Kit's Cottage Day Care

No violations recorded at this inspection.

• 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. Licensing arrived at the facility for inspection at 3:00pm. Upon entry, two adults were seen present, with 12 toddlers. Manager later identifies one of the two adults to be a cleaning staff they had come clean prior to the long weekend, and not a staff in ratio. LO was informed by the ECE present, that the IT staff was likely downstairs. LO proceeds downstairs, and was informed by the two staff in the room that the IT Educator in question had not come downstairs. LO returns upstairs and informs the staff that the IT was not downstairs, and LO was then informed that another staff is now present. This staff was ECEA, and LO was informed they were on their break before. Staff inform that the Manager was on the way back. Upon arrival of the Manager, LO was informed that the IT staff upstairs was not currently on site, and was returning soon. Upon inspecting of qualifications, it is identified that staffing ratio for the room upstairs did not comply with Schedule E. Manager had a conversation with the upstairs IT staff when they returned, and inform Licensing that they plan to have a staff meeting regarding the allocation of IT staff, after the children all leave this evening.

• PHYSICAL, EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHING / EnvironmentNon-critical

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

  Observation. Soap and bleach were not available for cleaning and sanitizing the activity area.

• POLICIES AND PROCEDURES / Community Care Facility RecordsNon-critical

  Current policies and procedures are kept as required . [CCLR Sec.56 (1) and CCALA 19]

  Observation. Licensing unable to locate an Active Play Policy, Screen Time Policy, and Supervision Policy during the inspection. An electronic resource is provided to the Manager upon return to the office.

• 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 the upstairs activity room, licensing observed that the drywall at the bottom corner of a ledge had chipped off, exposing a sharp metal plate underneath. The manager discussed they would immediately cover the metal to prevent injury and have the handyman repair the drywall. Licensing observed a bifold closet door that was not secured and posed a pinching hazard. The closet was secured at the time of inspection.

No violations recorded at this inspection.

• 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 two cabinets in the upstairs playroom that were unsecured to the wall as the screws bolting them to the wall had become loose.

• STAFFING / Character and skill requirementsNon-critical

  A licensee must not employ a person in a community care facility as an educator or an assistant unless the person holds a certificate issued under Division 2 [Employee Qualifications], which must be verified by the licensee using a system established and maintained by the director of the early childhood educator registry [CCLR Sec. 19(4)(a)]

  Observation. One staff's ECE IT certificate had not been verified with the ECE registry.

• 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 staff lift a child in the infant room and physically redirect and move them away from a gate, off a bench, off a bed. Various ways were used to lift a child, sometimes in a supportive manner by placing both hands on the child's upper body under their arms, sometimes by placing one hand under the child's upper body under their arms and the other hand around the child's upper arm below the shoulder, sometimes by placing both hands around the child's upper arms below the shoulders.

• 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. 1) Licensing observed that both the toddler room and the infant room did not have staff with the required qualifications and did not have the required 1 to 4 staff child ratio. Toddler room: Licensing arrived at 8:45 in the toddler room and observed 5 children in care with an Early Childhood Educator Assistant (ECEA). When licensing left the facility at 11:20 the toddler room had 8 children in care with two ECEA's. Infant room: Licensing arrived around 8:50 in the infant room and observed 9 children in care with two ECEA's. A 10th child arrived at 9:54 and an 11th child arrived at 8:59. Licensing left the infant room at 9:30. Sometime after 9:30 an Infant Toddler Educator arrived in the infant room. Contraventions of a similar nature were cited on routine inspection reports dated October 2020 and August 2021. 2) Licensing observed one child present age 37 months.

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

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

  Observation. The toddler room has posted the certificates on the entrance door. The infant room does not have the certificates posted in a prominent place.

• 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 chipped and stained drywall on the pony wall between the toddler cubby and activity space.

• 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 a sandbox with sand toys, balls and bubbles available for outdoor play. Other toys and materials were available in the storage room, but were not accessible to children in care.

• RECORDS AND REPORTING / Notification of illness or injuryNon-critical

  Licensing is notified within 24 hours after a child is involved in, or may have been involved in, a reportable incident described in Schedule H or has a reportable communicable disease. [CCLR Sec.55(2)(a)(b)]

  Observation. Licensing observed documentation in the log book where a child got hurt, was picked up by the parents who brought the child to a doctor. Licensing was not notified. Incident reporting requirements were discussed with the manager.

• 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 observed one expired criminal record check and one missing record of work history

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 a rough and splintered section on the handrail of the wooden bridge in the toddler yard.

• 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. Licensing observed a sample of children's records. Some children did not have written parental consent to release the child to someone other than the parent.

• 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 has a criminal record check in the name of Sprott Shaw Community College. The Licensee has applied on September 8 using the sharing form.

• 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 officer observed the following uses of physical redirection in the infant room: Staff put their hand with closed fingers around a child's arm above the wrist. They moved the child while holding onto their arm. This occurred by 2 staff on at least 4 occasions with at least 3 different children during the transition to outdoor play. During transition to outdoor play a staff put their hand with closed fingers around a child's arm above their wrist. The child was half lying on the floor and in the process getting up. The staff used her hand to get the child up; it is possible they used a slight pulling motion while getting the child up.

• 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 officer observed the transition to outdoor play. Three staff got the infants ready in the cubby area. Music was playing. The transition took approximately 15 to 20 minutes. During this time one infant was sleeping in the nap room. Licensing officer inquired how the child in the nap room was supervised. Staff informed that they would hear the child cry. Licensing officer discussed that due to the music and the noise in the cubby area it would be hard to hear the child cry and inquired if they used a baby monitor. The staff said they did not have one and that during the times that all children nap a staff stays in the nap room.

• 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. Licensing officer observed the following: The infant room had 11 children present with 3 Early Childhood Educator Assistants. The toddler room had 9 children present with 1 Infant Toddler Educator and 2 Early Childhood Educator Assistants.

• 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 officer observed the following: 1) Strips to secure a wobbly desk in the infant eating area had become loose from the wall on both sides. 2) Blinds in the infant eating area, cubby area, circle time room and kitchen were closed. Blinds in the play room were down with the slats opened. The infant room is located in the basement with limited natural light from the windows. Licensing officer requested to draw up the blinds in the infant eating area, cubby area, circle time room, kitchen and play room which increased the natural light significantly. It was discussed to have all blinds drawn up moving forward. 3) Licensing Officer observed signs of wear and tear such as chipped drywall in some places and dirt build up in some areas (stairs, baseboards). It is recommended to develop a targeted plan of action to address these areas within the next year. It is recommended to lower the infant fridge temperature. Staff informed the licensing officer they clean and sanitize toys daily, and launder soft toys and soft covers for furniture Wednesdays and Fridays.

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

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

  Observation. Licensing officer observed the following: 1) Bleach / water sanitizing solution on the infant bathroom counter potentially accessible to children in care. 2) Uncovered electrical outlets and electrical outlets covered with packing tape.

• 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 officer observed the following: 1) The sandbox in the infant playground was overgrown with weeds. The sand in both the infant and toddler playground needs replenishing. 2) Slippery bridge decks on the toddler playground.

• 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 officer observed the following: 1) The infant group went outside on the toddler playground at 10:15 with 7 children and 2 staff. One staff remained inside with 1 child sleeping in the nap room and 2 awake children. This staff came outside at 10:45 with the 3 children. The toddler group went outside on the larger playground at 10:30 with 9 children and 3 staff. The toddler playground now had 20 children and 6 staff. Both groups went inside at approximately 11:30. The toddler playground appeared crowded with 20 children and six staff. Ten children and 1 staff sat in the sandbox, leaving very little room for digging and sand exploration. The covered play area on the infant playground had been converted to a sign in and out area for the parents. Licensing officer inquired about the practice of having both the infants and the toddlers use the toddler playground and asked about the usage of the infant playground. Staff informed the licensing officer that mostly during the morning the infants and toddlers share the toddler playground. In the afternoon the infants sometimes use the infant playground. The practice of sharing the toddler playground with both groups has happened for about a year. Last year, the fire department required the program to remove the outdoor toys from the infant storage room because this room contains the furnace and toy storage was deemed a fire hazard. Infant outdoor toys were relocated to the toddler outdoor storage room and as a result the program now uses the toddler playground for the infants. 2) The infant playground had cracks in the concrete walkway. The concrete had shifted on either side of the cracks resulting in uneven pavement that poses a tripping hazard. 3) The storage shed of the toddler playground was completely filled up to the door with various items (strollers, mattresses, appliances) making access to the outdoor toys and equipment difficult.

• 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 officer observed a large variety of toys and materials in the indoor environment that suggest Schedule G can be met. Most of the toys and materials in the infant room were piled on top of a counter or behind a gate in the circle time room. They were inaccessible to children in care for a duration of at least 20 minutes during free play. Licensing officer inquired about the limited availability of toys and materials and was informed they had been put away because children were hitting with the toys and they had cleaned up and were getting ready to go outside. Licensing observed balls, watering cans, trucks, a push toy, a ride on toy, shovels, buckets, sand toys and 2 water tables in the toddler yard (water tables not in use at the time of inspection) It is recommended to augment the quantity and variety of outdoor toys and equipment in order to provide more opportunities to meet schedule G.

• 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. Licensing officer observed the following: Four children did not have current Anaphylaxis or Asthma care plans in place. One of these children had an Epi-Pen on site that had expired in March 2021. A current Epi-Pen was provided to the centre in the afternoon.

• STAFFING / Character and skill requirementsNon-critical

  A licensee must not employ a person in a community care facility as an educator or an assistant unless the person holds a certificate issued under Division 2 [Employee Qualifications], which must be verified by the licensee using a system established and maintained by the director of the early childhood educator registry [CCLR Sec. 19(4)(a)]

  Observation. Some staff files did not contain proof of certificate verification with the ECE Registry.

• STAFFING / Character and skill requirementsNon-critical

  Evidence of compliance with the Province's immunization and tuberculosis control programs has not been obtained. [CCLR Sec.19(1)(b)]; Character references have not been obtained. [CCLR Sec.19(1)(b)]; Records of staff's work histories have not been obtained. [CCLR Sec. 19(1)(c)]; Criminal record checks have not been obtained. [CCLR Sec. 19(1)(a)]

  Observation. Some staff files had various missing documentation.