The Four Winds Daycare

Observation. It was alleged that more children have been in attendance than are permitted by the facility's licence. This Licensing Officer reviewed attendance records. Records confirmed that more than 21 children were present in the facility on January 28, and more than 10 children were present in the Preschool program on February 5. Providing care to more children than permitted by the maximum capacity, increases the risk to children in care. The allegation is substantiated. It was alleged that children in different care program types have been combined. This Licensing Officer reviewed attendance records. Records confirm that school-age children were regularly in attendance while there were still more than 11 children in the Group Child Care (30m-SA) program. Children who have started grade one are not eligible to receive care in a program for children who are not yet school-age. Combining groups of children of different ages and abilities increases the risk to children in care. This allegation is substantiated. A system to ensure ongoing compliance with Sections 34 and 2.1 is required.

Observation. The name of the manager was not found to be posted in the facility. The manager's name must be displayed in a prominent location.

Observation. The emergency kit and the first aid kits were lacking some supplies. A well-stocked emergency kit is an important part of the plan for ensuring that the facility is prepared for any emergency. Replenishing the kits is required. Annual practice of the emergency plan, by all employees must be recorded. There was no evidence that the plan had been practiced within the past year, so the plan must be practiced by the follow up date. The repayment (refund) policy is in the process of being revised. A new statement about fees has been emailed to parents but has not been added to the parent information booklet yet. If parents prepay any part of their fees, a repayment agreement must be given and a record of who has received it must be maintained.

Observation. Attendance records in the Preschool program indicated arrival times, but were missing departure times for when the children transfer to the Group Child Care Program. Some attendance records were missing an indication that a child was absent. Accurate attendance records are required so that children can all be accounted for in an emergency. A method for ensuring consistent recording of absence and of arrival and departure times is required.

Observation. The Manager reported that food from the facility is sometimes made available to children. A method of recording what food has been provided to children by the facility is required.

Observation. An electric radiator that was hot to the touch, was plugged in in a location that is accessible to children. Children must not have access to any item that could be hazardous to their safety. This item was corrected during the inspection.

Observation. One staff file contained criminal record check results addressed to another organization, and was missing proof of reference checks having been conducted. Criminal record check results must be addressed to this facility. Obtain new criminal record check results, and proof of references having been conducted for the employee.

Observation. Two staff files were incomplete: - One was missing a criminal record check, immunization status and job history. - The other was missing immunization status and job history.

Observation. Attendance records must illustrate where each child is at all times of the day. A separate attendance list is required for each program. Children must be signed out of each program as they move to another program or to school. Some children's records were incomplete missing the following information: - a photo or digital image and other information that can be used to readily identify the child in an emergency.

Observation. - Information received in the complaint alleged that one of the staff working alone with children in the Group 30 Months to School Age program is not qualified. Information provided by the facility determined the allegation substantiated. Licensing provided a letter on December 14, 2023, to the Licensee requesting a staffing plan for the remainder of operational days in December 2023 demonstrating how the facility will maintain compliance with staff to child ratios/qualifications. The letter requested the Licensee/Manager to submit the Health and Safety Plan by 2 pm on December 15, 2023. - Information received in the complaint alleged that a child had gone outside and was assumed missing as educators could not locate the child. Licensing interviewed staff during the inspection and determined this allegation to be unsubstantiated.

Observation. Unrelated to the complaint allegation received, Licensing reviewed the facility’s employee records. The Licensee/Manager had not verified the educators Licence to Practice using a system established and maintained by the Director of the Early Childhood Educator Registry. During the inspection the verification of all applicable employee ECE/ECEA records was completed. Licensing determined this corrected during the inspection.

Observation. Information received in the complaint alleged that staff are directing children to eat specific items from their meals before they are allowed to eat what they want. Licensing interviewed staff during the inspection and determined this allegation to be substantiated. Submit a written plan by the follow up date requested detailing how the Licensee/Manager will ensure children are not directed to consume certain food or drink.

Observation. Information received during the complaint alleged staff are implementing time out as a form of behavioural guidance. Licensing interviewed staff during the inspection and determined this allegation to be substantiated. Submit a written plan by the follow up date requested detailing how the Licensee/Manager will ensure staff are implementing appropriate behavioural guidance with positive preventative and intervention strategies.

Observation. Unrelated to the complaint allegation received, Licensing reviewed the facility’s policies, food and drink and behavioural guidance. Licensing has determined the policies inadequate and require updating. Submit to Licensing by the follow up date requested, a revised Food and Drink Policy and Behavioural Guidance Policy. Once reviewed and accepted by Licensing, the Licensee must provide parents with a copy of the revised policies as well as provide and record orientation to the revised policy and procedures for all employees working with children.

Observation. Unrelated to the complaint allegation received, Licensing reviewed the facility’s employee records. A number of employees present at the facility do not have a current criminal record review clearance letters from the Criminal Record Review Program. Licensing informed the Licensee/Manager that persons without a current criminal record clearance letter must not be present at the facility or have access to children in care. Licensing provided a letter regarding the lack of criminal record clearances for staff on December 14, 2023, to the Licensee requesting a detailed written plan that demonstrates how the Licensee/Manager will reduce the potential for harm, assure the health and safety of persons in care, and come into compliance. The letter requested the Licensee/Manager to submit the Health and Safety Plan by 2 pm on December 15, 2023. The Licensee/Manager's system for ensuring that employee files contain all of the legislated requirements appears to be ineffective. This is a reoccurring contravention originally found out of compliance on June 21, 2022, April 28, 2022, May 24, 2023.

Observation. Preschool and Group Child Care 30 months to School-Age programs were observed to be mixing in the outdoor play space. Different care program types are not permitted to share the outdoor play area. A plan for ensuring different care program types are kept separate is required.

Observation. An afternoon (after Preschool) program is operating, but is not reflected on the Licence. Space for the program exists, however an amendment to the existing licence is required immediately.

Observation. The Group Child Care - 30months to School Age program is staffed by two Assistants, since the previous Early Childhood Educator resigned. Each early childhood program requires an Early Childhood Educator to be present, or a staffing exemption approved by Licensing.

Observation. An emergency kit is required, and must contain items for responding to an emergency situation with groups of children. The fire drill system is posted downstairs, but must also be posted upstairs in the Group Child Care - 30months to School-Age program. A method for recording emergency plan practices exists, however the last recorded practice was October of 2021. The emergency plan is required to be practiced, and recorded, annually.

Observation. One employee's Criminal Record Check results are addressed to another facility. Results that are specific to the facility are required. Some employee files are missing statements of their immunization status.

Observation. Attendance records must illustrate where each child is at all times of the day. A separate attendance list is required for each program. Children must be signed out of each program as they move to another program or to school. Information required for each child appears to be on site, but is not accessible in a consistent location. Sometimes photos are in the phone, sometimes they are on the file. Sometimes parental consent is on the emergency card, sometimes it is on the registration form.

Observation. Gates on both ends of the outdoor play space have gaps that are greater than 3.5". Gaps must be made smaller than 3.5" to reduce the risk of entrapment.

Observation. Staff files are missing required information.

Observation. Some children's files were observed to be missing required information.

Observation. Sign-in/out attendance sheets indicate that more children than are permitted on the Licence were signed in/out on several days in July and August, 2022. The facility must remain in compliance with the conditions of the licence, which limits attendance to 11 children in the 30month to School-Age program, and 10 children in the School-Age program, or Preschool. Registration documents and sign in/out sheets indicate that a child under the age of 30 months attended the 30months to School-Age program. Children must not attend the facility unless their age is within the age range to which the care program applies, or unless an exemption for that particular child has been granted by Licensing.

Observation. The Licensing Officer viewed an entry in the log book of minor accidents, illnesses and unexpected events, that described an incident where a child was pulled down while holding the leash of the 'registered' service dog. The Licensee must ensure that precautions are in place to keep the children safe when animals are present at the facility.

Observation. Two staff criminal record checks have not been received. Some staff files have no indication that references have been checked.

Observation. Items labelled "keep out of reach of children" were stored in cabinets under the sinks in 2 bathrooms and the kitchen. Child proof locks were no longer effective in the bathrooms and no child proof lock was present in the kitchen. Some items were removed during the inspection, but a complete system of the storage of hazardous items is required.

Observation. Staff qualifications are posted in a prominent location, however staff files are incomplete. References, Criminal Record Check Results, immunization status, work experience records, and proof of qualifications are all required to be maintained in all staff files, at one location in the facility. A system for ensuring staff files are complete, and proof of complete staff files are required by follow up date.

Observation. A random sampling of children's records found some children's files to be missing the name and phone number of a doctor, the child's immunization status, a record of persons not permitted access to a child and written consent to call a medical practitioner or ambulance. Digital images of children were on the Licensee's phone, and not readily accessible. Some times of arrival and departure were missing from children's attendance records. Complete children's files, as well as a system for ensuring children's files are complete, and for ensuring that their times of arrival and departure are recorded is required by the follow up date.

Observation. The staff employed as a Responsible Adult is missing evidence of how they qualify as a Responsible Adult.

Observation. Emergency response plan has been practiced and recorded, written policies and procedures readily available for staff to review. Manger confirmed that fire drills have occurred monthly, however the fire drill record for the Preschool Program could not be located at the time of the inspection. Out of the past 12 months, a record of 7 of the fire drills was missing for the Group Child Care (30 months to School Age Program).

Observation. The couch in the preschool room's large seat cushion seam has come apart in the middle extending the width of the seat The cupboard below the sink in the Preschool room's child safe locks are not secure , allowing access to items labelled "Keep out of Reach of Children"

Observation. Manager has a master sheet to record children's required information. Some children are missing emergency contacts, MSP#'s and immunization status. Attendance records are missing the time of departure for some children on many days. Play space inspection recording is missing from some attendance records

Observation. Licensee's criminal record check is current. One staff's CRC is addressed to another facility other staff's CRC's need processing. Licensee stated that the CRC consents were faxed in June 2019 (FLO observed evidence) and is following up with the CRRP for results