Sandcastle Park Children's Centre - Group Child Care - 30 months to School Age

• POLICIES AND PROCEDURES / Community Care Facility RecordsNon-critical

  Current policies and procedures respecting food and drink to be given to children are not kept. [CCLR Sec.56 (1)(e)] ; An Active Play Policy is not developed, maintained, and shared with families. [DOLSOP September 2017 and Section 4(1)(e)of the CCALA]; An Screen Use Policy to limit screen time is not developed, implemented, and shared with families. [DOLSOP September 2017 and Section 4(1)(e)of the CCALA]

  Observation. A review of the policies identified that several required policies have not been added. In addition, two policies are only provided to staff and are not shared with families.

• POLICIES AND PROCEDURES / Community Care Facility RecordsNon-critical

  Current policies and procedures are kept as required . [CCLR Sec.56 (1) and CCALA 19]

  Observation. Licensing observed the facility does not have current policies and procedures.

• POLICIES AND PROCEDURES / Emergency Training and EquipmentNon-critical

  There is an emergency plan that sets out procedures to prepare for, mitigate, respond to and recover from any emergency. [CCLR Sec. 22(1)(b)]

  Observation. Licensing observed the facility does not have emergency supplies such as food for children and staff.

• RECORDS AND REPORTING / Records For Each ChildNon-critical

  The licensee keeps a current record for each child showing the information required. [CCLR Sec. 57]

  Observation. Licensing reviewed children's' records: - Several departure times are not recorded. - Allergy information for two children is inconsistent between the care plans posted in the program and the emergency consent records. - Allergy information for two children is documented in their emergency consent records however they do not have care plans. Staff stated they no longer have allergies however the information is not updated. Discussion took place to ensure information is current and reflected across all records

• STAFFING / Character and skill requirementsNon-critical

  Prior to employing staff the manager has met with each person and has obtained the appropriate documentation. [CCLR Sec. 19(1)]

  Observation. Licensing reviewed staff records: - One staff do not have a record of work history - Two staff do not have evidence that they complied with the Province's immunization and tuberculosis control programs - Two staff do not have character references

• PHYSICAL, EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHING / Play Area, Materials and EquipmentNon-critical

  All indoor and outdoor play materials and equipment accessible to children are suitable for the age and development of the children, safely constructed, free from hazards and in good repair. [CCLR Sec. 16(4)]

  Observation. There is an area of the outdoor space that is sectioned off, as the facility is attempting to regrow grass. Children will have access within the next week. LO also observed step stools that require cleaning, areas of the bathroom and walls that also require addressing.

• POLICIES AND PROCEDURES / Emergency Training and EquipmentNon-critical

  There is an emergency plan that sets out procedures to prepare for, mitigate, respond to and recover from any emergency. [CCLR Sec. 22(1)(b)]

  Observation. There are multiple fire extinguishers on site, they have all expired on March 5, 2025

• STAFFING / Additional criminal record checksNon-critical

  All persons over the age of 12 that are ordinarily present on the premises while children are present are of good character and the licensee has obtained a criminal record check for each person. [CCLR Sec 20]

  Observation. There is one staff on site that has a CRC from the police department, any staff working with children must have a CRC from Criminal Records Review Branch in Victoria prior to working on site.

No violations recorded at this inspection.

• PHYSICAL, EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHING / EnvironmentNon-critical

  The facility, the furniture, equipment, fixtures and supplies are of sturdy and safe construction.  They are easy to clean, and are clean and in good repair and free from hazards. [CCLR Sec. 13(2) and Sec. 15(1)(a)]

  Observation. During the inspection, LO observed that the ceiling in the cubby area is leaking. There is a bucket catching most of the water, but it is reducing the space for children as it is in the cubby area and there is still water splashing some of the cubby's. Staff stated that this has been an ongoing issue when it rains heavily. The landlord has tried to fix it, but it has reoccurred during storms. As we get a large amount of rain in the lower mainland, this will only worsen and there are concerns that the light fixture or ceiling could be compromised and cause injury.

• STAFFING / Character and skill requirementsNon-critical

  Prior to employing staff the manager has met with each person and has obtained the appropriate documentation. [CCLR Sec. 19(1)]

  Observation. Staff files were reviewed and it was observed that at least one staff has a CRC from another employer and one staff has a ECE certificate that expired. Due to staff using different names than are on their file / certificates, LO was unable to determine which staff was within each room. LO is aware that many staff help in other programs as needed.

• NUTRITION AND FOOD SERVICES / NutritionNon-critical

  Information on the food and drink given to children is made available to parents. [CCLR Sec. 48(6)]

  Observation. August 9, 2023 - Manager explained that they send photo of lunch on the centre chat that all parents are on. The menu is posted in the facility, but is limited to lunch, snacks are options of fruit/veggies. Manager suggested adding photos of snacks to the chat as a way to share what food was provided. March 20, 2023 - While there is a lunch menu, and a guide of what is offered for afternoon snack, it may not be clear what is offered each day. And it was observed that parents pick up children from outside the facility, so they may not see the menus.

• NUTRITION AND FOOD SERVICES / NutritionNon-critical

  Information on the food and drink given to children is made available to parents. [CCLR Sec. 48(6)]

  Observation. While there is a lunch menu, and a guide of what is offered for afternoon snack, it may not be clear what is offered each day. And it was observed that parents pick up children from outside the facility, so they may not see the menus.

• RECORDS AND REPORTING / Records For Each ChildNon-critical

  The licensee keeps a current record for each child showing the information required. [CCLR Sec. 57]

  Observation. Upon review of children's files, it appears that some were missing information such as - medical insurance, emergency contact and immunization status.

• STAFFING / Character and skill requirementsNon-critical

  Prior to employing staff the manager has met with each person and has obtained the appropriate documentation. [CCLR Sec. 19(1)]

  Observation. Staff files were reviewed and do not match what is on the staff checklist provided. It was also observed that some staff's files do not include CRC, valid first aid, Certificate, validation of Certificate.

No violations recorded at this inspection.

• PHYSICAL, EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHING / Play Area, Materials and EquipmentNon-critical

  The entire outdoor play area is enclosed and constructed in a manner that is suitable for the age and development of children, and ensures that children are free of harm. [CCLR Sec. 16(3)(a)(b)]

  Observation. Discussion regarding the need for ongoing maintenance of the outdoor space. Some of the items include - fencing, replacement of gates, gardening (trim back plants to allow for increased open space) and painting of items that are worn. The Licensee contact stated that she is talking to the building owner about the work and when it can be done.

• PHYSICAL, EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHING / Play Area, Materials and EquipmentNon-critical

  Not free from hazards.; Not in good repair.

  Observation. LO discussed with the Licensee Contact the outdoor space, there have been new equipment added to this space, none of which have adequate fall zone or resilient surfacing. LO will attached the Standards of Practice for Safe Play Spaces (SOPFSPS) with this report, so you can review and determine how you plan to meet the regulations and SOPFSPS. The areas to address include - climbing structure on grass, teeter totter type equipment only partially on resilient surfacing, the resilient surfacing not meeting depth requirements, fencing / gates not in good repair.

• PHYSICAL, EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHING / EnvironmentNon-critical

  The facility, the furniture, equipment, fixtures and supplies are of sturdy and safe construction.  They are easy to clean, and are clean and in good repair and free from hazards. [CCLR Sec. 13(2) and Sec. 15(1)(a)]

  Observation. LO observed that the hardware on the bi-fold door is unsecure

• PHYSICAL, EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHING / Hazardous Objects and SubstancesNon-critical

  Hazardous objects and substances are inaccessible to children. [CCLR Sec 17]

  Observation. In the washroom, LO observed a toilet bowl cleaner brush accessible by children.

• PHYSICAL, EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHING / Heated WaterNon-critical

  Heated water accessible to children is heated to no more than 49° Celsius. [CCLR Sec. 47]

  Observation. LO observed that the water temperature was above 49 degrees Celsius.

• PHYSICAL, EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHING / Play Area, Materials and EquipmentNon-critical

  Not free from hazards.; Not in good repair.

  Observation. In the outdoor space, LO observed that the ground surfacing such as the wood chips is not adequate, specifically around the fall zones for the play equipment. The landscaping fabric under the wood chips is exposed and creating a tripping hazard. In addition, LO observed that the grass has deteriorated leaving an open area of packed mud. The packed mud is a reoccurring issue in the outdoor space.

• POLICIES AND PROCEDURES / Emergency Training and EquipmentNon-critical

  There is an emergency plan that sets out procedures to prepare for, mitigate, respond to and recover from any emergency. [CCLR Sec. 22(1)(b)]

  Observation. LO observed that that the fire extinguisher has not been serviced

• RECORDS AND REPORTING / Care PlansNon-critical

  For each child requiring extra support, the licensee keeps a current care plan showing the required information. [CCLR Sec. 58(1)(2)]

  Observation. LO observed care plans posted for two children. In conversation, the manager stated that the children's health conditions have changed an no longer require a care plan. Discussion took place with the manager to update the care plan with the necessary information.