Children's World Occasional Child Care

• 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. Overall the furnishings, equipment and materials are in satisfactory repair and clean. Observed the bulletin board on the south wall of the activity room is starting to chip. Discussed options for remedying this, including placing some kind of barrier over the cork such as fabric or paper. Manager discussed how this could be an opportunity to create a large collaborative art piece. Noted the small cubby units for shoes are showing considerable wear. Veneer is peeling off and surface can no longer be cleaned appropriately. Discussed cycles for cleaning carpets. Manager confirmed that area carpets will be deep cleaned over the winter break.

• 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. Outdoor play yard is undergoing a revisioning. Concept plans have been reviewed with CCFL and options discussed. Manager reported they are waiting for the next round of drawings to share with CCFL for review and comment/ approval. Manager said they hope to move forward with project in early / mid 2026, no clear timeframe has been determined yet. In the meantime, Manager and staff team are monitoring the condition of all elements and installing bandaid repairs until such time that the yard project is ready. Today Manager pointed out the ongoing drainage issue. The area between the mound and the fibar along the bike path is where the current drain is located. The area is currently a deep pool of water, drain is not working. Manager stated the drain is serviced twice a year but there is no regular service schedule. Will require the program set a regular servicing schedule and increase the servicing to quarterly. This may be sufficient to address or at least help mitigate the situation. If anything, it will inform the evolving yard replacement project as to drainage work required.

• 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. The Occasional Child Care accesses the shared outdoor play yard when available. Occasional Child Care uses the gym/ hall every session. Observed the following outdoors - * The door and walls to the storage space under the stairs are damaged and require replacement. The door to the storage area is off its hinges and sitting out exposed with sharp wood edges * Noted that posts have been attached to two of the existing support posts on the sand hut. The existing support posts have rotted at the base. The wood frame & base to the sand box has reached end of life (rotted out) and must be replaced. Manager stated that facilities are aware of this required repair and there was evidence of some minor work on the north end of the hut. * Once the sand hut and pit is repaired/ replaced then sand requires replenishing. It is currently too low to facilitate play. * One foot / hand grip is missing on the climbing wall. * Some of the planks on the northeast deck under the play structure are chipped on the edges due to wear, with nails exposed. Those planks must be replaced. * Upper deck near slide should be monitored as nails are beginning to raise as deck settles. * Discussed the issue of drainage in the yard particularly on the bike path near the drain. The drainage had work done within the past 5 years. Staff stated that servicing and repairs occur when the drainage becomes a problem. There is currently no proactive servicing of the drain, i.e., cleaning and preventative maintenance on a regular schedule 3 times a year. Noted that drainage is a common problem in every child care as there is sand, earth, fibar and other required ground cover as well as leaves and other debris that can clog up drains. * There is a proposal from the General Manager to remove the earth mound and install rubber tiles or poured in place in that area as well as the bottom of the stairs (framed by bamboo). The proposal posits that this will eliminate the drainage issue and add play value to the yard. It is unlikely that the rubber surfacing will address the drainage issue, especially in the absence of a regular service plan. Many child cares have poured in place or rubber tile and continue to have drainage issues. In addition, staff stated the children spend time with the earth mound. Today observed children running up and down & interacting with the mound. There is clear evidence of the children digging the earth on the mound. It provides a different sensory experience than sand. Staff note the sand pit is small and they would like to keep the yard as natural as possible. CCFL noted that the earth is packed solid at the base of the stairs and staff reported that there is little to no transfer of earth from that area. Staff team propose mitigating the drainage issue via regular servicing and placing tires around the circumference of the mound to prevent the drifting of earth. CCLOs expressed support for this proposal including adding earth to the mound as the children clearly enjoy digging and the mound is now depleted. * The play structure in the centre of the yard is aging and replacement / revisioning of the yard should be planned for in the near future.

• 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. Observed in the gym that staff are using what was meant to be a temporary storage area for their gross motor play equipment. The flaps are heavy and difficult to lift, the amount of space is limited and there is janitorial equipment, ladders,brooms and other items that are stored on top of and around the storage system. The manner of storage is not safe for staff or the children to access. In addition, the storage space is limited and not secure. Because of this, the preschool, two daycares and occasional child care cannot expand on their collection to meet requirements under Schedule G. Informed the Manager that this was not in compliance and action must be taken to address 1) the lack of safe, secure storage and 2) the lack of indoor gross motor play materials. At present there are some mats, balls, two tunnels and a small toddler sized slide. The number and variety of indoor gross motor loose parts and equipment is not sufficient for the range of capacities and ages cared for. Action 1) must come first and then Action 2) to come into compliance. Discussed with Manager. The washroom the occasional child care uses during operating hours does not meet standard of cleanliness required. The floor, wall and attached equipment including soiled koala change table all require a deep clean. Veneer is coming off under the sink. Discussed with Manager. Observed that the occasional child care storage room requires an inventory and new arrangement. The vacuum cleaner and other items are stored in front of the shelving and staff lockers such that staff cannot easily access the play items on the shelves or the lockers. There is a makeshift food / tea area with cutlery, cups, kettle and microwave in the corner which is not hygienic nor is it respectful of staff needs. Once the staff tea needs, etc. have been moved to the kitchenette area then staff can re-arrange and open up more storage for the children's materials and access the storage lockers. Discussed options with Manager.

No violations recorded at this inspection.

No violations recorded at this inspection.