Kelowna Early Explorers Academy

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

  Observation. The facility completed renovations, including installing a door and a window in one of the Group Child Care (Under 36 Months) programs and repainting of all classrooms, without submitting a Notification of Structural Change to Licensing. Staff state that the renovations took place while the facility was closed and no children were present. It is a requirement that a notification of any structural changes planned for the facility be submitted to Licensing prior to the work being done. A health and safety plan must also be submitted in order to assess any potential risk to the children. Confirmation of any municipal approvals (i.e. building and fire), for any structural changes may also be needed. Submit by August 24, 2026, how you have corrected this issue and how you will ensure ongoing compliance to the regulation.

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

  Observation. One of the Group Child Care (Under 36 Months) rooms has one child with one Early Childhood Educator present. According to the employee plan received on August 6, 2026, this room is temporarily closed. The second Group Child Care (Under 36 Months) room has seven children in care with two Early Childhood Educators present. Both Group Child Care (Under 36 Months) rooms are operating without an Infant Toddler Educator (ITE) present. Staff state that the ITE is offsite purchasing supplies for the facility. This non-compliance was corrected during the inspection when the ITE returned to the facility. Allowing staff who do not hold the required qualification to work alone with children, and failing to meet the required employee-to-child ratios, compromises the quality of care and supervision required. This presents a risk to the health, safety and well-being of children. This contravention was also identified in the previous inspection report and remains outstanding. Submit by August 19, 2026, a written plan outlining how ongoing compliance with the employee-to-child ratio requirements will be ensured. The submission must also include an employee schedule covering a four-week period.

• 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. Cables are accessible to children in one of the Group Child Care (Under 36 Months) nap rooms. This poses a potential safety risk, as children may play with or become entangled in the cables. This contravention was also identified in the previous inspection report, although it was observed in a different Group Child Care (Under 36 Months) program nap room. Submit by August 19, 2026, how you have corrected this issue and how you will ensure ongoing compliance to the regulation.

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

  Observation. The program rooms are not maintaining the required employee-to-child ratios. Staff members who do not hold the required Infant and Toddler Educator Certificate are being left alone with children. One of the Group Child Care (Under 36 Months) had an Infant and Toddler Educator who left the position in May 2026. The facility has exceeded 30-day period permitted for temporarily replacing this position with a less qualified educator. The room is currently staffed by one Early Childhood Educator caring for four children. One of the Group Child Care (Under 36 Months) has one Early Childhood Educator caring for three children. One of the Group Child Care (Under 36 Months) has one Early Childhood Educator caring for four children. One of the Group Child Care (Under 36 Months) has two Early Childhood Educators caring for three children. The facility has one Infant Toddler Educator, who is away, leaving no Infant Toddler Educator on site. In the Group Child Care (30 Months to School Age), one Early Childhood Educator is working alone with eleven children and a practicum student. Allowing staff who do not hold the required qualification to work alone with children, and failing to meet the required employee-to-child ratios, compromises the quality of care and supervision required. This presents a risk to the health, safety and well-being of children. Submit a written confirmation and supporting evidence by July 27, 2026, how you will ensure compliance with Schedule E of the Child Care Licensing Regulation.

• 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 Group Child Care (Under 36 Months) nap room wall paint is chipped, exposing small plaint flakes. Additionally, the corner wall pillar in the nap room has a sharp, exposed cement edge, and some electrical cables that are accessible to children. The foam corner protector in the main play area wall is worn and deteriorating. These conditions present potential hazards, as young children may ingest paint and foam fragments or play with exposed cables, increasing the risk of injury. Submit a written confirmation and supporting evidence by July 27, 2026, how you have corrected the issue. • The Group Child Care (Under 36 Months) diaper changing areas are dirty, posing cross-contamination risks. Submit a written confirmation and supporting evidence by July 27, 2026, how you have corrected the issue. • One of the Group Child Care (Under 36 Months) rooms contains hazardous items, including sunscreens, mouthwash, lotion and staff purses that are accessible to children. • One of the Group Child Care (Under 36 Months) rooms contains hazardous items such sunscreens on the shelf and cleaning supplies in the toilet that are accessible to children. The sunscreens are removed by the staff member during the inspection. • The Group Child Care (30 Months to School Age) room contains hazardous items, including sunscreens and staff belongings that are accessible to children. • The cleaning supplies door is open giving children access to bleach. • The kitchen door is open giving children access to paint cans. Hazardous items must be securely stored to prevent access by children and reduce the risk of accident and injury. Submit a written confirmation and supporting evidence by July 27, 2026, how you have corrected the issue. • A rolled up piece of turf is blocking one of the fire exits. Obstructed exits impede safe evacuation and increase the risk of panic, delays, and injury during an emergency. Submit a written confirmation and supporting evidence by July 27, 2026, how you have corrected the issue.

• C2.1 - Are written policies and procedures in place to guide employees in all matters regarding the care and supervision of children?Non-critical

  Observation. • In the Group Child Care (Under 36 Months), an educator is assisting a child in the washroom while another child is observed chewing on a piece of tape. • The Group Child Care (30 Months to School Age) group transitions from the classroom to outdoor play area. During the transition, several children walk ahead of the educator on the stairs leading the way to the playground. These incidents resulted in the children not being closely supervised and pose a risk to their health and safety. Submit a written confirmation and supporting evidence by July 27, 2026, how you have corrected the issue.

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

  Observation. The log of outdoor play space inspections is incomplete; with the last inspection dated June 26, 2026. This may result in broken toys and equipment unnoticed and unrepaired, increasing the risk of injuries. Submit a written confirmation and supporting evidence by July 27, 2026, how you have corrected the issue.

• C10.1 - Are children provided with a healthy and safe environment, and protected from harmful actions?Non-critical

  Observation. The complaint alleges that a staff member yelled at a child. The manager confirms that a staff member yelled at a child, and the staff member’s employment has since been terminated. Based on the information received, the complaint is substantiated. Submit by July 31, 2026, a written plan how you will ensure that behavioural guidance is appropriate to each child’s age and development, and how you will maintain ongoing compliance to the regulation.

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

  Observation. This is not an allegation; however, it is related to the complaint. The facility's log of minor accidents, illnesses and unexpected events was found to be incomplete. Incomplete records may result in gaps in accountability and may compromise the safety and well-being of children. Submit a compliance plan to Licensing by October 10, 2025, ensuring that the log of minor accidents, illnesses and unexpected events is current and maintained.

• 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 alleged that children's food are not properly stored. Some children’s lunch kits were observe to be left open in the cubbies while children were napping. Only one child had an ice pack in their kit. The manager stated that other classrooms store children’s food in the refrigerator. It appeared that all classes refrigerate children’s lunches except for the alleged room. A mini fridge was found in that room, which was observed to be dirty and contained staff’s personal items. Based on the information received, the allegation is substantiated. Improper storage of food may lead to contamination, spoilage, and increased risk of foodborne illnesses, especially for children. Submit to Licensing by October 10, 2025, a compliance plan ensuring that food is stored properly and that a healthy and safe environment is maintained at all times.

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

  Observation. The employee to child ratio in the Group Child Care (Under 30 Months) program did not meet staffing requirements for a brief period of time due to staff's scheduled arrival time resulting in the program being over numbers. Inadequate employee to child ratio leads to lack of appropriate supervision as per the regulation. Submit to Licensing by July 25, 2025, details on how you will ensure to maintain compliance at all times. Some children from the Group Child Care (Under 36 months) were observed playing in the outdoor play space alongside the Group Child Care (30 Months to School Age) program. Children from different care program types must not be combined as per Schedule E requirements. Submit to Licensing by July 30, 2025, details on how you have resolved the issue.

• 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. One of the staff members is missing the Criminal Record Check clearance but has already returned to work in the program. Incomplete staffing records may pose potential risks to children’s safety. This is outstanding from previous inspection and due to ongoing non-compliance will increase risk rating. Submit to Licensing by July 25, 2025, details on how you have resolved the issue and ensuring that the staff is not working without a clearance.

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

  Observation. The outstanding contravention regarding the log of minor accidents, illnesses and unexpected events was reviewed with the manager. A revision was requested to provide further information and acknowledgment of parents being notified. Submit to Licensing by July 25, 2025, details on how you have resolved the issue. Some of the children's records were missing required information, including the medical insurance number, doctor's name and phone, immunization status, start and end dates, emergency contact name and phone and the name of individuals not permitted access. Incomplete records could result in improper care or delay during emergencies. Submit to Licensing by July 30, 2025, details on how you have resolved the issue and ensure that children's records are complete.

• 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 is a large tear in the diaper changing pad, which may lead to contamination and pose health risks. Submit to Licensing by July 30, 2025, details on how you have resolved the issue and ensure that a healthy and safe environment is provided at all times. One of the fire exits is used as bed storage. Obstructed exits may disrupt the flow of evacuation and lead to panic or injury. Submit to Licensing by July 25, 2025, details on how you have resolved the issue.

No violations recorded at this inspection.