Promise Vancouver Group Child Care (School Age)

No violations recorded at this inspection.

• LICENSING / Continuing duty to informNon-critical

  Licensing has been notified immediately of any change in the information provided under Section 9 (Applying for a License). [CCLR Sec. 10(1)]

  Observation. Licensee representative was forthcoming and informed CCFL of the loss of preteen space (UGM site) and new Trekkers program in relation to space impacts on Powell Street. CCFL observed that two of the small group rooms are taken up with storage of equipment and materials from both programs. While the Licensee rep was timely in informing CCFL, the resulting encroachment on licensed space for the primary program places the program in noncompliance and is a barrier for expanding enrolment / meeting individual needs.

• 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. Many of the furnishings, equipment and play materials were lost in the fire and or smoke damaged beyond repair. The program (for reasons beyond CCFL's understanding) was not successful in their 2024/ 2025 application to the Emergency Repair and Replacement program to replace some of these items. Program has been struggling for funds to obtain required items and working with a shoe string budget with a minimum range of furnishings and equipment. CCFL has discussed phase in plan for prioritizing acquisition of furnishings, etc. with Manager, Senior Program Manager and Licensee representative. CCFL supports the staff team's assessment of first phase priority acquisitions as cited below under actions required to meet Child Care Licensing Regulations. Now with the leak, after the source has been confirmed and addressed, the program will need funds for repairs and repainting of ceilings, walls, etc. For example there is a hole now in one room where the water was actively dripping out today.

• PHYSICAL, EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHING / Emergency Training and EquipmentNon-critical

  Employees have access to reliable communications equipment in an emergency. [CCLR Sec. 22(4)]

  Observation. Observed that each staff have access to electronic files via an app. It was explained to me that the app is downloaded onto staff's personal cell phones. Today the app was not working when Manager tried to contact families as part of tracking attendance and absences. This lead to delays in communication and frustration that could have been avoided. Observed both staff trying each other's phone to call out on app. Did not appear to be working and one staff said they wanted to be cautious about not phoning out on their own line. This would mean families would have a record of their personal cell number. I also inquired if the access was time limited to operating hours, i.e. is staff access only possible during working hours. Answer was not clear. Downloading work related apps onto personal cell phones opens up the possibility for security / confidentiality breaches (re photos, child/ family/ guardian personal information, etc.). The app must also function, i.e. be reliable, when staff need them. CCFL strongly recommends having work based cell phones separate from staff's personal cell phones to help ensure app functionality and confidentiality for children, staff and families. Having a separate phone would allow the Licensee to monitor and ensure staff are following work based protocols re communication, file access, etc. Noted that staff were not able to hear each other over the noise of the playground. To communicate staff or a youth leader must send a runner from one area of the yard to another for example. This impairs supervision and does not support timely communication, especially if a child has to access the washroom or there is an injury. Noted the difficulty in communication between staff and youth leaders during the walk back to the facility on Powell Street, especially given the noise of the traffic on Hastings and Cordova. One group was far ahead of another that was walking at a slower pace and taking time to view some flowers, have conversation, etc. Also observed the challenge of communicating care and supervision needs across the number of small rooms and up to the kitchen. The small rooms are a strength - supporting small group work, relationships, creating protected pockets of play - but also a challenge as youth leaders or other staff may not be able to leave their respective rooms and yet need support in working with a child or children. To support the range of needs and communication over the noise & distances - outdoors and within the facility, CCFL requires the acquisition of reliable, high quality walkie talkies or radios to facilitate care, supervision, and critical timely communication. Manager and staff team expressed their support. Discussed both issues above with Licensee representative post inspection. Licensee stated they would look into the issue of the apps on cell phones and report back to CCFL. Licensee said they had heard from staff team re the CCFL visit and my comments re communication during outdoor play and the walk. Licensee said quality walkie talkies were on order. Licensee will inform CCFL when the walkies talkies are in and in 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. Many of the program's equipment and furnishings were lost in the fire and or smoke damaged beyond repair. The program is currently operating with a skeletal supply to remain open and operate at capacity. The items listed below are a foundation to replace what was lost, this supply and range of materials must continue to be augmented.

• PHYSICAL, EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHING / EnvironmentNon-critical

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

  Observation. Observed that each room had a hand caddy with a spray bottle of cleaner, wipes, gel hand sanitizer, paper towel. In the hall cupboard across from the washrooms is a large supply of cleaning fluids, supplies and sanitizers. The hall cupboard has sliding doors. It was open. Inquired about the two step method of cleaning and sanitizing. Noted that during the May 2024 inspection, I recalled seeing the two step method in practice. Manager stated that the staff team want to facilitate child participation. The children have been using wipes to clean the tables because some of the children have used the spray solution indiscriminately. I reminded that wipes do not adequately clean nor do they sanitize. The contact time is not adequate, etc. Shared that I observed a cleaning solution in each room but no sanitizer, e.g. bleach. Manager stated the staff team do the full clean up at the end of day, including bleach and water spray. I explained that CCFL supports children having opportunities to engage in meaningful tasks. Suggested options for how the children could participate in the cleaning, e.g. staff could spray the appropriate cleaner, the children could clean the table with paper towels, staff could then follow up with the bleach / two minute wait and then wipe up with paper towels or the children could wipe up and wash their hands. Noted that for the two step method to be effective, it cannot only be done at end of day. It should be followed throughout the program time, e.g. on the tables before and after snack. Inquired re how the cleaning supplies were stored. Manager noted that to date there have been no issues with children accessing the supplies. Manager closed the sliding doors on the hall cupboard, we noted there was no locking mechanism, e.g. a sliding bolt at top or some other safety mechanism for sliding doors. Communicated that standard safety practice is to store cleaning supplies and other potential hazardous materials out of the reach of the children. Helps to prevent inquisitive exploration. Washrooms, activity rooms and kitchen appeared to be clean and well organized overall. New flooring is being maintained. Discussed the above with Licensee representative post inspection. Licensee rep stated their commitment to supporting staff with the above noted work.

No violations recorded at this 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. Promise is housed in a older building in the DTES Oppenheimer District. The space was renovated to meet minimum requirements for Group Child Care (School Age). For example, considerable monies were spent on bringing the building up to fire code. The current flooring is a poor grade laminate that is showing wear and tear. Noted that some areas are lifting with edges nailed down. Soft spots can be felt under foot. Planks are separating exposing tripping hazards. The flooring will require replacement in the near future, i.e., by the end of 2025. This timeline will need to be revisited if the deterioration escalates. Discussed alternative flooring suitable for school age care with team lead, including sheet vinyl and high grade vinyl plank flooring. Flooring needs to be hard wearing and easy to clean. The school age program is made up of one larger gathering space and a series of small rooms. Noted that sound travels through the wall board between some of the rooms. This can be a barrier to supporting children with various sensory processing needs. Options for noise mitigation should be explored to support accessibility.