Northern Alberta Daycare Placed on Probation Following Safety Inspection
A licensed childcare facility in Cold Lake has been issued a probationary licence by the Alberta government after a regulatory inspection uncovered significant issues related to child supervision and the presence of unsafe toys and equipment.
Licence and Capacity Changes
The province announced on Friday that Happy House Daycare (South) has been given a probationary licence, which is set to expire on February 5. This action follows an earlier enforcement measure taken in August, when Child Care Licensing reduced the daycare's capacity from 310 spaces down to 286.
According to the facility's website, Happy House Daycare provides care for children between the ages of one and six years old.
Probation Requirements and Parental Notification
As a core condition of the probation, the daycare is legally required to notify all parents of attending children about its probationary status. Furthermore, the daycare must provide evidence to the Ministry of Education and Childcare that this notification has been successfully completed.
When contacted by Postmedia for comment, the daycare owner declined to discuss the specifics of the probation but affirmed that the facility is "following all rules put in place by the probation."
Potential Consequences and Options for Families
The provincial media release warned that more severe actions could be taken if the situation does not improve. These actions could include the cancellation of the daycare's licence if the level of risk continues or escalates. The Ministry also retains the authority to issue administrative penalties for any violations of provincial legislation or regulations.
For families who may be considering alternative childcare arrangements, the province advises contacting Child Care Connect at 1-844-644-5165 for information on other licensed programs in the area.
