Evergreen Montessori Preschool

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. Licensing observed the following: 1) The entire wooden climber has green algae growth and is slippery; it requires a thorough scrubbing and pressure wash. 2) There is insufficient woodchip protective surfacing around the slide and climber in the playground area. This poses a risk of injury from falls. 3) Sand supplies appear to be low in the outdoor sandbox. This could be a risk of injury as children attempt shoveling. A conversation occurred with the Manager to monitor the uneven ground surface along the sandbox grass area.

• POLICIES AND PROCEDURES / Emergency Training and EquipmentNon-critical

  Emergency exits and fire drill system are approved by a local Fire Marshal. [CCLR Sec. 22(1)(a)]

  Observation. The fire extinguisher expired in October 2025. The manager has confirmed that the reservice has been scheduled for next week.

• 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 the following: 1) The gate latch was missing a screw causing it to hang down. The gate was left unsecured when licensing entered the yard. 2) The fence between the outdoor play space and the adjacent church yard had fallen over, leaving a section of the yard unsecured. 3) Some of the wooden platforms on the climber were slippery.

• 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. Licensing reviewed a sample of child records. Three children did not have a photograph on file and one child was missing a record of immunization status.

• 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 did not have a criminal record clearance letter on file. The manager informed licensing they had applied a long time ago but never heard back.

• PHYSICAL, EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHING / Safe Play Space Standard of PracticeNon-critical

  Ground Surfacing: The playground surface is free of standing water and debris. [Director of Licensing Standard of Practice - Safe Play Space]

  Observation. Licensing observed several inches of standing water on the sandbox cover.

• 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 the following in the outdoor play space: 1) A loose climbing support board at the bottom of the climbing wall. 2) Some of the wooden platforms on the climber were slippery. 3) The asphalt by the entrance gate and stairs has deteriorated and cracked over time, is very uneven and poses a tripping hazard.

• RECORDS AND REPORTING / Records For Each ChildNon-critical

  The licensee has written, parental consent to release a child to someone other than the parent. [CCLR Sec. 57(3)(b)]

  Observation. One child did not have written parental consent to release the child to someone other than the parent.

• 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. Licensing reviewed 25 children's files. One child did not have a care card number on file. One child did not have a picture on file and another child's picture was not legible. Three children did not have an immunization status on file.

• 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. Licensing reviewed five staff files. One staff did not have a valid criminal record clearance letter or an immunization status on file. The Licensee applied for criminal record clearance on September 12, 2023.

• STAFFING / Character and skill requirementsNon-critical

  Records of staff's work histories have not been obtained. [CCLR Sec. 19(1)(c)]

  Observation. Two staff did not have a resume on file.

• CARE AND/OR SUPERVISION / Group Sizes and Employee to Children RatiosNon-critical

  Staff ratios and group sizes comply with Schedule E. [CCLR Sec. 34(2)(a)]

  Observation. The Manager informed licensing that groups of children go on hikes as part of Evergreen Outdoor Academy. Some children are registered in the licensed program and some are not.

• RECORDS AND REPORTING / Records For Each ChildNon-critical

  The licensee has written, parental consent to release a child to someone other than the parent. [CCLR Sec. 57(3)(b)]

  Observation. Four children did not have parental consent to release the child to someone other than the parent.

• 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 observed children in the church basement accessing the bathrooms. There is no sightline into the bathrooms as they are located at the end of a hallway. Staff were in the cubby area assisting children to get ready to leave for soccer practice. The bathroom has two stalls. One bathroom stall door was locked. Licensing observed a child climb under the locked door into the bathroom. One child was washing hands and another child was in the other stall.

• CARE AND/OR SUPERVISION / Group Sizes and Employee to Children RatiosNon-critical

  The ratio of employees to children is less than that permitted in Schedule E. [CCLR Sec. 34(2)(b)] ; The group size(s) exceeds that permitted in Schedule E. [CCLR Sec. 34(2)(a)]

  Observation. 1) Licensing officer observed 13 children and one ECEA staff go to Trafalgar Park located down the road from the facility for a weekly soccer program. This is in contravention of both staff child ratio of 1:8 and staffing qualifications as one ECE and one ECEA would be required. 2) The Licensee has registered more children than the capacity on the Licence and is over licensed capacity of 25 children. On March 7, licensing observed up to 29 children in care concurrently at one point in time between the church basement and the licensed facility. Licensing received conflicting information from the Licensee on how many children are actually registered. On March 8, the Licensee stated that they have over enrolled five children in the morning and five children in the afternoon and have 30 children enrolled in each class. On March 8, licensing observed 21 children in care at the licensed facility. A group of children were on a hike and visit to the botanical gardens at UBC. The Licensee at first provided the names of 15 children that were supposed to be on the hike. After contacting the staff, the Licensee informed licencing that 10 out of the 15 children had actually showed up on the hike.

• CARE AND/OR SUPERVISION / Parental AccessNon-critical

  Parents or emergency contacts for each child can be readily contacted while the child is in care. [CCLR Sec.49(2)]

  Observation. Licensing officer observed 13 children and one staff go to Trafalgar Park located down the road from the facility for weekly soccer program. Licensing asked the staff if they had a backpack with emergency consent cards and a first aid kit as the staff had been carrying a backpack. The staff stated that it was one of the children’s backpacks and she had forgotten to bring the centre backpack with the emergency consent cards. If an emergency were to occur during soccer practice the staff would not have not been to immediately contact the parent.

• LICENSING / Investigation or inspectionNon-critical

  During an investigation or inspection, Licensing staff are not obstructed in the performance of their duties. [CCLR Sec. 12(1)(a)]

  Observation. On March 8, licensing asked the Licensee the names of the 13 children that were observed in attendance in the church basement next door on March 7. The Licensee provided 9 names. Licensing asked to speak privately to the staff that was observed to be present briefly in the church basement. Both the licensing officers, the Licensee and the staff were in the cubby. Licensing observed the staff look at the Licensee; the Licensee shook her head to the staff. Licencing stepped outside with the staff to inquire and the staff stated they were not sure if the Licensee wanted the staff to speak to licensing. The staff then provided 12 names; only 2 names matched with the 9 the names the Licensee had provided. Licensing asked for the phone number of the other staff who was present in the basement March 7. This staff was on a hike with a group of children. Licensing tried to contact the staff several times and got the voice mail each time. Licensing asked the Licensee to contact the staff and observed the Licensee text and phone. The Licensee stated it went to voice mail and they were unable to get a hold of any of the staff on the hike. The Licensee provided the location and time where children on the hike would be picked up by their parents. Licensing arrived at the location but no children or parents arrived. Licensing phoned the staff that was on the hike and got through. Licensing identified themselves and the phone was disconnected. Licensing called back and it went to voice mail. Licensing phoned the Licensee who stated that the pick up location had been changed as the children were too tired to walk any further. On March 7, 2023 licensing asked the Licensee to review the children's files. The Licensee did not have 10 out of 16 files of children that were listed on the Kindergarten attendance sheet. On March 8, 2023, 5 children's files were missing. On March 7 and 8, licensing asked the Licensee for previous attendance records (January to March). The Licensee stated they did not have them.

• PHYSICAL, EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHING / Emergency Training and EquipmentNon-critical

  Employees have access to reliable communications equipment in an emergency. [CCLR Sec. 22(4)]

  Observation. During the inspection on March 8, a group of children were on an all day hike and visit to the botanical gardens at UBC. Licensing asked the manager to contact two of the hiking staff during the inspection several times and Licensing tried to contact the two hiking staff themselves several times. All attempts to contact hiking staff were unsuccessful as all phone calls went straight to voice mail. When asked how the manager could communicate with hiking staff during an emergency, the manager stated they might be in an area without cell phone reception.

• PHYSICAL, EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHING / First AidNon-critical

  First aid kits are readily accessible to all employees, including while care is provided away from premises. [CCLR Sec. 23(2)]

  Observation. Licensing officer observed 13 children and one staff go to Trafalgar Park located down the road from the facility for weekly soccer program. Licensing asked the staff if they had a backpack with emergency consent cards and a first aid kit as the staff had been carrying a backpack. The staff stated that it was one of the children’s backpacks and she had forgotten to bring the centre backpack with first aid kit.

• PHYSICAL, EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHING / Safe Play Space Standard of PracticeNon-critical

  Ground Surfacing: The depth of loose fill material (protective surfacing) meets or exceeds the minimum requirements of the Standard of Practice. [Director of Licensing Standard of Practice - Safe Play Space]

  Observation. Licensing observed that the loose fill material under the climber platform was 3" deep in some areas and 4" deep in other areas before coming upon hard compacted material. The platform is just under 5' high. The Director of Licensing Standard of Practice's depth guidelines for loose fill material: minimum of 15 cm (6 inches) for 1.5-meter (five-foot) equipment height.

• POLICIES AND PROCEDURES / Emergency Training and EquipmentNon-critical

  There is an emergency plan that sets out procedures to prepare for, mitigate, respond to and recover from any emergency. [CCLR Sec. 22(1)(b)]

  Observation. Licensing officer reviewed the emergency supplies. Food and water supplies were outdated with expiry dates dating back to 2018 and 2020. The manager informed licensing they had not updated the supplies since COVID started and had just kept the supplies from previously enrolled children.

• RECORDS AND REPORTING / How long records must be keptNon-critical

  The licensee does not keep all children's records for at least 2 years from the date the child is discharged from the facility. [CCLR Sec. 60(5)]

  Observation. Licensing asked to review records of children that attended last year. The Licensee stated they did not have these records. The Licensee did not have attendance records prior to March 2023.

• RECORDS AND REPORTING / Records For Each ChildNon-critical

  The licensee has written parental consent to call a medical practitioner or ambulance in case of accident or illness, in cases where the parent cannot immediately be reached. [CCLR Sec. 57(3)(a)]

  Observation. Several children did not have any records on file including parental consent to call a medical practitioner or ambulance in case of accident.

• RECORDS AND REPORTING / Records For Each ChildNon-critical

  A record for each child containing the daily attendance record, indicating for each day whether the child is absent or, if the child is present, the time of arrival and departure is not kept. [CCLR Sec. 57(2)(c)]; A record for each child containing a photograph or digital image of the child, and other information that can be used to readily identify the child in an emergency is not kept. [CCLR Sec. 57(2)(i)]; A record for each child containing the name and telephone number of a parent, medical practitioner and emergency contact is not kept. [CCLR Sec. 57(2)(d)]; A record for each child containing the name, sex, date of birth, medical insurance plan number and immunization status is not kept. [CCLR Sec. 57(2)(a)]

  Observation. Licensing observed the following: 1) The attendance records did not indicate a time of arrival and a time of departure for each child. The Licensee has a mixture of morning children, afternoon children and all day children. The attendance records did not accurately reflect the actual children that were present in the room. The Licensee was unable to provide prior attendance records. 2) The attendance record did not accurately reflect the children present in the room at the time of inspection. Several children that were present in the room were not signed in as present on the attendance record. Other children that were signed in on the attendance record were not present in the room. 3) Several children did not have any records on file.

• RECORDS AND REPORTING / Records For Each ChildNon-critical

  The licensee has written, parental consent to release a child to someone other than the parent. [CCLR Sec. 57(3)(b)]

  Observation. Several children did not have any records on file including parental consent to release the child to someone other than the parent.

• RECORDS AND REPORTING / Records Must Be AvailableNon-critical

  The licensee is able to produce records on demand to Licensing. [CCLR Sec. 59(c)]

  Observation. The Licensee was unable to produce attendance records prior to March 6, 2023. The Licensee was unable to produce several children's files.

• 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 who attends one morning a week does not have the following documentation on file: start date, date of birth, care card number, proof of immunization status, picture.

• RECORDS AND REPORTING / Records For Each ChildNon-critical

  The licensee has written parental consent to call a medical practitioner or ambulance in case of accident or illness, in cases where the parent cannot immediately be reached. [CCLR Sec. 57(3)(a)]

  Observation. One child in care did not have written parental consent to call a medical practitioner or ambulance in case of accident or illness, in cases where the parent cannot be immediately reached.

• 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. Licensing checked five random staff files. One record of staff work history was missing in the file. The manager stated she had an electronic resume and was not able to produce this at the time of inspection. The manager had a criminal record clearance letter on file that expired in August 2021.