Kids and Company Vancouver West (GDC 3-5) - Group Child Care (30 Months to School Age)

• 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. In preschool 2, Licensing observed an educator using a physical redirection when a child appeared distracted during story time. When a child remained uninterested in story time and became agitated, the educator's voice became louder to gain this child's attention. At one point, another child commented that "your voice is too loud" while covering her ears. This observation was shared with the program manager and the educator. Please note that a physical redirection is not permitted as this can be seen as a harmful action. An additional discussion took place regarding being mindful of voice tone to ensure the educator's practices remain supportive and respectful.

• 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: *ceiling tiles: multiple ceiling tiles placed in the children's activity spaces, gross motor rooms and bathrooms appeared to show signs of wear and tear. Some have holes and stains due to previous leaks. *vents in the children's bathrooms and nap rooms: observed hanging cobwebs and thick dust. Licensing and the manager conducted a tissue test to test the airflow. It appears that the vents aren't working properly. *flooring and skirting boards/baseboards in the classrooms and bathrooms: appeared to be dirty with debris and dust buildup. They require a deep clean. *paint touch up is required on the doors and gates - The program manager informed that an annual paint touch up will be scheduled to occur. *a shelving unit in Preschool 2 appeared to show signs of wear and tear. This item is no longer easy to clean and in good repair. *a light table with a damaged leg and peeling paint (Preschool 2). This item is no longer easy to clean and in good repair.

• 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 standing water collected on top of the sandbox cover.

• 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 kitchen in Preschool 1 serves two purposes - as the kitchen for the Preschool 1 room as well as the permitted kitchen used to prepare food for the entire facility. The kitchen is inspected by the district EHO. Ceiling tiles - Manager reported the source of the stains - previous leaks - has been addressed in Preschool 1 and 2. However the damaged and stained tiles have not been replaced. This includes tiles in Preschool 2 north middle washroom and the gross motor/ nap room. Vents - Some of the vents for the HVAC system are clean and others are not (e.g. thick dust and hanging cobwebs). In Preschool 2 the vents in the south washroom require cleaning as well as in Preschool 1 vents in the washroom and gross motor / nap room. Flooring and counters in washroom - The amount of damage caused by the wall mounted hand soap is stable from last year (i.e. has not worsened). Revisited this issue with the Manager, noting that most 3-5 group child care have gone to simple hand pump soap, kept on the counter. Inquired about the Kids and Company capital replacement cycles and recommended that washroom tiles / counters be included. Paint in Preschool 1 gross motor / nap room - Large patches of paint have peeled off on the lower half of the walls throughout the room. Manager stated that head office is considering using a different type of paint given that this is a widespread problem across centres. Highly recommended considering wall board mounted like wainscoting along the walls. Other 3-5 centres have found this to be hard wearing and resilient against impact from indoor gross motor equipment. Lower maintenance costs are related to the installation of quality wall board. Furnishings and equipment available to the children meet requirements to support capacities. Noted that the wear on cubbies remains stable. However cubby replacement should also be included as part of future budgeting and replacement cycles.

• 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. See routine inspection report of May 2024 for details re changes to yard and past work completed. Considerable work was done to upgrade and maintain the lower outdoor play spaces in 2024. Today noted that the upper and lower sand pits were low in sand, especially the upper sand pit (landscape membrane was seen). Advised manager to order river washed sand from a reputable suppliers to ensure quality play value and safety. In the lower yard, Manager brought to my attention the condition of the seat (3rd from the left) in the west playground. Noted the chipped wood on the two upper edges. Advised that Kids and Co can either remove and replace the seat or cut off the two corners & sand the wood down for safety. Manager reported that Kids & Co were considering replacing the earth and grass in the middle yard with poured in place rubber. I noted there is an abundance of hard and artificial surfacing in the yards. Advised that what Kids and Co West 6th does not offer children is an opportunity to interact with natural surfaces and planting on an ongoing basis. The amount of planting/ vegetation is minimal and decorative. Suggested leaving the earth and or adding ground cover such as moss or creeping thyme which is more hard wearing and drought resistant than grass. Remarked on how planting bare feet on damp earth can be a most welcome cool/ sensorial delight on a hot day. Strongly encouraged the introduction of plantings that children can interact with.

• PHYSICAL, EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHING / EnvironmentNon-critical

  A healthy and safe environment is provided at all times [CCLR Sec. 13(1)].

  Observation. The facility is aging and areas of the indoor and outdoor environments are showing wear. Also noted that while the overall cleanliness of the facility is satisfactory, there are exceptions such as along the molding, in corners, between appliances and cabinets, alongside & behind the stoves & fridges. Also noted in Preschool 2, an area behind the toilet is caked with dust and old cobwebs. These areas require a deep clean that cannot be addressed via daily light housekeeping or even the nightly cleaning crew. Staff's priority is the children. They cannot be expected to address the deep cleaning. Remarked that once the deep cleaning occurs, the level of overall daily / weekly cleaning will be easier to maintain. Assistant Director noted the fridge in Preschool 2 is difficult to move. I suggested that when the deep cleaning takes place, the building manager investigate if there is a problem with the fridge castors, perhaps one or more are broken or jammed. Repairing or replacing the castors would help ease pulling the fridge out to clean. The kitchen in Preschool 1 serves two purposes - as the kitchen for the Preschool 1 as well as the permitted kitchen used to prepare food for the facility. The kitchen is inspected by the District EHO. Noted the missing ceiling tile and stains indicating a leak in Preschool 2. Assistant Director confirmed the leak was from the Toddler sink upstairs. Leak has been resolved. The building manager is in the process of sourcing & replacing the missing ceiling tile. Assistant Director will inform CCFL when this has been repaired. Noted the use of wall mounted hand soap was causing damage to flooring below. Shared with Assistant Director that many programs have removed the wall mounted soap to go with simple hand pump soap at each sink, finding this helps optimize the lifespan of their flooring. The damage was most evident in Preschool 1 washroom and some of the toddler washrooms. Observed separate sets of cleanser and sanitizer for the main activity room and the washrooms in both Preschool 1 and 2 today. All bottles were appropriately labelled. Inquired as to why there were three bottles - one for soap and water, one for bleach and water and then a third for water. Typically with a bleach & water sanitizer, one can follow the two step method. It is only for some quatz sanitizing solutions that a rinse or third step is required. Noted that one can use a rinse after the bleach and water sanitizer as a third step but it is not required. Observed a range of practice in cleaning and sanitizing. Noted that some staff are not using the bleach and water sanitizer just soap and water or not using the soap and water / just bleach and water or using soap and water then bleach and water but not for the correct length of time (wiping up immediately thereafter). Did not observe anyone using the water rinse during this inspection. Assistant Director and I agreed it was time to review the two step method, including the correct contact time for bleach and water sanitizer (at least two minutes contact time before wiping up) and the need to clean then sanitize to help ensure health and safety. (Note - sanitizing solutions do not work unless the surface is first cleaned.)

• 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. Since the last time I visited the site in 2019, the play structure has been removed, leaving the middle level of the yard open. Noted the fibar was lacking; landscape membrane was exposed in two places. The Assistant Director stated the fibar would be replenished. I inquired as the intention for play in this area - if the intention was to climb and construct then resilient ground cover is needed. If the intention is for ground based play without any height then resilient ground cover is not required. Assistant Director stated the area was meant to foster constructive and imaginative play. Today there were some play mats to the west where children were engaged in imaginative play. Some other children were digging in the remaining fibar remaining. There was a moveable tunnel at the east end of this area. Observed that to fully comply with the DOLSOP, more was required to foster play in this middle part of the yard. Strongly recommended loose parts that would facilitate constructive / imaginative / gross motor play such as two or more Pikler A frames and planks. This would offer a constructive/ imaginative child directed option to the fixed climbing structures upstairs. Assistant Director stated she would look into this. In the third level of the lower yard, observed three aggregate rock / cement chunks under the stairs. Noted the sand pit was low. Clatter bridge is showing wood rot / water damage on south side, at least 5 planks must be replaced. The play hut roof requires repair (one plank is missing, cracked open) and requires repair. Could not assess the floor of the hut today as it was covered with sand and children were playing. Requested the Assistant Director assess the status of the wood planks and proceed with any repairs accordingly. Assistant Director informed me that heat mitigation measures will be used on the second floor 3-5 playground during the summer, including water play and extending the awning.

No violations recorded at this inspection.

• MEDICATION / MedicationNon-critical

  Medications that staff have agreed to administer are readily accessible to staff and are administered in the correct dosage at the correct times. [CCLR Sec. 53(1)]

  Observation. Licensing observed that a child's inhaler expired April 2023.

• MEDICATION / MedicationNon-critical

  Upon agreeing to administer medications, a competent employee is available at all times to administer and document administration of the medications. [CCLR Sec. 53(3)]

  Observation. In PS2 one of the staff was unaware a child required an inhaler. The staff stated : I'm a new staff here, I didn't know."

• 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 facility is aging and areas of the indoor environment are showing wear and in need of attention: * Patch and paint over the tears and chips in dry wall. Licensing observed that the white stools in the bathrooms appeared dirty. Licensing recommends using a different colour of stools.

• PHYSICAL, EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHING / Furniture, Equipment and FixturesNon-critical

  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. The mats and the bedding in Preschool 1 were stored so they were touching one another.

• 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 the following in the outdoor play area: * some of the black rubber tiles were no longer flush and had gaps - this could potentially be a tripping hazard. * the wood at the bottom of the green bee metal cut out (on the large play structure) is rotting and flaking off

• STAFFING / Emergency Training and EquipmentNon-critical

  Staff are trained in the implementation of the fire drill system and the emergency plan, including the use of any equipment noted in the fire drill system and emergency plan. [CCLR Sec. 22(2)(a)]

  Observation. Licensing observed that the fire extinguishers required a service.

• 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. During the inspection in the Preschool 1 room, Licensing observed one of the Educators at circle telling the children to sit "criss cross applesauce". This same Educator on numerous occasions singled one child out by saying to the child "sit nicely, criss cross applesauce, I've said your name three times, I've been calling your name four times, I don't like what you are doing to him, it's not nice, and again can you sit criss cross applesauce" even though eight other children in the circle were not sitting criss cross applesauce. In Preschool Room 2, Licensing observed that all of the children did not have to sit for circle, one child was walking around the room and playing with toys, other children had their "comfort toys" with them and some children were laying on the floor , but still participating. This is meeting the needs of the individual children. Licensing also observed the interactions in this room between the educators and children to be warm and engaging.

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. During the inspection CCFL observed on more then one occasion one of the Educators physically moving the children by putting their hands on the child's shoulders, arms and wrist to move the child to where the Educator wanted them to be. Licensing also observed an Educator put soap on a child's hand, rubbed the child's hand together then rinse them under the sink, this Educator then sat the child on the chair and pushed the child's chair in twice without asking the child. Licensing then observed the same Educator take a Kleenex and blow a child's nose. This is not allowing the children to use their independence and do things for themselves. Licensing

• 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 Preschool 1 Licensing observed in the children's washroom in front of the third sink, some of the wood on the front of the counter was peeling.

• 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 on the upstairs playground that some of the posts on the stairs of the play structure were starting to rot and had sharp edges. Licensing also observed a large screw that was protruding from the wood.

• RECORDS AND REPORTING / Care PlansNon-critical

  The licensee does not keep a current care plan for each child requiring extra support. [CCLR Sec. 58(1)]

  Observation. Licensing observed that a child required an inhaler, however there was no care plan on site.

• RECORDS AND REPORTING / Safe Play Space Standard of PracticeNon-critical

  Maintenance of Equipment: A log is kept of all inspections, maintenance and repairs. [Director of Licensing Standard of Practice - Safe Play Space]

  Observation. The program does have a log of inspections conducted, however this log did not contain the items of concern identified by Licensing. Also Licensing conducted an inspection on a Wednesday and the daily log of inspections had already been completed for the Thursday and Friday of the week.

• STAFFING / Additional criminal record checksNon-critical

  All persons over the age of 12 that are ordinarily present on the premises while children are present are of good character and the licensee has obtained a criminal record check for each person. [CCLR Sec 20]

  Observation. The Manager informed Licensing that one Educator's Criminal Record Check was in progress.

• 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 on the upstairs playground that some of the posts on the stairs of the play structure were starting to rot and had sharp edges. A discussion was had with the Manager in regards to the downstairs playground. The play structure has been removed. The Manager stated they are waiting for quotes and will be sure to inform and receive approval from Licensing before replacing the play structure.