The Discipline Committee makes decisions in cases where an RECE is accused of professional misconduct and/or incompetence by the Complaints Committee after an investigation.
The College is required to publish summaries of all Discipline Committee decisions. We are also required to publish 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.
Nadia Rahman, RECE #29500
Facts: The RECE and two other staff members were responsible for a group of toddlers. When one child bit another child on the stomach, another staff member spoke with the biting child about their behaviour. While this was happening, the RECE placed her hands on the child’s face and slapped them on the cheek, causing them to cry. Other children were nearby when this happened. The RECE then hugged the child and rubbed their cheek. Another staff member applied ice and comforted them.
Decision: The Committee decided that the RECE was guilty of professional misconduct, including physically and psychologically or emotionally abusing a child and failing to maintain the standards of the profession. They also decided that she was guilty of acting in a way that other RECEs would find disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional and that is unbecoming an RECE.
The Committee ordered a 7-month suspension; terms, conditions or limitations meant to improve the RECE’s practice; a verbal reprimand; and that the RECE repay $1,000 of the College’s costs.
The Committee wrote that the Code of Ethics requires RECEs to make the well-being, learning, and care of children their highest responsibility. It also requires them to value the rights of all children and to create learning environments where all children can experience a sense of belonging and inclusion.
The full decision can be found here, linked under the heading “Special Notices”.
Amandeep Kaur, RECE # 169247
Facts: While the RECE was solely responsible for supervising a group of preschool-aged children, she repeatedly grabbed and pulled a two-year-old by the arm and wrist and forcibly restrained them as they tried to resist her. This lasted for several minutes and took place where other children could see.
Decision: The Committee decided that the RECE was guilty of professional misconduct, including physically abusing a child and failing to maintain the standards of the profession. They also decided that she was guilty of acting in a way that other RECEs would find disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional and that is unbecoming an RECE.
The Committee ordered a 10-month suspension; terms, conditions or limitations meant to improve the RECE’s practice; a verbal reprimand; and that the RECE repay $1,000 of the College’s costs.
This incident happened on the RECE’s second day of practice as an RECE. The Committee said that being new to practice does not excuse a failure to know and follow the Standards of Practice. It also does not it excuse abusive conduct.
The full decision can be found here, linked under the heading “Special Notices”.
Yasamin Njem Al-Jumaili, RECE #109223
Decision: The Prosecutor requested permission to withdraw the accusations of misconduct that had been made against the RECE. The RECE neither admitted nor denied the accusations against her. The Prosecutor explained that the RECE had entered into an Undertaking that required her to complete two courses, to participate in mentorship, and to complete a written reflection on how the coursework and mentorship will impact her future practice. The RECE had already fulfilled all of the requirements of the Undertaking.
The Committee agreed that it was appropriate to withdraw the accusations in this case because the RECE had completed the same remedial steps that are usually required if an RECE were found guilty of the kinds of accusations that had been made against her.
The full decision can be found here, linked under the heading “Special Notices”.
Amanda Lee Young, RECE # 03663
Facts: The RECE was a supervisor. Her staff reported to her on multiple occasions that one of the RECEs in the centre was tying children to chairs. The RECE failed to:
- take adequate steps to prevent abusive conduct from re-occurring and/or to ensure the safety and well-being of children
- document the concerns reported to her
- report the concerns to the Children’s Aid Society or the Ministry of Education
- instruct the staff who shared their concerns to report directly to the Children’s Aid Society themselves
Decision: The Committee decided that the RECE was guilty of professional misconduct, including failing to adequately supervise a child, failing to maintain the standards of the profession, and contravening a law in a way that put children at risk. The Committee also decided that she was guilty of acting in a way that other RECEs would find disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional, of acting in a way that is unbecoming an RECE, and of failing to keep required records.
The Committee ordered a 3-month suspension; terms, conditions or limitations meant to improve the RECE’s practice; a reprimand; and that the RECE repay $1,000 of the College’s costs.
The Committee said that because the RECE was working in a supervisory role and did not remind her staff of their duty to report suspicions of abuse, she failed to provide adequate supervision and guidance to staff.
The full decision can be found here, linked under the heading “Special Notices”.
Nathalie St-Onge, RECE #12888
Facts: For a period of about 3.5 years, the RECE forged board members’ signatures to issue cheques to herself and misused her employer’s credit card to withdraw advances for herself. She fraudulently obtained about $100,000 from her employer. The RECE also gave false and/or misleading financial information to the board of directors and her employer’s accountants to try to hide her fraud.
The RECE previously pleaded guilty in criminal court to a charge of fraud over $5000. She received a 12-month conditional sentence.
Decision: The Committee decided that the RECE was guilty of professional misconduct, including failing to maintain the standards of the profession, providing false and misleading financial information, and contravening a law related to her suitability to practise as an RECE. The Committee also decided that she was guilty of acting in a way that other RECEs would find disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional and that is unbecoming an RECE.
The Committee ordered that the RECE’s certificate of registration be revoked; a reprimand; and that the RECE repay $1,000 of the College’s costs.
The Committee identified the Member’s conduct as a breach of trust and highlighted that it showed a lack of integrity.
The full decision can be found here, linked under the heading “Special Notices”.
Nicole Cherise Archibald, RECE # 140318
Facts: On multiple occasions over a period of six months, the RECE kissed preschool-aged children on their faces and/or asked children to kiss her on the face. On one occasion, she lay down next to a child, placed a blanket over both their heads and then kissed the child. On another occasion, she recorded a video of her kissing a child and permitting the child to kiss and lick her face. This behaviour went on for several months despite management directing her to stop.
Decision: The Committee decided that the RECE was guilty of professional misconduct, including failing to maintain the standards of the profession. They also decided that she was guilty of acting in a way that other RECEs would find disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional and that is unbecoming an RECE.
The Committee ordered a 5-month suspension; terms, conditions or limitations meant to improve the RECE’s practice; a reprimand; and that the RECE repay $1,000 of the College’s costs.
The Committee said the RECE’s conduct was not only a violation of the standards of the profession. It also showed a lack of regard for the potential effect on the children’s wellbeing and ability to understand appropriate boundaries with adults in the future.
The full decision can be found here, linked under the heading “Special Notices”.
Alexandria Alberta Haines, RECE # 118442
Facts: The RECE and another staff member grabbed a toddler off the floor and aggressively put them in a chair where the child was isolated in a “time out” for approximately 40 minutes. This happened in the presence of other children. The RECE also pushed the child on the forehead, causing their head to abruptly move backward. The other staff member tied a scarf around the child’s head covering their face. When the child removed the scarf and threw it on the floor, the other staff member re-tied it as the RECE stood by watching.
Decision: The Committee decided that the RECE was guilty of professional misconduct, including physically and psychologically or emotionally abusing a child and failing to maintain the standards of the profession. They also decided that she was guilty of acting in a way that other RECEs would find disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional and that is unbecoming an RECE.
The Committee ordered a 14-month suspension; terms, conditions or limitations meant to improve the RECE’s practice; a reprimand; and that the RECE repay $1,000 of the College’s costs.
The Committee said that the RECE enabled the abuse by another staff member and did nothing to intervene as the abuse continued, in addition to breaching the professional standards by physically and psychologically or emotionally abusing a child herself.
The full decision can be found here, linked under the heading “Special Notices”.