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.
Vineetha Susan Zachariah, RECE #168687
Facts: The RECE heated a cup of milk in a microwave and gave it to a 16-month-old without checking its temperature. The child put their hand into the cup, burned their fingers and started crying in pain. (The child later received medical care for second degree burns.)
The RECE did not administer proper first aid to the Child and did not immediately notify the Centre’s management of the Child’s injury. Instead, she put the Child on her lap and tried to console them. The RECE’s supervisor came into the room after hearing the child screaming and crying. The supervisor notified the Centre’s director, who came into the room and told the RECE how to administer first aid.
During the discipline case process, the RECE expressed regret for causing the child’s injury and for failing to provide adequate first aid.
Decision: The Committee decided that the RECE was guilty of professional misconduct, including failing to supervise a child and failing to maintain the standards of the profession. 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 felt that the RECE did not think about the steps needed to ensure the Child’s safety when using a microwave to heat milk for such a young child. Microwaves aren’t usually used to warm milk in child care programs because of this risk, and if they are staff should check the heated contents carefully.
The Committee also highlighted that when injuries happen, RECEs should be able to react quickly by applying first aid based on their training.
The Committee ordered an 8-month suspension; terms, conditions or limitations meant to improve the RECE’s practice, including mentorship; and a verbal reprimand.
The full decision can be found here, linked under the heading “Special Notices”.
Amari Alexis Austin, RECE #134001
Facts: The RECE took new toys from the storage room at the centre where she worked without permission. After being contacted by police, she returned toys to the centre. It was not clear whether or not all of the toys were returned.
Decision: The Committee decided that the RECE was guilty of professional misconduct, including failing to maintain the standards of the profession. 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 wrote that stealing from an employer is a clear breach of the Code of Ethics that are fundamental to the practice of early childhood education. The RECE’s actions did not show the respect, trust and integrity expected of members of this profession. This reflects poorly on the profession and undermines the public’s confidence and trust in RECEs.
The Committee ordered a 6-month suspension; terms, conditions or limitations meant to improve the RECE’s practice, including mentorship; and a verbal reprimand.
The full decision can be found here, linked under the heading “Special Notices”.
Evagelia Athanasopoulou, RECE #104472
Facts: The RECE was supervising, with an Educational Assistant, 7 preschool-aged children on the centre’s playground. Two 3-year-olds left through the playground gate and walked through the parking lot. A member of the public saw the children at the corner of a busy intersection, called 911 and returned them to the centre. The RECE and the EA didn’t realize the children had left the playground until they were returned, 10-15 minutes later.
This happened during the afternoon pick-up time, when the unlocked playground gate was frequently opened and closed by parents.
After the incident, the centre made changes, including “better positioning of educators so as to have full visibility at all times” and “updating of the lock system on the gates with bungee cords and screw-carabiners”.
During the discipline case process, the RECE said that the children had been trying to open the gate earlier and that she’d told them to move away and that the gate needed to stay closed. Also, the EA had been the designated supervisor for a child who needed enhanced supervision, and the EA had asked for the RECE’s support. The RECE believed the two children left through the gate while she was focused on the other child. Finally, she said that she was remorseful and had learned a lot since the incident, implementing new strategies in her daily practice to prevent another incident from happening.
Decision: The Committee decided that the RECE was guilty of professional misconduct, including failing to adequately supervise a child and failing to maintain the standards of the profession. 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 noticed that the RECE knew that the children could open the gate themselves, that the children had been playing with the gate, and that parents were coming and going at that time of day. She should have positioned herself in front of or close to the gate to be able to monitor and secure it. It is important to look carefully at environmental factors when supervising children and in setting policies and protocols.
The Committee also commented on the bungee-cord-and-carabiners solution the centre implemented. The Committee felt this was not ideal because those parts can be lost, be removed, or get worn out. The Committee expected RECEs to advocate for measures that are permanent and meet safety standards.
The Committee ordered a 6-month suspension; terms, conditions or limitations meant to improve the RECE’s practice, including mentorship; and a verbal reprimand.
The Committee appreciated that the consequences, which were proposed jointly by the RECE and the College, included mentorship. This gives the RECE an opportunity to reflect on the specific situations that come up in practice and to improve her practices going forward. These include both supervision issues, like the one that happened in this case and others, and the importance of being a strong advocate for good, safe practice in your workplace.
The full decision can be found here, linked under the heading “Special Notices”.
Eddiezel Obedoza Lazaro, RECE #42708
Facts: Between June 2022 and April 2023, the RECE was aggressive, forceful and/or demeaning to preschool-aged children she was supervising. Her conduct included:
- Not allowing children to go to the washroom when they were on the playground. She told them to relieve themselves in their Pull-Ups, which was against the Centre’s policy.
- Grabbing and dragging a child by their wrist, holding on for several minutes despite the child crying, screaming and resisting.
- Making physical contact with a child’s head and upper arm around nap time. The child felt pain and cried.
- Forcefully grabbing a child’s arm, twisting it behind their back, and pulling them off the floor. This happened when the child started crying during nap time. The child continued crying because of the RECE’s actions.
- Forcefully grabbed and pulled a child’s arm for 1-2 minutes while on an outdoor walk, even though the child cried and repeatedly resister her hold. The child had been holding another staff member’s hand.
There was not any evidence about marks, physical injuries or long-lasting emotional impact to the children.
Decision: The Committee decided that the RECE was guilty of professional misconduct, including physical abuse; psychological or emotional abuse of a child; and failing to maintain the standards of the profession. 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 said that the RECE showed a concerning lack of respect for children’s well-being and complete disregard for children as people. Her actions were developmentally inappropriate.
The Committee ordered a 12-month suspension; terms, conditions or limitations meant to improve the RECE’s practice, including courses and mentorship; and a verbal reprimand.
The Committee was concerned that multiple instances of abuse occurred. The Committee expressed that it is imperative that all staff follow centre policies and hold each other accountable to them.
The full decision can be found here, linked under the heading “Special Notices”.