Yellowknife’s Garderie Plein Soleil daycare says it has suspended three employees over allegations of misconduct, at least some of which involve children in the organization’s care.
In a letter to parents this week, daycare executive director Marlene Gravel said in French that Garderie Plein Soleil is “receiving legal advice and investigating these incidents,” which she said had been reported to the authorities.
Gravel said the daycare’s policies are being reviewed.
Documents related to the investigation seen by Cabin Radio suggest one allegation involves the apparent shaking of a child, while another relates to a member of staff reportedly being seen to force-feed a child until they vomited.
So far, neither of those allegations is understood to have been proven. Who made the allegations is not clear, nor the nature of the evidence available.
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Eva Bellavance, vice-president of Garderie Plein Soleil’s board of directors, told Cabin Radio she could neither confirm nor deny the detail of any allegations “as it could have repercussions on the ongoing investigation.”
“For reasons of confidentiality and out of respect for the individuals involved, we cannot share any details about the situation at the moment. However, we can reassure you and the community and the parents that the daycare is adherent in its internal policies and all applicable legal requirements,” Bellavance said in a Thursday afternoon interview.
When the incidents in question took place is not clear. The daycare said three incidents took place shortly before Christmas and an investigation began at that point, though documents seen by Cabin Radio suggest some concerns date back as far as 2024.
Bellavance said the employees involved were suspended with pay once an investigation began. She called the suspensions “a preventive administrative measure used when facts need to be examined.”
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“It does not constitute a conclusion or a judgment. It’s really to sit down, get all the facts, see what is going on and move forward,” she said.
Acknowledging that parents whose children attend the facility would be concerned, Bellavance said: “The safety of the children is the number-one thing at the moment.”
She said a timeline for further action and updates to parents was not yet clear.
“The process is under way and it’s being carried out with seriousness and diligence, in concordance with established procedures,” she said.
In a statement issued after this article was first published, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment said it became aware of the alleged incidents and the suspensions on December 18.
“ECE is currently gathering information to determine whether an investigation related to legislative non-compliance is required,” the department stated.
“Licensed centre-based early learning and child care facilities are operated by non-profit organizations, Indigenous Governments, and Education bodies. Human resource matters are internal and not governed by GNWT Early Learning and Child Care legislation.
“ECE does not comment publicly on the details of complaint investigations in licensed early learning and child care programs.”
