The Discipline Committee makes decisions in cases where an RECE has been accused of professional misconduct and/or incompetence by the Complaints Committee following investigation.
The College is required to publish summaries of cases where Discipline Committee has decided the RECE is guilty of professional misconduct or incompetence. These summaries are posted on our blog.
We are also required to publish the full written decisions from Discipline cases, which can be found on the Hearings Office’s website and on CanLII, the Canadian Legal Information Institute’s website.
Mahnaz Mona Ghavidel, RECE # 70182
Facts: The Member pinched the cheek of a two-year-old child under her supervision, causing them to cry out. She then aggressively removed the child from their chair and forcibly carried them to the washroom. She brought the child back into the classroom, placed them on a cot and covered their entire body, including their head, with a blanket. The child suffered a bruise to their cheek that remained visible the following day. After the incident, the member prepared a misleading accident report. She falsely claimed the child’s bruise was caused by hitting their head against the lunch table. She also claimed she provided first aid to the child, even though she did not.
Findings: The Committee decided that the Member was guilty of professional misconduct under Ontario Regulation 223/08, including physically abusing a child who was under her professional supervision; psychologically or emotionally abusing a child who was under her professional supervision; failing to maintain the standards of the profession; acting or failing to act in a manner that, having regard to the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional; signing or issuing, in the member’s professional capacity, a document that the member knows or ought to know contains a false, improper or misleading statement; falsifying a record relating to the member’s professional responsibilities; and acting in a manner that is unbecoming of a member.
In addition to the Member’s acts of physical and emotional abuse toward a toddler, the Panel was struck by her deliberate attempt to hide her conduct by writing a false and misleading incident report. Members are expected to be honest and accurate in their documentation.
Penalty:
The Committee ordered the following penalty and costs:
- The Member’s certificate of registration was suspended for at least 11 months.
- Terms, conditions and limitations were imposed on the Member’s certificate of registration.
- The Member must appear before the Discipline Committee to be reprimanded.
- The Member will pay costs to the College in the amount of $1,000.
The full decision can be found here, linked under the heading “Special Notices”.
Morgan McGlashan, RECE # 139365
Facts: The Member and a non-RECE staff member were supervising a group of preschool-aged children, including a non-speaking Autistic child. The Member stood with her back to the children for a period of time. She did not notice that Autistic child ingested an unknown amount of Tylenol Extra Strength capsules they found in the non-RECE staff member’s bag. This was discovered when the child’s mother picked them up at the end of the day. The child was rushed to the hospital where they stayed for two days because of acetaminophen toxicity.
Findings: The Committee decided that the Member was guilty of professional misconduct under Ontario Regulation 223/08, including failing to supervise adequately a person who was under her professional supervision; failing to maintain the standards of the profession; acting or failing to act in a manner that, having regard to the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional; and acting in a manner that is unbecoming of a member.
The Panel highlighted that the failure of RECEs to provide adequate supervision, even for a brief moment, can result in serious and tragic consequences for children and families. RECEs must be diligent and demonstrate insight into their ability to provide appropriate care and supervision for children under their care, especially those with special needs.
Penalty:
The Committee ordered the following penalty and costs:
- The Member’s certificate of registration was suspended for at least six months.
- Terms, conditions and limitations were imposed on the Member’s certificate of registration.
- The Member must appear before the Discipline Committee to be reprimanded.
- The Member will pay costs to the College in the amount of $1,000.
The full decision can be found here, linked under the heading “Special Notices”.
Claudia Zyman, RECE # 114557
Facts: During a period of approximately two weeks and in eight separate acts, the Member acted aggressively, forcefully or in a demeaning manner toward preschool-aged children in her care. This included:
- grabbing, yanking, pulling and dragging children by their limbs and appendages;
- refusing to allow a child to change out of their wet swimsuit;
- forcing a child onto a cot and covering their entire body and head with a weighted blanket;
- tapping a child’s head with a clipboard; and
- forcefully putting rain gear on a child against their wishes.
Several of the children showed signs of emotional upset and resistance toward the Member’s actions.
Findings: The Committee decided that the Member was guilty of professional misconduct under Ontario Regulation 223/08, including physically abusing a child who was under her professional supervision; psychologically or emotionally abusing a child who was under her professional supervision; failing to maintain the standards of the profession; acting or failing to act in a manner that, having regard to the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional; and acting in a manner that is unbecoming of a member.
The Panel stressed that RECEs are held to a high standard, and even one incident of abuse is harmful to children and the families that put their trust in RECEs. It can also damage the reputation of the profession. In this case, the member committed multiple incidents of abuse.
The Panel wants to send a strong message to members that physical and emotional abuse will not be condoned. RECEs have obligations to treat all children with respect and dignity and to create environments where all children can safely experience a sense of belonging and inclusion so they can thrive.
Penalty:
The Committee ordered the following penalty and costs:
- The Member’s certificate of registration was suspended for at least 14 months.
- Terms, conditions and limitations were imposed on the Member’s certificate of registration.
- The Member must appear before the Discipline Committee to be reprimanded.
- The Member will pay costs to the College in the amount of $1,000.
The full decision can be found here, linked under the heading “Special Notices”.
Christopher Bruce Wilson, RECE # 16280
Facts: While transitioning a group of school-aged children between two physical locations, the Member failed to notice that a four-year-old child left the group and walked away with an unknown adult and child. An early childhood assistant noticed the four-year-old child was missing and informed the Member. The Member found the child walking back toward the school with the unknown adult. The child was unsupervised for approximately 15 minutes.
Findings: The Committee decided that the Member was guilty of professional misconduct under Ontario Regulation 223/08, including failing to supervise adequately a person who was under his professional supervision; failing to maintain the standards of the profession; acting or failing to act in a manner that, having regard to the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional; failing to keep records as required by his professional duties; and acting in a manner that is unbecoming of a member.
This Panel felt that the Member’s failure to provide proper supervision was particularly concerning because extra vigilance is needed during transitions. Although the Member was working alongside an early childhood assistant, this did not diminish his own professional responsibility.
Penalty:
The Committee ordered the following penalty and costs:
- The Member’s certificate of registration was suspended for at least nine months.
- Terms, conditions and limitations were imposed on the Member’s certificate of registration.
- The Member must appear before the Discipline Committee to be reprimanded.
- The Member will pay costs to the College in the amount of $1,000.
The full decision can be found here, linked under the heading “Special Notices”.