Daycare RecordChild care inspection records

Lil' Explorers

8800 Harris Road, Bakersfield, CA 93311 · Kern County
1 Type A citation in last 12 months5 substantiated complaintsChild care center (preschool)

Lil' Explorers is a licensed child care center in Bakersfield, CA, licensed for up to 298 children and serving preschool-age children. It has held its California license since 2011. Since February 2021, state licensing staff have inspected it 4 times and investigated 8 complaints, 5 of them substantiated. The state issued 14 citations, 3 of them Type A (the most serious), most often for caregiver conduct (4 of 14). 8 citations came in the last 12 months, including 1 Type A. Measured by weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #118 of 122 centers in Bakersfield 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
Tied for #118 of 122 centers in Bakersfield
3Type A citations
11Type B citations
4Inspections
5 of 8Complaints substantiated
14 citations from 35 state visits since Feb 8, 2021 · 8 in the last 12 months · last inspected Oct 22, 2025

Every state visit

20222023202420252026INSPECTIONS (top) · REPORTS & INVESTIGATIONS (bottom)Sep 17, 2026 · Report/investigation · no citationSep 17, 2026 · Report/investigation · no citationSep 17, 2026 · Report/investigation · no citationAug 6, 2026 · Report/investigation · no citationJul 27, 2026 · Report/investigation · no citationJul 24, 2026 · Report/investigation · citation foundJul 24, 2026 · Report/investigation · citation foundJul 24, 2026 · Report/investigation · no citationMay 27, 2026 · Report/investigation · no citationMay 19, 2026 · Report/investigation · no citationMay 19, 2026 · Report/investigation · citation foundMay 19, 2026 · Report/investigation · citation foundFeb 6, 2026 · Report/investigation · citation foundFeb 6, 2026 · Report/investigation · no citationFeb 6, 2026 · Report/investigation · citation foundDec 17, 2025 · Report/investigation · no citationDec 17, 2025 · Report/investigation · citation foundOct 22, 2025 · Inspection · citation foundSep 24, 2025 · Report/investigation · no citationSep 24, 2025 · Report/investigation · no citationJun 27, 2025 · Report/investigation · no citationJun 13, 2025 · Report/investigation · citation foundJun 13, 2025 · Report/investigation · no citationMay 12, 2025 · Report/investigation · no citationApr 11, 2025 · Report/investigation · citation foundApr 11, 2025 · Report/investigation · citation foundJan 24, 2025 · Report/investigation · citation foundNov 14, 2024 · Report/investigation · citation foundMar 25, 2024 · Inspection · no citationAug 15, 2023 · Report/investigation · no citationJun 27, 2023 · Report/investigation · no citationMar 15, 2023 · Inspection · no citationFeb 10, 2023 · Report/investigation · no citationApr 19, 2022 · Inspection · no citationJan 3, 2022 · Report/investigation · citation found
Citation issuedNo citationTop row: inspections · bottom row: complaint investigations and other visits

What inspectors cited most

Caregiver conduct4
Records & paperwork3
Supervision2
Other standards2
Health & medication1
Background checks1
Training & qualifications1

Citations, newest first

Type AJul 24, 2026Complaint investigationCaregiver conduct
Personal rights §101223(a)(3)
Based on interviews conducted by LPA and a thorough review of facility records, it has been determined that the licensee failed to comply with the regulation cited above, as detailed in LIC 9099, which poses an immediatl risk to the health, safety, or personal rights to children in care. 8 Facility representative will include written statement when she retrains all staff on personal rights. Documentation of staff training, including agenda/topics covered and staff signatures will be submitted to CCL. TSP referral will be submitted.
Plan of correction due Jul 27, 2026
Type BJul 24, 2026Case management visit (deficiencies)Caregiver conduct
Personal rights §101223(a)(1)
Based on interviews conducted by LPA and a thorough review of facility records, it has been determined that the licensee failed to comply with the regulation cited above, as detailed in LIC 809, which poses a potential risk to the health, safety, or personal rights to children in care.
Plan of correction due Jul 31, 2026
Type BMay 19, 2026Complaint investigationSupervision
Care and supervision §101229(a)
Based on interviews conducted by LPA and a thorough review of facility records, 1 Director stated that she will conduct a staff meeting to reinforce the importance of appropriate staff positioningand supervision in the classroom to effectively support children with challenging behaviors. it has been determined that the licensee failed to comply with the regulation cited above, as detailed in LIC 9099, which poses a potential risk to the health, safety, or personal rights to children in care. Director will provide copy of training agenda and copy of attendance sheet and submit it to the Department by 06/02/2026.
Plan of correction due Jun 2, 2026
Type BMay 19, 2026Case management visit (deficiencies)Caregiver conduct
Personal rights §101223(a)(1)
Based on interviews, the facility did not ensure that Child 1’s personal rights were protected. Although staff maintained visual supervision, Child 1 was isolated from the group, which poses a potential risk to the health, safety, or personal rights to children in care. 8 Documentation of staff training, including agenda/topics covered and staff signatures, shall be submitted to the Department by 06/02/2026. LPA provided a copy of the personal rights regulations.
Plan of correction due Jun 2, 2026
Type BFeb 6, 2026Complaint investigationHealth & medication
Health-related services §101226(3)(A)
Based on interviews and records reviewed, Licensee did not comply with the cited regulation, Staff did not follow physician's orders for child, which poses a potential risk to the health, safety, or personal rights to children in care. 8 Licensee will submit sign-in sheet, agenda and packet that was provided to staff by 02/20/2026 and will submit copy of the Incidental Medical Service Plan by 02/20/2026.
Plan of correction due Feb 20, 2026
Type BFeb 6, 2026Case management visit (deficiencies)Records & paperwork
Reporting requirements §101212(d)(1)(C)
Based on interviews and records reviewed, Licensee did not comply with the cited regulation, which poses a potential risk to the health, safety, or personal rights to children in care.
Plan of correction due Feb 20, 2026
Type BDec 17, 2025Case management visit (deficiencies)Background checks
Criminal record clearance §1596.871(h)(1)
Based on interview and records reviewed, as of 12/17/2025, per Guardian Background Check System Staff 1, Staff 2 and Staff 3 were fingerprint cleared, but were not associated to this facility, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Plan of correction due Dec 19, 2025
Type BOct 22, 2025InspectionOther standards
Rule §596.8595(c)(1)
Based on file review and interview, 5 of 13 enrolled children files were missing the LIC9224, which poses a potential risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care.
Plan of correction due Nov 7, 2025
Type BJun 13, 2025Case management visit (other)Other standards
Application for License §101169(a)
Per director a completed application packet will be submitted to Fresno Regional Office by
Plan of correction due Jul 14, 2025
Type AApr 11, 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, coercion, threat, mental abuse or other actions of a interference with functions of ..... 1 Per director facility will provide an all-staff training regarding Title 22 Regulation 101223(a)(3). This training will include viewing Community Care Licensing (CCL) video, copy of agenda, and sign in sheet of staff. This requirement was not met by: Based upon LPA observations, and information gathered through interviews. Staff #1 was obsereved handling and yelling at day care children in a rough manner. 8 titled “Children’s Personal Rights in Child Care”. This video can be viewed by accessing the Departments website: ccld.childcarevideos.org. Licensee will submit a copy of training agenda and a list of attendees to the Fresno CCL office by 04/14/2025.
Plan of correction due Apr 14, 2025
Type BApr 11, 2025Case management visit (other)Records & paperwork
Reporting requirements §101212(d)(1)(c)
Based on record review the facility did not notify the Department of incident that occurred on 12/23/2024 which poses a potential Health and Safety Risk to persons in care.
Plan of correction due Apr 25, 2025
Type BJan 24, 2025Complaint investigationTraining & qualifications
Teacher qualifications and duties §101216.1(c)(1)
Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above. Staff #1 has completed 9 of the 12 required childhood education units. This poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care. This poses a potential risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care. Assistant Director stated she will submit a plan to the Fresno Regional Office by 02/07/2025 specifying how staff will be reorganized to ensure there is a qualified teacher in the classroom at all times.
Plan of correction due Feb 7, 2025
Type ANov 14, 2024Case management visit (incident)Supervision
Responsibility for Providing Care and Supervision §101299(a)(1)
Care and Supervision. No child(ren) shall be left without the supervision, including visual observation, of a teacher at any time except as specified in sections 101216.2(e)(1) and 101230(c)(1). This regulation was not met by 1 Brianna Contreras held a 1 to 1 training with all staff on November 9, 2024, pertaining specifically to improving strategies on supervision. On November 8, 2024, child 1 was left outside unsupervised for less than one minute during a transition from the outdoor play yard to the classroom. This posed an immediate risk to the health, safety, and personal rights of the child in care. 8
Plan of correction due Nov 14, 2024
Type BJan 3, 2022Case management visit (other)Records & paperwork
Infant needs and services plan §101419.2(b)(4)
the LPA's observations further documented in the 809 report. This is a possible risk to the health, safety or personal rights of children in care. 8 The parents will also be provided with the Covid guidelines and they will sign a form stating that they have received them and understand them.
Plan of correction due Jan 31, 2022

Complaint investigations

SubstantiatedJul 24, 2026Complaint investigationreceived May 22, 2026
Substantiated allegations:
Staff speaks inappropriately to child in care
Staff does not ensure child is treated with respect while in care
1 citation issued during this investigation, listed under Citations.
SubstantiatedMay 19, 2026Complaint investigationreceived Mar 12, 2026
At least one allegation was substantiated. The state’s report lists which.
1 citation issued during this investigation, listed under Citations.
SubstantiatedFeb 6, 2026Complaint investigationreceived Dec 10, 2025
Substantiated allegation:
Staff did not follow physician's orders for child
1 citation issued during this investigation, listed under Citations.
Not substantiatedSep 24, 2025Complaint investigationreceived Jul 16, 2025
The state did not substantiate this complaint, so its allegations are not shown.
SubstantiatedApr 11, 2025Complaint investigationreceived Apr 3, 2025
Substantiated allegations:
Staff handled daycare child in a rough manner.
Staff yells at daycare child.
1 citation issued during this investigation, listed under Citations.
SubstantiatedJan 24, 2025Complaint investigationreceived Jan 23, 2025
Substantiated allegation:
Staff does not meet minimum qualifications.
1 citation issued during this investigation, listed under Citations.
Not substantiatedAug 15, 2023Complaint investigationreceived Jul 14, 2023
The state did not substantiate this complaint, so its allegations are not shown.
Not substantiatedJun 27, 2023Complaint investigationreceived Apr 21, 2023
The state did not substantiate this complaint, so its allegations are not shown.

About this center

Licensed capacity298 children
License typeChild care center (preschool)
License statusLicensed
Licensed sinceApr 11, 2011
LicenseeLil' Explorers, INC.
AdministratorWendy Garrett
Phone(661) 665-1200
State facility #153808662

Other licenses at this address

Common questions

Does Lil' Explorers take infants?

Not under this license, which covers preschool-age children. An infant center is licensed separately at the same address (listed below).

Has Lil' Explorers had any serious violations?

California issued 3 Type A citations since 2021, its most serious category. The most recent was on Jul 24, 2026, for personal rights. Each citation is listed in full above.

Have there been complaints about Lil' Explorers?

California investigated 8 complaints since 2021 and substantiated 5. Allegations are shown only for substantiated complaints.

How does Lil' Explorers compare with other daycares in Bakersfield?

It is tied for #118 of 122 centers in Bakersfield 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 Lil' Explorers last inspected?

Oct 22, 2025. The state issued at least one citation during that visit.

How much does Lil' Explorers cost?

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

Who runs Lil' Explorers?

The licensee is Lil' Explorers, INC., and the administrator listed with the state is Wendy Garrett.

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 153808662 on the California Care Facility Search. Data refreshed Oct 2, 2026.