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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 566217015
Report Date: 07/28/2026
Date Signed: 07/28/2026 03:07:41 PM

Unsubstantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA BARBARA CC RO, 6500 HOLLISTER AVE., SUITE 200
GOLETA, CA 93117
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
05/19/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Laura Carone
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 17-CC-20260519140047
FACILITY NAME:GROWING MINDS CHILDREN'S CENTERFACILITY NUMBER:
566217015
ADMINISTRATOR:SALENA LABATFACILITY TYPE:
860
ADDRESS:1777 STATHAM BLVD.TELEPHONE:
(805) 830-2177
CITY:OXNARDSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
93033
CAPACITY:90CENSUS: 69DATE:
07/28/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
01:00 PM
MET WITH:Ingrid Gutierrez Avila-Site Supervisor
Noah Maddox-Administrative Assistant		TIME COMPLETED:
01:45 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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The facility does not have sufficient staff to maintain required teacher-child ratios.
Staff did not ensure that the front facility door remained closed and secured, which poses a safety risk to children in care.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On July 28, 2026 1:00 PM Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Laura Carone and Brian Fung conducted an unannounced inspection to conclude investigation for the above allegations. LPAs met with Site Supervisor, Ingrid Gutierrez Avila and explained the purpose of the visit. LPAs conducted a tour of the facility inside and outside with Administrative Assistant Noah Maddox. LPAs observed a total of 69 children and 13 staff at the time of the inspection. There are 3 infant and 3 preschool classrooms. Child care hours are Monday through Friday 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM.

LPAs interviewed staff/parents and reviewed records. Parents commented on the frequent teacher turnover. LPAs did confirm teachers have left the center and new staff are present. For the allegation of The facility does not have sufficient staff to maintain required teacher-child ratios. LPAs have not observed facility to be over ratio. On inspections conducted, LPAs have observed Title 22 teacher child ratio regulations

CONTINUED ON LIC9099C
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Susana Martinez
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Laura Carone
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/28/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/28/2026
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
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA BARBARA CC RO, 6500 HOLLISTER AVE., SUITE 200
GOLETA, CA 93117
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
05/19/2026 and conducted by Evaluator Laura Carone
PUBLIC
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 17-CC-20260519140047

FACILITY NAME:GROWING MINDS CHILDREN'S CENTERFACILITY NUMBER:
566217015
ADMINISTRATOR:SALENA LABATFACILITY TYPE:
860
ADDRESS:1777 STATHAM BLVD.TELEPHONE:
(805) 830-2177
CITY:OXNARDSTATE:CAZIP CODE:
93033
CAPACITY:90CENSUS: DATE:
07/28/2026
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
01:00 PM
MET WITH:Ingrid Gutierrez Avila-Site Supervisor
Noah Maddox-Administrative Assistant		TIME COMPLETED:
01:45 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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Unqualifed office staff were observed assisting care staff.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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On July 28, 2026 1:00 PM Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Laura Carone and Brian Fung conducted an unannounced inspection to conclude investigation for the above allegation. LPAs met with Site Supervisor, Ingrid Gutierrez Avila and explained the purpose of the visit. LPAs conducted a tour of the facility inside and outside with Administrative Assistant Noah Maddox. LPAs observed a total of 69 children and 13 staff at the time of the inspection. There are 3 infant and 3 preschool classrooms. Child care hours are Monday through Friday 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM.

LPAs interviewed staff, parents, and reviewed records. LPAs observed Office Support interacting with children in the classroom and outside. LPAs observed video footage of office assistant in a classroomt carrying a child. LPAs were provided a job description for office assistant/center support detailing job duties for the center support. It states, "Provide coverage support when directed to ensure smooth daily operations." and "Assist classroms as needed, including preparing materials or supporting transitions."
CONTINUED ON LIC9099C




CONTINUED ON LIC9099C
Substantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Susana Martinez
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Laura Carone
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/28/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/28/2026
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 5
Control Number 17-CC-20260519140047
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA BARBARA CC RO, 6500 HOLLISTER AVE., SUITE 200
GOLETA, CA 93117
FACILITY NAME: GROWING MINDS CHILDREN'S CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 566217015
VISIT DATE: 07/28/2026
NARRATIVE
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Office assistants shall not be included as teachers in the teacher-child ratio. Based on LPAs observations, record review, and interviews, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED.

Type B citation issued. A notice of site visit was given to licensee, and must remain posted on, or immediately adjacent to, the interior side of the main door for 30 days. Appeal rights LIC9058 given.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Site Supervisor, Ingrid Gutierrez Avila. .
SUPERVISORS NAME: Susana Martinez
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Laura Carone
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/28/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/28/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 5
Control Number 17-CC-20260519140047
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA BARBARA CC RO, 6500 HOLLISTER AVE., SUITE 200
GOLETA, CA 93117

FACILITY NAME: GROWING MINDS CHILDREN'S CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 566217015
DEFICIENCY INFORMATION FOR THIS PAGE:
VISIT DATE: 07/28/2026
Deficiency Type
POC Due Date /
Section Number
DEFICIENCIES
PLAN OF CORRECTIONS(POCs)
Type B
07/27/2026
Section Cited
CCR
101216.3(h)
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101216.3 Teacher-Child Ratio -(h) Persons employed for clerical, housekeeping and maintenance functions shall not be included as teachers in the teacher-child ratio. This requirement was not met as evidenced by: LPAs observed office
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As part of the plan of correction, Licensees will be invited to the Santa Barbara Regional Office for a non-compliance conference, scheduled at a later date.
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assistant in the classroom assisting with children on video and during inspections. This poses a potential risk to children 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: Susana Martinez
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Laura Carone
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/28/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/28/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 5
Control Number 17-CC-20260519140047
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SANTA BARBARA CC RO, 6500 HOLLISTER AVE., SUITE 200
GOLETA, CA 93117
FACILITY NAME: GROWING MINDS CHILDREN'S CENTER
FACILITY NUMBER: 566217015
VISIT DATE: 07/28/2026
NARRATIVE
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are met. The allegation of staff did not ensure that the front facility door remained closed and secured, which poses a safety risk to children in care was not observed. LPAs have observed the front door closed when arriving for inspections. Parents interviewed did not disclose observing the front door open. Center has security cameras in front and throughout the center monitoring all activity. Center has installed a buzzer panel to let people in and out and the door is closing more securely.

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 allegations are UNSUBSTANTIATED.

No citations issued. A notice of site visit was given to Site Supervisor and must remain posted on, or immediately adjacent to, the interior side of the main door for 30 days. Appeal rights LIC9058 given.

Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Site Supervisor, Ingrid Gutierrez Avila. .
SUPERVISORS NAME: Susana Martinez
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Laura Carone
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/28/2026
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 07/28/2026
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 5 of 5