Granville House Montessori School

No violations recorded at this inspection.

• CARE AND/OR SUPERVISION / Behavioural GuidanceNon-critical

  Behavioural guidance is appropriate to the age and development of each child. [CCLR Sec.51(1)(a)]

  Observation. Licensing observed the following: -on multiple occasions, an educator grabbed children by their arms to redirect them. -an educator using an authoritative tone when speaking with children who became distracted during a walk. This observation was shared with the educators during the inspection. A discussion took place regarding being mindful of her tone when speaking with the children and refraining from practicing physical redirection to ensure behavioral guidance remains respectful and age appropriate.

• CARE AND/OR SUPERVISION / Harmful actions not permittedNon-critical

  No child is subjected to harmful actions as defined in Section 52. [CCLR Sec 52(1)(a)-(f)]

  Observation. Licensing observed the following during their natural walk: -educators forcing a child to hold hands because this child was deemed to be "not listening". -on multiple occasions, an educator shushed children when they were observed talking with each other. Licensing shared this observation with the educators. A discussion was held regarding how these interactions can be seen as harmful actions as per CCLR S.52. Important to note that educator's practice with the children must not be harsh, belittling or degrading whether verbal, emotional or physical. This is to ensure that a child does not feel humiliated or disrespected while in 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. Licensing observed the following: -uncovered electrical outlets in the main activity space. -an unsecured metal coat hook in the cubby with emergency supplies. This observation was shared with an educator during the inspection.

• PROGRAM / Program of activitiesNon-critical

  Children are provided with a comprehensive and coordinated program of indoor and outdoor activities that is designed for the development and care of the children, and is appropriate for the age and development of the children. [CCLR Sec. 44(1)(a)(b)(c) and Schedule(G)]

  Observation. Licensing observed the transitions between the outdoor time (community walk) and lunch time. Following was observed: -Upon arrival to the program, several children were seated on the floor by the entrance until the rest of the group was ready to join for their walk. During this time, no play materials were provided for the children but were expected to sit quietly while waiting for their peers to arrive. -During the walk, the children were arranged to walk in a straight line while conversing with their peers was discouraged. When children were observed walking in "zig zags", educators stopped everyone from walking until the line reformed into a straight line. -On several occasions, children were observed wanting to pick up some leaves. When children proceeded and picked up a leaf, they were immediately stopped and asked to drop the leaf so the group could carry on. On another occasion, a child wanted to pick up a stick however an educator responded “no” because it was distracting. -During lunch time, Licensing observed children and educators eating lunch together. Children were allowed to eat food of their choice instead of the educators restricting what children should eat first. When a child was done eating, they had a choice of playing with toys or helping an educator with cleaning the table. Licensing shared the observation from the walk with the educator. A discussion was held regarding providing a program that could respond well to the children’s interest and their individual needs. Expecting children to walk in one straight line is neither reasonable nor age appropriate. Additionally, if children show an interest in collecting leaves, this request should be valued and met within a reasonable time. An educator explained that children’s requests are often met during walk however it did not occur during today’s visit.

• CARE AND/OR SUPERVISION / Behavioural GuidanceNon-critical

  Behavioural guidance is appropriate to the age and development of each child. [CCLR Sec.51(1)(a)]

  Observation. Licensing observed the the following interaction. A child had finished their snack in the kitchen. The child had gotten ready to go outside by the cubbies in the adjacent hallway. The child was wearing their coat, shoes and backpack and was walking around in the hallway. Five other children were still having their snack at the kitchen table. The staff was in the kitchen. The staff told the child to sit in their cubby and wait for everyone else to be ready. Licensing discussed with the staff that it was inappropriate to ask the child to sit in their cubby and wait and how this was an unreasonable expectation. The staff could have directed the child to an activity. It took the other five children another 20 minutes to finish their snack in the kitchen. The staff corrected their action and asked the child to find a book to read. The staff informed licensing they would not have let the child sit in the cubby for 20 minutes.

• 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. The following items were not in good repair and/or hazardous: 1) The wood floor in the nap room had a broken piece of wood leaving a slight gap in the floor. The gap is located by the entrance to the nap room. 2) The activity space had two very narrow cabinets with Montessori materials that were unsecured to the wall and posed a risk of falling over. Staff informed licensing that these cabinets used to be secured to the wall, however, the cabinets had alternated between the upstairs and downstairs facility. 3) The gate at the bottom of the stairs was unsecured and could not be properly closed.

• PHYSICAL, EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHING / Hazardous Objects and SubstancesNon-critical

  Hazardous objects and substances are inaccessible to children. [CCLR Sec 17]

  Observation. The following were accessible to children in care: Pointed screwdrivers in an unlocked kitchen drawer. The screwdrivers were put out of children's reach during the inspection. Unplugged electrical outlet in the activity room. The outlet was covered during the inspection. An electrical outlet with a broken metal prong stuck into the outlet. The metal prong protruded slightly from the outlet. The outlet was taped over with a piece of paper pointing out "danger" and "metal pin stuck" in the outlet.

• 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. Licencing observed children's chairs against the railing of the entrance landing. The railing is approximately 5 feet high to mitigate the one storey fall zone below. The placement of the chairs compromised the railing height. A child could stand on top of the chair seat or back, climb the railing and fall down.

• 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. One child's emergency food and water expired in 2020.

• 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. From 9:00 to 9:20 am children arrived. There was one staff present with a practicum student. Licensing observed the staff at the kitchen table making a Christmas card with a child, using a hot glue gun. The staff left the kitchen. The child was left unsupervised at the kitchen table. The hot glue gun was left plugged in on the table. After about 2 minutes the staff returned to the kitchen. The staff did art in the kitchen with one chid at a time while the practicum student was in the other room with the rest of the children.

• 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. Licensing observed that the wood playhouse floor had a broken piece of wood. The Licensee had blocked off access.

• RECORDS AND REPORTING / Care PlansNon-critical

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

  Observation. One child in care with Anaphylaxis did not have a current care plan and Epi pen on site.

• CARE AND/OR SUPERVISION / Behavioural GuidanceNon-critical

  Behavioural guidance is appropriate to the age and development of each child. [CCLR Sec.51(1)(a)]

  Observation. Licensing observed children were being physically redirected by one staff. Licensing observed the following: - staff on multiple occasions grabbing children by the wrist, forearm and upper arm. - staff physically stopped a child by using her hands across the chest and back to gain attention. Licensing officers discussed the above observations with the manager when she arrived at the facility.

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

  Children are adequately supervised by qualified employees in sufficient numbers to meet the needs of each child. [CCLR Sec.34(1)]

  Observation. Licensing arrived at the facility, knocked on the front door, the door was not answered for 5 - 10 minutes. During this time period, Licensing observed 6 children unsupervised in the playroom through the front window. The children saw the Licensing officers through the window and waved. The children came into the hallway to the front door and waved again through the window located at the front door. Children returned to the activity room and Licensing officers continued knocking at the door which remained unanswered. One child entered the kitchen and returned with an adult. About a few minutes later, an adult noticed Licensing and alerted the staff and the staff opened the door. During the first 30 minutes of the inspection, staff remained mostly in the kitchen doing one on one valentine's day craft and not in the playroom where the majority of the children were left unsupervised. During this time one child pushed another child in the back. The child cried and no staff attended to the child. After several minutes of crying the staff came from the kitchen and attended to the crying child. Licensing officers discussed the above observations with the manager when she arrived at the facility.

• CARE AND/OR SUPERVISION / Harmful actions not permittedNon-critical

  A child(ren), while under the care or supervision of the licensee, has been subjected to harsh, belittling or degrading treatment by an employee or another child, whether verbal, emotional or physical, that could humiliate the child or undermine the child(ren's) self respect. [CCLR Sec. 52(1)(c)]

  Observation. Licensing observed the following interactions: - staff uses a tone and language that could be viewed as humiliating or diminishing a child's self respect. A child was crying in the playroom, staff entered from the kitchen and asked another child "did you hit them." The staff automatically assumed this particular child hit other child in presence of several other children sitting at the table. - staff spoke in stern tone to a child saying "come over here, come come, go back, how many times do I have to......just sit, sit, sit here." The child sat down on the chair and the staff returned to the kitchen to resume one on one valentine's day craft.

• LICENSING / Posting and Advertising of License and CertificateNon-critical

  The certificates of early childhood educators and assistants, or copies of certificates, are prominently displayed in the facility. [CCLR 11(4)]

  Observation. ECE certificates were not posted at the facility.

• STAFFING / Additional criminal record checksNon-critical

  The licensee has not obtained a criminal record check for all persons ordinarily present on the premises. [CCLR Sec. (20)(1)]

  Observation. Licensing observed a student without a valid criminal record check in their file. A discussion with the manager was held to inform that a valid criminal record check clearance letter must be obtained prior to student starting their practicum.

• STAFFING / Character and skill requirementsNon-critical

  Criminal record checks have not been obtained. [CCLR Sec. 19(1)(a)]

  Observation. Licensing observed a staff without a valid criminal record check in their file. A discussion with the manager was held to inform that a valid criminal record check clearance letter must be obtained prior to staff's first day of employment.