Cynthia Skinner
Certificate of Registration Number: 08675

It is alleged that Cynthia Skinner is guilty of professional misconduct as defined in subsection 33(2) of the Early Childhood Educators Act, 2007, in that:

(a) she abused physically, sexually, verbally, psychologically or emotionally a child who was under her professional supervision, contrary to Ontario Regulation 223/08, subsection 2(3) and Standard V.A.1. of the College’s Standards of Practice;

(b) she failed to maintain the standards of the profession, contrary to Ontario Regulation 223/08, subsection 2(8), in that:

(ii) she failed to provide a nurturing learning environment where children thrived, contrary to Standard I.D of the College’s Standards of Practice;

(iii) she failed to establish professional and caring relationships with children, contrary to Standard I.E of the College’s Standards of Practice;

(iv) she failed to maintain a safe and healthy learning environment, contrary to Standard III.A.1 of the College’s Standards of Practice; and

(v) she failed to work collaboratively with colleagues in the workplace in order to provide a safe, secure, healthy and inviting environment for children and/or failed to support and encourage co-workers in order to enhance the culture of her workplace, contrary to Standard IV.C.1 of the College’s Standards of Practice; and

(c)  she acted in a manner that, having regard to the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional, contrary to Ontario Regulation 223/08, subsection 2(10).

James Mallais

Certificate of Registration Number: 04063 

(a)    he abused physically, sexually, verbally, psychologically or emotionally children who were under his professional supervision, namely Child A, Child B, Child C and Child D, contrary to Ontario Regulation 223/08, subsection 2(3);

(b)    he failed to maintain the standards of the profession, contrary to Ontario Regulation 223/08, subsection 2(8), in that:

(i)    he failed to maintain a safe and healthy learning environment, contrary to Standard III.A.1 of the College’s Standards of Practice;

(ii)    he abused physically, sexually, verbally, psychologically or emotionally children who were under his professional supervision, namely Child A, Child B, Child C and Child D, contrary to Standard V.A.1 of the College’s Standards of Practice; and

(iii)    he failed to establish and/or maintain clear and appropriate boundaries in his professional relationships with children under his supervision, contrary to Standard V.B of the College’s Standards of Practice; and

(c)    he acted in a manner that, having regard to the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional, contrary to Ontario Regulation 223/08, subsection 2(10).

Schedule of Hearings

Having considered the Exhibits filed, and based on the Agreed Statement of Facts and guilty plea, and the submissions made by College counsel, the Discipline Committee finds that the facts support a finding of professional misconduct. In particular, the Committee finds that Debbi Kelly committed acts of professional misconduct as alleged, more particularly breaches of Ontario Regulation 223/08, section 2, subsections (8), (10), (16), (17), (20) and (22) and Standards IV.A.2, IV.C.2 and IV.E.2 of the College’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

After considering the joint submission made by College counsel and the Member, the Committee makes the following order as to penalty:  

1. The Registrar is directed to revoke the Member’s Certificate of Registration and to record a notation of the revocation on the register.

3. The Discipline Committee's finding and order shall be published, with the Member’s name, in full on the College’s website and in summary in the College’s official publication Connexions, formerly known as Member Newsletter.

Having considered the Exhibits filed, and based on the Agreed Statement of Facts and guilty plea, and the submissions made by counsel for the College and counsel for the Member, the Discipline Committee finds that the facts support a finding of professional misconduct. In particular, the Committee finds that Nicole Williams committed acts of professional misconduct as alleged, more particularly breaches of Ontario Regulation 223/08, section 2, subsections (8), (10), (16), (17), (18), (22) and Standards IV.A.2 and IV.E.2 of the College’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

After considering the joint submission made by College counsel and counsel for the Member, the Committee makes the following order as to penalty:

2. The Member’s Certificate of Registration shall be suspended for 12 months, commencing on the date of the Discipline Committee's order herein.  The latter seven months of the suspension will be suspended, provided that Ms. Williams fulfills the following term, condition or limitation within five months from the date of the Discipline Committee’s order herein:

3. The Registrar is directed to impose a term, condition or limitation on the Member's Certificate of Registration, to be recorded on the public register, requiring the Member, at her own expense, to participate in and successfully complete a course of study in “Ethical and Professional Standards” as prescribed by and acceptable to the College, within five months from the date of the Committee’s order. For greater clarity, the Member will be required to complete the course of study in “Ethical and Professional Standards” whether or not her suspension is suspended.

4. If Ms. Williams is employed as an RECE within the 12 months immediately following the date of the order, she will promptly provide the decision of the Discipline Committee to her employer and will subsequently provide to the College Registrar, on the one-year anniversary of the order, a report from her employer, satisfactory to the Registrar, indicating that the Member has shown honesty and integrity in carrying out her responsibilities as a registered member of the College in the place where she is working.

5. The Registrar is directed to record the results of this hearing on the public register.