Little Star Family Child Care

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. Gates and fencing is in satisfactory condition. The self closure on the back gate (main entry and exit for families) to the alley was working well, swinging shut and secure in the latch. Yard overall is well kept. Licensee hires a gardener to maintain the yard. Observed that the two garden plots on the east side of the fence are in need of attention. The boards that act to retain the soil are loose and have come completely away from the frame. Discussed this with the Licensee, noting that she could either remove the board or repair the entire boxes. Licensee said she would have the handyperson remove the boards.

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

Observation. Licensee conducts visual scans of any playgrounds visited as well as her back yard prior to use with the children. Licensee has not been recording these inspections. CCFL has discussed this requirement with the Licensee in the past as well as different ways such inspections can be recorded. Today the Licensee stated her commitment to recording any playground or back yard inspections on her daily attendance record.

Implementation of the fire drill system is practiced at least once each month, and implementation of the emergency plan is practiced at least once each year. [CCLR Sec. 22(2)(b)(c)]

Observation. Reviewed Licensee's record of emergency drills. After the last routine inspection, CCLO sent Licensee a copy of Record of Emergency Drill forms by email. Licensee appears to have run out but has been keeping a hand written record. Licensee apologized that she has not been keeping up with regular monthly fire drills. The last drill done was in April 2025. Licensee committed to returning to monthly fire drills and recording them. Licensee explained that she does not have a printer. She requested that I send out the record of emergency drill form by mail. I agreed to do so. Licensee is aware she is required to practice and record at least one emergency plan procedure a year with the children. Discussed that for most programs, this is an earthquake drill. Licensee has not yet practiced an emergency / earthquake drill this year. Licensee committed to practicing and recording the drill before the end of 2025.

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. Emergency supplies are stored in a cupboard on the main floor of the home. We went to review the contents today and found the bag to be missing. Licensee was surprised, saying her husband had been doing some clearing and may have accidentally thrown the bag out. Licensee will speak with her husband upon his return home from work. If the bag is located, she will inventory and ensure that all contents are up to date. If the bag has been tossed out, then Licensee understands she must acquire emergency supplies to support the capacity and adults in the home to shelter in place. CCFL will send a copy of Prepare to Care to the Licensee.

Prior to employing staff the manager has met with each person and has obtained the appropriate documentation. [CCLR Sec. 19(1)]

Observation. Licensee is sharing the care of her elderly, ill father with her sister. Licensee is away from the family child care 10 days out of the month, from 9 am until she returns to care for the children by 3 pm. This arrangement has been approved by CCFL. CCFL had reviewed the required documentation for alternate caregivers with the Licensee prior to this arrangement. Today we went through the documentation for the two alternate caregivers the Licensee has on file - one caregiver (Z) is the main alternate, the second back up caregiver (R) comes if the first caregiver cannot. Confirmed that some required documentation is missing. Licensee stated her commitment to addressing this asap. Licensee confirmed that Z's criminal record check is in process. They are just waiting for the clearance letter. I wrote down the required documents on a piece of paper before I left.

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

Observation. Reviewed ages and numbers of children enrolled. There were four children in care today. In discussion with Licensee and reviewing files, discovered Licensee is caring for three children between ages one and two years and one 2 1/2 year old. Informed Licensee she is in non compliance with the Child Care Licensing Regulation which states you may only care for two children between the ages of one and two years. Confirmed the only way to move forward is to reduce (i.e. asking one of the three 1 year olds to leave) or to submit a request to CCFL for a temporary placement. Licensee has been in non compliance with ages and numbers in the past and is familiar with temporary placements. I inquired as to why the Licensee did not contact me for assistance prior to enrolling the child. Licensee stated it has been a busy time with family and she was not as focussed on the ages of children in care as she should be. Licensee stated she would like to request a temporary placement. I noted that temporary placements are not meant to be used to address noncompliance and in future the Licensee must request and receive approval for any exemptions prior to the child enrolling. Licensee stated her commitment to compliance in the future. Post inspection - forwarded the Request for temporary placement forms to the Licensee. Licensee committed to having the request in to CCFL by Monday December 5, 2022.

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

Observation. Home appeared clean and well organized. Licensee said she has been leaving faucets running to prevent pipes from freezing. Inquired about cleaning and sanitizing. Licensee went to washroom and said that I probably would not like what she was using. I wondered why. Licensee showed me the container of Lysol wipes that she was using. Licensee said she was using a paper towel to clean with soap and water and then using the Lysol wipe to sanitize. I reviewed the two step method of cleaning and then sanitizing surfaces. Sanitizing agents ability to kill germs is impaired if the surface is dirty in any way. Also noted the fine print on the Lysol container says the surface must be wet for 10 minutes to effectively kill germs and viruses. Licensee said she was not aware of this. We both agreed that most of the time the surface is dry in a matter of seconds after being wiped with the Lysol wipes. So while the surface may appear clean, optimal sanitizing is not happening. Will send a copy of the Cleaning and Sanitizing Information sheet with this report. Requested the Licensee find another way of cleaning and sanitizing during child care operating hours. Discussed options such as returning to cleaning with soap and water solution then sanitizing with bleach or cleaning with soap and water then using a quatz solution with a short contact time like Benefect 30 seconds. Licensee stated she would stop using the wipes and go with another solution.

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. Noted there are boards missing or loose in the fence surrounding the outdoor play yard.