Kindergarten with Escondido location addresses allegations of “English only” policy.

ESCONDIDO, Calif. (CNS) – A Southern California preschool has agreed to pay $200,000 to settle allegations that it implemented an “English only” policy at two of its locations — including one in Escondido — and retaliated against a Spanish speaker. teacher advisor, it was announced on Thursday.

The settlement involving Leaps and Bounds for Preschoolers was announced by the California Department of Civil Rights, a state agency charged with enforcing California’s civil rights laws, including those related to employment discrimination.

Along with the monetary terms — which include $35,000 for the assistant who filed a complaint with the Department of Civil Rights — Leaps and Bounds agreed to end any English-only policies and implement employee training on the laws state regarding civil rights. The Department of Civil Rights says the English-only policy has been implemented at the Leaps and Bounds locations in Escondido and Fontana.

The nurse — who worked at the Fontana location — alleged in her complaint that staff and management prohibit her from speaking Spanish on the job.

After a co-worker overheard her speaking Spanish, the nurse was accused of gossiping at work.

Management later responded by making her sign an agreement never to speak Spanish unless she needed to speak to a parent who didn’t speak English, according to her complaint.

Her hours were later severely cut, and the Department of Civil Rights said the nurse felt discriminated against because of her cultural background and was forced to quit.

Department of Civil Rights Director Kevin Kish said in a statement: “Educators deserve to feel celebrated for their heritage, but instead, Leaps and Bounds’ alleged language ban has fostered a hostile work culture that has made staff to feel unappreciated and inadequate. Taking action to end this discrimination. Policy, the school shows that it is possible to change course and build a culture of inclusion that benefits staff and the communities they serve No matter what language you speak or where you come from, you are welcome in California.”