Province issues probationary licence for Cold Lake childcare facility, reduces capacity

The Government of Alberta has issued a probationary licence for Cold Lake childcare facility Kiddie Cove Academy due to concerns regarding supervision and medication safety.

COLD LAKE - Another Cold Lake childcare facility is on probationary licence, according to the Government of Alberta. On July 16, the province released information stating a probationary licence had been issued for Kiddie Cove Academy in Cold Lake

"due to ongoing non-compliance with provincial standards, including inadequate supervision, unsafe medication administration practices and improper child guidance." Alberta Education and Childcare has put Kiddie Cove Academy on a probationary licence that will expire on Oct. 14, reads the media release. "Childcare Licensing is closely monitoring the program to ensure compliance with provincial standards.

A safety plan is in place to address appropriate supervision and child guidance practices." Because of safety concerns, Child Care Licensing already reduced capacity at Kiddie Cove Academy from 108 to 60 spaces in June. "The licence holder is required to notify all parents of the probationary status and must provide evidence of that notification to the Ministry of Education and Childcare," according to the Government of Alberta.

The provincial information further states, "If a licensed childcare program is unable to meet the standards set out by Alberta’s government, it can be subject to enforcement action, including suspension of its licence and issuance of a probationary licence. Further enforcement action, including cancellation of a licence, can occur if the level of risk continues or escalates. Education and Childcare may also issue administrative penalties for any violation of provincial legislation and regulations."

If the facility cannot return to compliance before Oct. 14, its licence will not be reinstated. In May, the province announced Happy House Daycare (South) in Cold Lake was on a probationary license until July 30. Capacity at that childcare facility had also been reduced.

Families looking for alternative child-care options can contact Childcare Connect at 1-844-644-5165 or use Childcare Search on Alberta.ca. More to come...