Little Thinkers Daycare Centre

Applicants for licences and licensees must notify a medical health officer immediately of any change in the information provided under section 9.

Observation. Licensing observed some loose wooden pieces in the fence in the outdoor play space that have sharp edges and splinters.

Corrective action. Licensee said she will plan to replace the fence.

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. Fence on one side had recently fallen down during a wind storm. The fence has been re-installed, but there are areas where there are loose boards and still leaning. In the corner of the fence, there is a gap that can act as an entrapment hazard. Currently Licensee sits in the corner of the yard in order to ensure no one comes close to the fence. Discussion had about closing the gap within the fence while they work on replacing the fence.

Corrective action. Licensee is hoping to install a new fence. Please provide a timeline in regard to the replacement of the fence.

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: -Bush in corner of playground has thorns which are growing out of it's enclosure, making thorns accessible to the children. -Sunscreen stored on shelf within cubbies, accessible to the children.

Corrective action. Please provide a written response to indicate how you will address the contraventions noted above on or before July 17, 2024

A licensee must display in a prominent place in the community care facility both the licence, including any terms or conditions of the licence, and the name of the manager.

Observation. Sub staff ECEA Certificate not posted.

Corrective action. Please provide a written response to indicate how you will address the contravention noted above on or before July 17, 2024

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. Sub staff who was working today did not have any references within the file.

Corrective action. Please provide a written response to indicate how you will address the contravention noted above on or before July 17, 2024.

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: (c) a record of the person's work history.

Observation. A copy of the sub staff's (working today) work history was not available for review at today's inspection

Corrective action. Please provide a written response to indicate how you will address the contravention noted above on or before July 17, 2024.

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: (d) copies of any diplomas, certificates or other evidence of the person's training and skills. Observation (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION): Copies of any diplomas, certificates or other evidence of the person's training and skills were not initially available to today's inspection. Staff provided a photo of their Certificate. Discussion had about having a copy on site and posted.

Corrective action. Please provide a written response to indicate how you will address the contravention noted above on or before July 17, 2024.

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. The criminal record for the sub staff who was working today was not site specific.

Corrective action. Please provide a written response to indicate how you will address the contravention noted above on or before July 17, 2024.

A licensee must not employ a person in a community care facility as (a) an educator or an assistant unless the person holds a certificate issued under Division 2 [Employee Qualifications], which must be verified by the system maintained by the early childhood educator registry. (Educator or assistant certificate validation)

Observation. There is no proof of verification of sub staff's ECEA Certificate.

Corrective action. Please provide a written response to indicate how you will address the contravention noted above on or before July 17, 2024.

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 the following: - a blueberry bush with thorns in the wood chip outdoor play area. The Licensee informed Licensing that a barrier will be built around it so children do not have access to it. - A tube of polysporin in the first aid kit. The Licensee said that it is used on children when they are hurt. Licensing explained that any medication with medical ingredients require written consent from parents to administer it to their child(ren). The Licensee removed it from the first aid kit.

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

A licensee must keep, for each child, a record showing the following information: (a) name, sex, date of birth, medical insurance plan number and immunization status.

Observation. Upon a random review of three children's records, Licensing observed one child's record missing their medical insurance number.

Corrective action. Ensure that children's records are complete prior to the child attending the community care facility.

A licensee must keep, for each child, a record showing the following information: (d) name and telephone number of a parent, medical practitioner and emergency contact.

Observation. Upon a random review of three children's records, Licensing observed the following; - Two children's records missing the name and telephone number of an emergency contact. - One child's record missing the name and telephone number of a medical practitioner.

Corrective action. Ensure that children's records are complete prior to the child attending the community care facility.

A licensee must ensure that each employee (c) practices implementing the emergency plan at least once each year.

Observation. Upon discussion with the Licensee, Licensing observed that an emergency drill was not completely practiced once a year. Licensing had a discussion on the importance of practicing the emergency drill fully which includes taking the children and the supplies to the designated meeting spot. Additionally, Licensing explained that the earthquake drill needs to me implemented only once a year.

Corrective action. Ensure that the emergency plan is practiced at least once each year.

A licensee must ensure that children do not have access to any object or substance that may be hazardous to the health or safety of a child.

Observation. Licensing observed air freshener spray accessible to children in the washroom.

Corrective action. Ensure that children do not have access to anything that may be hazardous to their health and safety.

A licensee must keep, for each child, a record showing the following information: (c) daily attendance record, indicating for each day whether the child is absent or, if the child is present, the time of arrival and departure.

Observation. Upon arrival Licensing observed 3 children in attendance, however, none of the children were signed in. Licensing discussed the intent and importance of accurate attendance records while children are in care.(repeated contravention)

Corrective action. Ensure children records are complete and up to date.

A licensee must ensure that children do not have access to any object or substance that may be hazardous to the health or safety of a child. Observation (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION): Licensing observed three loose batteries on the office table between the kitchen and naproom.

Corrective action. Ensure children do not have access to items or substances which may be hazardous to the health and safety of children.

A licensee must keep, for each child, a record showing the following information: (c) daily attendance record, indicating for each day whether the child is absent or, if the child is present, the time of arrival and departure.

Observation. Upon Licensing arrival at 3:00 PM, the three children in care were not signed in. The intent and the importance of recording a child's attendance at the time transfer of care occurs was discussed.

Corrective action. Ensure accurate attendance records are kept at all times.

A licensee must not employ a person in a community care facility as (a) an educator or an assistant unless the person holds a certificate issued under Division 2 [Employee Qualifications], which must be verified by the system maintained by the early childhood educator registry. (Educator or assistant certificate validation)

Observation. The licensee could not produce evidence of ECE certificate validation at the time of inpsection.

Corrective action. Ensure evidence of a current ECE certificate validation is kept on file at all times.

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 the following: - 2 booster chairs that are in need of a deep clean. -some splatters on the surface of the kitchen cabinets. -2 holes in the walls of the naproom and one in the living room. -Some chipping paint throughout the facility. -outdoor play equipment requires a deep clean - some broken equipment observed. -fabric cushions observed in the outdoor play space that were wet - hazardous to health and safety due to the potential of mold. -the outdoor play space directly in front of the facility's main door is wooden and has started to become slippery. A conversation with the licensee has indicated that they are aware of the slip on the deck. Deck maintenance will take place to ensure the surface area is not slippery.

Corrective action. Ensure that the community care facility and furniture, equipment and furnishings within it are clean and in good repair.

A licensee must ensure that children do not have access to any object or substance that may be hazardous to the health or safety of a child. Observation (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION): Licensing observed the following items as accessible to children in care: -2 packs of push pins. -A pack of batteries. -A pack of staple pins.

Corrective action. Ensure any objects or substances hazardous to the health and safety of children are made inaccessible.

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 storage boxes stacked on top of a low cupboard in the naproom. The boxes are filled with items and are not anchored in any way posing a tipping hazard.

Corrective action. Ensure that a healthy and safe environment is maintained at all times.

A licensee must: (b) have an emergency plan that sets out procedures to prepare for, mitigate, respond to and recover from any emergency.

Observation. The facility fire extinguisher was past due for service. A clarifying conversation with the Licensee indicated that new fire extinguisher has been ordered.

Corrective action. Ensure that fire extinguishers are maintained annually and an adequaet fire extinguisher is in place on or before the date indicated on service tags.

A licensee must keep current records of each of the following: (f) a log of minor accidents, illnesses and unexpected events involving children, that did not require medical attention and were not reportable incidents described in Schedule H.

Observation. A log is available but is not maintained. Licensing observed that the last entry was in July 2020.

Corrective action. Ensure a record of minor accidents, illness and unexpected events involved children, that did not require medical attention is kept.

A licensee must keep, for each child, a record showing the following information: (d) name and telephone number of a parent, medical practitioner and emergency contact. Observation (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION): Upon an inspection of 4 children's files, Licensing noted that one was missing name and telephone number of a medical practitioner.

Corrective action. Ensure children's records are complete at all times.

A licensee must keep, for each child, a record showing the following information: (c) daily attendance record, indicating for each day whether the child is absent or, if the child is present, the time of arrival and departure. Observation (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION): The licensee was observed filling out the attendance records during the inspection. The intent of keeping accurate records was discussed with the licensee.

Corrective action. Ensure that daily attendance records are kept indicating for each day whether the child is absent, or if the child is present, the time or arrival and departure.

A licensee must not employ a person in a community care facility as (a) an educator or an assistant unless the person holds a certificate issued under Division 2 [Employee Qualifications], which must be verified by the system maintained by the early childhood educator registry. (Educator or assistant certificate validation)

Observation. The licensee's certificate to practice was not verified.

Corrective action. Ensure ECE certificate to practice is verified using the systems maintained by the early childhood educator registry.

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 the following: - Several bikes and cars in the outdoor area with a lot of green grime on them. The Licensee informed Licensing that the area had been power washed and all the dirt from the top ended up on the bikes and cars. - One of the high chair's plastic covering is ripped in several areas exposing the foam underlay. This is hard to sanitize efficiently.

Corrective action. Please ensure that the furniture , equipment and fixtures within the care facility are clean and in good repair.

A licensee must ensure that all indoor and outdoor play materials and equipment accessible to children are (a) suitable for the age and development of the children.

Observation. Licensing observed a child, who is almost 3 years old, sitting in a booster chair strapped in while having snack. The booster chair was on a small chair. The Licensee informed Licensing that the child does not sit and eat on the chair so has to be put in the booster chair and be strapped in. Licensing provided education to place children in age and developmentally appropriate furniture.

Corrective action. Please ensure that all indoor and outdoor play materials and equipment accessible to children are suitable for the age and development of the children.

A licensee must ensure that children do not have access to any object or substance that may be hazardous to the health or safety of a child.

Observation. Licensing observed the following that are accessible to children in care: - A Lysol wipe container on the entrance table where the attendance sheet is located. The Licensee informed Licensing that parents like to use at when they drop off their children. Licensing provided education on having substances that are hazardous to children inaccessible to children. - Several thorn branches in the outdoor grass area. Potential for children cutting their fingers.

Corrective action. Please ensure that children do not have access to any object or substance that may be hazardous to the health or safety of a child.