Montessori Shir-hashirim
6047 Carlton Way, Los Angeles, CA 90028 · Los Angeles County
Child care center (preschool)
Montessori Shir-hashirim is a licensed child care center in Los Angeles, CA, licensed for up to 43 children and serving preschool-age children. It has held its California license since 1991. Since February 2021, state licensing staff have inspected it 3 times. The state issued 26 citations, 2 of them Type A (the most serious), most often for caregiver conduct (6 of 26). 3 citations came in the last 12 months. Measured by weighted citations per inspection, it is tied for #484 of 495 centers in Los Angeles and has more citations per inspection than 99% of California licensed centers.
Inspection record
More citations than 99%of 10,948 California licensed centers, per inspection, weighted by severity. Among the most cited
Tied for #484 of 495 centers in Los Angeles
2Type A citations
24Type B citations
3Inspections
0 of 0Complaints substantiated
26 citations from 4 state visits since Feb 8, 2021 · 3 in the last 12 months · last inspected Dec 4, 2025
Every state visit
Citation issuedNo citationTop row: inspections · bottom row: complaint investigations and other visits
What inspectors cited most
Caregiver conduct6
Building & playground safety6
Health & medication4
Training & qualifications3
Supervision2
Other standards2
Staff ratios2
Records & paperwork1
Citations, newest first
Type BDec 4, 2025InspectionCaregiver conduct
Personal rights §101223(b)(1)
Based on observation, interview and record review , the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in 1 out of 5 children are missing Personal Rights (LIC 613A) which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Plan of correction due Dec 11, 2025
Type BDec 4, 2025InspectionCaregiver conduct
Personal rights §101223(a)(2)
Based on observation, interview, record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above as the storage shed that contains objects that could be a danger to children was not locked and accessible, which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Plan of correction due Dec 5, 2025
Type BDec 4, 2025InspectionTraining & qualifications
Mandated reporter training §1596.8662(b)(1)(1)
Based on observation, interview and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in 3 out of 3 staff do not have a completed Mandated Reporter training, which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Plan of correction due Dec 12, 2025
Type ASep 23, 2024InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Lead testing of drinking water §1597.16(a)(1)
Based on interview with the licensee, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in the licensee did not complete the lead testing as the facility no longer has drinking fountains and only uses water bottles for drinking. LPA informed the director that at one point the facility did have drinking fountains which poses an immediate health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Plan of correction due Oct 31, 2024
Type ASep 23, 2024InspectionSupervision
Care and supervision §101229(a)(1)
Based on observation, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in 3 out of 3 times that the LPA was present at the facility children were observed to be alone without supervision which poses an immediate health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Plan of correction due Oct 4, 2024
Type BSep 23, 2024InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Buildings and grounds §101238(a)
Based on observation, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above LPA observed knives, adult scissors and a screwdriver in a drawer located in the kitchen that was accessible to children in care which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Plan of correction due Sep 23, 2024
Type BSep 23, 2024InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Buildings and grounds §101238(g)
Based on observation, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in LPA observed cleaning solutions under the kitchen sink and observed the safety latch to not be in good repair which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Plan of correction due Sep 23, 2024
Type BSep 23, 2024InspectionHealth & medication
Children's medical assessments §101220(a)
Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in 2 out of 5 children do not have completed LIC701 which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Plan of correction due Oct 11, 2024
Type BSep 23, 2024InspectionHealth & medication
Children's immunizations §101220.1(g)
Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in 1 out of 5 children does not have immunizations on file which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Plan of correction due Oct 11, 2024
Type BSep 23, 2024InspectionCaregiver conduct
Personal rights §101223(b)(1)
Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in 2 out of 5 children do not have a signed LIC613A which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Plan of correction due Sep 27, 2024
Show 16 older citations
Type BFeb 1, 2023InspectionRecords & paperwork
Posting of License §101160(a)
Based on observation, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in the facility license is not posted for the public which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Plan of correction due Feb 10, 2023
Type BFeb 1, 2023InspectionOther standards
Application for License §101169(d)(18)
Based on observation, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in LPA did not observe the telephone number or the local health department and information on child passenger restraint system which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Plan of correction due Feb 10, 2023
Type BFeb 1, 2023InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Disaster and emergency plan §101174(a)
Based on observation and interview, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in LPA did not observe disaster plan and lead teacher did not know where it was located which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Plan of correction due Feb 10, 2023
Type BFeb 1, 2023InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Buildings and grounds §101238(g)
Based on observation, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in LPA observed cabinet under the kitchen sink to have broken safety latches leaving the cleanin solution accessible to children which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Plan of correction due Feb 1, 2023
Type BFeb 1, 2023InspectionSupervision
Care and supervision §101229(a)(1)
Based on observation, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in LPA observed 2 children inside classroom #2 alone which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Plan of correction due Feb 10, 2023
Type BFeb 1, 2023InspectionOther standards
Activities and napping §101230(c)(1)
Based on interview, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in Staff # 2 and Staff #3 stated that S3 supervises children during nap time alone. S3 is not a qualified aide which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Plan of correction due Feb 1, 2023
Type BFeb 1, 2023InspectionTraining & qualifications
Mandated reporter training §1596.8662(b)(1)
Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in LPA did not observe training certificate for Staff #1, Staff #2 and Staff #3 which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Plan of correction due Feb 17, 2023
Type BFeb 1, 2023InspectionTraining & qualifications
Staff health screening and personnel requirements §101216(g)(1)
Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in LPA did not observe TB test for Staff #1 which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Plan of correction due Feb 17, 2023
Type BFeb 1, 2023InspectionHealth & medication
Children's medical assessments §101220(a)
Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in LPA did not observe Child #1 have a Physican Report in file which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Plan of correction due Feb 17, 2023
Type BFeb 1, 2023InspectionHealth & medication
Children's immunizations §101220.1(g)
Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in LPA did not observe immunizations for Child #1, Child #3 and Child #4 which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Plan of correction due Feb 10, 2023
Type BFeb 1, 2023InspectionCaregiver conduct
Personal rights §101223(b)(1)
Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in LPA did not observe LIC613A in Child #1, Child #2, Child #3 and Child #4 file which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Plan of correction due Feb 3, 2023
Teacher-child ratio §101216.3(a)
Based on observation, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in LPA observed Staff #4 being left alone with 16 children which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Plan of correction due Feb 10, 2023
Teacher-child ratio §101216.3(h)
Based on observation and interview, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in Staff #3 has been providing care and supervison when she is not a qualified aide which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Plan of correction due Feb 10, 2023
Type BFeb 1, 2023InspectionCaregiver conduct
Personal rights §101223(a)(1)
Based on observation, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in LPA heard Staff #1 yelling at Child #1 and Child #3 in front of the class and Staff #4 which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Plan of correction due Feb 10, 2023
Type BFeb 1, 2023InspectionCaregiver conduct
Personal rights §101223(a)(3)
Based on observation, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in LPA heard Staff #1 tell Staff #4 what Child #1 and Child #3 did and starting asking the rest of the children if that was appropriate. LPA observed Child #1 and Child #2 put their heads down which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Plan of correction due Feb 10, 2023
Type BFeb 1, 2023InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Fixtures, furniture, equipment and supplies §101239(i)
Based on observation and interview, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in LPA observed 2 children toilets that were added to the staff restroom along with an additional sink for children which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Plan of correction due Feb 10, 2023
How common are lead-in-water citations in Los Angeles County? See the county-by-county report →
About this center
Licensed capacity43 children
License typeChild care center (preschool)
License statusLicensed
Licensed sinceJan 9, 1991
LicenseeElena Cielak
AdministratorElena Cielak
Phone(323) 465-1638
State facility #191804468
Common questions
Does Montessori Shir-hashirim take infants?
Not under this license, which covers preschool-age children.
Has Montessori Shir-hashirim had any serious violations?
California issued 2 Type A citations since 2021, its most serious category. The most recent was on Sep 23, 2024, for lead testing of drinking water. Each citation is listed in full above.
How does Montessori Shir-hashirim compare with other daycares in Los Angeles?
It is tied for #484 of 495 centers in Los Angeles by weighted citations per inspection, and has more citations per inspection than 99% of California licensed centers with enough inspection history to compare.
When was Montessori Shir-hashirim last inspected?
Dec 4, 2025. The state issued at least one citation during that visit.
How much does Montessori Shir-hashirim cost?
California does not publish individual centers’ prices, so ask Montessori Shir-hashirim for its current tuition. For comparison, the median full-time price at licensed centers in Los Angeles County, which includes Los Angeles, was $1,087 a month for preschoolers (about $1,370 today) in the state’s 2021 Regional Market Rate Survey.
Who runs Montessori Shir-hashirim?
The licensee is Elena Cielak, and the administrator listed with the state is Elena Cielak.
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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 191804468 on the California Care Facility Search. Data refreshed Oct 3, 2026.
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