A Calgary daycare center has been closed due to an infestation of cockroaches and mice

Cockroaches and mouse droppings were found at a daycare in southwest Calgary, prompting health officials to close it.

Sun Valley Kids Academy and Montessori was temporarily closed Wednesday to deal with 21 violations of various acts, including the Public Health Act, found during a recent Alberta Health Services (AHS) inspection.

AHS says in an email to CityNews that a member of the community filed a complaint against the facility and brought it in for inspection.

“This inspection revealed significant mice and cockroach infestation and general unsanitary conditions in the nursery,” said AHS spokeswoman Diana Rinne.

The facility was closed on February 6 for “immediate action” at the kindergarten and was closed by official notice on February 8.

The reporting On the AHS website, inspectors say the current conditions “may be harmful or dangerous to public health.”

Among the items found were several live and dead cockroaches in the kitchen food preparation area, including the refrigerator and under the sink.

AHS says mouse droppings were observed throughout the facility, including on the carpet near the sleeping area, near the play kitchen, near the diaper closet in the big kids' room and around the closet “near and near the hand wash sink in the preschool room.” children's baskets in the nursery room.

“Mouse droppings were on children's toys and personal belongings, including bite marks and droppings on foam toys in the children's room,” the report said.

The extensive list of violations also included a lack of hand soap at the kitchen sink, food-safe sanitizer, broken or damaged or missing equipment, and dirty equipment and surfaces where the facility was cited as “staff indicated that food was missing.” safety education”.

“This facility will remain closed pending appropriate pest abatement strategies and thorough cleaning and disinfection by the daycare operator and a re-inspection by AHS. So far, no illness has been reported related to this investigation.”

The 24 tasks the facility must complete include “eliminating cockroach and mouse infestations” and getting a pest control operator to create a monthly pest control plan.

CityNews has reached out to Sun Valley Kids Montessori for comment.