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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 376600348
Report Date: 07/07/2026
Date Signed: 07/07/2026 11:29:14 AM

Substantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVERSIDE SE CC RO, 3737 MAIN STREET, STE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
04/24/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Kelli Waters
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 10-CC-20260424144925
FACILITY NAME:KINDERCARE S. CENTRE CITY PARKWAY PRESCHOOLFACILITY NUMBER:
376600348
ADMINISTRATOR:GRACE PENDERGRASSFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:2415 S. CENTRE CITY PARKWAYTELEPHONE:
(760) 745-2474
CITY:ESCONDIDOSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92025
CAPACITY:72CENSUS: 50DATE:
07/07/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
10:30 AM
MET WITH:Grace pendergrassTIME COMPLETED:
11:15 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
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-Staff are aggressive with daycare children.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On 07/07/26, Licensing Program Analysts (LPA), Kelli Waters and Kelly Gerth, made a subsequent unannounced complaint investigation visit to deliver the findings for the above-mentioned allegations. LPA toured the facility, conducted a census and met with Director, Grace Pendergrass, who was informed of the decision rendered.

On 04/24/26, Community Care Licensing (CCL) received a complaint alleging that staff are aggressive with daycare children.

During the investigation, LPA Waters observed classrooms, reviewed records and conducted confidential interviews. Interviews revealed that staff witnessed staff #1 (S1) and staff #2 (S2) use aggressive tone and language with children in care on multiple occasions as well as physically handling children in a rough manner for purposes of redirection.
Continued on 9099C
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Carlos Martinez
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Kelli Waters
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

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

DATE: 07/07/2026
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 5
Control Number 10-CC-20260424144925
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVERSIDE SE CC RO, 3737 MAIN STREET, STE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
FACILITY NAME: KINDERCARE S. CENTRE CITY PARKWAY PRESCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 376600348
VISIT DATE: 07/07/2026
NARRATIVE
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On 3 separate visits during the investigation, LPA Waters observed S1 and S2 using loud, harsh tones and made inappropriate comments toward children in care during times of transition and nap time. Interviews also revealed that on 06/11/26, LPA Tricia Danielson was at the facility for an unrelated reason, and observed S1 yelling at children and informed the Director to step in.

Based on observation, confidential interviews and record review, the preponderance of evidence has been met and the allegation that the facility violated the personal rights of children in care is SUBSTANTIATED. California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Section 101223(a)(3), is being cited on the attached LIC 9099D. This is a repeat violations and civil penalties will be assessed. See LIC 9099D and LIC 421FC for details.

An exit interview was conducted, and a copy of this report was provided along with copies of the Appeal Rights were provided.

A Notice of Site visit was given, and Director understands that it must remain posted for 30 days.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Carlos Martinez
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Kelli Waters
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

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

DATE: 07/07/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 5
Control Number 10-CC-20260424144925
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVERSIDE SE CC RO, 3737 MAIN STREET, STE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501

FACILITY NAME: KINDERCARE S. CENTRE CITY PARKWAY PRESCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 376600348
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 07/07/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
07/31/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101223(a)(3)
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101223 Personal Rights (a)(3) To be free from corporal or unusual punishment, infliction of pain, humiliation, intimidation, ridicule, coercion, threat, mental abuse or other actions of a punitive nature…

This requirement has not been met as evidenced by:
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Director will conduct staff training on all aspects of 101223 Personal rights with entire staff, including S1 & S2. DIrector will provide LPA with training materials used and sign-in sheet for the meeting and submit to LPA by 07/31/26.
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Based on observation, interviews and record review, S1 and S2 used verbal and physical agression towards children in care and did not ensure the children's personal rights , therefore the licensee did not comply with the section cited above which posed a possible health and safety risk to persons in care.
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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: Carlos Martinez
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Kelli Waters
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

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

DATE: 07/07/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 5
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVERSIDE SE CC RO, 3737 MAIN STREET, STE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
04/24/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Kelli Waters
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 10-CC-20260424144925

FACILITY NAME:KINDERCARE S. CENTRE CITY PARKWAY PRESCHOOLFACILITY NUMBER:
376600348
ADMINISTRATOR:GRACE PENDERGRASSFACILITY TYPE:
850
ADDRESS:2415 S. CENTRE CITY PARKWAYTELEPHONE:
(760) 745-2474
CITY:ESCONDIDOSTATE:CAZIP CODE:
92025
CAPACITY:72CENSUS: 50DATE:
07/07/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
10:30 AM
MET WITH:Grace pendergrassTIME COMPLETED:
11:15 AM
ALLEGATION(S):
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
-Staff acted aggressively toward another staff in the presence of day care children.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
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11
12
13
On 07/07/26, Licensing Program Analysts (LPA), Kelli Waters and Kelly Gerth, made a subsequent unannounced complaint investigation visit to deliver the findings for the above-mentioned allegation. LPA toured the facility, conducted a census and met with Director, Grace Pendergrass, who was informed of the decision rendered.

On 04/24/26, Community Care Licensing (CCL) received a complaint alleging staff acted aggressively toward another staff in the presence of daycare children.

During the investigation, LPA Waters conducted confidential interviews, observed staff, and reviewed records. Interviews confirmed an incident did take place between staff members in the morning of 04/21/26. During a conversation between staff #1 (S1) and staff #2’s, S1 made some contact with the side of S2’s cheek.
Continued on 9099C
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Carlos Martinez
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Kelli Waters
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

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

DATE: 07/07/2026
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 5
Control Number 10-CC-20260424144925
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
RIVERSIDE SE CC RO, 3737 MAIN STREET, STE 700
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
FACILITY NAME: KINDERCARE S. CENTRE CITY PARKWAY PRESCHOOL
FACILITY NUMBER: 376600348
VISIT DATE: 07/07/2026
NARRATIVE
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S2 immediately reported the incident to the Director and left the facility. LPA was unable to determine the magnitude of the physical interaction and interviews revealed that children were not aware of the incident.

Based on confidential interviews and record review, LPA Waters could not corroborate the above allegation. Although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED.

An exit interview was conducted, and a copy of this report was provided along with copies of the Appeal Rights were provided.

A Notice of Site visit was given, and Director understands that it must remain posted for 30 days.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Carlos Martinez
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Kelli Waters
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

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

DATE: 07/07/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 5