304371754-9-23-2026-06-CC-TNGN-DYCN7V-20260928101324

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 304371754
Report Date: 09/23/2026
Date Signed: 09/23/2026 05:00:16 PM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE COUNTY CC RO, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
07/10/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Kathy Trinh

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 06-CC-20260710122255

FACILITY NAME:	DISCOVERY MONTESSORI		FACILITY NUMBER:	304371754
ADMINISTRATOR:	HORVATH, ILDIKO		FACILITY TYPE:	860
ADDRESS:	25692 CROWN VALLEY PARKWAY		TELEPHONE:	(949) 218-2644
CITY:	LADERA RANCH	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	92694
CAPACITY:	132	CENSUS: 40	DATE:	09/23/2026
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	04:35 PM
MET WITH:	Facility Representative, Evelyn Lee		TIME COMPLETED:	05:10 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Facility is operating out of ratio.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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On 09/23/2026, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), K. Trinh conducted an unannounced subsequent complaint inspection for the purpose of delivering findings for the complaint investigation initiated on 07/01/2026. Upon arrival, LPA met with Facility Representative, Evelyn Lee and was led on a tour of the facility. LPA observed a total of 40 children along with 7 staff.
A review of the Facility Report Summary on this date indicates all facility staff or other individuals who require caregiver background checks have received criminal record and child abuse index clearances or exemptions. During today’s inspection the facility was operating within its licensed capacity and within compliance of staffing ratios.
On 07/10/2026, the Orange County Regional Child Care Licensing Office received a complaint with the following allegation: Facility is operating out of ratio. Reporting party (RP) stated that on 07/08/2026 at approximately 5:00 p.m., two (2) staff were supervising 30-32 children. On 7/10/26 at approximately 8:40 a.m., there were three (3) staff with 45-50 children on the playground. (Continue to page 2)

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion: 90

SUPERVISORS NAME: Tina Nguyen
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Kathy Trinh
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 09/23/2026

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/23/2026

This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 06-CC-20260710122255

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
ORANGE COUNTY CC RO, 750 THE CITY DRIVE, SUITE 250
ORANGE, CA 92868

FACILITY NAME: DISCOVERY MONTESSORI	FACILITY NUMBER: 304371754
	VISIT DATE: 09/23/2026

NARRATIVE

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(Page 2) During investigation, LPA K. Trinh conducted interviews with staff and parents, conducted observations and obtained pertinent documents.

During observations conducted on 07/15/2026 in the morning, LPA observed 63 preschool children with 8 staff members on the playground. On 09/23/2026, LPA observed 31 preschool children with 4 staff members on the playground. The staff-to-child ratio was in compliance at the time of observation.

During interviews, two (2) staff reported multiple incidents when the facility was out of ratio. Staff 2 (S2) shared that they were out of ratio during opening hours on 7/6/26 with 3 staff and 40 children, 7/7/26 with 4 staff and 60 children, and 7/8/26 with 64 children. S2 added that four (4) other staff members were present during these incidents. LPA conducted interviews with the four (4) additional staff present per S2. All four (4) interviewed staff stated that they have not observed, experienced, or heard about the facility operating out of ratio.

Staff 4 (S4) reported that they were out of ratio around 4 p.m.-5p.m., sometime between 7/6/26-7/8/26 with 1 staff and 28 children. S4 added that one (1) other staff member was present during the incident. The staff member present stated that they have not observed, experienced, or heard about the facility operating out of ratio.

During record review, the staff timecards and children’s daily attendance did not indicate that the facility is operating out of ratio. The staff timecards document the staff’s clock-in and clock-out times but do not identify the classroom each staff member worked in.

LPA conducted parent interviews. The interviewed parents did not divulge any information pertaining to the allegation.

Based on LPA’s interviews conducted, observation and records reviewed, the preponderance evidence of: Facility is operating out of ratio has not been met. Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is unsubstantiated.

Appeal Rights were explained. The Licensee was provided with a copy of the appeal rights (LIC 9058) and their signature on this form acknowledges receipt of these rights. All appeals must be in writing and received by the Regional Office within 15 business days. First level appeals should be sent to the regional manager to the address listed above.

End of report.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Tina Nguyen
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Kathy Trinh
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 09/23/2026

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/23/2026

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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