Balsam Montessori Academy Ltd.

• RECORDS AND REPORTING / Records For Each ChildNon-critical

  The licensee has written, parental consent to release a child to someone other than the parent. [CCLR Sec. 57(3)(b)]

  Observation. Several children were missing an alternate authorized pick up person who is not the parent.

• RECORDS AND REPORTING / Records For Each ChildNon-critical

  A record for each child containing the date of enrolment in the facility is not kept. [CCLR Sec. 57(2)(b)]

• CARE AND/OR SUPERVISION / Group Sizes and Employee to Children RatiosNon-critical

  Staff ratios and group sizes comply with Schedule E. [CCLR Sec. 34(2)(a)]

  Observation. One child's file indicated that she started attending the facility at 25 months of age, without an exemption.

• NUTRITION AND FOOD SERVICES / NutritionNon-critical

  Children have healthy food and drink in accordance with Canada's Food Guide. [CCLR Sec.48(1)(a)]

  Observation. Children bring morning snack and lunch from home and the licensee provides a healthy afternoon snack and the children's lunches are stored in a fridge with a broken thermometer and the snacks are stored in a refrigerator with no thermometer.

• 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. Not all of the shelving over 4' has been anchored to the wall. Staff purses and belonging are stored in the children's eating area and are accessible to children.

• PHYSICAL, EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHING / Furniture, Equipment and FixturesNon-critical

  Furniture or equipment for sleeping is used by only one child at a time, is clean and comfortable, and is appropriate for the size, age and development of the children intended to use it. [CCLR Sec. 15(2)]

  Observation. Not all the children who typically sleep are provided with cots or mats, and tend to fall asleep on a blanket on the floor.

• RECORDS AND REPORTING / Records For Each ChildNon-critical

  A record for each child containing the date of enrolment in the facility is not kept. [CCLR Sec. 57(2)(b)]; A record for each child containing the name, sex, date of birth, medical insurance plan number and immunization status is not kept. [CCLR Sec. 57(2)(a)]

  Observation. Not all children's files contained start dates and immunization status.

• RECORDS AND REPORTING / Safe Play Space Standard of PracticeNon-critical

  Maintenance of Equipment: A log is kept of all inspections, maintenance and repairs. [Director of Licensing Standard of Practice - Safe Play Space]

  Observation. There is no inspection log kept.

• LICENSING / Posting and Advertising of License and CertificateNon-critical

  The certificates, or copies of certificates, of early childhood educators and assistants are prominently displayed in the facility. [CCLR 11(4)]

  Observation. Not all certificates were posted.

• MEDICATION / MedicationNon-critical

  Medications that staff have agreed to administer are readily accessible to staff and are administered in the correct dosage at the correct times. [CCLR Sec. 53(1)]

  Observation. There was an unmarked syringe in the refrigerator with a dose of an unknown medication in it for a specified child. There was no medication administration form on-site for the medication and no packaging or physician's order identifying the medication. The parent had left the medication with staff and requested that they administer it to the child at noon. The staff did not know what the medication was or what it was for. CCFL advised the staff to call the parent and have them provide the medication form and appropriate medication identification packaging / physician's order. The staff advised CCFL that the parent would administer the medication at pick-up.

• MEDICATION / MedicationNon-critical

  Medications are not accessible to children. [CCLR Sec. 53(2)]

  Observation. Medication was in a plastic bag in the refrigerator and easily accessible to children.

• RECORDS AND REPORTING / Care PlansNon-critical

  The licensee does not keep a current care plan for each child requiring extra support. [CCLR Sec. 58(1)] ; Care plans are not reviewed at least once a year with a parent of the child requiring extra support and any person requested by the parent. [CCLR Sec. 58(2)(b)]

  Observation. The licensee has not completed a care plan for a child.

• CARE AND/OR SUPERVISION / Group Sizes and Employee to Children RatiosNon-critical

  The ratio of employees to children is less than that permitted in Schedule E. [CCLR Sec. 34(2)(b)]

  Observation. There were 17 children in care supervised by an ECE, ECA and two RAs. The attendance records indicate the same staffing has been used for up to 18 children.

• STAFFING / Character and skill requirementsNon-critical

  A licensee must not employ a person in a community care facility as an educator or an assistant unless the person holds a certificate issued under Division 2 [Employee Qualifications], which must be verified by the licensee using a system established and maintained by the director of the early childhood educator registry [CCLR Sec. 19(4)(a)]

  Observation. OUTSTANDING FROM MAY 24, 2023 INSPECTION Today the ECE manager was supervising 17 children with an ECA and two RAs. It was again discussed that until staff have valid certificates, that they are not to be used as ECAs.

• STAFFING / Character and skill requirementsNon-critical

  A licensee must not employ a person in a community care facility as an educator or an assistant unless the person holds a certificate issued under Division 2 [Employee Qualifications], which must be verified by the licensee using a system established and maintained by the director of the early childhood educator registry [CCLR Sec. 19(4)(a)]

  Observation. Not all staff certificates have been verified.

No violations recorded at this inspection.

• RECORDS AND REPORTING / Records For Each ChildNon-critical

  A record for each child containing the name, sex, date of birth, medical insurance plan number and immunization status is not kept. [CCLR Sec. 57(2)(a)]

  Observation. Not all immunization checklists are completed correctly. Some indicated 'immunization records attached' but nothing is attached.