Switzmalph Child Care Centre

• 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. A refrigerator in one of the Group Child Care 30m to School Age programs did not have a thermometer. A thermometer is needed to ensure that the temperature remains within a safe range for storage of refrigerated foods to reduce the potential for food borne illness. Ensure there is a method to check the temperature of refrigerators. - Corrected during the inspection

No violations recorded at this inspection.

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

  Observation. The name of the manager is not displayed at the facility.

• 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 toilet tank cover in the group child care (30m to school age) room has a crack that has been covered with tape. This creates a potential health hazard as it can not be properly cleaned and sanitized. - The toilet tank lid was replaced during the inspection. A container of diaper cream was open without a lid and was accessible to children. The label on the cream indicates it should be kept out of the reach of children.

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

  Observation. Some files for children were missing name and telephone number for their medical practitioner.

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

  Observation. The complaint alleges that there are staff employed as responsible adults who are under 19 years of age. - Licensing confirmed that one staff person is employed as a responsible adult who is under 19 years of age. - Substantiated

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

  Observation. The complaint alleges that the layout of the playground area does not allow for proper supervision due to obstructions to view. - During the inspection Licensing noted that a large shipping container located in the fenced area of the outdoor play space obstructs the view of a section of the play area. Staff expressed concern with the ability to appropriately supervise the outdoor play area due to the shipping container. - Substantiated The complaint alleges that staff to child ratios are often not maintained in accordance with Schedule E, 34 (2)(b). - Staff informed Licensing that they have been left providing care for more children than permitted in accordance with schedule E, 34 (2)(b). Licensing was unable to verify child and staff attendance records as they were not available to view during the inspection. - Substantiated

• 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. The complaint alleges that the facility has not been practicing the fire drill system monthly. - Facility records indicate the last practice of the fire drill system was May 2, 2022. - Substantiated - During the inspection, Licensing noted there is no record indicating that the emergency plan is practiced at least once each year.

• 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 alleges that the playground is unsafe for play as there are hazardous items present, such as wood debris with exposed nails. -Licensing observed hazardous debris in the outdoor play space which poses a potential risk to children. Items observed include: Pieces of broken plastic, pieces of jagged/splintered wood, building supplies. Additionally, there is a giant plastic 'poly' bag with handles used to transport large amounts of sand located near the fence in the outdoor play area. The bag handles are long enough to pose an entanglement risk to children. - Substantiated - Licensing notes that the ground area of the outdoor play space is not suitable for the age and development of the children. Licensing notes the hard dirt ground is very uneven, with holes, rocks and exposed roots which pose tripping hazards. There are sections of the play space with unidentified foliage, including prickly thistle type plants which may be harmful to children.

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

  Observation. The complaint alleges that staff do not have access to up-to-date child records and that some children do not have files at the facility. - Licensing confirmed through review of files and emergency bags that child records and emergency cards were missing for some children and were not available to staff. - Substantiated The complaint alleges that there are children attending the program with significant behavioural support needs and there are no care plans in place and no additional staffing support. It is alleged that the behaviours are having an impact on the ability for staff to provide safe, quality care to the group. - Licensing was not able to confirm additional support needs through observation or through review of child files- Unable to Substantiate - During the inspection Licensing noted a medication form for a child in the Group Child Care (under 36 months) program which did not list: the name of the medication, the amount of medication or the time at which the medication should be administered. - There does not appear to be a log of play space inspections, maintenance or repairs. - Past child attendance records were not available for Licensing to inspect in order to verify whether staff to child ratios are maintained, and whether children attended the program.

• 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. The complaint alleges that staff have begun working in the programs with children without a Criminal Record Check Clearance Letter on file. - Licensing confirmed through review of staff files that several employees began working at the facility in programs with children without a Criminal Record Check. - Substantiated The complaint alleges that there are employees who do not work with children in programs, but are ordinarily present at the facility and do not have a Criminal Record Check on file. - Licensing confirmed that Criminal Record Checks are not on site for other employees who are ordinarily present. - Substantiated The complaint alleges that staff have not received training in the implementation of fire drills and emergency evacuation procedures. - Licensing confirmed that several staff did not receive an orientation and have not been trained in the implementation of emergency plans, including the use of any equipment noted in the fire drill system and emergency plan. - Substantiated - During the inspection Licensing noted that staff files were incomplete. Some staff files were missing: Character references, forms authorizing criminal record checks, criminal record check results, ECE Registry certificate validation.

• 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. Licensing reviewed staff files and found some immunization records and character reference checks to be missing.