Daycare in Spruce Grove issued probationary licence days after alleged assaults

The Little Stars Montessori Early Learning Center sign in Spruce Grove on Thursday, March 13, 2025. (Nav Sangha/CTV News Edmonton)

A daycare at the centre of a police investigation was issued a probationary licence days after alleged assaults on children took place.

RCMP said at least four children were allegedly assaulted at the Little Stars Montessori Early Learning Centre in Spruce Grove on Feb. 19.

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According to the Alberta government’s child care lookup, four non-compliances were identified as part of an inspection and 10 non-compliances as a result of a complaint investigation on Feb. 24.

Some of the non-compliances identified include denying or threatening to deny any basic necessity, use of physical restraint, confinement or isolation.

Other areas of non-compliance included the “manner of feeding appropriate to age and level of development”, incident reporting and staffing levels.

“Alberta’s government intervenes as quickly as possible to address potential health and safety risks identified in child care settings,” said Matt Jones, Alberta’s jobs, economy and trades minister.

He said a risk assessment matrix is used to determine the degree of risk posed to the health, well-being and safety of children.

“Child care licensing staff are authorized to take enforcement action and the department works with the licensed child care program to bring them back into compliance,” Jones said.

It could mean enhanced monitoring, visits, action plans and referrals to external partners.

“Alberta’s government has put the program on a probationary licence and removed their ability to care for infants. Licensing staff are closely monitoring the program,” said Jones.

According to the Alberta Child Care Licensing Handbook, “When a licence is suspended, a probationary licence is issued in its place.”

“During the term of the probationary licence, all identified non-compliances must be remedies in order for the suspended licence to be reinstated,” the document continued.

Late Thursday afternoon the CEO of Little Stars Montessori Early Learning Centre issued a statement to CTV News Edmonton.

“The staff that was involved in mishandling children were terminated immediately,” said Razia Qarni, CEO.

“We changed our policies on child safety right away and I brought my managing director in to supervise everything.”

She went on to apologize for “not being aware of this mishandling” and said “I assure you all children are safe here.”