Kaleidoscope Early Learning Centre

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

  Observation. It was alleged that the licensed capacity of the Group Child Care - 30 Months to School Age program had been exceeded while the Multi-Age program was temporarily closed. The Manager confirmed that the program had enrolled more than the capacity of 20 children on several occasions. A facility is not permitted to operate above the licenced capacity. This allegation is substantiated. A plan for continued compliance with the conditions of the licence is required by August 5, 2025.

• 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. It was alleged that a staircase in the play area is in disrepair with a crumbling cement foundation. Photos provided by the manager, and an on-site inspection of the stairs, confirm deterioration of the foundation. The facility is required to be in good repair to create a safe environment for the children. This allegation is substantiated. Provide evidence to Licensing that the cement under the stairs has been repaired by August 5, 2025. Contravention identified unrelated to the allegations: The lattice and wood frames near the upstairs entrance are in disrepair. The frames are loose and the lattice within the frames has become detached. The facility is required to be in good repair to create a safe environment for the children. Provide evidence to Licensing that the lattice and wood frames have been repaired by August 20, 2025. It was alleged that screws were sticking up on the treads of the main staircase. It was observed that the screws were not flush with the surface of the stairs, creating a tripping hazard, which may affect the safety of the children. A Licensee must ensure that children do not have access to any object or substance that may be hazardous to their safety. This allegation is substantiated. Provide evidence to Licensing that the tripping hazard has been repaired by August 5, 2025. It was alleged that children did not have adequate access to shade, exposing them to potentially hazardous effects of heat and sun exposure. It was observed that the outdoor play area provided areas for play in the shade at all times of day. The Manager showed evidence of providing messaging to parents and employees regarding sun-safe protocols including wearing of hats and sunscreen and providing options for play in shaded areas or indoors. This allegation is unsubstantiated. Contravention identified unrelated to the allegations: A broken plastic box in a storage area that is accessible to children contained three inches of standing water, creating a risk of illness if ingested, or drowning if inhaled. Children must not have access to anything that may be hazardous to their health or safety. Provide evidence to Licensing that children do not have access to standing water by August 1, 2025.

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

  Observation. Contravention identified unrelated to the allegations: A log of all play space inspections, maintenance and repairs has not been kept. Employees stated that play space inspections and maintenance are being done, however there is no record to provide evidence. A log of all play space inspections, maintenance and repairs is required to show evidence that the facility is safe, free from hazards and in good repair. Provide evidence to Licensing that play space inspections and maintenance are being logged by August 20, 2025.

• 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 section of the linoleum in the upstairs classroom is lifting, creating a tripping hazard. The facility must be in good repair in order to reduce the risk of harm to the children. Provide evidence to Licensing by May 12, 2025 that the floor is no longer hazardous. A gap between the fence and the wall in the infant/toddler play space measured 5 inches, which presents a risk of entrapment. Openings must not be between 3.5 and 9 inches. Provide evidence to Licensing by May 12, 2025 that the gap has been reduced to less than 3.5 inches.

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

  Observation. A review of children's records showed that some are missing required information. The sex of each child must be recorded. One child's file needs the personal health number and physician name and phone number added. Records must be complete in order for staff to respond appropriately in the event of an emergency. Provide confirmation to Licensing by May 12, 2025 that all children's files are complete. The log of daily outdoor play space inspections is incomplete. Licensees are required to keep a record of all daily, monthly and yearly play space inspections, and any maintenance or repairs. Inform Licensing by May 12, 2025 of how you have addressed the requirement to record the outdoor play space inspections.

• 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. A review of employee records revealed that some are missing required information, including a valid criminal record check specific to the employer, and immunization status. Persons must not be employed until the required records are obtained by the manager. Provide evidence to Licensing by May 12, 2025 that staff files are complete. There is no record indicating that the emergency plan has been practiced within the past year. In order to be prepared for an emergency, it is required that the emergency plan practices are performed and recorded, annually. Provide evidence to Licensing by May 12, 2025 that the emergency plan has been practiced and recorded.

• 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 emergency kit supplies need to be replenished. An incomplete emergency kit may leave the facility unprepared in case of an emergency. Provide evidence to Licensing by May 12, 2025 that the emergency kit has been restocked.

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

  Observation. Evidence that the educator and assistant certificates were verified by the licensee using a system established and maintained by the director of the early childhood educator registry was missing from some staff records.

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

  Observation. Children's records were missing other information that can be used to readily identify the children in an emergency.

• 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. Staff records were missing evidence that the employee has complied with the Province's immunization program.

• 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 system for ensuring the fridge temperatures are maintained at 4 degrees Celsius to ensure safe food storage needs to be developed, as the children's food is stored in the facility's fridges. Licensing observed a bottle of bleach and water on a table accessible to children.

• 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. It was alleged that the facility is not in good repair and that there are mice, birds, skunks and raccoons in and under the building. Substantiated - During a physical inspection of the facility, a hole in the flooring of the 30m-School Age coatroom and broken skirting under the building were identified as potential hazards for children in care. During the inspection, the Manager indicated that efforts to eradicate the mice and skunks are in progress. It appears that appropriate actions are being taken, since there was no evidence of rodents found during the inspection.

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

  Observation. A system for recording minor accidents, illnesses and unexpected events exists, however this record is not easily accessible for viewing by Licensing. A system for logging the incidents in a way that is easily accessible by licensing is required. Daily inspections of the play space are performed, however a record of those inspections is required.

• 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 linoleum in the cubby area of the 30months-School Age program has a hole in it that is unsightly and presents a tripping hazard. The tripping hazard must immediately be made safe, and a permanent solution for fixing the floor must be created. Lattice skirting under part of the facility is broken creating gaps that are between 3.5 and 9". This area must be made inaccessible to children, and a permanent solution for repairing the skirting must be created. A system for conducting and recording monthly and yearly play space inspections is required. Staff have been attempting to mitigate a mouse problem. Licensing Officer found no evidence of mouse activity in any areas occupied by children.

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

  Observation. A sampling of attendance records indicate that more than 8 children have been present in the Multi-Age program. A review of attendance records and staff time sheets from 9 random days between March 1 and March 18, indicates that the ratio of employees to children in the Group Child Care (under 36 months) program has been less than permitted for a period of time on 4 out of 9 days reviewed. Information acquired by Licensing during interviews with staff, and review of staff time sheets and children's attendance records, indicates an employee is alone with children during nap time and that they are unsure of how to contact other available employees if assistance is required. It was found that some employees leave the building during breaks and are not adequately replaced while they are gone.

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

  Observation. A review of employee timesheets for the period of February 1-March 18, 2022 indicate that persons holding 'Responsible Adult' qualifications have been employed in lieu of educators or assistants. Interviews with staff indicate that employees who ceased employment in the fall were not replaced by adequately qualified employees.

• 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. Licensee has not ensured that policies and procedures to guide employees in all matters regarding the care and supervision of children have been implemented by the employees. During interviews with staff, it was determined that some employees were not implementing the illness policy.

• 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. Upon review of employee files, Licensing has determined that one employee's file contains a criminal record check from the RCMP rather than the required criminal record check from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. Manager confirmed during an interview with Licensing Officers, that employees have not practiced or recorded fire drills since December of 2021. A review of the facility attendance records for the period from March 1-March 18 indicated that more than 3 children younger than 36 months old were present in the Multi-age program on 2 of the 9 days reviewed.

• 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. A complaint was received that brought forward concerns regarding the Manager's personality, ability and temperament necessary to manage or work with children. The complainant stated that the "Manager appeared under a lot of stress" and was observed crying in front of children as well as crying when telling families that the facility had to close for the day due to the lack of staff. The Manager was also observed crying in front of children an hour later. The Licensing Officer reviewed the concerns with the Licensee Contact who met with the Manager and confirmed that the Manager had been crying in front of children. They recognized that it was wrong.

• C10.1 - Are children provided with a healthy and safe environment, and protected from harmful actions?Non-critical

  Observation. Children appear to be provided with a healthy and safe environment. A record of persons not permitted access to a child is required.

• 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 facility appears to be in good repair and appropriate for the ages and development of children. Children's bedding must be individually stored, to reduce the spread of illness.

No violations recorded at this inspection.