St. Francis Xavier Montessori Child Care Centre-Daycare

• 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. Overall the facility, furniture and equipment is clean and in good repair. Noted two exceptions - one issue (wall at washroom entry) that requires attention and another (stains on ceiling tiles) that requires monitoring. The wall to the west of the washroom entry receives a lot of impact and hand contact. The dry wall is chipped, paint stained and scratched. Requires patching and repainting. The wall to the east of the washroom entry requires a wash, hand and finger prints are visible. Noted stains on ceiling tiles above the art sink, the office and perhaps other areas in the center not observed (e.g. closets). Manager said they had inquired about these stains in the past and was informed that the leak was not active or had been addressed. Manager and staff took photos so that they can monitor if the water damage worsens. If they see a change they will alert facilities and have the leak and damage attended to.

• NUTRITION AND FOOD SERVICES / NutritionNon-critical

  Instructions in a child's record or care plan respecting food and drink for the child are followed. [CCLR Sec.48(2)]

  Observation. Children with allergies have care plans posted in the kitchen area. However there is a lack of clarity regarding two care plans. Manager agreed to follow up on the following. Downstairs room One child has a care plan & an epipen. They bring their epipen to and from home to child care every day in their back pack. Staff have a routine of checking the back pack upon arrival each morning to ensure the epipen is present. The parents have stated on the care plan that an antihistamine is to be tried first upon exposure and if that does not work then use the epipen. I discussed this with staff, noting that the MHO and the language on the care plan is explicit - if a child has a diagnosed life threatening allergy to peanuts and a prescribed epipen then that is what is used upon exposure. Staff must apply the epipen upon symptoms. Staff cannot provide antihistamine and then wait it out to see if epipen is required (e.g. it will be too late if child's throat is closing over). Staff and Manager stated they would discuss this with the family and ensure that the care plan is updated with renewal of epipen. Upstairs room One family has completed the life threatening allergy form but noted the allergy to peanuts is "minor" and does not require an epipen. I spoke with staff and Manager, noting that that mild symptoms in the past does not necessarily mean mild symptoms in the future. The next exposure may cause an anaphylactic reaction. Requested that staff and Manager speak with family to clarify whether the child has a sensitivity or a diagnosed allergy to peanuts. If the child has an allergy then the family must follow the doctor's directive. Not having adequate medication on site puts the child and the staff at risk. I explained that having a peanut aware environment is not enough. Families provide lunches and snacks that might contain traces of peanut oil or some other peanut product that no one is aware of. Manager will contact CCFL after speaking with the family and gaining further clarification - is this an allergy or a sensitivity? If it is an allergy, then doctor prescribed medication must be available while the child is at daycare.

• 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. Overall the facility, furniture and equipment is clean and in good repair. Noted two exceptions - there is one fluorescent bulb that is flickering in the upstairs room and the entry mat is curled up (a tripping hazard). Manager stated that facilities for St. Francis Xavier is aware of the flickering tube and they anticipate the bulb will be replaced shortly. Manager stated she will ensure the mat is replaced asap.

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. A follow-up discussion occurred with the Manager with regards to having in place a means of restricting the size of the window openings. Licensing was informed that a mechanism will be installed to address this issue.

• 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. As observed during the June 25 2024 inspection, there is no means of restricting the size of window openings. This becomes a safety issue (fall hazard) for children when their licensed indoor spaces are not located on the ground level. The opening of one window measured 13.5 inches. Licensing observed two looped cords dangling from the television. They were addressed during the inspection. (Upstairs Program)

• 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 the wooden pergola has been stabilized in its placement. Licensing observed that the decaying wooden stumps are to be addressed as well as the fencing located around the skylight. While inspecting the fencing surrounding the mechanical unit and the skylight, Licensing observed vegetation growing in the area. Licensing recommends that the vegetation is removed so as to prevent any functioning issues from occurring.

• 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 approximately 2-3 inches depth of pooling water which spanned approximately 15 feet. It appeared that the drains are not functioning in the outside play space.

• 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 the following: * criminal record check clearances have been acquired for all the employees with exception to one * immunization status' have been collected for the employees * all ECE / ECE Assistant certificates for employees have not be verified via the on-line ECE Registry system - upon doing so, print and file their results Licensing requested that the Manager provide an updated Child Care Staff List demonstrating all the Educators who are employed in the child care facility.

• 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 no means of restricting the size of window openings. This becomes a safety issue (fall hazard) for children when their licensed indoor spaces are not located on the ground level.

• 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. A wooden pergola located adjacent to the sand play area is showing signs of some instability. When pushing against the structure, the pergola moved somewhat. Wooden stumps located around the garden patch are showing signs of decay / rot. Licensing observed wooden fencing / gate located around the building vent as being unstable and not secure.

• 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 the following: * criminal record check clearances are on-file for employees however they are copies of those issued to other organizations * immunization status' are not on-file for several employees * all ECE / ECE Assistant certificates for employees have not be verified via the on-line ECE Registry system

• NUTRITION AND FOOD SERVICES / NutritionNon-critical

  Instructions in a child's record or care plan respecting food and drink for the child are followed. [CCLR Sec.48(2)]

  Observation. Epipens and care plans are in place for those children requiring this. Epipens are stored in a safe but accessible manner. Noted that one child's epipen had expired as of November 2022. Staff stated the parent has informed staff the child might have outgrown their allergy. Stated that the centre must get this confirmed in writing from the parent and or doctor OR the epipen must be replaced and care plan updated. Staff and Manager stated they would speak to parent today. Noted another child's epipen expires in July 2023. Staff and Manager said they would remind the family.

• 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. Noted there were chips and scratches in the dry wall in both the upstairs and downstairs rooms. This was most notable in the two small nap rooms and downstairs along the wall to the washroom. Reviewed the need for routine maintenance, i.e. filling, sanding and touching up with fresh paint those areas that are damaged.

• 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. Inspected outdoor playground with Manager. Noted the fibar is in adequate supply. Fibar should be raked to ensure equal distribution, especially in high impact areas (e.g. bottom of slide). Some of the wood stumps have deteriorated to the point that they require replacement, especially on the south side of the sand pit. Highlighted this with Manager. Manager stated the parish is aware and has plans to complete this work.

• 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. See Opening Comments for description of morning program for both rooms. Manager confirmed the reason the children go to #109 first thing in the morning is for more experience with the Montessori materials, especially practical life, than what can be offered in the hour each room gets currently. Discussed the number of transitions and the impact on children and staff. Strongly recommended the morning be reconfigured to reduce the number of transitions - this will ease time pressures and the need to herd and move children repeatedly throughout the morning. Reducing the number of transitions will provide children and staff the opportunity to slow down and focus on being with each other & the materials. If the current flow on T/W/Th is based on a desire to offer more time with practical life materials, strongly recommended just one session in #109 but expanding it by say 15 minutes, for example instead of 10 to 11 & 11:15 to 12:15 > 9:45 to 11 and 11:15 to 12:30. Manager stated she would consider this and make changes to the routine. * Reminder that any changes must not reduce the required amount of outdoor / active play time as per the regulations and DOLSOP/ Active Play Standards. Noted the art work in the landing. There was a display of teacher cut out faces that children had glued the hair, clothing and earrings on. All images were white with Caucasian features with blonde hair and round eyes. Discussed the lack of images reflecting the children in care and the resulting impact on the child, especially given that the children are all of Asian descent. Manager said she would consider this in selecting materials in the future.

No violations recorded at this inspection.

No violations recorded at this inspection.