<meta name="robots" content="noindex">
Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT

Facility Number: 197493877
Report Date: 08/28/2026
Date Signed: 08/31/2026 08:02:49 AM

Document Has Been Signed on 08/31/2026 08:02 AM - It Cannot Be Edited

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO CC RO, 300 CONTINENTAL BLVD. STE 290A
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245
FACILITY NAME:DISCOVERY PRESCHOOLFACILITY NUMBER:
197493877
ADMINISTRATOR/
DIRECTOR:		KAREN M. CUEVASFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:12520 CHADRON AVETELEPHONE:
(833) 975-6733
CITY:HAWTHORNESTATE: CAZIP CODE:
90250
CAPACITY: 136TOTAL ENROLLED CHILDREN: 136CENSUS: 69DATE:
08/28/2026
TYPE OF VISIT:Case Management - DeficienciesUNANNOUNCEDTIME VISIT/
INSPECTION BEGAN:
12:01 PM
MET WITH:Gregory Marick - LicenseeTIME VISIT/
INSPECTION COMPLETED:
02:55 PM
NARRATIVE
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
On 08/28/2026 Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Cristina Castellanos conducted an unannounced case management inspection for the purpose of ensuring the standards are being met in accordance with California Tittle 22 Regulations and California Health and Safety Codes. LPA Castellanos met with Administrative Assistant Angelica Vargas and toured the facility both indoors and outdoors.

During the inspection, LPA observed a total of 38 preschool children and 31 toddlers in care. All children were being appropriately supervised by twenty-one (21) staff members.

LPA Castellanos requested and reviewed personnel files.

A review of the Guardian Background Check System confirmed that Staff No. 19 (S19) does not have an active criminal record clearance associated with the facility. The Guardian search results stated: “No applicants that match your search criteria were found in the background checking system.” Additionally, there was no LIC 9163 Request for Live Scan Service available for review for S19.

S19 confirmed that she has been employed at the facility as of 08/24/2026.

Based on observation, record review, and information obtained, S19 - an uncleared staff member- was present in the Toddler Classroom T4, along with two cleared staff members, while seven children were in care. The Administrator was informed of the issue, and S19 left the facility at 12:15 p.m. The facility was found out of compliance with California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Section 101170(e)(1), Criminal Record Clearance, which states:


Continue
Loyce Phillips
Cristina Castellanos
DATE: 08/28/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE: DATE: 08/28/2026
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.

LIC809 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 1 of 4
California Health & Human Services Agency
California Department of Social Services

FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT California law requires a public report of each licensing visit/inspection. This report is a record for the facility and the licensing agency. This report is available for public review; therefore, care is taken not to disclose personal or confidential information. Inquiries concerning the location, maintenance, and contents of these reports may be directed to the Licensing Program Analyst or Regional Office whose address and telephone number are listed on the front of this form.

DEFICIENCIES A deficiency is an instance of noncompliance with licensing requirements, including applicable statutes, regulations, interim licensing standards, operating standards, and written directives. Applicants/ licensees must be notified in writing of all licensing deficiencies. Deficiencies are listed on the left side of this form, and the applicable licensing requirement upon which the deficiency is identified. There are two types of deficiencies:
  • Type A deficiencies are violations of licensing requirements that, if not corrected, have a direct and immediate risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of persons in care.
  • Type B deficiencies are violations of licensing requirements that, without correction, could become a risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of persons in care, a recordkeeping violation that could impact the care of said persons and/or protection of their resources, or a violation that could impact those services required to meet the needs of persons in care.

PLANS OF CORRECTION (POCs) The licensing agency is required to establish a reasonable length of time to correct a deficiency. In order to set the time, the licensing agency must take into consideration the seriousness of the violation, the number of persons in care involved, and the availability of equipment and personnel necessary to correct the violation. Applicants/licensees are requested to provide a specific plan for each violation on the right side of the form across from each deficiency. The more specific the plan, the less chance exists for any misunderstanding in setting time limits and reviewing corrections. The applicant/licensee who encounters problems beyond their control in completing the corrections within the specified time frame may request and may be granted an extension of the correction due date by the licensing agency.

CORRECTION NOTIFICATION The applicant/licensee is responsible for completing all corrections and promptly notifying the licensing agency of corrections. Applicants/licensees are advised to keep a dated copy of any correspondence sent to the licensing agency concerning corrections, or if corrections are telephoned to the licensing agency, the date, person contacted, and information given.

CIVIL PENALTIES The licensing agency is required by law to issue a Penalty Notice, when applicable, to all facilities holding a license issued by the licensing agency, or subject to licensure, except Certified Family Homes, Resource Families, and Foster Family Homes, or any governmental entity.

PENALTY NOTICE GIVEN The statement concerning civil penalties serves as a penalty notice on this Licensing Report and failure to correct cited licensing deficiencies will result in civil penalties. Applicants/ licensees are required to pay civil penalties when administrative appeals have been exhausted and in accordance with any payment arrangements made with the licensing agency.

APPEAL RIGHTS The applicant/licensee has a right without prejudice to discuss any disagreement in this report with the licensing agency concerning the proper application of licensing requirements. The applicant/ licensee may request a formal review by the licensing agency to amend or dismiss the notice of deficiency and/ or civil penalty. Requests for review shall be made in writing within 15 business days of receipt of a deficiency notification or civil penalty assessment. Licensing deficiencies may be appealed pursuant to the procedures in the LIC 9058 Applicant/Licensee Rights.

AGENCY REVIEW The licensing agency review of an appeal may be conducted based upon information provided in writing by the applicant/licensee. The applicant/licensee may request an office meeting to provide additional information. The applicant/licensee will be notified in writing of the results of the agency review within 60 business days of the date when all necessary information has been provided to the licensing agency.

EMAIL REQUIREMENT Adult Community Care Facilities, Residential Care Facilities for the Chronically Ill, and Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly are required to provide and maintain an active email address of record with the licensing agency.

LIC809 (FAS) - (09/23)
Page: 2 of 4
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO CC RO, 300 CONTINENTAL BLVD. STE 290A
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245
FACILITY NAME: DISCOVERY PRESCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 197493877
VISIT DATE: 08/28/2026
NARRATIVE
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
“All individuals subject to a criminal record review pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 1596.871 shall, prior to working, residing, or volunteering in a licensed facility: (1) Obtain a California clearance or a criminal record exemption as required by the Department.”

A Type A deficiency was cited during today’s inspection. A Civil Penalty Assessment – Caregiver Background Check was also issued. See LIC 9099-D for additional information.

Effective January 1, 2009, all licensees must comply with Assembly Bill (AB) 978. Assembly Bill 978 requires the assessment of an immediate civil penalty for designated serious violations at community care facilities. Effective January 1, 2007, the licensee must comply with Assembly Bill 633 as follows: Copies of any licensing report that documents a Type A citation - this includes facility visits and substantiated complaint investigations. Copies of any licensing documents pertaining to a noncompliance conference between licensing management and licensees. Copies of a summary of an accusation indicating the Department’s intent to revoke the facility’s licenses. Copies of any of the above licensing documents the licensee has received in the prior 12 months shall be provided to parents/guardians of newly enrolling children. The licensee shall keep verification of receipt in each child’s file at the facility as proof of compliance (LIC 9224).



Upon receipt of this report, the Licensee shall post the Notice of Site Visit for 30 consecutive days. Failure to comply will result in an immediate $100 civil penalty.

An exit interview was conducted, and the report was reviewed with Licensee Gregory Marick. A copy of this report and the appeal rights were discussed and provided. The Licensee’s signature acknowledges receipt of these documents.


Page 2
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER: Loyce Phillips
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST: Cristina Castellanos
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/28/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/28/2026
LIC809 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 4
Document Has Been Signed on 08/31/2026 08:02 AM - It Cannot Be Edited


Created By: Cristina Castellanos On 08/28/2026 at 01:31 PM
Link to Parent Document Below:
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

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

FACILITY NAME: DISCOVERY PRESCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 197493877

DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 08/28/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type A
08/31/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101170(e)(1)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
101170(e)(1) Criminal Record Clearance
(e) All individuals subject to a criminal record review pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 1596.871 shall prior to working... in a licensed facility:
(1) Obtain a California clearance or a criminal record exemption as required by the Department...
This requirement is not met as evidenced by:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
The Licensee shall ensure that all individuals subject to a criminal record review, including new hires, obtain a criminal record clearance or exemption prior to working, residing, or volunteering in the facility. Effective immediately, the Administrator will review and verify criminal record clearances through the Guardian system before allowing any staff to begin work in any classroom or area accessible to children.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Based on observation, record review, and information obtained, the facility did not comply with the cited section above. An uncleared staff member (S19) was present in Toddler Classroom T4 while seven children were in care during today’s inspection. The presence of an individual without a criminal record clearance in a classroom with children poses an immediate health, safety, and personal rights risk.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Staff No. 19 (S19) was immediately removed from the classroom and will not return to the facility until proper criminal record clearance is obtained and verified. The Licensee will submit proof of correction, including confirmation of S19’s clearance or removal from employment and verification of the personnel file audit, by POC due date via email.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Failure to correct the cited deficiency(ies), on or before the Plan of Correction (POC) due date, may result in a civil penalty assessment.
Loyce Phillips
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM MANAGER:
Cristina Castellanos
NAME OF LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST:
LICENSING PROGRAM ANALYST SIGNATURE:
DATE: 08/28/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:
DATE: 08/28/2026


LIC809 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 4