Eagle's Nest Aboriginal Head Start Preschool

No violations recorded at this inspection.

• NUTRITION AND FOOD SERVICES / NutritionNon-critical

  Instructions in a child's record or care plan respecting food and drink for the child are followed. [CCLR Sec.48(2)]

  Observation. Any child requiring a care plan related to food or dietary needs has one in place. One child travels with their epipen in their backpack. Noted the care plan does not include the expiry date. Child was not present today. Staff said they would check the next time the child came and include the date on the care plan. One child has a care plan for an epipen but the epipen on site has expired (August 2024). Staff thought the Manager had approached the family but that for a number of reasons the new epipen had been acquired. Acknowledged that it can be difficult to make the doctor's appointment to get the prescription and that epipens are expensive. Discussed options for ensuring compliance with staff member. Staff will discuss this with Manager. Manager can contact CCFL if they wish to discuss this further.

• 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. Observed that the sand has been raked to ensure equal distribution. Children were digging deep holes in the sand provided. At this time, the sand would appear to be adequate. Depth of sand to be monitored. Manager has updated CCFL on pigeon proofing measures and will continue to do so. Today noted that suites on the second floor and above have pigeon netting in place to discourage roosting. The unit directly above the preschool entry to the playground does not. Staff said that the pigeon problem has not been too bad since they returned after the flood. Observed in the playground inspection log that there was a loose board on the play structure. Staff pointed out the loose and broken board on the (northside) vertical railings. Staff said the Manager had been trying to contact the contractor to repair the board. Discussed placing something over the opening to reduce risk of harm to children. Cautioned against using duct tape as the residue is difficult to remove. Also noted today was the fourth rail on the stairs (west side) had a loose chunk at the top of the rail, exposing sharp/ rough wood. Discussed monitoring the steps and risers on the stairs over the winter. There is a bit of movement in the first step up from the poured in place (possibly due to crack). Some steps are one solid piece of wood, some are two pieces of wood. Given that there is no cover to the structure, there is more exposure to water and possibility of rot over time. Manager and staff will monitor.

• 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. Staff team will be conducting a thorough clean up prior to Tuesday start up. Noted one issue of the bamboo roots starting to push up and break through the poured in place. Manager thought the installer had installed a barrier to prevent this from happening prior to pour. Manager will follow up with the contractor for advice and follow up action. Given the small patch and the location, CCFL accepts that this area represents a low risk but will get worse if left unattended. Noted that the top of one of the posts for the ladder (west) on the play structure was cracked. Discussed option of filling crack with weather proofing filler, silicone. There are two rough indentations on the climber that Manager said they would sand. Sand box will require replenishing during summer. Discussed the amount of pigeon feces on the ground under the balconies above the main entry point to the play yard. While staff will pressure wash the area before Tuesday re-opening, this issue will be ongoing without some preventative measures. Manager and I noted that some suites have netting that goes over the ledge below the balcony. Pigeons are not able to perch on those ledges and subsequently there is no feces on the ground below. Manager will approach the housing manager to request that netting be hung over the ledges above the main entry to the children's play yard. Manager stated the preschool would be willing to purchase the netting.

No violations recorded at this inspection.

No violations recorded at this inspection.

No violations recorded at this inspection.

• 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. Reviewed the work completed on sanding the reduced sand box area. Barriers meet DOSLOP in terms of height and CCLR re sturdy construction. Manager has purchased event safety fencing to block off the top two levels of the terraced area. Manager will ensure this fencing is in place prior to use by the children next week. Manager will send a photo of the safety fencing when it is installed. Manager is acquiring design and quotes from 3 different contractors for both climbing structure and the terraced planter area, e.g. goal is to create play space from landscaped dead zone. Manager reported when work began on the climbing structure it was discovered to be too far gone re rot in the foundation. Climbing structure was removed. Confirmed with Manager how this area could be made safe. Agreed on a means of blocking off access to the raised area and secure loose fence boards. Once the safety fencing is in place on the terraced area and area where the climbing structure has been made safe, then children can access the yard for play. Poured in place has been done and was installed in a satisfactory manner. A resident of the housing above unfortunately stepped on the ground cover while it was curing, leaving two foot prints. Called Manager's attention to the footprints. She will follow up with surfacing company. Confirmed that a set of slides cannot be installed on the terraced area - it would not meet CSA guidelines or DOLSOP. CCFL has arranged for the Manager to visit a facility with a similar terraced area for reference.

• 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. Reviewed the work completed on the reduction of the sand box. Barriers meet DOSLOP in terms of height and CCLR re sturdy construction. Manager confirmed she would have the edges of the wood barriers sanded to remove rough and splintering edges. The house has been removed in the west corner exposing the terraced planters. Manager will ensure that interim safety fencing is installed that is at least 4 feet high and non-climbable. We discussed options. Manager will send a photo of the safety fencing when it is installed. Manager is acquiring design and quotes from 3 different contractors for the terraced planter area, e.g. goal is to create play space from landscaped dead zone. Manager reported the climbing structure will be repaired and repainted. It is not to be used by the children in its current condition. Manager will ensure the area is cordoned off. Manager is waiting on timeline for the poured in place work. She anticipates the climber will be repaired sometime the first week of April. Manager stated that children will most likely be taken to the park during the renovations. We discussed how a space could be safely created within the yard for children with big emotions (in between construction).

• 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 outdoor playground and equipment is aged and in poor condition. Manager stated the program has some funding that must be spent prior to the end of the fiscal year. The current plan is to use the funds to demolish the current play structure, reduce the size of the sand pit and resurface all areas except for the sand with poured in place rubber surfacing. CCFL strongly advised against resurfacing all areas (except the sand) with poured in place rubber for the following reasons - lack of variety in surfacing can impact the child/ adult experience of the yard (as per DOLSOP), south exposure and lack of covered area/ vegetation mean the area will be exposed to the sun and other elements, e.g. heat and concerns re warranty when new equipment is installed. Advised the Manager to ask the contractor if they will guarantee that the new surfacing can accommodate installation of a new play structure at a later date without compromising warranty. Manager shared print outs of proposed loose parts the program will obtain for outdoor active and constructive play while waiting for funding for new climber. CCFL strongly supports loose part play to meet the range of individual needs. Loose parts provides for greater play value. Manager stated she will forward plans and print outs electronically to CCFL for review and approval.