ADMINISTRATOR:SEASON ENGFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:23838 KITTRIDGE STREETTELEPHONE:
(818) 347-6784
CITY:WEST HILLSSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
91307
CAPACITY:104CENSUS: 25DATE:
08/25/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
11:24 AM
MET WITH:Wendy TorresTIME COMPLETED:
02:45 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Unqualified staff provided supervision to daycare children.
Facility staff are engaging in inappropriate interactions with children.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Tatiana Bickham conducted an unannounced site visit on 08/25/2026 at 11:24 AM for the purpose of conducting an unannounced complaint inspection. Upon arrival, LPA met with Administrator Wendy Torres and explained the purpose of the visit. There were 25 children being supervised by 5 staff members at the time of the visit.

During today's inspection, LPA toured the facility, reviewed facility files, and interviewed the Administrator and staff. LPA also collected the children's roster, and staff roster.

Per the Reporting Party, unqualified staff provided supervision to daycare children.

Page 1.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Raul Navarro
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Tatiana Bickham
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/25/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/25/2026
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 3
Control Number 58-CC-20260825090223
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO CC NORTH, 300 CONTINENTAL BLVD. STE 290A
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245
FACILITY NAME: SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
FACILITY NUMBER: 197414470
VISIT DATE: 08/25/2026
NARRATIVE
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During the interview, the Administrator stated that all staff members are qualified to work at the facility. The Administrator stated that one staff member does not have the required Infant/Toddler units, however, the staff member is currently enrolled in the required course work and may provide breaks for the toddler teacher.
Staff interviewed stated that they have not observed unqualified staff supervising children independently. Staff interviewed stated that staff without the required qualifications may be present with children; however, a qualified staff member is present and supervising the children.

Per LPA's review of facility files, LPA observed that staff members were qualified. LPA observed that one staff member did not have the required Infant/Toddler units. LPA informed the Administrator that staff members supervising toddlers must possess the required Infant/Toddler units prior to being left alone with toddlers.

Per Reporting Party, the facility staff are engaging in inappropriate interactions with children.

During the interview, the Administrator disclosed that an incident occurred during the prior month involving a staff member asking a child to kiss a tattoo located on the staff member's leg. The Administrator stated that the staff member was terminated following the incident.

Staff interviews were inconsistent with the above-mentioned allegations.

Based on LPA’s interview, observation, and file reviews, the allegation of Unqualified staff provided supervision to day-care children and the facility staff are engaging in inappropriate interactions with children. is Substantiated. Meaning the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation is found to be Substantiated. California Code of Regulations, (Title 22), are being cited on the attached LIC 9099D.

Exit interview was conducted with Administrator Wendy Torres. Appeals Rights and the Notice of Site visit were provided. The Notice of Site Visit must remain posted for 30 days during the hours of operation. Failure to maintain posting as required will result in a civil penalty of $100.00.

Page 2.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Raul Navarro
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Tatiana Bickham
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/25/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/25/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
Control Number 58-CC-20260825090223
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO CC NORTH, 300 CONTINENTAL BLVD. STE 290A
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245

FACILITY NAME: SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
FACILITY NUMBER: 197414470
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 08/25/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
09/11/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101416.2(b)
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**THIS IS AN AMENDED REPORT WHICH SUPERSEDES THE PREVIOUS REPORT.* (b) 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
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The Director shall ensure any staff left alone with the toddlers shall have completed infant/toddler units.
LPA provided the facility with a copy of the regulation.
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equivalent quarter units related to the care of infants....
Based on LPAs observation, record review, and interview the facility did not ensure the staff had infant/toddlers units before being left alone with toddlers. This poses an potential health and safety risk to children in care.
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Type B
09/11/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(2)
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(a) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights: (2) To be accorded safe, healthful and comfortable accommodations, furnishings and equipment to meet his/her needs. Based on LPAs interviews staff engaged inappropriate interactions with children in care.
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The Director shall conduct a training on appropriate interactions between staff and children. Director shall provide LPA with a copy of the agenda and sign in sheet by the date listed.
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This poses an potential health and safety risk to 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: Raul Navarro
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Tatiana Bickham
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/25/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/25/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 3