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HAPPY TOTS PRESCHOOL & NURSERY

89 GORDON, HALIFAX · Food Establishment

Official record from Nova Scotia →

Inspection summary

HAPPY TOTS PRESCHOOL & NURSERY has been inspected 6 times by Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change (Food Safety Program) since May 17, 2024. The most recent inspection, on November 13, 2025, found no infractions.

3 of 6 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 2 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Cleaning and sanitizing.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded 4 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on November 7, 2025. For example: 19(1)(e) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following: (e) that there is effective protection to prevent the access and sheltering of insects, rodents and other pests.

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are the main way germs like norovirus move from people to food. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing hands when required, hair restraints, and sick employees being kept away from food. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded once on March 31, 2025. For example: 19(2)(b) A food establishment must provide all of the following in accordance with applicable legislation or as considered acceptable by the Administrator: (b) adequately designed and appropriately located hand-washing facilities;

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded once on May 17, 2024. For example: 29(3) A food establishment must provide facilities and equipment to implement the maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program and must identify in their program the cleaning and sanitizing agents used in the food establishment, including their concentration and uses.

About this data

These results come from Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change (Food Safety Program), which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

6 inspections

  1. Inspection

    0 infractions

  2. Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 19(1)(e) A food establishment must be located, designed, constructed and maintained to ensure all of the following: (e) that there is effective protection to prevent the access and sheltering of insects, rodents and other pests.
      • Fill hole in the lower kitchen cabinet in the main kitchen and in the senior preschool kitchenette.
    • 29(2)(b) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (b) insects, rodents and other pests are controlled;
      • Clean and sanitize interior of lower kitchen/kitchenette cabinets where a few rodent droppings were observed.
  3. Inspection

    0 infractions

  4. Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 19(2)(b) A food establishment must provide all of the following in accordance with applicable legislation or as considered acceptable by the Administrator: (b) adequately designed and appropriately located hand-washing facilities;
      • No hand soap available at the hand wash sink in the kitchenette in the junior preschool room. Hand soap was stocked at the hand wash sink at time of inspection.
    • 29(2)(b) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (b) insects, rodents and other pests are controlled;
      • Rodent droppings observed in the lower cabinets in the main kitchen and kitchenettes. Clean and sanitize lower cabinets and food equipment.
  5. Inspection

    0 infractions

  6. Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 29(2)(b) A maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program must include procedures to ensure that all of the following are done: (b) insects, rodents and other pests are controlled;
      • A few rodent droppings observed in the bottom cabinet next to the stove in the infant room kitchen and in the corner cabinet in the toddler room kitchenette. A sticky trap observed with cockroaches observed in the bottom cabinet by the stove in the infant room kitchen. Clean and sanitize areas affected by rodent droppings and remove sticky trap.
    • 29(3) A food establishment must provide facilities and equipment to implement the maintenance, cleaning and sanitation program and must identify in their program the cleaning and sanitizing agents used in the food establishment, including their concentration and uses.
      • Food grade surface sanitizer (bleach) measured too strong in the toddler room, pre-school room , and junior pre-school kitchenettes. Bleach sanitizer was diluted to 100ppm at time of inspection (mix 1/2 teaspoon of unscented household bleach per 1 litre of water).

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