Growing Steps Children Centre Chilliwack

A licensee must ensure that a healthy and safe environment is provided at all times while children are under the supervision of employees.

Observation. Outdoor play space for the school aged program had exposed weed liner material all over the playground as bark chips were sparse. This is a tripping hazard as well as very little resilient surfacing.

Corrective action. Please ensure ground coverage is enough to cover the liner and provide a safe play area.

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

Observation. Licensing observed the emergency supplies for the whole centre were not adequate to support the full capacity. Discussed further with the manager.

Corrective action. Manager will ensure emergency supplies are of a uantity to support the capacity of the facility for up to 72 hours of care.

Observation. Staff did not have access to a first aid kit during school pick-ups.

Corrective action. The licensee will provide a corrective action plan to address the contravention.

Observation. All three children’s groups were combined and over the permitted capacity.

Corrective action. The licensee will provide a corrective action plan to address the contravention.

Observation. Children were being transported in a vehicle that required repairs and did not have the proper insurance.

Corrective action. The licensee will provide a corrective action plan to address the contravention.

A licensee must ensure that all indoor and outdoor play materials and equipment accessible to children are (b) safely constructed, free from hazards and in good repair.

Observation. Licensing observed one of the play spaces with a swing set did not have appropriate resilient surfacing covering a hard surface under the swings to protect children from harm/fall.

Corrective action. Please ensure adequate depth of resilient surfacing is in place under any climbing equipment/swings.

A licensee must ensure that any heated water accessible to children is heated to no more than 49° Celsius.

Observation. Hot water readings were: 51.9 degrees celcius in one of the MA programs. 55.7 degrees celcius in the School aged program. Manager said most children are supervised by staff when hand washing. This is a repeat contravention.

Corrective action. Please ensure hot water in all sinks is maintained below 49 degrees celcius

Without limiting subsection (1), a licensee must ensure that (b) the ratio of employees to children attending a community care facility is no less than that permitted in Schedule E.

Observation. Licensing observed two staff on site today - one for each program. One of the staff did not meet the qualifications required as per Schedule E and staff should be working in their respective programs, although today were mixed.

Corrective action. Please ensure staff are qualified to supervise each group as required in Schedule E

Without limiting subsection (1), a licensee must ensure that (a) children attending a community care facility are divided into groups, with each group having no more children than that permitted in Schedule E.

Observation. Licensing observed that all children on site today were grouped together in one space, with five children under the age of three years. Manager said that they are signed in/out in different programs as they usually separate. This is a repeat contravention

Corrective action. Please ensure no more than three children under the age of three years in each multi-age group.

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

Observation. Licensing reviewed the emergency supplies which had very little food, water and emergency equipment to support the whole facility in an emergency. There was also no record for the annual evacuation drill. Current staff have not practiced it.

Corrective action. Please ensure emergency equipment/supplies is in place to support the facility capacity for up to 72 hours of care and that staff complete an annual drill.

A Licensee must keep (b) a current record of each person to whom the written agreement is delivered in accordance with that section [CCALA s.19]

Observation. On review of children's files, two were missing repayment agreements.

Corrective action. Please ensure parents receive and acknowledge repayment terms.

A licensee must keep, for each child, a record showing the following information: (i) a photograph or digital image of the child, and other information that can be used to readily identify the child in an emergency.

Observation. On review of seven child files, Licensing observed only one containing a photo.

Corrective action. Please ensure all required information is collected for attending children

A licensee must keep, for each child, a record showing the following information: (b) date of enrolment in the community care facility.

Observation. On review of seven child files, two were missing enrolment dates

Corrective action. Please ensure all required information is collected for attending children.

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. Licensing observed that one staff did not have a current Criminal Record Check on file. This staff works alone with children.

Corrective action. This staff must not supervise children until a current clearance is in place.

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 record of the person's work history was not obtained for one or more employees.

Corrective action. Please ensure staff are fully screened prior to working with children

A licensee must ensure that any heated water accessible to children is heated to no more than 49° Celsius. Observation (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION): Licensing observed the water temperature in the GCC )30-sa) program was reading 57.7 degrees celcius. Discussed valves with the manager and she will temporarily shut off the hot water until addressed.

Corrective action. Ensure water maintains temperature below 49 degrees celcius to ensure safety.

Without limiting subsection (1), a licensee must ensure that (a) children attending a community care facility are divided into groups, with each group having no more children than that permitted in Schedule E. Observation (CORRECTED DURING INSPECTION): Children of both programs were mixed into one program while a staff was putting a child for nap. Manager corrected this by moving a child back to their group

Corrective action. Ensure groups remain independant in their operation.

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: - Outdoor area has garbage items; - weeds in the sandbox and all around the play area; - Gaps under the fencing causing an entrapment hazard

Corrective action. There is no maintenance checklist utilized to ensure a safe play space. Please provide a corrective action plan to Licensing

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 plastic bags and an air freshener aerosol stored in the bathroom cupboard under the sink, accessible to children. Licensing observed a child accessing the bathroom independently, without supervision.

Corrective action. Please ensure a safe environment at all times for children

A licensee must establish a program to instruct children in, and to practise the rules of, health and hygiene.

Observation. Licensing observed the following: - No hand towels available for children to dry hands in the bathroom - No sanitizing solution in the bathroom for use after diaper changes, etc. - Blankets being stored together in a crib in the nap room

Corrective action. Please ensure a hygiene program is practiced at all times to ensure the health of the children.

A licensee must display in a prominent place in the community care facility the certificate, or a copy of the certificate, of any educator or assistant employed to work in the community care facility.

Observation. The certificate for the staff on site today was not prominently displayed in the facility

Corrective action. Please ensure all staff certifications are displayed.

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

Observation. Licensing observed that the two fire extinguishers in the facility were overdue for service. Manager said that they have purchased a new one and this will be installed at the weekend.

Corrective action. Please ensure a safe environment at all times, adhering to the safety plan by having a checklist available

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. Licensing observed that the staff providing sole supervision did not have a criminal record check on file. In discussion with Licensee via phone, Licensee said that it has been applied for and are waiting for it to arrive. Manager also does not have a current site specific clearance.

Corrective action. Staff must not supervise children alone without a clearance in place. It is the Licensee's responsibility to ensure that all staff supervising children have appropriate current clearances.

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. On review of staff files, Licensing observed that the staff providing sole supervision did not have any references on file.

Corrective action. Please ensure staff are fully screened prior to employment

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: (f) evidence that the person has complied with the Province's immunization and tuberculosis control programs.

Observation. Immunization status was not obtained for one employee.

Corrective action. Please ensure staff are appropriately screened to ensure the health and safety of the children in care.

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. Of the two staff files reviewed, both were missing validation information of ECE/A certification.

Corrective action. Please ensure staff certificates are appropriately verified.