Stephanie's

Introduction

Welcome to daycare. This is a very new and exciting chapter in both the lives of the parent and the child. Even if your child has previously been involved in a child care environment, the transfer to a new carer can be a worrying time.

I have written this handbook, which forms part of the contact, to make our relationship as enjoyable as possible and to prevent any misunderstanding. While I appreciate it is quite lengthy, please invest the time to read this handbook carefully.  Past experience has taught me that it is best to be as clear as possible when explaining my philosophies, rules, and expectations. Please keep this copy of the handbook for your own future reference.

 

Child Care Philosophy

My goal is to provide a safe and happy place for children where they can learn and grow physically, emotionally, intellectually and socially at their own pace. I believe children learn through play and benefit from a structured, yet flexible schedule. I am looking forward to a terrific relationship with you and your child.

 

Communication

Communication is very important to me. When I accept a new family into my business, I like to be sure that we can openly share any concerns or questions that may arise. I welcome questions, feedback, or discussions of any kind that are oriented towards a positive outcome for the children.

You are encouraged to call me at any time between the hours of 8:00 am – 5:00 pm during the week. If you call during the day, please be aware that I may be busy with the children and may not be able to answer the phone immediately. I will call you back as quickly as possible. Alternatively, please e-mail me at sseaboyer@bellaliant.net. My computer remains on throughout the day and is checked periodically, I also make every effort to read my e-mail at least once a day outside of business hours.

 

House Rules

Please respect my profession, my home, my family and me. The respect that you show me, including my home, furnishings, equipment and yard along with the respect shown to all of the children will communicate itself to your child.

There are certain house rules that all children will be taught and expected to follow. These rules are enforced for the safety and well being of everyone.

No running will be permitted in the house; the children will be given plenty of opportunities to run around outside. Hitting, pushing, biting, grabbing, kicking spitting or pinching other children, infants or adults will NOT be allowed. No standing or climbing on the furniture, tables or chairs. No play fighting – experience has shown that this always results in someone getting hurt. Children are to keep food and drink in their proper places and they are expected to sit down whilst eating. No shouting at other children/infants/adults – The use of ‘inside voices’ is encouraged.

Discipline

It is my philosophy that discipline is used to teach a child. This is achieved through love, consistency, and firmness. The children are reminded of the house rules during routine conversations and during play. This will ensure that all children know what is expected of them.

Please remember that there will be disagreements between children. Young children, especially, who are not adept at communication, can sometimes have a difficult time expressing their feelings and become frustrated. Sometimes they hit and throw toys as a means of expressing their frustration and/or feelings.

The following methods of discipline will be used if your child breaks a house rule or behaves inappropriately; A gentle but firm reminder of what is expected, encouragement to solve the problem themselves or to think of another option for achieving their goal, intervention and a quiet discussion with the child, redirection to another play area or activity, and a cooling down time when the child may be separated from the other children for a short period of time, are all methods of discipline I will use.

If I feel that there is a chronic behavioral issue which needs attention, I will inform the parent so that a consistent method of dealing with it can be agreed upon and taken. Together we will aim to find a solution. If a child is behaving in a manner that prevents me from being able to properly care for the other children, the parent will be called to remove their child and the possibility of finding other care for the child may need to be considered.

 

 

Arrivals and Departures

It is normal for some children to have some difficulty separating from parents and they may cry when being dropped off, especially when this is still a new and strange environment. Please be very brief (no more than 5 minutes) during drop-off times; the more the departure is prolonged the harder it becomes for both the parent and the child. A smile, cheerful good-bye kiss, and a reassuring word that you will be back are all that is needed. In my experience, children are nearly always quick to get involved in play or activities as soon as parents have left. Please be assured that if your child is having a difficult time settling down and is crying for a prolonged period of time, I will contact you.

Please be brief during collection/pick-up times also. This is a testing time when two different authority figures are present (the parent and the provider), and some children will test to see if the rules still apply. Please help by showing your child that you respect me, the rules of my house and my property by reminding them that the rules still apply when you are around.  When you are here with your child, you are expected to discipline your child when their behavior warrants it. If you do not correct him/her, I will enforce my rules. 

 

Release of Children

My normal policy is to release the child only to his/her parents. If someone else needs to collect your child, please inform me ahead of time and provide me with the person’s name, a description of the person and a password which will be known by the collecting adult. The adult will also need to carry photo ID. I will not release children to someone I do not know without these procedures being followed. This is for the safety of your child.

 

Absences

There will be no refunds or adjustments made to your childcare fee for your time missed due to illness, extended holidays or days off.  A place has been reserved for each child and it cannot be filled on a short-term or short-notice basis.

 

Sickness Policy

COVID 19 POLICY AS PER HEALTH MINISTER

IF YOUR CHILD IS SHOWING SYMPTOMS OF COVID 19 PLEASE DO NOT BRING TO THE DAYCARE. 

People with one or more of the following updated list of symptoms are asked to visit 811's website:

• Fever (chills, sweats).

• Cough or worsening of a previous cough.

• Sore throat.

• Headache.

• Shortness of breath.

• Muscle aches.

• Sneezing.

• Nasal congestion/runny nose.

• Hoarse voice.

• Diarrhea.

• Unusual fatigue.

• Loss of sense of smell or taste.

• Red, purple or bluish lesions on the feet, toes or fingers that do not have a clear cause.

Should you or your child display one or more of these symptoms in excess: meaning more then usual please call 811 to determined if clear to return to daycare. Please follow the advice of 811 and NS Health Health in regards to this subject. Anyone caught dousing and dropping or not being upfront surrounding covid 19 will be asked to leave the daycare and or reported to the health authority.

Under no circumstances will parents be allowed to bring a sick child into my home. Sick children expose other children, as well as myself and my family to the illness and require additional care and attention which takes my attention away from the other children I am caring for. More importantly, sick children want care from their parents in the comfort of their own home. If other children become ill due to the exposure of your sick child, either because he/she was returned to childcare before full recovery or because he/she was not picked up promptly upon notice of becoming ill, other parents will be unnecessarily unconvinced. If I become ill due to exposure to a sick child, all of the children may need to arrange alternate care and my income is directly impacted. Due to this being disruptive to everyone who uses my home, your co-operation with this policy is extremely important and expected.

 

Symptoms Requiring Removal of a Child from Day Care

In the event of your child has a fever, diarrhea, vomiting, a nasal discharge of any color other than clear, runny and/or crusty eyes, unexplained rash or spots on their body they will not be permitted to attend the daycare. The child should be kept at home and allowed to fully recover so that he/she can fully participate in daycare activities when they return. Should these symptoms occur after the child is dropped off at daycare, the parents will be contacted to collect their child. You are required to pick up your child or have your emergency contact pick them up preferably within 60 minutes of notification.

I reserve the right to determine when a child should be sent home due to illness. If your child is absent due to illness, regular fees still apply. Children must be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning to daycare.

 

Medication

Written parental consent is required to permit administration of any medication. Parents should wherever possible try to give medication at home. Medication will only be accepted if prescribed by a doctor. It must be in the original container with clear written instructions.

Over the counter medication will not be accepted or administered under any circumstances.

Please do not send your child to daycare with medication mixed into a drink. There is no guarantee that the child will get all of the medication, and there is a risk to other children who might accidentally drink medication which has not been prescribed for them.

 

Emergency Assistance for your Child

Although no parent wants to think about their child being involved in a medical emergency, there are times when this happens. Small children are prone to choking among other things. Although I will assist your child should this situation arise, even if the obstruction is successfully removed, the EMS will be called. Any charges resulting in this call are the responsibility of the parents.

 

 

Day Care Provider’s Own Sickness and Vacation and Unavailability

Although I make every effort to be available, the reality is that circumstances may arise where I, as with any other daycare provider, am unable to take your child. It is the parent’s responsibility to obtain substitute care on those occasions and to pay for the substitute.

In the event of the daycare provider taking a vacation, written notice will be provided to the parents a minimum of 14 days in advance. In the event that I am unable to work due to illness, or due to a personal emergency, parents will be contacted as soon as possible.

If I need to attend a personal appointment during daycare hours, I will make every effort to ensure the appointment is scheduled during nap time and will aim to obtain suitable cover with another adult who the children are familiar with. Parents will be advised, in advance, if this needs to happen in order for them to decide if they would prefer to make their own arrangements.

 

Toilet Training

I am happy to assist in toilet training, however, this is only ever successful when the training is being performed consistently, i.e. At home and at daycare. If possible, it is best for you to initiate potty training over a weekend or on vacation. Please ensure that your child is wearing clothes to promote their independence especially during toilet training, as sometimes clothes need to come off quickly! Short/Pants with elastic waists are great and skirts and dresses even faster. Try to avoid tight clothing, pants with buttons and zippers and belts and overalls. These are difficult for children to remove ‘in a hurry’. Please send at least two extra outfits when potty training.

 

Revisions to the Handbook and Contract

Although careful consideration has been given to the content of the handbook and the contract, there will be an occasion when these documents need to be revised. Parents will be advised at least 14 days in advance of a policy change unless it is a new provincial regulation which is beyond my control. Parents will also be provided with a new handbook detailing the changes and showing the revision version number.

There will also be times when it is necessary to increase the fees charged to parents. Again, parents will be given at least 14 day’s notice of this change.