Smiles Montessori Childcare · Infant Center, Orange
Smiles Montessori Childcare was a licensed child care center in Orange, CA, licensed for up to 20 children. Its license closed around May 2026. Since February 2021, the state inspected it twice, investigated 3 complaints (2 substantiated) and issued 37 citations, 10 of them Type A. Its inspection history is kept here for reference.
Inspection history
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Citations, newest first
Based on interview and record review, Staff 2 (S2) and Staff 3 (S3) confirmed that the incident on 4/13/2026 with Child 1 (C1) occurred in the preschool outdoor area which poses an immediate risk to the health, safety, and personal rights of the children in care.
Based on observation, interview, and file review, the facility did not comply with the section cited above, in violation of Stipulation and Waiver; and Order (CDSS No. 624284101, 6624284101B, and 6624284101C) Section (4)(J) as S1 was alone and providing care to C1 and on 4/28/2026 and 5/8/2026, S2 presented themselves as the center director which poses an immediate health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on observation, interview, and file review, the facility did not comply with the section cited above, in violation of Stipulation and Waiver; and Order CDSS No. 6624284101C, Section (2)(F), as C1 was enrolled on 01/26/26, which poses an immediate health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on observation and file review, the Facility Representative did not comply with the section cited above in that, 1 out of 5 children present at the time of LPA and LPM's arrival were not signed in, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on observation and file review, the Facility Representative did not comply with the section cited above in that, Facility Representative did not ensure that the facility roster was up to date, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that, Staff 2 did not have their immunization record on file, which poses a potential health, safety, or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that, Child 3 (C3) and Child 4 (C4) did not have admission agreements in their file, which poses a potential health, safety, or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that,Child 5 (C5) did not have a completed LIC 9227 on file, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that, licensee did not have a current roster of children enrolled, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that, Staff 2 (S2) did not have a health screening on file, which poses a potential health, safety, or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Show 27 older citations
Based on interviews, observations and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that, 3 out of 3 staff did not notify the child's authorized representative of C1's injury which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care. There was also no documentation regarding the incident.
Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that, 3 out of 3 staff files reviewed were incomplete, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that, facility did not complete an emergency disaster drill since 8/30/24, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that, 10 out of 10 children files did not have all required LIC 9224, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that, 10 out of 10 children files has missing documents, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that, infants 13-24 months did not have 15 minute sleep log for today, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on observation and interview, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that, Staff 3 placed one sleeping infant on their stomach, which poses an immediate health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care. Staff 3 stated they were trained to place infants on their tummies for nap time to prevent spitting up.
Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that, 3 out 3 staff did not have 12 ECE units, which poses an immediate health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on observation and interview, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that, 1 preschool child was comingling with infants in the infant classroom, which poses an immediate health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on observation, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that, LPAs observed 1 baby walker in the infant play yard, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on observation, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that, the facility did not have a complete first aid kit available, which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on observation, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that, cleaning solutions were not made inaccessible to children in care, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on observation, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that, infant play yard surface and play equipment were not clean and sanitary, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on observation and interview, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that, one infant was observed sleeping in an infant swing, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that, 3 out of 3 staff did not have complete immunization records on file, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that, 3 out of 3 staff did not complete their health screening, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that, 3 out of 3 staff did not have proof of past experience, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that, 3 out of 3 infant staff did not have the required infant units, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that all infant enrolled did not have a needs and services plan on file, which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that, facility did not document current immunization record for 6 out of 6 infants, which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on observation, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in that, there were four expired gallons of children's milk being store in the kitchen, which poses/posed a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
101227(7)(B) Food Services: (B) A child shall not be served any food to which the child's record indicates he/she has an allergy. This requirement is not met as evidence by: 1 Director stated she will email LPA Valdez Santana her plan to maintain compliance by
101229(a) Responsibility for Providing Care and Supervision: (a) The licensee shall provide care and supervision as necessary to meet the children's needs. This requirement is not met as evidence by: 1 Director stated she will email LPA Valdez Santana her plan to maintain compliance by
Based on LPA's observation the facility did not comply with the section cited 1 The director stated that the facility had 2 staff unexpectedly not be able to show up for care today due to personal reasons. 3 staff ended their employment unexpectedly. The director stated that they will draft a plan to address the lack of compliance with infant to teacher ratio and the staffing issue. above which poses an immediate health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care. LPA observed 1 infant teacher, 1 Director supervising 9 infants. WIthin the 3 hours of the inspection one more staff arrived and 3 more infants. for a majority of the insepction. 8 Proof of this and the plan will be emailed to LPA by 5/22/23. $250.00 Civil Penalty was assessed due to repeat violation.
LPA reviewed 10 infant children's files and 2 of 2 infants under 12 months of age did not have an LIC 9227 Individual Sleeping Plan form.
Based on observation, interview and record review, the licensee did not comply with the section cited above in 10 out of 10 infants did not have a 15 minute sleeping log. Staff was not documenting their observations while they slept which poses a potential health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care.
Based on LPA's observation the licensee did not comply with the section cited above which poses an immediate health, safety or personal rights risk to persons in care. LPA observed 2 infant teachers supervising 10 infants for a majority of the insepction. Totaling at least 3 hours.
Complaint investigations
Physical Plant-Facility failed to provide an infant outdoor activity space physically separate from space used by preschool children.
Facility staff did not follow day care child's dietary restrictions.
Facility staff did not adequately supervise day care children.
About this center
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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 304371465 on the California Care Facility Search. Data refreshed Oct 3, 2026.
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