Citygate Early Learning and Care Centre - Group Child Care (30 Months to School Age)

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. The facility was first licensed in September 1995. YWCA and CCFL have been monitoring the facility. Over recent years, YWCA has been diligent in repairing/ repairing elements as required. Manager reviewed work completed since the last routine inspection in January 2025. Manager also reviewed repairs identified and in progress or budgeted for. Reviewed the condition of the following during this inspection: 1) Manager and I discussed the large chipped patch (approximately 2 feet across in places) on the south side / middle pillar in the activity room. The paint has chipped off and is continuing to peel. Dry wall board will require repair / preparation prior to repainting. Manager said this required work is in progress and budgeted for. 2) Manager said there was a leak around the kitchen sink faucet that damaged the surrounding counter and cabinet underneath. Got down and looked, could see the warped, stained and water damaged surfaces (counter and floor of cabinet). Manager confirmed the source of the leak had been addressed, new kitchen faucet fixture. Repair/ replacement required. If ignore, condition will worsen. CCFL strongly recommends seamless counter tops, especially in areas with water (art sink and kitchen).

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 playground has undergone recent renovation (summer of 2023) and further replacement / repairs over the past year. YWCA and CCFL continue to monitor for repair and replacement. Today Manager and I reviewed the state of the gazebo and southwest shed. 1) Gazebo - flooring and bench - some of the planks are showing signs of rot and require replacement. Manager reported the roof is cracked and requires replacement. 2) Southwest shed - Front exterior panels and doors show signs of wear (rot and impact damage) and require replacement. Note - If repairs are delayed past spring, the damage will worsen. Repair will be more expensive. Discussed state of sand and fibar. Manager is committed to replenishing sand by spring 2026. Fibar is sufficient to last until spring without a top up. Discussed raking fibar to ensure even distribution, e.g. from under slide to high impact/ use areas. State of fibar can be reassessed in March / April.

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. The facility was licensed in September 1995. CCFL & YWCA have been monitoring the facility for wear and replacing / repairing elements as required. Reviewed the condition of the following: * Counter and cabinets in the activity room (along the east wall). Counter and cabinets are the original upon licensing. Noted the counter finish is wearing, there are cracks between the counter and the flashing and the cabinets are missing shelving and metal brackets for shelving. * South facing windows in the activity and gross motor / nap room. The seal in the gross motor/ nap room east window is compromised, condensation was visible between panes. Drafts are felt along all windows. Manager reported that the strata had replaced all windows in the building except the child care. Manager reported that staff would appreciate having the capacity to open the top half of the windows to allow for fresh air. * Two dark brown stained tables - finish has worn off making it difficult to clean and sanitize. * Ceiling tiles throughout - a number of tiles are stained from past leaks. * Washroom - White board is stained and cannot be cleaned. Manager reported the toilet tank components and the toilet seats require vigilant monitoring, e.g. various components have had to be replaced multiple times and the seats become loose repeatedly. The children are taking off the pressure mounted toilet roll holders and one was flushed down the toilet. Counter tops have been monitored for years and now need replacement - the finish has worn such that it is difficult to clean and sanitize. Fronts of cabinets are chipped on the bottom, i.e. especially the east cabinet. Noted the open shelf above the toilets is not earthquake safe. There is no further room in the closed upper cabinets on the south wall. Manager reported safe / closed upper cabinets above the toilets would help with storage of cleaning supplies & other items required in the washroom. * Cubby room - Cubbies are original to the facility and show considerable wear. Cubby design does not meet the Childcare Technical Guidelines that informed city facilities design post 2012. Cubbies do not reflect today's standards for function and hygiene, i.e., cubby height does not allow for children's muddy buddies and outdoor clothing to hang freely & dry in the cubby. Wet sandy clothing ends up crumpled at the bottom, soiling other items. There is little space in cubby for children's belongings and extra clothing. Cubbies are more suitable to infant centre standards.

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 playground has undergone recent renovation, summer of 2023. However some key elements are original or have received patch work repair. CCFL and YWCA has been monitoring for repair and or replacement. The wood steps to the upper playground have received many repairs over the years. The east steps are showing wear and rot. Planks move under foot. On the west side, similar patch work repair. There is a large nail protruding from the upper step (east corner) and some signs of water damage. Requested that Manager monitor the condition of the "bus" structure. There are some chips appearing on the south side of some seats. Nails are starting to lift. Sand cover was stolen as well as one of the solar lighting fixtures. Staff are making do with a tarp for sand cover, however it holds water and can be difficult to pull taut over sand. Manager said they were in the process of replacing the solar light fixture. Requested that Manager monitor the condition of the flooring on the gazebo. We noted three areas of wear and nails starting to be exposed. Sand will require top up by spring, at the latest end of June 2025.

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. Carpets & flooring are in clean & satisfactory condition. Walls and paint are in good condition. Facility was painted since last routine inspection. Noted the following - Condition of the two seater sofa cover is stained but clean, no amount of cleaning will remove the stains. When time for a replacement, a couch with removable washable cover is recommended. Counter in the washroom is starting to wear, finish is coming off, particularly spot next to east sink. To be monitored. Caulking around the toilets - could be applied to help prevent sub floor rot/ moisture collecting. To be monitored. Discussed the one light off in the washroom and in the staff room - inquired as to whether this was by choice or due to malfunction (e.g. burned out bulb). Acting manager was not sure. Clarified that having it off by choice was acceptable as sufficient light is present. If the bulbs have malfunctioned or burned out then should be further investigated/ replaced. Ceiling tile missing in staff room. Acting manager thought facilities might be working on HVAC. Encouraged Acting manager to follow up to ensure HVAC is in working order. Acting manager stated they would follow up.

Furniture or equipment for sleeping is used by only one child at a time, is clean and comfortable, and is appropriate for the size, age and development of the children intended to use it. [CCLR Sec. 15(2)]

Observation. Noted that children's bedding is stored on the cots. This is not an issue for those cots with purpose made sheets (elastics on corners). Half of the cots featured regular crib sheets with the excess fabric draping over and into the bedding below. The program currently has one reported case of head lice. Discussed this matter with Acting manager. Acting manager stated the staff team used the blue sheets as back up as there was a problem with the wash; they did not have enough of the elasticized sheets ready to go. Discussed tried and true measures for preventing spread of head lice, including storing bedding in separate containers with lids or washing bedding daily. Acting manager stated she would review these and other possible options and follow up.

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 yard was renovated last summer. Fencing is satisfactory order. Noted that facilities have replaced rotten end of long plank seating on gazebo with one small piece of wood attached via wood glue. Acting manager wondered if facilities would return to sand the rough, ridged spots down left by wood glue.

For each child requiring extra support, the licensee keeps a current care plan showing the required information. [CCLR Sec. 58(1)(2)]

Observation. Any child currently requiring a goal / care plan with CFA/ Supported Child Development has one in place. There is one child with an "emergency" puffer for air quality induced asthma, e.g., wildfire smoke. The puffer is stored on site but there is no care plan written up and signed off via the family. Discussion with the acting manager re need to clarify the current situation. If child still requires puffer in case of emergency, then a care plan is required. Otherwise staff are in position of having medication but no written consent for use in case of wild fire smoke or chemical fire impairing air quality. If the child no longer requires the emergency puffer, puffer should be removed.

Implementation of the fire drill system is practiced at least once each month, and implementation of the emergency plan is practiced at least once each year. [CCLR Sec. 22(2)(b)(c)]

Observation. Reviewed emergency drill record. Noted that monthly fire drills are recorded for 2024 however two months are missing. During last routine inspection in 2024, that format of record was discussed with manager and feedback provided, i.e., format may make it difficult to track monthly drills leading to months being missed. Reminder re requirements - that fire drills are to be conducted monthly AND recorded. Emergency evacuation plan is to be practiced at least once a year and recorded.

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 facility, furnishings and equipment are in satisfactory condition. Noted the door bell workings appear to have been torn out and robbed over the weekend. Carpets are in good condition. Manager noted they are recent purchases. Manager noted that a cleaner comes in twice a year to shampoo and deep clean carpets and any upholstered furnishings. Observed the condition of the two seater sofa cover is poor, cover is stained, no amount of cleaning will remove the stains. Manager said that team has been considering purchasing a cover for the two seater. Supported this and when time for replacement, a couch with a removable cover that can be washed is recommended. When it comes time to replace stools in washroom, CCFL highly recommends purchasing stools of a forgiving colour. The white shows every mark and gives the impression the washroom is dirty when overall the condition is good. Fan in the washroom is weak/ poor suction - a thin piece of paper would not stick. Dust has collected around the cover in the children's and adult washroom. Window sills continue to show wear, especially the sill on the southeast corner of the activity room - dry wall is chipped and crumbling on each side of sill. Discussed with Manager. She stated she would check in with her father who is a drywaller for his advice. We are hoping for a permanent solution, such as attaching a wood trim on either side or....? In the gross motor / nap room - there is a hole in the dry wall for the land line connection. Phone is sitting on a high shelf. None of the staff can reach without a stool. Phone is in this room in case of lock down. Electrical socket cover on the west wall is cracked and loose such that staff have taped to the wall. Discussed options with Manager for phone and shelving, patching the east wall as well as replacing or repairing the electrical socket cover. Walls require a seasonal cleaning - wear and tear, usual hand marks. Discussed having the facility repainted within the next two years (by 2025).

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. The furnishings and equipment are in satisfactory condition. Noted that carpets are in good condition. Noted the window sills are showing wear again. The sill in the east block corner area looking across to the gazebo outside is in the worst shape (e.g. chunks out of dry wall). Kitchen gate is difficult to close, sticks. Observed that crumbs had accumulated between the fridge and lower cabinets. Senior Supervisor/ Manager noted that the cleaners had observed this too and requested that someone come to move the fridge so this area could be cleaned. Strongly suggest moving toward a stool of a more forgiving and easier to maintain colour (e.g. not white, white shows all the dirt and current design with textured bubbles is difficult to clean).

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. Met with staff and YWCA management re the re-visioning and renovation of the outdoor play yard on June 14, 2022. YWCA is committed to renovation of the play yard and will ensure that CCFL is informed and provided with plans to review and approve prior to any installation or construction. In the meantime, the yard is being maintained to ensure health and safety. Senior Supervisor / Manager reported the sand is being replenished on Friday July 29. Noted there are two planks on the steps closest to the shed that are becoming loose. Brought this to the attention of Senior Supervisor / Manager. These planks should be monitored and repaired if the condition worsens.

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. Walked through the indoor environment with the senior supervisor/ manager and Manager and noted any concerns. Many had already been noted and submitted as work orders. See below for the list.

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 outdoor environment will be undergoing a long overdue renovation tentatively scheduled for spring of 2022. It is anticipated the current resilient ground cover will be replaced, the sand play area and active play areas as well as the gathering gazebo area will be completely overhauled. Heard what options are being discussed from the senior supervisor and Manager. Offered further ideas. CCFL looks forward to participating on this project.