Arbutus Montessori Child Care Centre

• 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. Staff verification were missing from the staffing files.

• CARE AND/OR SUPERVISION / Behavioural GuidanceNon-critical

  Behavioural guidance is appropriate to the age and development of each child. [CCLR Sec.51(1)(a)]

  Observation. Licensing observed the following interaction: One child was at a table in the activity room. The other children were in the nap room having circle time. The door to the nap room was closed. A staff informed the licensing officer that the child was having snack at the table and had not joined circle. The staff then put their hands on the child's body by the waist trying to turn the child to the direction of the nap room, telling the child they had to go to circle. The child did not go. The licensing officer asked the staff to not put their hands on the child, informing the staff that physical redirecting a child was inappropriate and it was ok for the child to not be in circle. The licensing officer informed the facility manager of the observation when they arrived at the facility around 11:30.

• CARE AND/OR SUPERVISION / Continuous Supervision RequiredNon-critical

  Children are supervised at all times by a person who is an educator, an assistant or a responsible adult. [CCLR Sec. 39(1)]

  Observation. Licensing arrived at the facility around 11:00 and rang the doorbell. Nobody answered. Licencing observed a child through the front window in the activity space, waving and gesturing to the licensing officer. Nobody else was was observed in the activity space. Licensing could see through the activity space to the backyard and saw a staff in the backyard. Licensing went around the side of the house to the backyard. Licensing entered the backyard and saw the staff go inside. The staff opened the sliding door. Licensing inquired if they only had one child. The staff replied that seven children were in the nap room having circle time with the another staff. Licensing observed that the door to the nap room was closed. The child told the LO they were sorry they were unable to let the LO in. The child had been left unsupervised in the activity space for a few minutes. Licensing discussed the observation with the manager when they arrived at the facility around 11:30.

• CARE AND/OR SUPERVISION / Harmful actions not permittedNon-critical

  A child(ren), while under the care or supervision of the licensee, has been subjected to harsh, belittling or degrading treatment by an employee or another child, whether verbal, emotional or physical, that could humiliate the child or undermine the child(ren's) self respect. [CCLR Sec. 52(1)(c)]

  Observation. Licensing reviewed children's files by the desk located beside the nap room. The nap room door was closed and a staff was conducting circle time inside. Licencing overheard the following statements from the staff: " _____if you take those off I am not going to give it to you" (referring to a child taking things of the wall) "If you don't stop, no show and tell for you" "_____you need to listen" "If you keep interrupting you're going ....." "You are not listening" This use of language caught the licensing officers attention as it sounded harsh and belittling. Licensing officer went inside the nap room to observe the circle. The staff kept reminding children to "sit up please, good girl", "feet up please", "____ and ____show us nicely, criss cross applesauce". A discussion was held with the facility manager that the staff's verbal statements were inappropriate, could belittle a child and undermine their self respect.

• PHYSICAL, EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHING / Play Area, Materials and EquipmentNon-critical

  The entire outdoor play area is enclosed and constructed in a manner that is suitable for the age and development of children, and ensures that children are free of harm. [CCLR Sec. 16(3)(a)(b)]

  Observation. Licensing observed that the metal gate on the East side of the house had sagged over time to a point where the gate could no longer be closed. The licensee had mitigated this by placing a planter behind the gate to secure the gate in place. The weight of the planter was insufficient to hold the gate in place and the planter could easily be pushed aside.

• STAFFING / Character and skill requirementsNon-critical

  Prior to employing staff the manager has met with each person and has obtained the appropriate documentation. [CCLR Sec. 19(1)]

  Observation. One staff had an expired criminal record check.

• RECORDS AND REPORTING / Records For Each ChildNon-critical

  The licensee keeps a current record for each child showing the information required. [CCLR Sec. 57]

  Observation. One child in care was missing a record of their immunization status.

• STAFFING / Continuing health of employeesNon-critical

  There is evidence of employees' continued compliance with the Province's immunization and tuberculosis control programs. [CCLR Sec 21(1)]

  Observation. One staff did not have any documentation on file regarding their immunization status.

No violations recorded at this inspection.