Little Badger Early Learning Program

• C1.1 - Does the licensee continually inform licensing of any significant changes to the structure or operation of the facility?Critical

  Observation. The facility is transporting children in a vehicle regularly for off-site field trips effective April 2026. This is a change to the transportation policy for the facility that was not reported to Licensing. Licensing is required to be notified immediately when any change in the application file occurs to ensure the health and safety of children in care. This is a re-occurring contravention originally found out of compliance on November 14, 2025. Submit the revised transportation policy for review by June 3, 2026.

• C10.2 - Are children supervised, and are employee to children ratios maintained?Critical

  Observation. One of the Group Child Care (30 month to school age) programs does not meet the staffing requirements as per Schedule E of the Child Care Licensing Regulation. During the inspection the educator for the group was off-site on a field trip with some children leaving the assistant alone with the remaining children at the facility. One educator is required to be present with the children at all times for the Group Child Care (30 month to school age) program type. This includes when the group is separated due to field trips or outings to ensure the health and safety of children in care. A response is required by June 3, 2026 to outline how staffing will be maintained to meet the minimum standard as required.

• C2.1 - Are written policies and procedures in place to guide employees in all matters regarding the care and supervision of children?Non-critical

  Observation. The Group Child Care (Under 36 months) program does not have a record that each employee practiced implementing the fire drill in December 2025. This is a re-occurring contravention originally found out of compliance on November 14, 2025. Each employee must practice implementing the fire drill system at least once a month to be prepared in the event of an emergency. A response is required by June 3, 2026 to outline how fire drills will be monitored and practiced as required.

• C3.1 - Does the facility have sufficient employees who possess adequate training and experience to meet the care, supervision, and needs of the children?Non-critical

  Observation. Two employee files are incomplete. One file is missing; a cleared criminal record check, character references, a record of the person's work history, evidence the person has complied with the Province's immunization control program and certificate validation from the ECE Registry. Another file is missing evidence the person has complied with the Province's immunization control program and certificate validation from the ECE Registry. A person must not be employed until the manager has obtained the required records to ensure the person is suitable to work with children. A response is required by June 3, 2026 to confirm all employee files are complete. Children were observed participating in a music class field trip using the facility van. The employee taking the children in the vehicle to the class does not have a valid first aid certificate on file and is the only employee in the vehicle responsible for the children. It is required that children have immediate access at all times to an employee who holds a valid first aid and CPR certificate. A response is required by June 3, 2026 to outline how this risk will be mitigated.

• C9.1 - Are there plans and actions in place to ensure medications are stored and administered properly?Non-critical

  Observation. One child has an Epi-Pen at the facility and does not have any corresponding documentation to support the allergy on file. Any medication that may be administered at the facility requires permission from the parent/guardians as well as evidence the Licensee has agreed to administer the medication. A response is required by June 3, 2026 to confirm documentation has been received as required. The Epi-Pen for one child at the facility expired in December 2025. Expired life saving medication is not considered readily available and poses a risk to the health and safety of the child while in care. This is a re-occurring contravention originally found out of compliance on November 14, 2025. A response is required by June 3, 2026 to confirm the risk has been mitigated.

• C1.1 - Does the licensee continually inform licensing of any significant changes to the structure or operation of the facility?Critical

  Observation. The facility has conducted a floor plan change and moved the administration office into one of the previous program rooms. Licensing was not notified of the changes made as required. Due to the change: one Group Child Care (30 month to School Age) and one Preschool program both with a capacity of 8 children are not in operation at this time. It is the responsibility of the Licensee to inform Licensing immediately of any change to the information as provided in the application. A floor plan change notification is required to be submitted by November 25, 2025.

• C1.2 - Does the licensee operate the facility in a manner that will promote the health, safety and dignity of persons in care?Non-critical

  Observation. It was noted in one child's file by the parent that the child has an allergy that requires an Epi-Pen in the event of a reaction. The manager and employees at the facility at the time of the inspection did not know that the child had the allergy or any relevant information regarding the child's health. It is the responsibility of the Licensee to ensure all employees are aware of any identified health concerns to ensure the health and safety of children in care. A response is required by November 25, 2025 that outlines how the facility will operate in a manner that promotes the health and safety of children in care.

• C2.1 - Are written policies and procedures in place to guide employees in all matters regarding the care and supervision of children?Non-critical

  Observation. A review of facility records indicate that employees have not practiced implementing the fire drill system once a month. It was disclosed by the manager that the fire drills are occurring, however are not being recorded. The only record for 2025 was for the month of October to date. Current records indicating that each employee has practiced implementing the fire drill system once each month is required to ensure all employees are trained in the event of an emergency. A response is required by November 25, 2025 that outlines how fire drills will be conducted and recorded as required. A review of facility records indicate that employees have not practiced implementing the emergency plan in the past year. It was disclosed by the manager that the emergency plan was conducted, however was not recorded. This is a re-occurring contravention originally found out of compliance on April 18, 2023. Current records indicating that each employee have practiced implementing the emergency plan once each year is required to ensure all employees are trained in the event of an emergency. A response is required by November 25, 2025 that outlines how the emergency plan will be conducted and recorded as required.

• C4.1 - Are facility records current and complete?Non-critical

  Observation. Care plans for children at the facility are missing evidence that they have been reviewed in the past year. Evidence includes signatures from both the manager and parent along with the date it was reviewed. This is a reoccurring contravention originally found out of compliance on April 8, 2025. Care plans are required to be reviewed at minimum once per year to ensure the health and safety of children in care. A response is required by November 25, 2025 to confirm all care plans have been reviewed as required.

• C7.1 - Is the facility safe, sanitary, free from hazards, in good repair, and appropriate for the age and development of children?Non-critical

  Observation. A large fish tank was observed in one of the Group Child Care (30 month to School Age) programs. The tank is located in an open cabinet that is low to the ground at the children's level. The lid of the tank is not secured and was easily moved when touched. Where the fish tank is located, and how easy the lid of the tank was able to be moved poses a risk of drowning for children in care. A response is required by November 21, 2025 to outline how the risk has been mitigated. In one Group Child Care (30 month to School Age program) open electrical outlets on a power bar were observed to be accessible to the children. Open electrical outlets are hazardous and pose a risk of injury in children. A response is required by November 21, 2025 that outlines how the risk has been mitigated. Multiple spaces under and around the gates in the outdoor play areas have spaces that measure between 3.5 and 9 inches. An opening that measures between 3.5 and 9 inches poses a risk of entrapment for children. A response is required by November 25, 2025 that identifies how the risk has been mitigated. The bark mulch on the ground surrounding the large climber in the Group Child Care (30 month to School Age) program is not sufficient. In many areas the ground can be seen around the structure. Climbing structures require adequate protective surfacing to reduce the risk of injury in children. A response is required by November 25, 2025 to outline how the risk has been mitigated.

• C9.1 - Are there plans and actions in place to ensure medications are stored and administered properly?Non-critical

  Observation. Information was observed in one child's file that indicated the child had a allergy to peanuts and requires an Epi-Pen. The facility does not have the Epi-Pen on site or any corresponding information to support the use of the medication if required. The employees were not aware of the allergy and stated the facility is not peanut free. An identified allergy that may require an Epi-Pen requires the medication to be on site for the child at all times. Having life saving medication on site will ensure the health and safety of the child at all times. A response is required by November 20, 2025 that outlines how the risk has been mitigated.

• C2.1 - Are written policies and procedures in place to guide employees in all matters regarding the care and supervision of children?Non-critical

  Observation. The following contraventions related to policies and procedures were noted: 1) The licensee contact acknowledged that the facility lacked a supervision policy for staff. 2) Staff interviewed described different processes regarding non-reportable documentation and notifications and described inconsistent parental notification processes. A review of systems in place at the facility identified different methods of documentation which were inconsistent with the practices described by staff and the licensee contact. Some staff were unaware of the existence of a care plan for a child in care. Not having a supervision policy presents a potential risk to the health, safety and dignity of children in care. A failure to ensure that policies are implemented may present an increased risk to the health, safety and dignity of children in care. 1) The policy concerns had previously been articulated to the licensee and an approved supervision policy has been reviewed and is in place. The licensee also provided this information via email on May 22, 2025 and a copy of it has been retained on file. 2) The licensee has also provided an appropriate compliance plan addressing staff understanding of policies and procedures.

• C4.1 - Are facility records current and complete?Non-critical

  Observation. A review of facility children in care care plans lacked confirmations that the plan was developed in consultation with the parent or reviewed on an annual basis as required. Required signatures and dates were missing from the documentation. Inadequate care plan documentation may present an increased risk to the health, safety and dignity of children in care. This concern had previously been articulated and the licensee contact provided an appropriate compliance plan on May 22, 2025 addressing staff understanding of care planning, as well as a revised care plan template which has been implemented.

No violations recorded at this inspection.

• C3.2 - Are persons qualified and appropriately replaced?Critical

  Observation. A certificate was not verified by the licensee using a system established and maintained by the director of the early childhood educator registry.

• C7.1 - Is the facility safe, sanitary, free from hazards, in good repair, and appropriate for the age and development of children?Non-critical

  Observation. Several daily play space inspections were not completed.

• C3.1 - Does the facility have sufficient employees who possess adequate training and experience to meet the care, supervision, and needs of the children?Non-critical

  Observation. One staff member had no staff records to review. One staff file was missing a criminal record check.

• C2.1 - Are written policies and procedures in place to guide employees in all matters regarding the care and supervision of children?Non-critical

  Observation. There was no record of employees implementing the emergency plan in the last year.

• C4.1 - Are facility records current and complete?Non-critical

  Observation. Facility does not have a log of minor accidents, illnesses and unexpected events. Attendance records do not accurately reflect the program children are attending.

• C7.1 - Is the facility safe, sanitary, free from hazards, in good repair, and appropriate for the age and development of children?Non-critical

  Observation. The change table has a crack in the plastic with a sharp edge which could pose harm for children's fingers. The diaper mat has holes in it making it difficult to clean and sanitize properly after each use.

• C2.1 - Are written policies and procedures in place to guide employees in all matters regarding the care and supervision of children?Non-critical

  Observation. A review of the facilities records indicates four months of missed fire drill practices.

No violations recorded at this inspection.

• C6.1 - Are acceptable hygiene practices maintained?Non-critical

  Observation. The soiled diapers are placed in an uncovered bin accessible to children.

• C4.1 - Are facility records current and complete?Non-critical

  Observation. Attendance records do not accurately reflect the program children are attending. There were no daily, monthly, or annual inspection logs being completed for the outdoor play space.

• C3.1 - Does the facility have sufficient employees who possess adequate training and experience to meet the care, supervision, and needs of the children?Non-critical

  Observation. Some staff files were missing immunization and reference checks. Some staff files are missing criminal record checks.

• C7.1 - Is the facility safe, sanitary, free from hazards, in good repair, and appropriate for the age and development of children?Non-critical

  Observation. The diaper mat is slip, exposing the foam, and making it difficult to clean and sanitize after each use.