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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 493010863
Report Date: 09/10/2026
Date Signed: 09/10/2026 04:11:09 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA ROSA CC RO, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
06/12/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Amy Strother
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 01-CC-20260612140743
FACILITY NAME:BRIGHT STAR GROUP LLC.FACILITY NUMBER:
493010863
ADMINISTRATOR:KILEY CLARKFACILITY TYPE:
860
ADDRESS:28 MAXWELL CT.TELEPHONE:
(707) 217-4032
CITY:SANTA ROSASTATE: CAZIP CODE:
95401
CAPACITY:45CENSUS: 5DATE:
09/10/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:18 AM
MET WITH:Monika DesorTIME COMPLETED:
04:25 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Staff not preventing child injuring other children
Staff not notifying parents of child injuries
Facility operating out of ratio
Facility did not notify authorized representative of modification to admission agreement
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Amy Strother made a subsequent complaint investigation inspection, for the purpose of delivering complaint findings, and met with facility representative, Monika Desor (S3). The following has been alleged, 1. Staff not preventing child injuring other children, 2. Staff not notifying parents of child injuries, 3. Facility operating out of ratio and 4. Facility did not notify authorized representative of modification to admission agreement.

During the initial investigation inspection on 06/22/26 LPA Strother toured the facility, received a current roster of children in care, reviewed records and conducted an interview with staff (S3).

S3 admitted that there were 4 children that engaged in biting behavior, stating that they prevented the behavior by separating the children, holding the hand of the child who is biting, and providing teethers to chew on.

Continue on LIC9099-C
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Melchisedeck Augustin
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Amy Strother
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/10/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/10/2026
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 8
Control Number 01-CC-20260612140743
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA ROSA CC RO, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405
FACILITY NAME: BRIGHT STAR GROUP LLC.
FACILITY NUMBER: 493010863
VISIT DATE: 09/10/2026
NARRATIVE
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PAGE 2

S3 stated that parents are notified of injuries on the Brightwheel App and by a phone call, stating that it is the Directors responsibility to do the notification. S3 stated that it was brought to her attention by a parent on 06/11/26 that their child was picked up from the facility with a bite mark on them, when S3 had a meeting with the parent and asked staff what happened, the staff did not know and the parent was never notified.

S3 denied ever being out of ratio and also stating that she thought it was okay for children enrolled in the toddler program to join the preschool classroom if the toddler was over 2 years old, stating that this occurred on days when the number of children was lower.

S3 stated the only change she made to the admission agreement was that the tuition would be due bi-weekly, instead of the 1st through 15th, stating she sent a text to families. S3 stated that the admission agreement said bi-weekly, but parents were paying the 1st and 15th, because that is what they thought they were supposed to do.

During the investigation LPA Strother interviewed six adults, (A1-A6) and four former staff (S1, S2, S4 & S5) between 06/15/26 and 09/02/26, with three attempts made to conduct an additional interview with S1 between 09/04/26 and 09/09/26.

Adults interviewed gave examples of their children sustaining bites, scratches, bruises, and scrapped knees while in care. One staff interviewed, stated that they felt that the other teacher working at the facility at the time they were there, didn’t prevent children from injuring each other, would often just stand there and would only intervene when directed to do so.

Another staff felt that many of the injuries that occurred were due to the groups of toddlers and preschools combining in the same environment, which was not a developmentally appropriate environment, with developmentally appropriate activities, and caused children to act out as a result, scratching, hitting and biting. (co-mingling will be addressed in complaint control number 01-CC-20260615114042) Adults and staff gave examples of injuries that occurred where no one knew what happened, suggesting a lack of supervision, resulting in an inability to prevent the injury. Two staff spoke of times when Desor would fill in as staff in the classroom or outdoors, observing Desor to be on her cell phone.

Continue on LIC9099-C
SUPERVISORS NAME: Melchisedeck Augustin
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Amy Strother
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/10/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/10/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 8
Control Number 01-CC-20260612140743
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA ROSA CC RO, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405
FACILITY NAME: BRIGHT STAR GROUP LLC.
FACILITY NUMBER: 493010863
VISIT DATE: 09/10/2026
NARRATIVE
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PAGE 3

Adults gave multiple examples of injuries or incidents involving their children that they were not notified of during interviews conducted. Examples of the non-reported injuries included bites, scrapped knees, bruises, and scratches on the face. One adult stated that they were notified three days after their child had been bitten that the incident occurred. Another adult stated that they learned on 06/12/26 that their child had been choked by another child on 06/01/26 and had not received any information on the day that it occurred. One parent stated that they weren’t notified in a timely manner about injuries or sometimes they weren’t notified at all, stating their child had a big scratch on their face on 04/26/26, and nobody knew what happened. One staff member, a former Director, stated that they thought it was Desor who informed parents of the biting incidents.

Three staff spoke of examples of the facility operating out of ratio to include; the director stepping away to do administrative tasks, leaving the teacher with all of the children, one person with 8 preschool children and 4 toddlers when the toddler ratio is 1 teacher to 6 children, and one person leaving the room, leaving the other staff to stand between the two classrooms when the two groups were in separate rooms.

Adults interviewed mentioned changes in the admission agreement that they were not notified about, to include changing between paying on the 1st and 15th, biweekly or every other Friday. Another adult said they were not sure if there were any changes because they were set up for auto pay. Another adult spoke to not being notified about their child being placed in the toddler group, only learning about it when they felt their tuition was higher than expected and told by Desor that their child had been moved to the toddler group, which cost more. One staff reported that there were multiple changes to the admission agreement and payment schedules during their time of employment. Another staff recalled a couple of parents being upset due to something changing regarding when fees were due.

On 06/15/26 photo documentation was received by the Department. The photos were said to be taken on 06/11/26 of a child’s right forearm and right ankle. The four photos of the child’s right forearm appeared to be consistent with a bite mark, two half circles, upper and lower teeth marks. LPA could not determine how the injury to the child’s right ankle occurred. The right ankle abrasion appeared to be a red circular shape, more pale toward the center, possibly the size of a quarter.

Continue on LIC9099-C
SUPERVISORS NAME: Melchisedeck Augustin
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Amy Strother
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/10/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/10/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 8
Control Number 01-CC-20260612140743
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA ROSA CC RO, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405
FACILITY NAME: BRIGHT STAR GROUP LLC.
FACILITY NUMBER: 493010863
VISIT DATE: 09/10/2026
NARRATIVE
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PAGE 4

Statements submitted with the photos indicate that the child’s authorized representatives were not notified of the injuries. During a meeting with Desor and a staff member on 06/12/26, staff stated that they were unaware that the injuries occurred.

On 06/16/26 LPA Strother received video footage from the facility that included two staff, S1 and S2 on 06/12/26. Both staff were observed in the video to be looking at their cell phones for extended periods of time, limiting their ability to observe the children and prevent inappropriate interactions between children. A portion of the video shows one staff leave the room and the other staff standing with their cell phone to their face, while a child hits another child on the head with a wooden block.

On 06/22/26 LPA received an email with documentation of text messages sent between a parent and facility representative, Monika Desor. A review the documentation demonstrates the parents misunderstanding when fees were due and Desor stating “Hello Just a reminder that we change the policy to pay every other Friday (2 weeks) because calendar month have different days.” Based on LPA’s file review of the “Parent Guidebook – admission agreement” received by the Department on 06/16/25, “Tuition is due by the 5th of each month…” On 06/22/26 Desor provided LPA Strother with a current “Parent Guidebook which states on page 4, “Tuition is due biweekly…” and a copy of the current “Admission Agreement & Contract” which states, “Tuition is billed biweekly through Brightwheel. Families will receive regular invoices (two per month). Fees are due based on the schedule you selected at time of enrollment…”, demonstrating inconsistency.

LPA Strother requested and received records from the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) on 06/29/26. The police report dated 06/12/26 documents a parents’ account of learning that her child had an object wrapped around their neck by another child the week prior, specifically on 06/01/26, but only learned about the incident on 06/12/26. The same parent reported to police that their child received “knot and like a small cut” on 06/12/26.

Continue on LIC9099-C
SUPERVISORS NAME: Melchisedeck Augustin
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Amy Strother
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/10/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/10/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 8
Control Number 01-CC-20260612140743
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA ROSA CC RO, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405
FACILITY NAME: BRIGHT STAR GROUP LLC.
FACILITY NUMBER: 493010863
VISIT DATE: 09/10/2026
NARRATIVE
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PAGE 5

Staff interviewed by SRPD indicate that on 06/02/26, they told Desor about the incident involving one child placing an item around another child’s neck and was told by Desor not to inform the parents and not to document anything. The staff indicated that this was the message from Desor regarding notifying parents of child injuries on more than one occasion. When SRPD asked Desor about the incident, Desor stated she “just got to know” about it that morning, claiming staff had told her about a “sheet around the neck” but didn’t explain details. Desor could not provide documentation of parents being notified on the BrightWheel application used by the facility, stating that someone may have deleted it.

SRPD conducted an interview with the parent of the child that allegedly put the object around another child’s neck, telling SRPD that they were never notified of the incident.

Based interviews conducted and a review of records received, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met; therefore, the above allegations are found to be SUBSTANTIATED. California Code of Regulations, Title 22 are cited on the attached LIC9099-D.

This report was reviewed and discussed with Facility Representative, Monika Desor. Appeal Rights were provided.

Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 days from today's visit.
LPA Strother informed facility representative, Monika Desor that this report dated 09/10/26 documents one Type A citation which shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there is an immediate risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care.

Also, LPA Strother informed the facility representative to provide a copy of this licensing report dated 09/10/26 that documents any Type A citation to parents/guardians of all children currently enrolled by the next business day or the next day the children are in care, and to any newly enrolled parents/guardians for 12 months from the date of this report. A signed Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Report (LIC 9224), or other written statement, must be placed in the child's file for verification.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Melchisedeck Augustin
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Amy Strother
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/10/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/10/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 8
Control Number 01-CC-20260612140743
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA ROSA CC RO, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405

FACILITY NAME: BRIGHT STAR GROUP LLC.
FACILITY NUMBER: 493010863
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 09/10/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
09/11/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101229(a)(1)
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(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,.... Supervision shall include visual observation.

This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
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S3 stated that she has already implemented a no cell phones in the classroom or outdoors policy for staff, hung signs in the classrooms and verbally told the current staff at the time of hire.
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Based on interviews conducted and records reviewed staff did not consistently intervene in behaviors due to distractions such as cell phones, that lead to children injuring other children on multiple occasions, which poses an immediate personal rights or health and safety risk to the children in care.
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S3 will submit a photo of the signs hanging inthe classroom to LPA Strother's email: [email protected]
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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: Melchisedeck Augustin
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Amy Strother
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/10/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/10/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 6 of 8
Control Number 01-CC-20260612140743
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA ROSA CC RO, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405

FACILITY NAME: BRIGHT STAR GROUP LLC.
FACILITY NUMBER: 493010863
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 09/10/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
09/24/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101212(f)
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(f)The items specified in (d)(1)(A) through (H) above shall also be reported to the child's authorized representative.


This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
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S3 stated that she will submit a written procedure that she verbally goes over with staff at the time of hire, showing them how to use the Brightwheel app, signing a statement that each staff is instructed to document and inform parents of any incidents or injuries that occur while in care.
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Based on interviews conducted and records reviewed on more than one occasion and specifically on 06/01/26, 06/11/26 and 04/26/26 parents were not notified of incidents of their child sustaining an injury, which poses a potential personal rights risk or health and safety risk to the children in care.
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Submit procedure and written statement to LPA Strohter's email: [email protected] by 09/24/26
Type B
09/24/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101219(d)
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(d) Modifications to the original admission agreement shall be made whenever circumstances covered in the agreement change, and shall be dated and signed by the persons specified in (c) above.

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S3 will update the admission agreement to make the payment schedule more clear, parents pay bi-weekly, calculated from the first day of payment, taking out the ("two per month") statement, due to some months equating to three payments.
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Based on interviews and record review the tutiton due dates were changed on at least one occasion & parents were not made aware or a date & signature from the parent obtained on the modification to the admission agreement, or a child was placed in toddler component without prior consent, which poses a potential personal rights risk or health and safety risk to the children in care.
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S3 will have parents sign and date the modified admission agreement/payment schedule.

S3 will submit an example of one updated and signed admission agreement by 09/24/26 to email:
[email protected]
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: Melchisedeck Augustin
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Amy Strother
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/10/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/10/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 7 of 8
Control Number 01-CC-20260612140743
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA ROSA CC RO, 1450 NEOTOMAS AVENUE, STE. 100
SANTA ROSA, CA 95405

FACILITY NAME: BRIGHT STAR GROUP LLC.
FACILITY NUMBER: 493010863
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 09/10/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
09/24/2026
Section Cited
HSC
1596.955(a)(3)
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(a)The department shall... permit...centers serving preschool age children to create a...component for children between 18 months to 3 years of age. This...toddler program shall be subject to...: (3) A ratio of 6 children to each teacher...

This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
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S3 stated that she does not currently have children enrolled in the toddler program.

S3 will submit satatement that she understands that when the toddler program is running that she is to follow no more than 6 toddlers with one teacher/staff.
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Based on interviews staff stated that on more than one occasion one staff was supervising the group of toddlers and the group of preschoolers at the same time, specifically on one occasion one person was responsible for supervising 8 preschool children and 4 toddlers, which poses an immediate personal rights or health and safety risk to the children in care.
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Send signed, dated statement to [email protected] by 09/24/26
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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: Melchisedeck Augustin
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Amy Strother
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/10/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/10/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 8 of 8