Concerns over cockroaches and rats hit Calgary nursery – Calgary GeoTv News

A parent who sent emails but did not want their names used was not satisfied with the response. I went to the AHS website for more information. That's when he learned the daycare was closed on Feb. 7 because of a long list of health violations.

The closure notice said live and dead cockroaches were found in the kitchen's food preparation areas, including the walls, under the sink and in the refrigerator. The report also stated that dead cockroaches were observed in a kitchen cabinet and drawers.

According to the report, rat droppings were found throughout the facility — on the carpet, near the sleeping area and near the play kitchen.

“Rat droppings came into contact with children's toys and personal belongings, including bite marks and droppings observed on foam toys in children's rooms,” the report said. “There was no food safe disinfectant in the kitchen. Pine and vinegar were used as disinfectants.

The report found that kitchen equipment and surfaces were dirty, a probe thermometer in the kitchen was broken and staff lacked food safety knowledge.

An AHS spokesperson also explained that the nursery will remain closed until appropriate pest abatement strategies and thorough cleaning are implemented and re-inspected.

“To date, no illnesses have been reported related to this investigation,” the spokeswoman said in an email.

An email sent to parents from the daycare center on Friday said AHS was satisfied with the deep cleaning that was done. AHS has another trip scheduled for Saturday.

Global News reached out to Sun Valley Kids Academy but did not receive a response.

A mother who spoke to Global News was surprised that she had not received information from the daycare about why it was ordered to close.

“They weren't completely honest about what happened. First, it seemed like a voluntary shutdown to fight infection.

One Calgary parent said it's saddening — it follows last year's E. coli outbreak at Calgary day care centers that required hospitalization of children.

“Our facility assured us that their cleanliness standards were adequate and they increased them to make sure nothing like this happened at our facility. So to see the cockroaches in the kitchen and most of the faeces in the facility shows that they have not really done anything,” he said. Even the minimum.

The preschool has scheduled a parent-teacher conference for Tuesday.

The order states that the owner has the right to appeal the decision by filing a notice of appeal within 10 days of receiving the order.