A former employee has filed a class action lawsuit against a prominent preschool chain, alleging multiple labor violations. On October 9, 2025, Sonya Kennedy lodged the complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento, against Cadence Education, LLC, which operates as Cadence Academy Preschool. The lawsuit claims that the defendant failed to reimburse work-related expenses and neglected to provide a safe workplace environment.
Sonya Kennedy’s case centers around several accusations against her former employer, Cadence Education. According to the complaint, Kennedy was employed by Cadence from March 2023 until the present time. During her employment, she claims she had to spend between $100 and $125 monthly on classroom supplies out of her own pocket because the company did not adequately stock necessary materials. This alleged failure to reimburse violates California Labor Code § 2802. Additionally, Kennedy accuses Cadence of failing to maintain a safe working environment as required by California Labor Code §§ 6400-6403 and 6401.9. She recounts an incident on June 5, 2025, when she was physically assaulted by a student with known behavioral issues after repeatedly notifying management about safety concerns but receiving no adequate support or intervention.
The plaintiff also highlights issues with wage statements provided by Cadence Education. She asserts that these statements were inaccurate and did not reflect proper wages or reimbursement for expenses incurred while performing her duties. Furthermore, Kennedy alleges that upon termination of employment on April 16, 2025, she did not receive all due wages promptly as mandated by California law. The lawsuit accuses Cadence of engaging in unfair competition practices under California Business & Professions Code §§ 17200 et seq., suggesting that their actions provided them with an unlawful advantage over competitors who comply with labor laws.
Kennedy seeks various forms of relief through this class action suit. She requests reimbursement for all work-related expenses along with interest and attorneys’ fees. For the unsafe workplace allegations, she demands general and special damages and injunctive relief compelling Cadence to implement effective workplace safety measures. Regarding wage statement inaccuracies and delayed payments upon termination, she seeks statutory penalties alongside legal costs. Finally, under the unfair competition claim, Kennedy asks for restitution of wrongfully withheld funds and further injunctive relief.
Representing Sonya Kennedy are attorneys Manny Starr and Rebecca Harteker from Frontier Law Center based in Woodland Hills, CA. The case is presided over by Judge B. Singh under Case No: 2S WO2397s.
Source: 25CV023978_Sonya_Kennedy_v_Cadence_Eduation_Complaint_County_of_Sacramento_California.pdf
