Momentum Childcare

Observation. Attendance records are incomplete, with several departure times and one arrival time not recorded. Maintaining accurate attendance records is essential to ensure staff are aware of the number of children in care at all times and can effectively meet supervision and safety requirements. A written response is required by June 11, 2026, outlining how accurate attendance records will be maintained on a daily basis.

Observation. Information was provided that the facility was video recording a child for the purposes of capturing the child's misbehaviour and to "Show what we are going through". It is unclear how this video information was intended to be used. It appears the employees are not sure how to manage the child's behaviour and therefore are using methods that seem punitive rather than supportive. It is the responsibility of the Educators to assist a child to regulate and to support interactions with the other children in care. The health, safety and dignity of the child was not considered by recording the child in this manner. A response is required by July 25, 2025 that outlines how the facility will operate in a manner that will promote the health, safety and dignity of children in care.

Observation. It was alleged that a parent was not notified of incidents their child was involved in. Information and correspondence was provided that supports the parent not being notified of many incidents. When the parent requested to review the reports, the facility denied the parent access to the information. All but one piece of documentation reviewed indicates the parent was not notified. It is the responsibility of the Licensee to ensure parents are notified immediately if a child is involved in a reportable incident. A response is required by July 25, 2025 that identifies how parents will be notified as required. Substantiated. It is alleged that a care plan for a child was not implemented as developed by the parent, manager and a consultant in May 2025. A review of the care plan and supporting documentation did not contain a record of compliance with the care plan requirements. A Licensee must record compliance with the care plan and any behavioural guidance provided to the child as well as it's effect. A response is required by July 25, 2025 that outlines how a record of compliance with care plan requirements will be managed. Substantiated. Two reportable incidents dated May 2, 2025 and June 20, 2025 are recorded in the minor accident, illness and unexpected events logbook but were not reported to Licensing as required. The manager disclosed that these incidents as well as other reportable incidents have not been reported to Licensing. It is the responsibility of the Licensee to ensure Licensing is notified within 24 hours after a child is involved in a reportable incident as per Schedule H of the Child Care Licensing Regulation. Submit the reportable incidents as required by July 25, 2025. A child's care plan is on file dated April 18, 2025. A revised plan was developed in May 2025 by the child's parent, manager and a consultant. The revised care plan was not in the child's file and the manager was unable to confirm the contents of the revised plan. It is the responsibility of the Licensee to ensure care plans are maintained for each child requiring extra support. A response is required by July 25, 2025 to outline how care plans will be maintained. Two incident reports on a child's file outlined restraint used as a form of behaviour guidance. It was disclosed that the use of restraint is indicated in the child's care plan. A review of the child's care plan did not reflect restraint as a technique to be used to support the child. It is the responsibility of the Licensee to ensure care plans are maintained and revised as necessary in order to support the child. Submit the revised updated care plan for review by July 25, 2025.

Observation. It was alleged that one employee firmly grabbed a child on the arm and left a bruise. Through employee interviews and a review of the minor accident, illness and unexpected events logbook no evidence was presented to support harmful actions by the employee. Unable to be substantiated. It was alleged that one employee used restraint to manage a child's behaviour by picking the child up under the arms. During the interview process the employee confirmed picking the child up under the arms. The use of restraint to manage the child's behaviour is not a strategy identified in the child's care plan. Picking children up as a form of behaviour guidance is considered a form of restraint and must only be used to protect the child or others from imminent serious physical harm or as identified in a child's care plan. A response is required by July 25, 2025 that outlines how behaviour guidance will be appropriate to the age and development of the child receiving guidance. Substantiated. During the interview process, another employee disclosed that picking children up or "scooping them up" is often used as a technique to manage challenging behaviour. This strategy is not included in children's care plans. This statement is supported by two incident reports on file that identified employees picking children up as a form of behaviour guidance. Picking children up as a form of behaviour guidance is considered a form of restraint and must only be used to protect the child or others from imminent serious physical harm or as identified in a child's care plan. A response is required by July 25, 2025 that outlines how behaviour guidance will be appropriate to the age and development of the child receiving guidance. Through employee interviews it was identified that all employees are not familiar with the facility's Behaviour Guidance Policy. It is the responsibility of the Licensee to provide employees with a written statement of the facility's Behaviour Guidance Policy to ensure the health and safety of the children and to guide children's behaviour. A response is required by July 25, 2025 that confirms all employees have received the facility Behaviour Guidance Policy.

Observation. An incident occurred at the facility on February 20, 2025 that involved an employee conducting excessive physical force with a child of which was reportable to Licensing as per Schedule H: physical abuse. It is the responsibility of the Licensee to ensure that Licensing is notified within 24 hours after a child is involved in a reportable incident as per Schedule H. The incident was reported to Licensing on April 7, 2025 at the request of the Licensing Officer. The manager confirmed that the parent of the child who was involved in a reportable incident on February 20, 2025 was verbally notified of the incident, however evidence of the notification was not available for review. Evidence of notification to a parent who's child has been involved in a reportable incident is required to be kept on file. A response is required by April 17, 2025 that outlines the notifications have been conducted, recorded and kept on file as required. A separate reportable incident was noted on file involving an employee who conducted an emergency restraint with a child in care on March 31, 2025. This incident was not reported to Licensing as required. Incidents involving emergency restraint are identified as reportable to Licensing as per Schedule H. It is the responsibility of the Licensee to ensure incidents are reported with 24 hours as required. Submit this reportable incident to Licensing by April 14, 2025. The manager confirmed the parent of the child identified in the reportable incident on March 31, 2025 was not notified of the incident. The Child Care Licensing Regulation requires the parent to be immediately contacted after their child has been involved in a reportable incident. A response is required by April 17, 2025 that outlines the parent has been notified and how notifications will occur in the future.

Observation. The incident that was reported on April 7, 2025 involved an employee using excessive physical force to dress the child in winter outdoor gear. The employee involved in the incident no longer works at the facility. The Child Care Licensing Regulation states that a child must not be subjected to confinement or physical restraint by an employee except as authorized in a child's care plan. A response is required by April 17, 2025 that identifies the steps taken to ensure children are protected from harmful actions.

Observation. One piece of equipment used for jumping and one piece of equipment used for climbing were observed in use at the facility. Both pieces of equipment were in place directly on the floor without any protective surfacing under or around them. Protective surfacing is recommended to be in place for climbing and jumping equipment to reduce the risk of injury for children. Outline the system developed to ensure protective surfacing is used under equipment and confirm when protective surfacing is in place for jumping and climbing equipment.

Observation. Three children who require extra support due to medical conditions do not have care plans in place. Care plans need to be developed for any child requiring extra support in consultation with the parent and any person requested by the parent. Confirm when the care plans have been developed and outline the system developed to ensure care plans are in place for children as required.

Observation. A fire drill was not conducted for the month of November 2023.

Observation. A Radon test has not been conducted for the facility for the 91 day testing period.

Observation. Upon review of staff files it was observed that reference checks are not on file for employees. Manager confirmed that references were conducted however were not documented. Upon review of the staff files and the system in place to ensure staff files are complete it was observed that evidence of compliance with the Province's immunization and TB control program is missing.

Observation. It was observed that one child's medication is being stored in a backpack at the front entrance that is accessible to children. It was observed that the medication form on file for one child needs more information regarding direction for "as needed" medication.

Observation. It was observed that written consent from a parent to call a medical practitioner or ambulance is missing from all of the children's files.