Thursday, April 21, 2016

Licensing Visit Report

All licensed day home agencies in Alberta must follow the regulations set out in the Family Day Home Standards Manual of Alberta (http://humanservices.alberta.ca/documents/family-day-home-standards-manual.pdf). Each agency then implements their own standards to go above and beyond these minimum regulations. Hemel House plans regulations based on Accreditation Standards (http://humanservices.alberta.ca/documents/accreditation-standards.pdf), input from our early childhood educators and families, and the Family Day Home Standards Manual of Alberta to ensure we implement best practices.

On January 7, 2016 Child and Family Services completed a review of one of the Hemel House contracted family day home providers as required in Standard 1 of the Manual. As a result of the review, it was identified that this provider was compliant with the provincial standards for the family day home program.

                                                ______________________________________

On January 14, 2016 Child and Family Services completed a review of one of the Hemel House contracted family day home providers as required in Standard 1 of the Manual. As a result of the review, it was identified that this provider was non-compliant with:

Standard 4B: Furnishings and Equipment
Diapering arrangements ensure:
·         A change table or individual change pads are provided for each child; and
·         Children are diapered in a location that allows for supervision of other children.
**One change pad was being used to diaper all 3 children, which is acceptable as long as the change pad is being thoroughly disinfected between each use. The provider was using wipes to disinfect the change pad between each use, these are not an approved method of disinfecting.

Standard 7: Child Care Program
The family day home provider plans and implements a daily program that:
·         Includes both indoor and outdoor activities;
·         Is made available to parents and is readily available;
·         Is adapted to meet the needs and abilities of children with special needs; and
·         Ensures children’s developmental needs are met, including emotional, physical, intellectual and creative/social.
**There were not indoor or outdoor activities planned and posted for the day the visit occurred.

Standard 10B: Home and Safety
The Provider:
·         Has a written emergency plan for evacuation procedures;
·         Practices fire drills monthly;
·         Has a working telephone and knows the procedures for calling for help;
·         Keeps medications and vitamins under lock and key;
·         All chemicals, alcohol, personal care products and cleaning products are inaccessible to children; and
·         Has telephone numbers for emergency services readily accessible.
**Personal care products and cleaners were accessible to children.

Standard 12: Meals and Snacks
Providers serve meals and snacks at appropriate times, in sufficient quantities and in accordance with each child’s needs including allergies and special diets.
·         Meals and snacks are in accordance with food guide recognized by Health Canada.
·         Menus are made available daily to parents or home visitors/consultants;
·         Manner in which children are fed is appropriate to age and level of development;
·         Children are seated while eating and drinking;
·         No beverages given to napping children; and
·         Parent of infants must supply infant food (including special dietary requirements).
**The menu was not complete and posted for the day of the visit and the previous day.

Hemel House Child Care Consultants conducted follow-up visits on January 25, 26 and 27th. During these visits:
  • The diaper changing routine was reviewed with the provider; reviewed sanitizing that needs to occur after with the proper bleach and water solution. Observed a bottle filled with bleach solution near the change pad but out of reach of the children.
  • Reviewed the importance of outdoor play and assisted the provider in creating a daily program for 2 weeks which clearly details both indoor and outdoor activities. The provider came up with a list of 10 activities that are indoor alternatives for gross motor play if weather does not permit outdoor play.
  • Provided training materials on gross motor and outdoor play (CCCF articles; Outdoor play environments; Child at play in the great outdoors; Exploring nature with children; Moving and growing; Bringing back physical activities play in childhood)
  • On February 1st, Hemel House provided a Professional Development training meeting on Gross Motor, which the provider attended.
  • Child safety locks and latches were replaced, personal care and cleaning products were moved and stored according to the Hemel House Safety Storage List.

                                               ______________________________________

On January 21, 2016 Child and Family Services completed a review of one of the Hemel House contracted family day home providers as required in Standard 1 of the Manual. As a result of the review, it was identified that this provider was non-compliant with:

Standard 5: Transportation and Outings
Providers have written permission from the parents to transport their children. Parents are advised in writing of any outings the provider plans for a child, including transportation and supervision arrangements.
**Prior written consent was not on file for an offsite program event. Supervision plans were not complete for neighbourhood walks/parks.

On February 4th completed Field Trip forms and offsite consents were submitted to Hemel House. The Hemel House Child Care Consultant visited on February 8th, during this visit:
  • Outings and field trip policies were reviewed with the provider.
  •  Supervision plans were created to indicate difference in supervision requirements based on the location of the field trip.
                                               ______________________________________


On January 28th, 2016 Child and Family Services completed a review of the Agency as required in Standard 1 of the Manual. As a result of the review, it was identified that Hemel House Child Care Services Ltd. was compliant with the provincial standards for the family day home program.