Brave Spaces Early Learning Commons

No violations recorded at this inspection.

• EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHINGS

  A licensee must ensure that the community care facility and the furniture, equipment and fixtures within it are clean and in good repair while children are in attendance.

  Observation. Licensing observed floors in the Group child care (30 months- school age) visibly dirty. Staff said that the floors are not vacuumed daily and the cleaners come a couple times a week to clean the room.

  Corrective action. Ensure the facility is clean and in good repair.

  11020 - CCLR s.13(2)
• EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHINGS

  A licensee must supply equipment, furniture and supplies that are (a) of sturdy and safe construction, easy to clean and free from hazards.

  Observation. Licensing observed in the group child care (30 months - school age) two slides (with no stairs or support structure) leaning on a monkey bar platform for children to use. The slides are not connected and there is a risk they could fall with a child on it. In the group child care (under 36 months) a swing located on a structure and can swing into the posts, a slide zap strapped to a gymnastics climber, and standing water in 2 kiddie pools from the previous days rain.

  Corrective action. Ensure that the sturdy and safe construction, easy to clean, and free from hazards.

  11080 - CCLR s.15(1)(a)
• HYGIENE AND COMMUNICABLE DISEASE

  A licensee must do all of the following: (b) operate the community care facility in a manner that will promote (i) the health, safety and dignity of persons in care, Observation (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION): In the group child care (30 months- school age) playground Licensing observed a bin of diapers and wipes, and a child potty. Staff said that no children are using the potty or having diapers changed outside and moved the items.

  15050 - CCALA s.7(1)(b)(i)

• EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHINGS

  A licensee must supply equipment, furniture and supplies that are (a) of sturdy and safe construction, easy to clean and free from hazards.

  Observation. In the group child care (30 months to school age program) the following was observed: -A slide inside was leaning on 2 ikea shelves and available for children to use. There is concern that the shelves are not made for this type of use and that the slide can fall when children are on it. -A play pen had one side cut to allow children to crawl in. There is concern regarding the use of the equipment being age appropriate and free from hazards.

  Corrective action. Ensure that equipment and supplies are sturdy, safely constructed, and free from hazards

  11080 - CCLR s.15(1)(a)
• EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHINGS

  A licensee must ensure that the community care facility and the furniture, equipment and fixtures within it are clean and in good repair while children are in attendance.

  Observation. Licensing observed carpets that are rolling up and pose a tripping hazard. Walls in the group child care (30 months to school age program) are visibly dirty and have many paint chip spots exposing drywall.

  Corrective action. Ensure that the facility is clean and in good repair.

  11020 - CCLR s.13(2)
• EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHINGS

  A licensee must ensure that all indoor and outdoor play materials and equipment accessible to children are (b) safely constructed, free from hazards and in good repair.

  Observation. -It was observed that swings, bars, and rings were attached to a line in between trees. The trees had cut branches that protruded out of the tree with a risk of injury if a child fell off. The Director of Licensing Standard of Practice Safe Play Space was discussed in terms of playground layout and use zones. -sand boxes were observed out of sand with landscape fabric exposed creating a tripping hazard. -climbers do not have adequate resilient surface below them -Trampolines and climbers located in classrooms do not have any resilient surface below and around them or not enough to mitigate an injury if a child fell.

  Corrective action. Ensure that play materials and equipment are safely constructed, free from hazards and in good repair.

  11190 - CCLR s.16(4)(b)
• HYGIENE AND COMMUNICABLE DISEASE

  A licensee must establish a program to instruct children in, and to practise the rules of, health and hygiene.

  Observation. In the Group Child Care (under 36 months) program the following was observed: -A potty was located in the diaper change area away from the toilet. Staff said they dispose of the materials in the bathroom which is past the eating area. -A child was being assisted with diapering next to the eating area away from the sink and the covered bin for diapers.

  Corrective action. Ensure that your diapering and toileting policies are followed

  15030 - CCLR s.46(1)
• HYGIENE AND COMMUNICABLE DISEASE

  A licensee, other than a licensee who provides a care program described as either Preschool (30 Months to School Age) or Group Child Care (School Age), must have in a community care facility a sturdy surface for changing diapers, located outside the food preparation area, next to (a) a covered container for soiled clothing.

  Observation. It was observed that children in the group child care (30 months to school age) program did not have a covered container for soiled clothing or diapers.

  Corrective action. Ensure that the diaper area is located next to a covered container.

  15010 - CCLR s.14(4)(a)
• MEDICATION

  If a licensee has agreed with a parent to give a child any medication prescribed by a medical practitioner or provided by the parent, the licensee and his or her employees must ensure that the medication is (b) readily accessible to employees.

  Observation. Medication was not readily accessible to employees.

  Corrective action. Ensure that medication is accessible.

  16020 - CCLR s.53(1)(b)
• RECORDS AND REPORTING

  A licensee must notify the medical health officer within 24 hours after (a) a child is involved in, or may have been involved in, a reportable incident described in Schedule H while under the care or supervision of the licensee.

  Observation. Licensee did not notify the licensing officer within 24 hours that a child was involved in or may have been involved in a reportable incident as described in Schedule H as required.

  Corrective action. Ensure Licensing is notified within 24 hours of a reportable incident. Reportable incident bulletin was provided.

  19030 - CCLR s.55(2)(a)
• RECORDS AND REPORTING

  A licensee must keep, for each child, a record showing the following information: (i) a photograph or digital image of the child, and other information that can be used to readily identify the child in an emergency.

  Observation. Many children did not have photographs that could readily identify them in an emergency

  Corrective action. Ensure that each child has a photograph that could readily identify them in an emergency.

  19160 - CCLR s.57(2)(i)
• STAFFING

  A licensee must not employ a person in a community care facility unless the licensee or, in the case of a person who is not the manager, the manager has first met with the person and obtained all of the following: (a) a criminal record check for the person.

  Observation. 1 employee did not have a criminal record check

  Corrective action. Ensure each employee has a criminal record check.

  12040 - CCLR s.19(1)(a)

No violations recorded at this inspection.

• EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHINGS

  A licensee must ensure that a healthy and safe environment is provided at all times while children are under the supervision of employees.

  Observation. LO observed and discussed the following items with the Manager: - Two plastic slides were hooked on the playground chain link fence. LO discussed about not using the slide for sliding purposes. Play structures must be installed and used properly as per manufacturers' instructions to ensure safety.

  Corrective action. Ensure that a healthy and safe environment is provided at all times while children are in care.

  11010 - CCLR s.13(1)
• HYGIENE AND COMMUNICABLE DISEASE

  A licensee must establish a program to instruct children in, and to practise the rules of, health and hygiene.

  Observation. LO observed and discussed the following items with the Manager: - Cleaning supplies for sanitizing surfaces, i.e. snack table were stored inside of the main building. These items should be readily available to the staff within the playground space, so that high touched/ shared spaces can be sanitized before and after each use. - Hand hygiene: warm running water and soap should be available for proper hand washing for the children/staff. Currently hand sanitizer is available and used when children/staff are outside (playground).

  Corrective action. Ensure that children are staff and children practice proper cleaning/hand hygiene at all times.

  15030 - CCLR s.46(1)

• EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHINGS

  A licensee must ensure that the community care facility and the furniture, equipment and fixtures within it are clean and in good repair while children are in attendance.

  Observation. Licensing observed and discussed the following with the Manager today: Outdoor playground (3-5 program): - Not enough wood chips around the play equipment. Sufficient protective surfacing is needed to reduce potential risk of injury from falls. Please refer DOLSOP for depth guidelines for loose fill materials. LO also discussed about regularly monitoring and ensuring that protective ground surfacing is maintained by the facility at all times, i.e. wood chips. - System to be developed to ensure that regular inspection, repair and maintenance of outdoor play space; this is especially important because children spent most their time outside (nature based program) and the play ground is located in a public space.

  Corrective action. Ensure that facility equipment, furniture and fixture are clean and in good repair while children are in care.

  11020 - CCLR s.13(2)
• EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHINGS

  A licensee must ensure that a healthy and safe environment is provided at all times while children are under the supervision of employees.

  Observation. Licensing observed and discussed the following items with the Manager today: Outdoor playground (3-5 program): - Large gaps under the chain link back fence; any holes or openings must be smaller than 3.5 inches or larger than 9 inches to avoid any potential entrapment. - Wooden climber in the middle of the playground (homemade)- decomposing wood, splintered wooden planks, few nailheads protruding from the equipment. - Few broken glass pieces were found in the wooden house. - Wild rabbit bunnies feces were found on the playground. - Cleaning spray bottle was found on the activity table ( accessible to children)

  Corrective action. Ensure that a healthy and safe environment is provided at all times while children are in care.

  11010 - CCLR s.13(1)
• HYGIENE AND COMMUNICABLE DISEASE

  A licensee must establish a program to instruct children in, and to practise the rules of, health and hygiene.

  Observation. Licensing observed classroom pet is not kept in an enclosed area within the classroom, while children and/or staff are not present. LO discussed about the importance of cleaning and disinfecting all environmental surfaces in areas where animals (pet) have been present.

  Corrective action. Ensure that adequate cleaning and disinfecting is happening, including good hygiene practices.

  15030 - CCLR s.46(1)
• STAFFING

  A licensee must not employ a person in a community care facility unless the licensee or, in the case of a person who is not the manager, the manager has first met with the person and obtained all of the following: (b) character references in respect of the person.

  Observation. 8 staff files were reviewed; 1 staff's reference checks were not obtained.

  Corrective action. Ensure all staff files are complete.

  12050 - CCLR s.19(1)(b)

• EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHINGS

  A licensee must ensure that a healthy and safe environment is provided at all times while children are under the supervision of employees.

  Observation. Licensing reviewed the previously identified items and the following was observed at todays inspection: - there is some equipment which has exposed screws. One ex: climbing structure made with pallettes. Additional observation: - yellow slide resting on the metal monkey bar structure. This is moveable and should a child fall they could obtain a serious injury, there is limited ground surfacing below. Discussion with the staff in the playground to ensure that while encouraging risky play they continue to assess risk and how to mitigate risk of serious injury. Slide was placed on the ground while Licensing was on premise

  Corrective action. Please ensure a healthy and safe environment is provided at all times

  11010 - CCLR s.13(1)

• EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHINGS

  A licensee must ensure that the community care facility and the furniture, equipment and fixtures within it are clean and in good repair while children are in attendance.

  Observation. The leather couch in the hallway and also in the extra play room is peeling making it difficult to sanitize. Rabbit has eaten the baseboard in the 3-5 bathroom. It has come off the wall.

  Corrective action. Please ensure that the furniture and equipment is clean and in good repair.

  11020 - CCLR s.13(2)
• EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHINGS

  A licensee must ensure that a healthy and safe environment is provided at all times while children are under the supervision of employees.

  Observation. The following was observed and discussed in the outdoor area: 3-5 playground - Many nails and screws exposed on children's equipment. Discussed potential for harm as the screws appeared rusty. Photos available - Homemade climber with upper platform (just under 4ft) is decomposing which makes the area slippery. There is a slide from the top and no railing. No resilient surfacing below and the structure is approximately 2 feet from the fence. - Fishing net material attached to the fence and within the trees. Manager discussed that this is used for climbing and sitting. No resilient surfacing below. Risk for children to go over the fence as it is attached at the top of the fence. Variation in heights of 3-5ft - Standing water in equipment throughout playground: Rubbermaid filled with rain water, dirt and debris, possibly compost, water trough filled with water from previous rain fall appears to contain organic matter as water was dark and had floating debris. - Yarn strung up with loops on a child's playhouse within child height. Strangulation hazard. - Netting around the children's garden to deter rabbits is difficult to see and cause for tripping hazard. - Concrete block with metal spike sticking out beside the children's wooden balance beam - Gaps under the back fence approximately 6 inches in width. - Additional temporary orange fencing placed around the outside of the play area to separate the field and play area. Fencing is toppling over and has metal rods placed to hold it up. The top of the rods are sharp and they have come loose since install. The fencing is falling down in places. through out the area. Manager said this was temporary measure to separate publiic and play area. Toddler playground - Climber with slide and rock climbing wall placed directly against the fence. Children could topple over. Licensing discussed with staff ensuring the placement of equipment has appropriate fall space. Refer to DLSOP Safe Play Spaces. Inside - Indoor climber within 2 ft of window. - Rabbit feces and rabbit bedding in children's play area in Toddler room. Manager and Licensing discussed healthy and risky play and the responsibility of the staff to ensure that the toys and equipment are appropriately maintained.

  Corrective action. Please ensure that a healthy and safe environment is maintained at all times. Please refer to the Director of Licensing Safe Play Spaces. A copy was provided to the Manager for reference.

  11010 - CCLR s.13(1)
• HYGIENE AND COMMUNICABLE DISEASE

  A licensee must do all of the following: (b) operate the community care facility in a manner that will promote (i) the health, safety and dignity of persons in care,

  Observation. Children are utilizing a portable toilet and 2 small potties in the playground. The Manager said they are used for toilet training. These "toilets" are in the playground next to a field where Middle school children were present and on grounds where public could be present. Licensing discussed with the Manager that a child could be exposed while using these "toilets" outdoors.

  Corrective action. Please ensure that the health,safety and dignity of children during toileting is maintained.

  15050 - CCALA s.7(1)(b)(i)
• HYGIENE AND COMMUNICABLE DISEASE

  A licensee must establish a program to instruct children in, and to practise the rules of, health and hygiene.

  Observation. There are toddler potties in the 3-5 playground and toddler playground as well as a composting toilet in the 3-5 playground. Manager said the excrement is dumped into the portable toilet and the potties are then sanitized at the end of the day. The toilet has a bucket inside of it and it was full of bodily fluids at time of inspection. The staff are to empty it at the end of day. This does not allow for appropriate dumping and sanitizing of this equipment.

  Corrective action. Please ensure that health and hygiene is practiced.

  15030 - CCLR s.46(1)
• OR SUPERVISION

  Without limiting subsection (1), a licensee must ensure that (b) the ratio of employees to children attending a community care facility is no less than that permitted in Schedule E.

  Observation. There was no ITE qualified staff in the infant room. Manager said since July 2021. one staff has completed training however has not obtained her certificate through the registry. Licensing discussed that an exemption could be applied for until the certificate is approved by the ECE Registry.

  Corrective action. Please ensure that staffing is no less than permitted in schedule E.

  14030 - CCLR s.34(2)(b)

• STAFFING

  A licensee must not employ a person in a community care facility unless the licensee or, in the case of a person who is not the manager, the manager has first met with the person and obtained all of the following: (a) a criminal record check for the person.

  Observation. Licensing reviewed 3 staff files and it was found that 1 staff persons CRC had expired in 2018. Director was unable to find an application or copy of a new CRC.

  Corrective action. Please ensure that criminal record checks are up to date and complete for all staff.

  12040 - CCLR s.19(1)(a)