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1. Program Statement |
1. PROGRAM STATEMENT Our Centre acknowledges that the parents are the primary caregivers of their children. Keeping this in mind, we strive to support all parents in our capacity as Early Childhood Educators. The role of parents in our program is very important to our operation. We would like all parents to feel free to stay, visit, and become involved in our program with the children. (Top of Page)
Our Centre is committed to supporting a healthy, high quality environment for the children in our community. We encourage open communication amongst parents, teachers and management to ensure a full and successful program for the children. Parents will be informed of their child’s day through written and/or verbal communication. Our program is structured to enable the children to learn at their own pace. Programming is age appropriate according to each group of children’s developmental needs, and individuality is stressed. The program includes both indoor and outdoor play. Free play time, which is an important aspect of developing a child’s imagination, as well as structured playtime, are both essential parts of our program. We are all individuals with our own hopes and dreams. Our program grows with each child and allows him/her to feel good about individual accomplishments. Our cleaning staff, as well as our child care staff, will do their best to keep a clean and safe environment for all involved. We will all strive to maintain a positive learning Centre for all involved in the program. It is the responsibility of the Board to ensure regular planning is carried out, all legal requirements are met, fair personnel policies for the staff are established and maintained, financial viability of the Centre is followed, ensure that quality child care and education compliments parent’s child rearing responsibilities, carry out annual board and program evaluations, make informed decisions and maintain an overview of the Centre’s operation on behalf of the general membership. The parents of the children enrolled in the Centre play a key role in it’s’ operation. They are responsible for the nomination and election of the Board and the evaluation of the Program and the Board. Parents are encouraged to attend the Annual General Meeting in January for the purpose of electing a new Board. Approximately two months prior to these meetings, nomination forms are distributed to the parents. These are to be returned to the Director no later than two weeks prior to the Annual General Meeting, to allow the Board to contact the nominees. Current Board Members, who are interested in serving another term, shall post their intentions for the parents to see. At the Annual General Meeting, a new Board is elected for a one year term. Parent complaints and concerns are best handled by communicating them to the Program Staff, Director or Assistant Supervisor. If there is no satisfactory resolution, parents should feel free to approach any Board Member. All issues are to be dealt with at monthly Board meetings unless the situation dictates immediate action. Under these circumstances, Board Members may decide to call a special meeting to deal with it. We hope this explanation of the Daycare’s operation has been informative and helps you better understand what we do as the Board Members of Heritage Green Child Care Inc.
The Director or assistant supervisor will conduct a tour of the Centre, which will last approximately 20 to 30 minutes, with you and your child. You and your child will see all the rooms and meet the teachers and children of his/her prospective room. A visit to the Centre with your child is mandatory before he/she can be enrolled. A child can not be admitted to the Centre without the completion of the appropriate forms. These include personal information about your child, health records, emergency and medical information, and any permission forms. All forms should be given to the Director or Assistant Supervisor prior to your child’s first day. (Top of Page)
The Daycare is governed by Board Members who control its’ operation under Regulations required by law set forth by the Consumer and Corporate Affairs Branch of the government as well as the Ministry of Community and Social Services. Other agencies that govern our operation as well are the Regional Health Board and the Municipal Fire Department. These regulations as well as a Ministry approved Operations Manual and Board Members Manual is the framework used by the Board to operate the Centre. Under the Board Members are the Director and Assistant Supervisor as well as the remaining program staff and support staff. The Board is required by law to have a specific composition and specific positions to be filled. They must also have internal By-laws, which are used to govern it. These must be approved, and consist of responsibilities of members, parliamentary procedures and election procedures. There are currently four executive members on the Board who fill the positions of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. There is also a requirement to have one third parent user on content on the Board; we currently have six advisors who also serve on the Board. It is the responsibility of the Board to ensure regular planning is carried out, all legal requirements are met, fair personnel policies for the staff are established and maintained, financial viability of the Centre is followed, ensure that quality child care and education compliments parent’s child rearing responsibilities, carry out annual board and program evaluations, make informed decisions and maintain an overview of the Centre’s operation on behalf of the general membership. The parents of the children enrolled in the Centre play a key role in it’s’ operation. They are responsible for the nomination and election of the Board and the evaluation of the Program and the Board. Parents are encouraged to attend the Annual General Meeting in January for the purpose of electing a new Board. Approximately two months prior to these meetings, nomination forms are distributed to the parents. These are to be returned to the Director no later than two weeks prior to the Annual General Meeting, to allow the Board to contact the nominees. Current Board Members, who are interested in serving another term, shall post their intentions for the parents to see. At the Annual General Meeting, a new Board is elected for a one year term. Parent complaints and concerns are best handled by communicating them to the Program Staff, Director or Assistant Supervisor. If there is no satisfactory resolution, parents should feel free to approach any Board Member. All issues are to be dealt with at monthly Board meetings unless the situation dictates immediate action. Under these circumstances, Board Members may decide to call a special meeting to deal with it. We hope this explanation of the Daycare’s operation has been informative and helps you better understand what we do as the Board Members of Heritage Green Child Care Inc. (Top of Page)
All parents are required to sign an agreement with Heritage Green Child Care Inc. prior to the child attending the Centre. The form is to protect both the parent and the Daycare’s interests. For some new parents, there are many questions about the Centre that can only be answered once the child is enrolled. If they are unsure as to whether or not daycare is for them, they may pay for only two weeks instead of a full month’s fees. In the case where a special needs child is to enroll in the Centre, a six week trial period is used to assess the child’s compatibility with the program and to determine the Centre’s ability to provide the necessary services to the child. This agreement will be re-evaluated every 6 months. If for some reason the agreement is not working the parents will be given two weeks written notice. (Top of Page)
There is a $25 non-refundable registration fee, payable to the centre upon receiving your child's application form. Daycare fees paid by the parent must be received by the first of each month. Cheques are to be made out to Heritage Green Child Care Inc. There is a non-refundable $25.00 registration fee, payable to the centre upon receiving your child’s application forms. There is a $25.00 charge for all NSF Cheques. After three NSF cheques, payment will only be accepted in cash or in the form of a certified cheque, or money order. If paying weekly or bi-weekly please put your post-dated cheques in the fee envelope outside of the office. Please mark the dates you are paying for, clearly on the front of your cheque or the envelope. Cheque or money order is preferred but cash will be accepted. Please put the correct amount in an envelope and clearly mark your name and the amount on the front of the envelope. Please make sure you receive a receipt for the money at the time you give it to a staff member. Please remember that payment is expected before service. If payment is not received, you service might be suspended. However, we do realize that financial difficulties do arise, should this happen please discuss payment options with Karen. All conversations will be kept confidential. We require two weeks notice from the parent in writing if you plan to withdraw your child from the Centre. Fees must be paid up to and including your child’s last day, prior to withdrawal. JK/SK Children: Parents are required to pay for a minimum of 2 days per week, if your child attends school on alternate days, you will be required to pay for that alternating day that your child is attending school. e.g. If you child attends school Monday, Wednesday and alternating Fridays, you will be charged daycare fees for every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday or 3 days per week. Statutory Holidays include:
Early/late fee charges will apply before 7:00am and after 6:00pm and for children who are in the Centre for more that ten hours a day on a continual basis. The fee will be $15.00 for every 15 minutes or part thereof per child. The Centre closes promptly at 6:00pm, please ensure that your child is picked up before 6:00pm. (Top of Page)
Heritage Green Child Care no longer offers vacation time. Full fees are expected all year, in order to hold your child’s space.
The centre participates in approximately two fundraisers a year. This is entirely voluntary. All proceeds are used to buy new equipment for the children in the centre, the money does not off set wages or other expenses. (Top of Page) General Information
Arrival Times Pick Up
Please be advised that if one or all of these rules are not followed, your child will remain in the Centre until you are able to pick them up.An intoxicated person (yourself included) will be denied access to pick up any child for safety reasons. Please make sure that the person designated to pick up your child has an appropriate car seat for your child. (Top of Page) General Information Illness A child with diarrhea, a fever of 100 degrees or more, or with unknown marks will not be admitted to the day care. If a child develops a fever, or has 2 or more bouts of diarrhea in a four-hour period, or develops unknown marks or spots, he or she will be sent home and a doctor’s note must accompany the child upon his/her return. A teacher has the right to refuse a child due to illness at her discretion. If you do not agree with the teacher, please feel free to approach the Director or assistant supervisor. Children with pink eye (conjunctivitis) will also be sent home but can return when they have been on the medication for 24 hours. (Top of Page) Medication No over the counter medication will be given (i.e. Tylenol, Advil, Motrin) unless it is accompanied by a doctor’s note. If this medication is administered, you will still be required to pick up your child. This will simply enable us to make your child more comfortable. If there are any discrepancies with a prescription and/or the verbal instruction from the parent, the medication will not be administered. Please be aware that this policy is administered by the Day Nursery Act, and the staff cannot disregard the Act for any reason. (Top of Page) Head Lice Policy What to do!
Emergency Procedure All staff are required to be trained in emergency First Aid and CPR and must maintain a current First Aid Certificate. (Top of Page)
Toddler Clothing The Centre will gladly accept any spare clothing that you wish to donate. (Top of Page) Preschooler Clothing
A menu will be posted near the entrance of each classroom and the kitchen. A menu will also accompany this handbook for your convenience. All children will receive equal portions of lunch, dessert and snacks. No child will be forced to eat food before receiving the next course.
Food allergies will be posted in the kitchen and in the child’s room. Alternatives will be supplied for foods that can not be eaten. To protect each child in our care, the Centre does not permit outside food or drink into the Centre. We also do not allow “treats” such as Halloween candy, valentine chocolates, or Birthday cakes. Your child will celebrate their Birthday with a small gift and crown from their teachers. You may donate a book to the centre in your child’s name if you wish, to celebrate their Birthday. (Top of Page)
All children will have a rest period between 12:30 and 2:30pm. Children will be encouraged to nap. If necessary, teachers may rub their backs, read stories or play soothing music. Blankets, pillows and soft toys are allowed at sleep time. Children will not be put down on their beds before 12:15pm and all children will be up by 2:30pm. No child will be made to lie on their bed for more than 1 hour after trying to sleep or having slept and awakened. After the one hour mark, quiet activities such as reading books, colouring or quiet toys will be introduced. Senior Preschool children may be given quiet activities on their beds after an initial rest period. (Top of Page) Re-direction, Talking/Explaining and Time of Reflection are methods of management used when situations occur. We encourage the children to problem solve whenever possible as this helps to build their self-esteem. However; if a child is in danger of injury or damage to the surrounding area is apparent, then staff will intervene. Redirection is a method of solving difficult situations. With the help of a staff member, a child is encouraged to leave the problem area and find a new interest. The child will be given two or three alternative choices. When all resources are exhausted, then a time of reflection will be used. Time Out is not used at our Centre. Tones and Mannerisms Prohibited Practices No person shall:
Any child that exhibits aggressive behaviour will be dealt with as written above. If the problem becomes more serious (i.e. throwing items, screaming excessively, biting) the parents will be notified immediately. If the behaviour is unpredictable and endangers the child, staff or other children in the centre, the supervisor will meet with the parents. The next action taken will be a communication book and a 30-day review of the child’s behaviour. If an agreement cannot be reached, the parents will be given a choice to remove the child from the Centre or to seek other avenues to assist the child. (Top of Page)
17. THE ROLE OF PARENTS: We would like all parents to feel free to stay, visit and observe the program. In doing this, we improve communication between parents and teachers. An extra set of hands is always welcomed. Please keep in mind that your child’s happiness is our main concern and if for any reason your visit is too disruptive to your child, other arrangements may have to be made in order for you to observe. (Top of Page)
The Director and/or Assistant Supervisor will always be present to meet with the parents who have concerns about our Centre. Day to day concerns will be dealt with as quickly as possible or a meeting can be set up. (Top of Page)
Trips will be planned and posted on program plans. A letter will be sent out to all parents whose children are going on a trip. This must be signed and returned before your child is permitted to go on the trip. If you are not comfortable with your child attending a trip for any reason, other arrangements must be made for the care of your child that day. Walks around the neighbourhood are not considered trips, but instead, every day happenings of daily programming and therefore do not require written consent. The centre goes on one trip annually: Puddicombe’s Farm in October. Parent volunteers are welcome. (Top of Page) I hope that this handbook outlines our policies and procedures to you. It is important to the staff of our Centre that you are clear on the information printed so that you and your child get the most out of this Day Care experience. Please note that any exception to the proceeding policies and procedures must be obtained by the Board of Directors. Please be sure to read this booklet and sign the following consent forms. Remember, if you have any questions feel free to ask the staff. Welcome to our Centre. Karen Tabone. B.A. H.Dip.Ed. E.C.E.C Director Heritage Green Child Care is a participant in Raising the Bar, a program designed to help families ensure their children are receiving high quality early learning and child care services. We have been awarded the gold level, the highest achievement, for 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Please ask the Director for additional information. A reminder to all parents and visitors that smoking or handling of cigarettes is not permitted in the child care centre, the playground or the parking lot. (Top of Page)
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