A downtown childcare provider is speaking out to set the record straight on being cited by the provincial government after two children found a discarded syringe buried in the ground on her property.
Happy Times Preschool received three citations concerning the incident several weeks ago.
Owner Gail Sullivan and her staff are horrified by what happened, and while she’s not downplaying the incident, she takes exception to the way in which it was cited.
The government website suggested that staff did not assess the children for injuries, and failure to do so delayed the opportunity for medical follow-up in a timely manner.
Sullivan says staff conduct a survey of the property every day before children go outside, and in this case, the needle was actually dug out of the ground by the children in question.
She says the children presented the needle to staff “laughing and giggling” and obviously not injured. “And it’s conjecture…on whoever wrote the violation at the department, that’s conjecture, ‘likely harmed’? that has huge implications.”
Sullivan says because of her location, she and staff are extra vigilant about potential hazards in the vicinity of the child care centre. She thanked RNC for the “awesome” work they’ve been doing in keeping a visible presence in the area and putting families and staff at ease.
