The Government of Alberta has issued a probationary licence to a daycare in Cold Lake, Alta., due to ongoing non-compliance with provincial standards. Reports on non-compliance at Kiddie Cove Academy include inadequate supervision, unsafe medication administration practices, and improper child guidance. Significant safety concerns regarding supervision have also prompted Child Care Licensing to reduce capacity at the daycare from 108 spaces to 60 spaces in June. The probationary licence will expire on Oct. 14. If the daycare is unable to comply with standards before the end of the probationary period, its licence will not be reinstated. Child Care Licensing is monitoring the daycare to ensure compliance and a safety plan is in place to address appropriate supervision and child guidance practices. If further enforcement is required, the province can issue a licence cancellation if the level of risk persists or escalates. Administrative penalties may also be issued. Kiddie Cove Academy is required to notify all parents of the probation and must provide evidence that notification was sent to the Ministry of Education and Childcare. Families looking for alternative child-care arrangements can contact Childcare Connect at 1-844-644-5165 or use Childcare Search on Alberta.ca. Cold Lake is about 240 kilometres northeast of Edmonton.
