Childcare Programs
HOURS OF OPERATION AND CLOSURES
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Childcare Programs HOURS OF OPERATION AND CLOSURES |
Childcare Ages (3 months to 5 years)
Locations: St. Thomas Aquinas Early Childhood Education Centre, Wilfrid Jury Early Childhood Education Centre
Whitehills Childcare Association programs are community services that operate as non-profit co-operatives. They are licensed, government subsidized and integrated programs which are staffed by trained Early Childhood Educators. A parent Board of Directors acts as the governing body of the Association. Whitehills offers inclusive programs providing services for children with special needs including physical, emotional or developmental disabilities. Our goal is to provide an environment where all children can reach their full potential. (Top of Page)
The Whitehills Childcare Association is committed to providing exceptional care and educational opportunities through a safe, nurturing, learning environment based on respect, trust and partnership. (Top of Page)
Each child is uniquely individual and deserving of an environment that promotes the growth of the whole child, physically, emotionally, socially and intellectually. Conducive to this growth is an environment that is safe, warm, loving, challenging and stimulating. These conditions encourage independence, respect for self and others, self esteem, self worth, co-operation, problem solving, individual choice and motivation to interact with the environment.
Parents, being an integral part of a child's life, need to provide information about the child to promote a close relationship between themselves, the educator, and their child. Co-operation and open communication between school based childcare and the education system should promote the all round development of the child. Based on these beliefs, quality childcare is aimed at offering a child the maximum opportunities to grow and develop to their full potential. (Top of Page)
As a member of our co-op, parent participation is encouraged and can be achieved in the following ways:
* Participating on the Board of Directors
or
* Participating on tasks forces
and
* Attending an annual general meeting
and
We are open from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday to Friday. Regular fees are charged for the following statutory holidays, however the Centre will be closed. No fees for Christmas Eve.
New Years Day
Family DayGood Friday
Victoria Day
Canada Day
Civic Holiday
Labour Day
Thanksgiving
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
CLOSURES
Early closures or closures and additional holidays may be established at the discretion of the Board of Directors and/or the Executive Director.
Closures due to storms will be at the discretion of the Executive Director. Q 97.5 FM radio station will be contacted to notify parents.
NOTE: School based centres will not operate if the school is closed due to storm conditions/power failure.
Parents are responsible for bringing their child to the childcare centre and signing them in on the attendance sheet provided. The centre assumes the responsibility for your child at this point. The reverse applies when going home. Please make sure that a staff member is aware of your child's arrival and departure.
Your child's day should be limited to a 9-hour day. This is important because it helps ensure your child's day is not excessively long. If we feel this is not happening on a regular basis, it will be brought to your attention. Upon arrival and departure, allow enough time to undress/dress your child and attend to their needs. Please let the centre know by 10:00 a.m., if your child will be absent. This helps with planning lunches, room schedules, etc. In school based centres, you will be required to inform both the school and the centre.
Your child will not be released to anyone other than the parents or those authorized by the parents. It is the parent's responsibility to notify the centre in advance of any special arrangements for release. We reserve the right to verify the information.
Children must be brought to and picked up at the centre by a responsible person over the age of 13 years. If there is an emergency that prevents you from picking up your child on time, please let us know. (Top of Page)
ILLNESS, MEDICATION AND EMERGENCY CARE
Parents are advised to expect a usual amount of scrapes, bruises and minor accidents. Not all minor accidents reach staff attention, however, all accidents that reach staff attention will be recorded for parent notification. All children who attend the childcare centre should be well enough to participate in all aspects of the program i.e. both indoor and outdoor play. If your child is ill please phone the centre and inform the staff as soon as possible in the morning. A description of your child's illness would be helpful. If your child becomes ill during the day and is unable to participate in the program, you will be asked to pick up your child as soon as possible. In the event that you are unable to pick up your child, the emergency person will be contacted.
Parents are required to sign a permission form for emergency medical treatment.
In case of emergency/injury, you will be contacted to meet the centre staff at the nearest hospital. In case of emergency ambulance use, parents will be responsible for any costs incurred.
A doctor's certificate will be required before re-admission, if there is any question as to your child's state of health.
You are expected to notify the centre if your child contracts a communicable disease, so that other parents and the Health Unit may be notified. Re-admittance will be in accordance with health regulations.
Written instruction and parent's signature are required before prescribed medication can be administered on a short/ long-term basis. Only medications with a current date, that are prescribed by a doctor and in the original bottle will be administered to your child. Children on antibiotics can return after a full cycle of medication has been administered e.g. 2 or 3 full doses (depending on the prescription).
Exception: See Illness Policies Pink Eye and Strep Throat.
Medications MUST NOT be left in a child's locker. All medications are to be handed to a staff member and stored in a locked container.
After a diagnosis has been obtained, prescribed Tylenol may be given for pain/fever for a five-day period including weekends. If other symptoms occur during this period, you will be required to obtain a second diagnosis. If a child has been seen by a doctor and a diagnosis has been made, Tylenol may be administered to the child with a doctor's verbal consent.
Staff should be notified of a child's allergy to food, clothing, animals, pollen, etc.
Staff will use non-prescription cream for diaper rash, however, if the rash persists, it must be diagnosed by a doctor. (Top of Page)
ILLNESS POLICIES
COLDS: Your child may attend the centre, but if his/her temperature becomes elevated, you may be contacted.
CONJUNCTIVITIS/PINK EYE: Your child must be taken home if the eyes are discharging watery tears or mucous. If the infection is bacterial, your child may return after starting eye drops, provided the eyes are no longer actively discharging.
DIARRHEA: Your child must be taken home after the second incident in one day. Children may return when diarrhea has ceased, or on the advice of a doctor i.e. due to teething, medications.
EAR INFECTIONS: Your child may return after a doctor's diagnosis has been obtained and a full cycle of medication has been completed.
ELEVATED TEMPERATURE: If your child's temperature is 101 degrees Fahrenheit or below, you may be informed and staff will monitor your child for additional symptoms. If the temperature is 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, you will be called to pick up your child. With a doctor's approval, prescribed Tylenol will be administered to prevent febrile convulsions. You will be required to sign a long-term consent and pick up your child after Tylenol has been administered.
SKIN RASH: Rashes may need to be diagnosed and proper treatment started.
STREP THROAT: If strepthroat is diagnosed, your child should not return until he/she has been on medication for 24 hours.
VOMITING: Your child must be taken home after the second incident in one day. If other symptoms i.e. abdominal pain, occur with the first incident, you may be required to pick up your child immediately.
THRUSH: Your child cannot return to the centre until the white spots/blistering are no longer present.
HAND, FOOT AND MOUTH: If lesions/blisters are in the mouth, your child cannot return to the centre until they are no longer present.
HEAD LICE: Your child may return after treatment is completed and all nits are removed.
In the case of communicable disease, Ministry of Health guidelines will apply.
Our program is based on our Philosophy Statement and the Emergent Curriculum approach.
Emergent Curriculum Approach Children are excited about learning when they have a role in guiding the curriculum. Our teachers listen closely to the children in their care. Based on these interests, the children and teachers develop projects (the project approach). Some example of projects might include dinosaurs, space, travel, birds, pirates, and babies.
The fun and learning that takes place during these projects is displayed on classsroom walls through photos, dialogue, and artwork (documentation). These displays give the children the message that their interests and ideas are taken seriously and that memories of important experiences should be preserved. You are given a window into your child's experiences and you are encouraged to participate and contribute resources and materials.
Special Days and Holidays
Special Days are planned throughout the year. Some examples of special days might include wacky hair day, beach day, pyjama day, and rainbow day. Special days will be marked on the calendar. Holidays such as Christmas, Halloween, and Easter are always celebrated in the traditional way (i.e. Santa at Christmas). However, we welcome the sharing of other traditions and family celebrations in our classrooms.
INDOOR PLAY
Free Play: An opportunity for children to explore and experiment in play based activities of their choice, e.g. water play, puzzles, books.
Creative Activities: An opportunity for children to explore materials in a creative manner, e.g. gluing, painting, cutting, and creating collages.
Circle: An opportunity to learn through the sharing of stories, songs and ideas.
OUTDOOR PLAY
Outdoor play, in suitable weather, is a very important part of our program. The children go outside twice a day.
Outdoor play may be restricted if wind-chill, humidex, or UV ratings are at unsuitable levels. Weather conditions are monitored daily.
Outdoor play includes gross motor activities such as climbing, running and riding toys. (Top of Page)
FIELD TRIPS
Field trips are an important part of our program and are meaningful activities in which your child can participate.
Notice of all field trips will be posted in advance.
Parents will sign a permission form to allow their child to participate.
Methods of transportation used; walking, public transit, rented buses.
Parents who do not wish their child to attend a field trip should notify staff as soon as possible. These parents will be responsible for finding alternate care.
Infants will not go on bused field trips. Instead, walking and strollers will be used in the immediate community.
REST TIME
All children have the opportunity to rest during the day. Beds and linen are provided. Soft toys, favourite blankets may be brought from home.
WHITEHILLS IS A NUT FREE ENVIRONMENT!
Whitehills Childcare Association provides children with two nutritious snacks and a lunch that adheres to the Canada Food Guide.
NOTE: The morning snack is not a substitute for breakfast.
A menu is posted on the bulletin board. It is rotated on a 4-week basis.
A summer and winter menu is offered.
Children are encouraged to try all foods. Please do not bring individual snacks from home, however special treats for celebrations and birthdays are welcome.
Please inform the staff of any food allergies or restrictions your child may have.
Infant parents are asked to supply formula and pablum. (Top of Page)
We believe guidance of behaviour should be handled without causing humiliation to a child.
Staff will not use any form of corporal punishment, verbal or emotional abuse, or denial of physical necessities.
Positive reinforcement (verbal praise and encouragement) is emphasized and the staff will consistently:
- Use positive language
- Stress desirable behaviour ("I like it when you...")
- Be good role models
- Establish well defined limits for the children
- Use logical and natural consequences
Children are encouraged to discuss their anger and frustration with staff and children involved.
Appropriate to the age of the child, time out will only be used in situations of repeated or identified problems. Note: Children under the age of 30 months will not be timed out, but will instead be redirected to another activity or area.
Because we are an integrated centre that accepts children with special needs, there may be children enrolled who are on "Behaviour Modification Programs." Different behaviour techniques may be used with these children. Any questions you have may be directed to the Program Supervisor/ Executive Director.
**NOTE: If the staff recognizes a child may have special needs, the parents and staff will work as a team to help the child i.e.: formulate a plan to manage the situation (contacting outside agencies). In the event that a program is unsuitable for a child, the Program Supervisor and Director will meet with the parents to discuss alternative arrangements. (Top of Page)
A bi-monthly newsletter and monthly calendar are distributed to each family. Contributions to the newsletter are appreciated.
The success of this organization is largely dependent on good communication. Let's make every effort to keep the lines of communication open and operative.
Whitehills Childcare Association welcomes your family.
We are sure your stay with us will be a positive and rewarding one.
