Cefa Early Learning Spall Road

• 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. Section 13(1) - Environment. The one fence panel in the infant/toddler playground observed on the February 27, 2025 routine inspection was no longer secured at the bottom, making the panel loose. Quotes are being obtained regarding the replacement of the fence that will include additional securing features. The correct by date of March 6, 2025 is past and the issue has not yet been addressed and remains outstanding. Your immediate attention to this matter is required. Provide to Licensing evidence that the fence has been secured. Section 13(2) - Environment. During the April 4, 2025 substantiated complaint inspection, evidence of mice activity was observed and employees stated they have seen mice and/or evidence of activity. A comprehensive plan and measures have been implemented to address the situation. Facility management is working closely with Licensing, Environmental Health and a pest control company to mitigate and rectify the issue. There has been a significant reduction in mice activity observed in subsequence follow up inspections. Licensing continues to monitor the situation and until no further evidence of mice activity is found, this contravention will remain outstanding.

No violations recorded at this inspection.

• 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. The complaint information alleged that there is an infestation of mice at the facility. Mice infestations pose a health risk including the spread of diseases like hantavirus and salmonellosis. During the inspection the Licensing Officer observed mouse droppings in a closet of a daycare room where young children were playing. Employees confirmed they have seen the mice and/or evidence of the mice (droppings). The complaint is substantiated. The Licensee and Manager acknowledge the problem they are having with mice and have hired a pest control company and cleaning company. There are multiple traps set through out the facility and potential entry ways have been blocked with steel wool and expanding foam. To ensure the health and safety of the children in care, submit to Licensing, by April 8, 2025 a detailed plan that includes how a healthy and safe environment will be provided at all times; this plan is specific to children not being exposed to mice droppings/urine. The contravention from the February 27, 2025 routine inspection was not reviewed at the time of this inspection and remains outstanding.

• C3.2 - Are persons qualified and appropriately replaced?Critical

  Observation. A random selection of employee records were reviewed. Several Early Childhood Educator and Educator Assistant certificates to practice had not been validated through the BC Early Childhood Educator Registry.

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

  Observation. The work history, and reference checks were missing from one employee's records. The outdoor play-space check had not been recorded since Monday this week.

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

  Observation. There was not a covered container for soiled diaper in several of the washrooms.

• 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. One fence panel in the infant/toddler playground was no longer secured a the bottom, making the panel loose. The fence still enclosed the play-space.

No violations recorded at this inspection.

No violations recorded at this inspection.

• Has the facility been tested for radon gas?Non-critical

  Observation. Radon results have not been received for this facility. Radon testing must be done for a minimum period of 90 consecutive days over the winter months (November to March). This has been outstanding since 17-May-2022. Provide radon results to Licensing once received.

• C5.1 - Are healthy eating and nutritional habits promoted and practiced?Non-critical

  Observation. The following is outstanding from the substantiated complaint inspection dated 23-Sep-2023: C5.1G - Information must be made available to parents regarding food and drink given to children; 48( 6 ) The outstanding infraction was reviewed with the manager today. The manager will follow up to the Sept 2023 complaint and provide evidence to Licensing. As well, provide to licensing evidence of the system that will be used moving forward that ensures on going compliance with Section 48(6) (discussed the use of the electronic app to inform parents of the food and drink, along with making the recipes available).

• C5.1 - Are healthy eating and nutritional habits promoted and practiced?Non-critical

  Observation. Licensing received an allegation to section 48 (6) of the Child Care Licensing Regulation that parents are not receiving specific information regarding the food that is given to their child. It was confirmed that this information has not been provided to a parent. Based on the information received during this complaint follow-up, Licensing has determined the allegation to be substantiated. It is recommended that the Licensee includes how information will be made available to parents regarding food and drinks served in its Food and Drink Policy.

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

  Observation. Licensing received an allegation that the facility did not have sufficient number of qualified employees to meet the needs of each child on one particular day. The manager stated that on the particular morning of the concern, two of their opening staff were not able to report to work and therefore, leaving the facility unable to meet the staff to child ratio for a short time period. A service delivery problem incident report has since been submitted to Licensing. The allegation to section 34 (1) of the Child Care Licensing Regulation is substantiated. An allegation was received by Licensing that children are not supervised at all times by a person who is an educator, an assistant or a responsible adult on the same day. There was a short time period in which a child was left in a room without a qualified employee present. The allegation to section 39 (1) of the Child Care Licensing Regulation is substantiated. Please submit to licensing on or before July 17, 2023, a detailed written plan which addresses (1) How you have corrected the above contraventions and (2) The systems you have implemented for ongoing monitoring of each identified contravention, thus ensuring sustained compliance at all times.

• 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. Licensing received concerns regarding the outdoor fencing and gating. The manager admitted the internal fence between the two programs had previously been leaning with the potential to fall over; it has since been repaired and is secure. However, the back gate is broken (not closing or opening properly). The allegation to section 13 (1) of the Child Care Licensing Regulation is substantiated. Additionally there is a lack of shade on both playgrounds with the outdoor play area having a large amount of direct sun. Okanagan summers are extremely hot. Provide additional shade for the children.

No violations recorded at this inspection.

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

  Observation. It was alleged that the facility is not meeting the minimum qualified staff to child ratios. Substantiated - C10.2C - 3 out of 9 program rooms were in non-compliance to the qualified staffing ratio. 2 of the Group Child Care (Under 36 months) programs had an ECEA working in place of an ECE; 1 Group Child Care (Under 36 months) program does not have an Infant Toddler Educator in ratio. Although in compliance at the time of inspection, it was determined that one of the Group Child Care (30 months to School Age) programs had been in non-compliance in the recent past due to an expired ECE Certificate while the educator was in the renewal process.

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

  Observation. It was alleged that the Licensee has appointed a new manager without the required notification to Licensing. Substantiated - C1.1A - The previous manager has been absent since approximately the end of June 2022. The Licensee has appointed an acting manager until the position is permanently filled without providing written notification to Licensing.

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

  Observation. C4.10 - 14 employee records were unable to be located at the time of inspection. It was confirmed that the missing records were for employees hired since approximately August 2022. The acting manager was not present during the inspection and the Licensee was unable to determine where the records were kept.

• 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. C3.1C - A review of 13 employee records during the inspection were found to be incomplete. 2 were missing criminal record checks and none of the employee records contained verification of the employee's educator or assistant certificates by the Early Childhood Educator Registry.

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

  Observation. The Licensee did not notify Licensing of the changes to the outdoor play spaces.

• Has the facility been tested for radon gas?Non-critical

  Observation. Radon results have not been received for this facility.

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

  Observation. Some child records were missing the child’s medical insurance plan number, and the name and contact details for the child’s medical practitioner. There were not accurate records for child absences. Identifying information, that could be used in an emergency was missing from some “emergency cards”.

No violations recorded at this inspection.

• 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. - The outdoor gate for the on-site fenced play yard requires repair. - Cleaning product found under the bathroom sink was accessible to the children . *Resolved during the inspection. - Hazardous products found in the bathroom drawer, including medicated creams and insect repellent, were accessible to the children . *Resolved during the inspection.