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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 503808826
Report Date: 07/15/2026
Date Signed: 07/15/2026 02:40:24 PM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
FRESNO CC RO, 1310 E. SHAW AVE,
FRESNO, CA 93710
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
07/09/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Valerie Mireles
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 04-CC-20260709141033
FACILITY NAME:SEQUOIA PRESCHOOL ACADEMYFACILITY NUMBER:
503808826
ADMINISTRATOR:GUTHMILLER, JANETFACILITY TYPE:
830
ADDRESS:1308 COFFEE ROADTELEPHONE:
(209) 526-2273
CITY:MODESTOSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
95355
CAPACITY:4CENSUS: 4DATE:
07/15/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
11:30 AM
MET WITH:Janet GuthmillerTIME COMPLETED:
03:00 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Unqualified staff working in the infant classroom
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 07/15/2026, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Valerie Mireles conducted an unannounced complaint inspection to open the above allegation. LPA met with Director, Janet Guthmiller. LPA explained the allegations, toured the facility, inside, outside, and a census was taken. LPA interviewed staff, reviewed surveillance videos, reviewed staff files and obtained documentation pertinent to the investigation.

LPA conducted record reviews, interviewed staff and it was determined that Staff #1 (S1) is not a fully qualified teacher as S1 does not have twelve post-secondary units in early childhood education completed and/or they do not have courses that cover the general areas of child growth and development, or human growth and development; child, family and community, or child and family; and program/curriculum as required by regulations; however, S1 does have three of the units required that are related to the care of infants. Furthermore, LPA did not observe that S1, had any type of permits, credentials or certificates that would qualify them as fully qualified teacher and LPA did not observe a granted exception on file for S1. During the course of the investigation LPA observed through surveillance camera footage that the facility utilized S1 as fully qualified teacher in the infant classroom.
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Joseph Pacheco
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Valerie Mireles
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/15/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/15/2026
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 04-CC-20260709141033
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
FRESNO CC RO, 1310 E. SHAW AVE,
FRESNO, CA 93710
FACILITY NAME: SEQUOIA PRESCHOOL ACADEMY
FACILITY NUMBER: 503808826
VISIT DATE: 07/15/2026
NARRATIVE
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Based on LPA's observations, staff interviews and records review, the allegation that unqualified staff are supervising infants was corroborated and the preponderance of evidence has been met; therefore, the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED.

Per Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 1, of the California Code of Regulations, the following deficiency is being cited: (see next page, 809-D) Exit interview conducted with the Director, Janet Guthmiller. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Appeal Rights provided.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Joseph Pacheco
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Valerie Mireles
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/15/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/15/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 3
Control Number 04-CC-20260709141033
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
FRESNO CC RO, 1310 E. SHAW AVE,
FRESNO, CA 93710

FACILITY NAME: SEQUOIA PRESCHOOL ACADEMY
FACILITY NUMBER: 503808826
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 07/15/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
07/24/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101416.2(c)(1)
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101416.2(c)(1)To be a fully qualified infant care teacher... shall have the following: (1)Completion, with passing grades, of 12 postsecondary semester ... units in early childhood or child development education at an accredited or approved college or university. This requirement was not met as evidenced by:
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Director reviewed regulation CCR 101416.2(c)(1) and stated they will immediately ensure that all staff utilized as teachers meet the regulatory requirements as of start of business 7/16/2026. Licensee will create a classroom staffing plan that meets all
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Based on record review, staff interview and LPA observation, the director did not comply with the section cited above by verifying staff is fully qualifed to provide care and supervision to infants. This poses a potential risk to the health, safety or personal rights of children in care.
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regulatory requirements for teacher requirements and ratios for all classrooms and will submit the staffing plan to CCLD by 07/24/2026. Director will also submit exception requests for staff that are currently pursuing teacher qaulifications (12 ECE units and 3 infant units).
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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.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Joseph Pacheco
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Valerie Mireles
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/15/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/15/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 3