Daycare RecordChild care inspection records

Heritage Montessori School · Preschool, Ridgecrest

934 Heritage Drive, Ridgecrest, CA 93555 · Kern County
2 substantiated complaintsChild care center (preschool)

Heritage Montessori School is a licensed child care center in Ridgecrest, CA, licensed for up to 90 children and serving preschool-age children. It has held its California license since 2021. Since February 2021, state licensing staff have inspected it 3 times and investigated 6 complaints, 2 of them substantiated. The state issued 11 citations, 2 of them Type A (the most serious), most often for caregiver conduct (3 of 11). None came in the last 12 months. Measured by weighted citations per inspection, it is #11 of 11 centers in Ridgecrest and has more citations per inspection than 95% of California licensed centers.

Inspection record

More citations than 95%of 10,948 California licensed centers, per inspection, weighted by severity. Among the most cited
#11 of 11 centers in Ridgecrest
2Type A citations
9Type B citations
3Inspections
2 of 6Complaints substantiated
11 citations from 19 state visits since Feb 8, 2021 · 0 in the last 12 months · last inspected Sep 18, 2025

Every state visit

20222023202420252026INSPECTIONS (top) · REPORTS & INVESTIGATIONS (bottom)Sep 18, 2025 · Report/investigation · no citationSep 18, 2025 · Report/investigation · no citationSep 18, 2025 · Inspection · citation foundSep 18, 2025 · Report/investigation · citation foundAug 1, 2025 · Report/investigation · no citationAug 1, 2025 · Report/investigation · citation foundJul 2, 2025 · Report/investigation · no citationJul 2, 2025 · Report/investigation · no citationMay 22, 2025 · Report/investigation · no citationMay 22, 2025 · Report/investigation · no citationApr 22, 2025 · Report/investigation · no citationApr 22, 2025 · Report/investigation · citation foundApr 22, 2025 · Report/investigation · no citationMar 26, 2025 · Report/investigation · no citationNov 20, 2024 · Report/investigation · no citationOct 2, 2024 · Inspection · citation foundMay 1, 2024 · Report/investigation · citation foundMar 28, 2024 · Report/investigation · no citationJun 1, 2023 · Inspection · no citation
Citation issuedNo citationTop row: inspections · bottom row: complaint investigations and other visits

What inspectors cited most

Caregiver conduct3
Health & medication3
Training & qualifications3
Building & playground safety1
Other standards1

Citations, newest first

Type ASep 18, 2025Complaint investigationCaregiver conduct
Personal rights §101223(a)(3)
(a) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights: (3) To be free from corporal or unusual punishment, infliction of pain, humiliation, intimidation, ridicule...but not limited to: interference with..functions of daily living. Licensee informed LPA during interview that S1 received verbal written warning and was re-trained. During interviews it was found that S1 is no longer employed by the facility. Licensee has confirmed enrollment in the CCL TSP program. This requirement was not met as evidence by: Based on observation, interviews and record file reviews C1's arm was injured by S1, which poses an immediate risk to the health safety and personal rights of the clients in care.
Plan of correction due Sep 18, 2025
Type BSep 18, 2025InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Buildings and grounds §101238(a)
Based on observation, interview, record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in not having exit door work properly which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Plan of correction due Oct 1, 2025
Type BSep 18, 2025InspectionHealth & medication
Staff immunizations §1596.7995(a)(1)
Based on observation, interview, record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in not having immunization's records (MMR and Tdap) for three employees, flu decline or vaccination missing for four employees which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Plan of correction due Oct 1, 2025
Type BSep 18, 2025InspectionTraining & qualifications
Staff health screening and personnel requirements §101216(g)(1)(1)
Based on observation, interview, record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in by not having employee with TB test results or assessment in the employee file which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Plan of correction due Oct 1, 2025
Type AAug 1, 2025Complaint investigationCaregiver conduct
Personal rights §101223(a)(3)
(a) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights: (3) To be free from corporal or unusual punishment, infliction of pain, humiliation, intimidation, ridicule...but not limited to: interference with..functions of daily living. 1 Director informed LPA during interview that S1 is no longer employed with facility. This requirement was not met as evidence by: Based on observation, interviews and record reviews C1's personal rights were violated by S1, which poses an immediate risk to the health safety and personal rights of the clients in care. 8
Plan of correction due Aug 1, 2025
Type BApr 22, 2025Complaint investigationTraining & qualifications
Staff health screening and personnel requirements §101216(g)(1)
(1) Except as specified in (3) below, good physical health shall be verified by a health screening,...test for tuberculosis,...performed by..physician not more than one year prior to or seven days after employment or licensure. Site Supervisor states they will ensure that TB test is obtained within the first 7 days of employment. Director will implement POC procedure to ensure TB is obtained on time. Director will provide proof completion to LPA.
Plan of correction due Apr 25, 2025
Type BApr 22, 2025Complaint investigationHealth & medication
Children's medical assessments §101220(b)(2)
(b) The medical assessment shall provide the following: (2) Results of a test for tuberculosis. Site Supervisor states ensure current TB or documentation from physician report when enrolled. Director will implement POC procedure to ensure TB is obtained on time for children. Director will provide proof completion to LPA.
Plan of correction due May 5, 2025
Type BApr 22, 2025Complaint investigationHealth & medication
Staff immunizations §1596.7995(a)(1)
(a) (1) Commencing September 1, 2016, a person shall not be employed or volunteer at a day care center if he or she has not been immunized against influenza, pertussis, and measles. Each employee and volunteer shall receive an influenza vaccination between August 1 and December 1 of each year. 1 Site Supervisor states they will ensure employees immunization records are on file on date of hire. Director will implement POC procedure to ensure immunization's are obtained for employees. Director will provide proof completion to LPA.
Plan of correction due Apr 25, 2025
Type BApr 22, 2025Complaint investigationCaregiver conduct
Personal rights §101223(a)(2)
(a) The licensee shall ensure that each child is accorded the following personal rights: (2) To be accorded safe, healthful and comfortable accommodations, furnishings and equipment to meet his/her needs. Site Supervisor states she will re-train staff on proper procedures of working with bodily fluids for childs health in accordance first aid. Director will provide proof completion to LPA.
Plan of correction due Apr 22, 2025
Type BOct 2, 2024InspectionTraining & qualifications
Staff health screening and personnel requirements §101216(g)(1)
Based on observation, interview, record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above due to not having TB test results present in employee file which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Plan of correction due Oct 15, 2024
Type BMay 1, 2024Case management visit (incident)Other standards
Plan of Operation §101173(c)
101173(c) Plan of Operation: (c) The child care center shall operate in accordance with the terms specified in the plan of operation. The requirement is not met as evidence by: 1 The licensee shall submit a Plan of Operation to provide Incidential Medical Service by the due date. Based on interviews and record review, the licensee failed to have a Plan of Operation to provide Incidential Medical Services for child #1 which propose a potential health safety or personal rights risk to the person in care. 8
Plan of correction due Jun 21, 2024

Complaint investigations

SubstantiatedSep 18, 2025Complaint investigationreceived Jun 24, 2025
Substantiated allegations:
Allegation#1-Personal Rights: Lack of supervision resulting in daycare child sustaining unexplained injuries.
Allegation #2-Personal Rights: Staff handle daycare children in a rough manner.
1 citation issued during this investigation, listed under Citations.
Not substantiatedAug 1, 2025Complaint investigationreceived May 14, 2025
The state did not substantiate this complaint, so its allegations are not shown.
1 citation issued during this investigation, listed under Citations.
SubstantiatedApr 22, 2025Complaint investigationreceived Jan 27, 2025
Substantiated allegations:
Allegation #6-Personal Rights-Staff do not practice proper hand hygiene when wiping infants nose.
Allegation #7-Record Keeping-Staff does not have TB clearance.
Allegation #8-Record Keeping-Staff did not ensure infant immunization and TB records are maintained at the facility.
4 citations issued during this investigation, listed under Citations.
Not substantiatedApr 22, 2025Complaint investigationreceived Jan 27, 2025
The state did not substantiate this complaint, so its allegations are not shown.
Not substantiatedMar 26, 2025Complaint investigationreceived Jan 13, 2025
The state did not substantiate this complaint, so its allegations are not shown.
Not substantiatedNov 20, 2024Complaint investigationreceived Aug 27, 2024
The state did not substantiate this complaint, so its allegations are not shown.

How often are complaints about daycares in California substantiated? See the county-by-county report →

About this center

Licensed capacity90 children
License typeChild care center (preschool)
License statusLicensed
Licensed sinceJul 30, 2021
LicenseeDenise Campos
AdministratorDenise Campos
Phone(760) 446-7459
State facility #157750003

Common questions

Does Heritage Montessori School take infants?

Not under this license, which covers preschool-age children.

Has Heritage Montessori School had any serious violations?

California issued 2 Type A citations since 2021, its most serious category. The most recent was on Sep 18, 2025, for personal rights. Each citation is listed in full above.

Have there been complaints about Heritage Montessori School?

California investigated 6 complaints since 2021 and substantiated 2. Allegations are shown only for substantiated complaints.

How does Heritage Montessori School compare with other daycares in Ridgecrest?

It is #11 of 11 centers in Ridgecrest by weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 95% of California licensed centers with enough inspection history to compare.

When was Heritage Montessori School last inspected?

Sep 18, 2025. The state issued at least one citation during that visit.

How much does Heritage Montessori School cost?

California does not publish individual centers’ prices, so ask Heritage Montessori School for its current tuition. For comparison, the median full-time price at licensed centers in Kern County, which includes Ridgecrest, was $837 a month for preschoolers (about $1,060 today) in the state’s 2021 Regional Market Rate Survey.

Who runs Heritage Montessori School?

The licensee is Denise Campos, and the administrator listed with the state is Denise Campos.

Licensed centers nearby

Citations are quoted from California Department of Social Services inspection and complaint reports. Type A citations are the state’s most serious category (an immediate risk to children’s health, safety or personal rights); Type B citations are a potential risk. A citation is a finding about one rule, not a judgment about a center overall. Complaint allegations appear here only when the state substantiated them.

To read the full state reports, search facility number 157750003 on the California Care Facility Search. Data refreshed Oct 3, 2026.

Comparing centers? See how to choose a daycare: 30 questions to ask and a printable checklist.