Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House's Satellite Daycare

• 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. Facility is aging and the program is on a short term lease with pending demoviction. CCFL has considered this in determining priority and required actions in consultation with Satellite Manager and Director of Children's Centre's. Note - There are elements that, under typical circumstances, would require action however CCFL is satisfied with monitoring and band aid repairs for now (e.g. condition of millwork - counters, cabinets and closets throughout). Other issues highlighted below must be addressed. All issues were discussed with Manager and Director. Noted the overall cleaning meets minimum requirements however some areas need attention including: Kitchen - Flooring - edges and corners, between the stove and cabinet, shelving on small storage shelf. Washroom - under the counter - reddish staining / residue. See photos for examples. Leaks continue in the main activity room and long narrow room to east. Dry wall is damaged. See photos for reference. Toilet is not working in the north stall, area taped off. Manager has a plumber coming on Monday. Manager noted this particular toilet keeps clogging. Hoping the plumber will discover the source. Flooring throughout has not been deep cleaned, sealed and waxed in a long time. One coloured floor tile is cracked. The lower walls are showing considerable wear, ingrained dirt and stains, chipped and damaged dry wall. Discussed painting all high impact areas (lower walls) versus the entire facility.

• 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. Facility is aging and the program is on a short term lease with pending demoviction. CCFL has considered this in determining priority and required actions in consultation with Satellite Manager and Director of Children's Centre's. Licensee and Manager have been monitoring and applying bandaid repairs under the guidance of CCFL. Some areas have received mitigation to extend life however this is no longer sufficient ; condition has deteriorated and safety of the children is now compromised. Both Licensee and CCFL agree that timely action is required to ensure safety in key areas highlighted below. There is an ongoing leak in the 3 to 5 that requires further investigation and repair. Once that is done, the rubber tiles throughout the outdoor play yard must be removed. Tiles are at end of life and no longer provide the required resiliency to prevent serious injury. See photos for reference. Strongly recommended, given the uncertainty of lease, that Manager and staff team reflect on the use and goals for the outdoor playground, designate a particular area (large enough to support flexibility) for resilient surfacing (to support climbing activity as per DOLSOP) and then fill the rest with a low cost, easy care surface such as pavers. Note - The wood platforms connecting the current paved areas and the rubber tiles will likely have to be adjusted or even replaced once new surfacing has gone in or concurrent to the renovation. Fake grass mat has reached end of life, no longer has any capacity to absorb sand/ water. The intent of the mat is to help mitigate the amount of sand moving about the yard. Sand on rubber tiles is a slipping hazard. Staff and children sweep but it can be a Sisyphean task. Central planter is peeling - surfaces require sanding and repainting. Manager remarked on the heat generated by the rubber tiles, particularly during late spring and summer into early fall. There is no vegetation to provide relief from the sun and the only fixed cover is the undercover next to the building and over the sand box. Not sufficient to provide relief to the majority of the yard. Discussed purchasing large canopies to offer respite. Some programs hang misting hoses from the frames of such canopies for additional heat relief. Purchase may be adjusted depending on the timing of leak work and replacement of surfacing.

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

  All indoor and outdoor play materials and equipment accessible to children are suitable for the age and development of the children, safely constructed, free from hazards and in good repair. [CCLR Sec. 16(4)]

  Observation. All indoor and outdoor equipment viewed this morning appeared to be in fair to satisfactory condition and meet children's interests / unfolding capacities. One exception is the lack of indoor climbing opportunities. Manager noted that team has requested this. I observed that some children were creating their own places of refuge and climbing opportunities out of what was available today. CCFL supports the team exploring flexible, modular climbing / imaginative play opportunities that can grow with and challenge the children. This could include climbing A frames, planks and other props that can be used (even in narrow spaces) in a variety of ways depending on children's imagination and interests.

• 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. Environment overall is as clean as possible given the age and condition of the facility. CCFL is aware that the program has perhaps two more years at this site before it is redeveloped. Any required actions are considered within this context. Discussed with lead staff carpet cleaning cycles, sharing that most programs deep clean their area carpets at least two times a year. The mushroom coloured area carpet in the activity room is placed in an area of heavy foot traffic and heavily stained. Time for a carpet clean. Observed two potties placed under the washroom counter, potties are dirty, inquired with the lead staff. Lead staff confirmed they are not currently in use. Noted the potties require a deep clean then suggested placing the potties in (covered) storage (e.g. garbage bag will do) until needed. One less thing to clean. Noted that a strip of veneer is coming off the edge of the backsplash at entry to the washroom. Impossible to prevent water egress and clean if particle board is exposed. Veneer can just be glued back on.

• 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. In reviewing the outdoor environment, CCFL notes the lead staff, staff & Manager had already identified much of the following as requiring attention. Manager has submitted work orders for some of the following and work is in progress. Observed new shed in the southeast corner of the yard. Staff reported it was working out well and location was convenient. Facilities continues to monitor the state of the rubber tiles, filling in cracks and replacing/ swapping out the worst as required. CCFL confirmed this practice must continue until the program is demovicted. No point replacing surface if the program will be moving. However, the condition of the tiles is such that their capacity to act as resilient ground cover is limited. Discussed augmenting as required with lead staff, including placing an additional rubber resilient ground mat at bottom of openings on the play house structure in the 3-5 yard and little climber in the toddler yard. Said I would send over a link to a sample mat to confirm what I was talking about. Specific to the 3-5 yard - Lead staff and I agreed that one mat should be placed under the angled ladder to the 3-5 play structure and house.

• 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. In reviewing the indoor environment, CCFL notes the Manager and staff team had already identified much of this work as requiring attention. Manager has submitted work orders.

• 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. In reviewing the outdoor environment, CCFL notes the Manager and staff team had already identified much of this work as requiring attention. Manager has submitted work orders. Noted that work had been completed on the wood playhouse since routine inspection of 2023.

No violations recorded at this inspection.

No violations recorded at this inspection.

No violations recorded at this inspection.