Elkford Childcare Centre

No violations recorded at this inspection.

• C10.2 - Are children supervised, and are employee to children ratios maintained?Critical

  Observation. It was disclosed by employees in both the Group Child Care (Under 36 month) and Group Child Care (30 Month to School Age) programs that children sleeping in the nap rooms are not physically monitored for one hour after all of the children have fallen asleep. The nap rooms have video monitors, however all of the children are not visible in the monitor camera. It is required as per Section 39 of the Child Care Licensing Regulation that children must be supervised at all times by a qualified person. A video monitor and the frequency employees are physically checking on the children is not sufficient to meet this section of the legislation and poses a risk for the health and safety of children in care. A response is required by November 13, 2025 to outline how the risk has been mitigated.

• C7.1 - Is the facility safe, sanitary, free from hazards, in good repair, and appropriate for the age and development of children?Non-critical

  Observation. An electrical outlet on a power bar was observed to be accessible and within reach of the children in the nap room of the Group Child Care (30 months to School Age) program. Open electrical outlets are a hazard and may pose a risk of injury for children in care. A response is required by November 10, 2025 to confirm the risk has been mitigated. A tall wicker divider was observed to be used in the nap room of the Group Child Care (30 months to School Age) program. The divider was positioned between two children's beds and when touched moved easily. The height, instability of the divider and how it was positioned in the nap room poses a risk of injury for children in care. A response is required by November 10, 2025 to confirm the risk has been mitigated. Cleaning supplies were observed to be kept in one of the washrooms under the sink. The cupboard was unlocked leaving the supplies accessible to the children in care. Cleaning supplies are considered a hazardous substance and need to be kept inaccessible to children in care at all times. A response is required by November 10, 2025 to confirm the risk has been mitigated. Multiple tires were observed set up for play on a concrete surface in the outdoor play area. The manager confirmed the children jump from one tire to another, jump off the tires and climb up and down the tires. Due to the ages of children in care and the disclosed use of the tires by the manager, the equipment must not be installed over a concrete surface to prevent the risk of injury in children. A response is required by November 10, 2025 to confirm the risk has been mitigated. One climbing structure was positioned in the outdoor play area near the concrete surface. The concrete surface is considered in the fall zone of the climber and poses a risk of injury for children. A six foot clearance around equipment is required for the health and safety of children in care. A response is required by November 10, 2025 to confirm the risk has been mitigated.

• C6.1 - Are acceptable hygiene practices maintained?Non-critical

  Observation. It was disclosed that the children in the Group Child Care (Under 36 months) program use one towel to dry all of the children's hands when washing at the portable sink in the program room. This is a reoccurring contravention originally found out of compliance on October 8, 2024. By sharing one towel it increases the risk of spreading illness and communicable disease between the children and employees at the facility. A response is required by November 13, 2025 to outline how the risk has been mitigated.

• C3.1 - Does the facility have sufficient employees who possess adequate training and experience to meet the care, supervision, and needs of the children?Non-critical

  Observation. Facility records indicate the last emergency plan practiced by employees was in October 2024. This is a reoccurring contravention originally found out of compliance on October 8, 2024. Every employee must practice implementing the emergency plan at least once each year to be prepared in the event of an emergency. A response is required by November 13, 2025 to confirm the plan has been practiced along with information on how the plan will be practiced once each year at a minimum.

• C10.2 - Are children supervised, and are employee to children ratios maintained?Critical

  Observation. At the time of inspection children from the Group Child Care (Under 36 months) were observed utilizing the washroom located in the Group Child Care (30 months to School Age) program area. It was disclosed the program uses the washroom located in the other program area regularly. Children from separate care program types are not permitted to mix together unless it is during the half hour before a care program begins and a half hour after the care program ends as per Section 34 (4) of the Child Care Regulation. Outline how you will ensure children are only utilizing the designated washroom for the care program type to ensure groups are not mixing together.

• C6.1 - Are acceptable hygiene practices maintained?Non-critical

  Observation. A change table used for changing diapers in the Group Child Care (Under 36 months) is not located next to a wash basin. A sturdy surface for changing diapers is required to be located next to a wash basin to ensure appropriate hygiene practices are occurring. Confirm the sturdy surface for changing diapers meets the physical requirements of the Child Care Regulation. Outline the system developed to ensure proper hygiene practice is occurring for diaper changes. A toilet used for potty training was observed on the floor in the activity play room. It was disclosed by an employee that the potty is used for children who need a toilet while playing on occasion. A potty does not meet the definition of a toilet. Children require access to a toilet to ensure proper health and hygiene practices are maintained along with the dignity and privacy of the child. Outline the system developed to ensure children are only using the washroom inside the facility when needed and if a potty is used it is located within a designated washroom.

• C3.1 - Does the facility have sufficient employees who possess adequate training and experience to meet the care, supervision, and needs of the children?Non-critical

  Observation. It was disclosed that the emergency plan has not been practiced by employees in the past year. Every employee must practice implementing the emergency plan at least once per year. Outline the system developed to ensure emergency plans are practiced annually. Confirm when the emergency plan has been practiced by all employees.

• C4.1 - Are facility records current and complete?Non-critical

  Observation. A review of the attendance record for the Group Child Care (Under 36 months) is incomplete. 7 children were observed to be in attendance and only 3 were recorded on the attendance record for the day. The attendance record needs to indicate each child's time of arrival and departure into the care program to provide a real time account of what children are in attendance and how many children are to be accounted for. Outline the system developed to ensure attendance records are kept as required. It was disclosed that new sod was laid in the outdoor play space in July. The installation was not recorded in the play space inspection, maintenance and repairs log book. A log of all inspections, maintenance and repairs is required to be kept up to date. Outline the system developed to ensure maintenance and changes to the outdoor play space are logged as required.

• C10.2 - Are children supervised, and are employee to children ratios maintained?Critical

  Observation. At the time of inspection a child was observed in attendance in the Group Child Care (School Age) that did not meet the requirements as per Schedule E of the Child Care Regulation. Children from separate care program types are not permitted to mix together unless it is during the half hour before a care program begins and a half hour after the care program ends as per Section 34 (4) of the Child Care Regulation. Outline how you will ensure children are attending the appropriate care program type throughout the day.

• C7.1 - Is the facility safe, sanitary, free from hazards, in good repair, and appropriate for the age and development of children?Non-critical

  Observation. There are openings in the fence and in the outdoor playspace that pose a risk of entrapment. Openings need to be smaller than 9cm or larger than 23cm to mitigate the risk of entrapment. An interim plan to address the health and safety of the children when using the outdoor play area is required. Submit the plan to address the openings and confirmation of completion to resolve contravention.

• C4.1 - Are facility records current and complete?Non-critical

  Observation. A care plan was identified for a child involved in a reportable incident to Licensing. The plan was not signed or dated by all parties involved in the consultation. Evidence that care plans are developed in consultation with the facility, guardian, or any third party must be documented and dated. Submit the updated care plan for licensing review. Outline how care plans will be managed for all children who require a plan at the facility.

• C1.1 - Does the licensee continually inform licensing of any significant changes to the structure or operation of the facility?Critical

  Observation. Licensing was not notified that the outdoor play space has been completed and is now being used daily.

• C7.1 - Is the facility safe, sanitary, free from hazards, in good repair, and appropriate for the age and development of children?Non-critical

  Observation. There are openings in the fence and in the outdoor playspace that pose a risk of entrapment.