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Smart Start Learning Centre and Childcare - Middlecote

11 81 Middlecote Dr., Ajax ON L1T 0K3 · Child Care Inspections

Official record from Durham Region →

Inspection summary

Smart Start Learning Centre and Childcare - Middlecote has been inspected 4 times by Durham Region Health Department since November 1, 2024. The most recent inspection, on April 13, 2026, found no infractions.

1 of 4 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 4 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control and Protecting food from contamination.

Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their findings differently, so we group them by what they mean for the people in care. Higher-risk findings are the ones that could directly make someone sick, and they matter more here because young children, older adults and people who are unwell are more vulnerable to infection.

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Inspectors check that anything that has to be kept at a set temperature, such as chilled or hot food, or equipment like sterilizers, stays in its safe range and that accurate thermometers are on hand. With food, temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning.

    Recorded once on March 30, 2026. For example: Precautions in place to prevent scalding (less than 43°C/109.4°F hot water temperature)

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food and supplies are stored and handled: kept covered, off the floor, and away from anything that could contaminate them. Where food is served, raw meat must be kept away from ready-to-eat food, a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded once on November 1, 2024. For example: Sleeping equipment cleaned and disinfected as required, stored in sanitary manner, and designated for each child

  • Equipment and utensilsLower risk

    Equipment has to be made of cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked surface or worn part. They are generally lower risk but show how well the place is maintained.

    Recorded 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on March 30, 2026. For example: Toys, teaching materials, surfaces, equipment, and/or furniture maintained clean and in good repair

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

    Floors, walls and ceilings must be clean and in good repair, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate health risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.

    Recorded 3 times on November 1, 2024. For example: Floors, walls, ceilings, and other building fixtures maintained clean and in good repair

  • Other findingsLower risk

    Findings that do not fit the categories above, such as follow-ups that confirm an earlier violation was corrected, or requirements specific to this type of facility.

    Recorded 6 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on March 30, 2026. For example: Safety measures in place for all accessible electrical outlets

About this data

These results come from Durham Region Health Department, 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.

4 inspections

  1. Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  2. Routine

    4 infractions

    • Toys, teaching materials, surfaces, equipment, and/or furniture maintained clean and in good repair
      • Operator fail to maintain toys, teaching equipment, materials, surfaces, and/or furniture clean and/or in good repair
      • Operator must maintain toys, teaching equipment, materials, surfaces, and/or furniture clean and in good repair
    • Precautions in place to prevent scalding (less than 43°C/109.4°F hot water temperature)
      • Fail to ensure hot water temperature does not exceed 43°C/109.4°F
      • Operator must ensure hot water temperature does not exceed 43°C/109.4°F
    • Safety measures in place for all accessible electrical outlets
      • Fail to ensure safety measures are in place for all accessible electrical outlets
      • Operator must ensure safety measures are in place for all accessible electrical outlets
    • Outdoor playspace has no health and safety hazards (excluding play structure)
      • Fail to ensure no more than two bolt threads are exposed on fence/gate enclosure
      • Operator must ensure no more than two bolt threads are exposed on fence/gate enclosure
  3. Routine

    2 infractions

    • Toys, teaching materials, surfaces, equipment, and/or furniture maintained clean and in good repair
      • Operator fail to maintain toys, teaching equipment, materials, surfaces, and/or furniture clean and/or in good repair
      • Operator must maintain toys, teaching equipment, materials, surfaces, and/or furniture clean and in good repair
    • Outdoor playspace has no health and safety hazards (excluding play structure)
      • Fail to ensure no more than two bolt threads are exposed on fence/gate enclosure
      • Operator must ensure outdoor playspace is free from hazards
  4. Routine

    8 infractions

    • Sleeping equipment cleaned and disinfected as required, stored in sanitary manner, and designated for each child
      • Fail to ensure sleeping equipment stored in sanitary manner (e.g. not overlapping/touching)
      • Operator must ensure sleeping equipment stored in sanitary manner (e.g. not overlapping/touching)
    • Toys, teaching materials, surfaces, equipment, and/or furniture maintained clean and in good repair
      • Operator fail to maintain toys, teaching equipment, materials, surfaces, and/or furniture clean and/or in good repair
      • Operator must maintain toys, teaching equipment, materials, surfaces, and/or furniture clean and in good repair
    • Floors, walls, ceilings, and other building fixtures maintained clean and in good repair
      • Operator fail to maintain floors, walls, ceilings, or other building fixtures clean and in good repair
      • Operator must repair/replace damaged floors, walls, and/or ceilings
    • Appropriate cleaning and disinfectant solutions easily accessible in each program room
      • Fail to provide appropriate cleaning and disinfectant solutions in an easily accessible area in each program room
      • Operator must provide appropriate cleaning and disinfectant solutions in an easily accessible area in each program room
    • Reusable cloth towels laundered after each use
      • Fail to launder reusable cloth towels after each use
      • Operator must launder reusable cloth towels after each use
    • Diaper change procedures/toileting routine practiced as per Durham Region Health Department recommendations
      • Fail to follow proper diaper change/toileting procedures as per Durham Region Health Department recommendations
      • Operator must follow Durham Region Health Department recommendations for cloth diapering
    • Diaper change surface(s) cleaned and disinfected as per Durham Region Health Department recommendations
      • Fail to clean and disinfect diaper change surface(s) after each use and table surfaces, including the underside of the mat/pad daily
      • Operator must clean and disinfect diaper change surface(s) after each use and table surfaces, including the underside of the mat/pad daily
    • Outdoor playspace has no health and safety hazards (excluding play structure)
      • Fail to ensure no more than two bolt threads are exposed on fence/gate enclosure
      • Operator must ensure no more than two bolt threads are exposed on fence/gate enclosure

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