Parent Handbook
PHILOSOPHY
We value and believe in:
- Giving each child the essential ingredients to enhance their growth towards independence, social awareness and what it means to be a person of good character.
- Providing children with life skills to treat others with dignity and respect.
- Being an integral part of the school community by providing a quality child care service.
- All children in our programs being safe, healthy, encouraged and loved.
- Supporting the highest standard of staff professionalism.
We are blessed with the opportunity to touch and impact the lives of our young people.
This is a huge responsibility and one that we never take lightly!
CENTRE INFORMATION
School Closures
In the event of “school closures” due to weather conditions, emergencies (e.g. - no heat or hydro) and/or school district staff disputes, Smiling Stars Daycare will also remain closed. Please listen to our local radio station or log onto www.sd34.bc.ca for closure information. Unfortunately, no refunds or credits will be issued for any closure days.
Holiday Closure Days:
Smiling stars Daycare will be closed for the following holidays:
Canada Day, Remembrance day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, BC Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day and the week from Christmas Day until New Year’s day.
Drop-In Service
We accept children on a drop-in basis depending on space availability. We may not always be able to accommodate your child if maximum attendance numbers have been reached. We require as much notice as possible to ensure proper staff/child ratios are adhered to. Do not send your child to the centre without confirmation of space availability from a staff member.
Unauthorized Pick-Up Person
If anyone other than the enrolling parent will be picking up your child, you must inform the staff of the changes each day there is a change. This includes notifying the centre of changes even if the adult is listed on your authorized pick-up list.
If an unauthorized person (not listed on the registration form with authority to pick-up) arrives and you have not given us notification of the change, the child will not be released. Verbal authorization from the enrolling parent/guardian will be allowed via the telephone when instances arise during the day. In all situations, the pick-up person must present photo identification to confirm ID with staff at the centre.
Custody and Access
It is the responsibility of a single parent enrolling their child(ren), to provide a copy of any relevant Court Order or Separation Agreement or pertinent custody information that may deny or “legally restrict” access by the child’s other parent/guardian.
Without a copy of written authority from the courts on file, Smiling Stars Daycare has no right to deny one parent access over the other. If this situation arises, the staff will notify the enrolling parent.
It is the responsibility of the enrolling parent to inform centre staff immediately, in writing, of any changes to the original submitted documents and also provide a current copy of any amended court orders.
Registration and Fees
- All parents are responsible to fill out all the necessary paper work that needs to be completed, in order to be able to leave your children under our care.
- We require 6 months post-dated cheques, all cheques should be post-dated for the 1st of each month.
- $100 deposit, $25 registration fee and $15 emergency food fee.
Tax Receipts for income tax purposes will be issued to parents in February.
NSF Charges
All NSF cheques will incur a $20.00 Service Charge. All fees including the service charge must be repaid within 2 business days of notification.
Subsidy
Government subsidy is available to qualifying families through the Ministry of Children and Family Development. Parents applying for subsidy must submit a post-dated cheque to the centre for the cost of child care for the first month.
Re-imbursement of paid fees will occur once authorization has been received.
Parents/guardians are responsible for paying any financial differences between subsidy allowance and the program’s fees.
Late Pick Up Charges
A Late fee will apply when your child is not picked up by 6:00 pm. The late fee charge is $10.00 for each 15 minute period past 6:01 pm. This fee is payable on the day of occurrence to the staff member that has remained with your child. If the fee is not paid on the day of occurrence, a late payment will be applied.
If you are not able to pick-up your child by 6:00 pm, you must notify the centre of your estimated arrival time and/or give verbal authorization for an alternate pick-up person.
Arrival
All parents are required to sign their child(ren) in upon arrival. The centre is not legally responsible if your child has been dropped off and enters the centre without an adult signing them in.
Arrival in the morning is a time to communicate with staff, share information or any concerns you may have. Be sure that a staff member is aware that you have arrived.
Departure
Parents must sign their child(ren) out. Ensure that a staff member knows that you are leaving with your child. If your child will be picked up by someone other than yourself, you must inform staff ahead of time. The staff will only permit your child(ren) to leave with those authorized on the registration form and that
you have notified the centre ahead of time or in writing of the change. Your child will not be released if notification has not been given. Staff will ask the person for photo I.D. to verify information.
Children will not be sent home in taxis, allowed to walk home alone or be released to anyone under the age of 19 years of age according to licensing requirements. Staff will not drive children home in their own vehicles.
Absences
Please notify the centre of any changes in the scheduled attendance days for your child, as soon as possible. If your child has left the school for the day, due to illness or an appointment, it is important to let the centre staff know. Children scheduled to attend after school and without notification of their absence, will be considered a missing child. Unnecessary concern and time spent in searching for your child in and around the school will occur without communication from you.
If your child does not arrive within 15 minutes after the school dismissal time on a scheduled day, the Centre Supervisor will notify the parents; once staff has confirmed the child is nowhere in the school. If the parents cannot be reached, individuals listed for emergency purposes will be contacted.
School Suspension
If your child has been suspended from the school due to inappropriate behavior or incident, your child will not be able to attend the Hand in Hand program until he/she is permitted to return to school.
Parent’s Request for Withdrawal
Parents wishing to withdraw their child from the program must provide at least one calendar month (30 days) written notice prior to withdrawal. If sufficient notice is not given, one month’s fee will be charged in lieu of notice, based on the previous month’s fees. $100 deposit will be given back on the last day of childcare. In the event of a long term absence (one month or more) your child’s spot will not be held unless full payment is made during the absence.
Clothing and Personal Possessions
The children will spend a portion of each day in outside play, except for severe weather conditions Please ensure that your child(ren) are prepared for outside play according to the season and weather conditions, i.e. boots, toques, mitts, summer hats, sunscreen, etc. The children are encouraged to participate in games and sports activities, and will have a more enjoyable time if they are wearing appropriate clothing and footwear.
Flip-flop sandals are a safety hazard on playground equipment.
If your child arrives with flip-flops they will not be allowed on playground equipment
We request that personal items and toys be left at home. Electronic games, of any sort, will not be allowed to be used while at the centre. Smiling Stars Daycare will not be responsible for lost personal property.
It may be helpful for younger children to have a change of clothing in their backpack in the event they become soiled or wet during play. Please be sure to label all clothing and possessions.
Our Centre has a “lost and found” area in the cubby area. Items that are not claimed by the end of each school term will be donated to a local charity.
Dress Code
Children’s clothing and attire is expected to be age appropriate and of a tasteful manner. Clothing that is offensive or too revealing is not acceptable. Children may be required to change their clothing to comply with standards.
Our standards include but are not limited to:
- Clothing that is offensive that may promote racism, sexism, violence and/or the use of alcohol, drugs and tobacco products.
- Clothing with inappropriate slogans and pictures.
- Note that jewelry and hats are also considered attire.
- A guideline for reasonable summer dress is clothing that allows your child to play comfortably.
Nutrition
It is vital that parents report any food allergies to the centre staff.
A list of children and the severity of allergic reactions will be posted in a visible area.
Proper nutrition is a very important part of your child’s active day and provides a healthy pick-me-up. Staff will provide sufficient time and encourage your child to eat what you have prepared for them. A staff member will sit with the children to encourage manners and social skills during snack or lunch time.
We request that parents send in foods that are ready to eat and that your child is able to manage with little adult assistance.
Staff will heat up lunches if necessary.
We do not have a stove, we will not be cooking any food for the children.
Lunches will not be stored in the centre refrigerator. ( due to limited space)
Please provide a bottle for your child, that can be refilled throughout the day.
Breakfast: All children need a nourishing breakfast to start their day. If, on occasion, your child has not had time to eat at home, parents may send breakfast to eat at the centre. Please inform staff when you arrive that your child has not had breakfast. We request that your child can manage the meal on their own (toast, cereal) or with minimal assistance. Breakfast may be eaten up to 15 minutes prior to school bell time. THE DAYCARE WILL PROVIDE FREE BREAKFAST UNTIL 8 AM.
Full Day Programs:
Lunch:
Parents are to provide a nutritious lunch as well as sufficient snacks. Small portions of a variety of food items work well as it allows for choices by your child. A suggestion is to have your child participate in their lunch prep and making decisions on healthy snack choices of their choosing.
Snacks:
Smiling Stars Daycare will provide two snacks for your children, including fruits or vegetables with each snack.
Field Trips
During “Full Day” programs of seasonal breaks and school closure days, the children may participate on a variety of field trips. All field trips are carefully planned and well supervised.
In order for your child to participate in any field trip, a permission form must be signed and returned to the centre. The permission form will indicate:
- The destination of the field trip and mode of transportation being used
- The date and times of departure and arrival from the centre
- Any associated costs for the field trip
The centre will not be responsible for children who arrive late for a prescheduled trip when prior notification has been given.
Short walks in the immediate neighbourhood of the daycare may occur from time to time on any day
Medical Information
It is vital that parents share your child’s medical history with us at the time of registration (i.e. allergies, asthma, special medication, etc.).
When a child has been identified with an allergy or requires medication administration daily, the parent/guardian will be required to fill out a detailed allergy/ medication information form. We must be kept current of any changes to your child’s medical history after enrolment.
Food Allergies – We have developed “allergy safe” centres for the safety of these children. Smiling Stars Daycare is “NUT AWARE ZONE” to safeguard children at risk. We ask for your cooperation and diligence by ensuring food items sent in your child’s lunch is “nut free.”
Children identified with allergies will be posted in a visible location in the centre for all staff to see.
Medication
The parent/guardian must fill out and sign a Medication Administration form for all medications to be administered while at a centre.
All medications brought to a centre must be given directly to a staff member.
Do Not Send Medication in Your Child’s Backpack Without Informing a Staff Member.
This includes puffers for asthma or allergy medications.
The following procedures must be followed:
- The medication must be in the original dispensed container .
- The medication form must be filled out completely including the name of medication, the dosage and time(s) to be given and signed by the parent/guardian
Immunization
All enrolled children are required to have a current copy of their immunization records as part of their registration package.
In the event a child is not immunized and there is an outbreak of a communicable disease in their centre, the child will be not be able to attend, until the contagious stage has passed. A special form needs to be signed.
Illness
Communicable Disease: If your child contracts a communicable disease, you must notify your centre immediately as we are required to alert other families. Your child must be withdrawn immediately for the full quarantine period. Prior to re-entry to the centre, a doctor’s note will be required confirming complete recovery.
Children who are not well enough to participate in all program activities, both indoor and outdoor, should not attend the program. In the event that your child did not attend school or was sent home due to an illness, he/she will not be permitted to attend daycare. Please keep your child at home if he/she is suffering from one or more of the following symptoms:
- An acute cold, with coughing, sore throat or a runny nose with green liquid discharge.
- A fever of 101° F/38.3° C or more.
- Difficulty in breathing – wheezing or a persistent cough.
- An intestinal or stomach disorder, including diarrhea, cramps, loose stool, nausea or vomiting.
- Severe itching of body and scalp.
- Children with known or suspected communicable diseases.
- Pain – any complaints of unexplained or undiagnosed pain
- Infected skin, eyes or an undiagnosed rash.
In the event that your child arrives at the centre or develops any of the above symptoms while with us, the parent/guardian will be required to pick-up your child as soon as possible. We will isolate and care for your child, however, we are not equipped to keep a sick child for an extended period of time.
Injury
If your child sustains a minor injury while at the centre, we will provide First Aid treatment. We will report the incident to you upon arrival and depending on the treatment required, a minor incident form may require your signature.
In the case of an injury requiring medical or dental attention, the child’s parents will be notified immediately. If we are unable to contact a parent, your alternate contact person and/or family physician will be called. If it has been deemed that emergency transport is necessary, we will call a taxi or ambulance.
A staff member will accompany your child to the nearest emergency facility.
Any expenses incurred in this situation will be the parent/guardian’s responsibility.
Emergency Procedures
All staff maintains current first-aid certification and earthquake preparedness training.
Emergency procedures related to fire, earthquake and evacuation of the premises are held monthly at the centre. Emergency procedures are required to be posted at the two major exits. In case of a fire, long term power failure, extreme weather conditions or an evacuation of the centre due to a “real” situation, parents will be notified as soon as possible of the alternate location of where to pick up your child(ren). Parents will be notified by a telephone call when possible or by a notice posted at the centre.
Missing Child
In the event a child does not arrive at the centre after school, or goes missing during outdoor play or on a field trip, a staff member will be designated to search the area.
If on school grounds, the centre will involve school personnel in the search, if possible.
If the search provides unsuccessful after 15 minutes, the senior staff member will notify the parent(s) and/or guardian(s), the Executive Director and if necessary the police.
Respect Policy
We show respect to the children, the parents, and the staff by being considerate in our comments, and keeping our voices at a respectful level, while using appropriate language. We, in turn, ask parents to have the same respect for staff, children and other adults. Any loud, inappropriate outbursts or foul language coming from any adult which is directed to staff, children or another adult will result in a written letter of warning and possible dismissal from the program.
Confidentiality
Every employee of Smiling Stars Daycare signs a privacy policy agreement upon hiring. This agreement ensures that all information regarding your child and/or family situation, as well as any information you have provided on any forms, will be held in the strictest confidence.
Thank you for taking the time to read our Parent Handbook.
Parent Handbook Agreement
Please sign and return this form to your centre Director.
I, _______________________________________, have read and understand the policies outlined in the Hand in Hand Child Care Society Parent Handbook.
By signing this document, I hereby agree to abide by the policies set out of this handbook.
Parent Comments:
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Parent/Guardian Signature Date Date
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Director’s Signature Date