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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 197494332
Report Date: 08/27/2026
Date Signed: 08/27/2026 11:52:41 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
06/03/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Doris Whitmore
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 30-CC-20260603151051
FACILITY NAME:CRYSTAL STAIRS HEAD START - HAWTHORNE PLAZAFACILITY NUMBER:
197494332
ADMINISTRATOR:CARDENAS, LAURAFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:4300-A W. 120TH STREETTELEPHONE:
(323) 421-1100
CITY:HAWTHORNESTATE: CAZIP CODE:
90250
CAPACITY:116CENSUS: 0DATE:
08/27/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
11:30 AM
MET WITH: La Shonna Grant- Assistant DirectorTIME COMPLETED:
12:00 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Personal Rights- Staff spoke inappropriately towards daycare children.
Personal Rghts- Staff demonstrated inappropriate forms of discipline.
Personal Rights- Staff mishandled daycare children.
Personal Rights- Staff inappropriately grabbed a daycare child
Personal Rights-Staff allowed a daycare child to remain soiled while in care.
Personal Rights- Staff threatned a daycare child.
Personal Rights-Staff are forcing daycare children to stay in the napping area.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 06/10/2026 at 8:22 a.m. Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Doris Whitmore conducted an unannounced initial 10-day complaint investigation and met with Site Supervisor; DaVida Brown. LPA Whitmore explained the purpose of the visit. LPA toured the facility indoors and outdoors and observed a total of 50 children and 21 staff. Classrooms and Nap time were observed.
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. LPA did not observe nor was information provided via interviews that provided sufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations of Personal Rights- Staff spoke inappropriately towards day care children. On 06/10/2026 LPA observed in Classroom G the teacher going over the rules with the children. The children were sitting on the carpet. LPA did not observe that staff speak inappropriately towards day care children. For Personal Rights-Staff demonstrated inappropriate forms of discipline,Staff mishandled day care child children, Staff inappropriately grabbed a daycare child. Staff allowed a day care child to remain soiled while in care, Staff threatened a day care child. LPA Whitmore did not observed any of these allegations in
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Karren Starks
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Doris Whitmore
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/27/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/27/2026
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-20260603151051
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: CRYSTAL STAIRS HEAD START - HAWTHORNE PLAZA
FACILITY NUMBER: 197494332
VISIT DATE: 08/27/2026
NARRATIVE
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visiting the facility on 06/10/2026.Personal Rights- Staff are forcing daycare children to stay in the napping area. On 06/10/2026 LPA Whitmore observed a total of 7 children during naptime with two teachers. Out of the 7 children there were two children who were not sleeping and were playing a game. There was one teacher with the children. LPA did not observe any teacher forcing daycare children to stay in the napping area.

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: 08/27/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 08/27/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 2