Nursery School
HOURS OF OPERATION AND CLOSURES
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Nursery School HOURS OF OPERATION AND CLOSURES |
Nursery School Ages (2 to 5 years)
Locations: Ilderton Nursery School and Schoolage Programs
Whitehills Childcare Association programs are community services that operate as non-profit co-operatives. They are licensed, government subsidized and integrated programs staffed by E.C.E.'s with training and experience in the field of Early Childhood Education. A parent Board of Directors acts as the governing body of the Association.
Integration: 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)
OUR PHILOSOPHY
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, parents may choose to participate in the following ways:
Sessions operate from 9:30 to 12:00 p.m. Days of operation will be based on the needs of the community. Regular fees are charged for the following statutory holidays, however, the program will not be offered.
New Years Day Labour Day
Good Friday Thanksgiving
Victoria Day Canada Day
Christmas Day Civic Holiday (1st Monday in August)
Boxing Day
CLOSURES
Early closure/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. Q97.5 FM radio station will be contacted to notify parents. (Top of Page)
Each parent is responsible for bringing his/her child into the program and signing him/her in on our attendance sheet - the program assumes responsibility for your child after this point. The reverse applies when going home. The parent must sign his/her child out of the program and at this point, Whitehills returns responsibility back to the parent.
Upon arrival and departure, please allow enough time to undress/dress your child and attend to his/her needs. This will help to ensure that your child starts and ends the day in a happy, relaxed manner.
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 program staff in advance of any special arrangements for release. We reserve the right to verify the information.
Children must be brought to, and picked up from the program by a responsible person over 13 years of age.
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 program must be well enough to participate in all aspects of the program. i.e. both indoor and outdoor play. If your child becomes ill during the program time and is unable to participate, you will be required to pick up your child immediately. In the event that you are unable to be here within an hour, the emergency person will be contacted.
In the event that you cannot be reached, the designated emergency person will be contacted to pick up your child.
Whitehills requires parents to sign a permission form for emergency medical treatment.
In case of emergency/injury, you will be contacted to meet the program 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.
Please notify Whitehills if your child contracts a communicable disease, so that other parents and/or Health Unit may be notified. Re-admittance will be in accordance with health regulations.
Written instruction and parent's signature on a permission form are required before medication will be administered. Only medications with a current date that are prescribed by a doctor and in the original bottle can 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 # 2 Pink eye and #8 Strep throat)
All medications are to be handed to the staff member and stored in a locked container.
After a diagnosis has been obtained, prescribed tylenol may be given for pain/fever for the current working week.
Staff should be notified of a child's allergy to food, clothing, animals, pollen, etc.
The staff will use non-prescription cream for diaper rash, however, if the rash persists, it must be diagnosed by a doctor.
Summer Policy: Written permission must be given if you wish the staff to apply insect repellent and sun screen to your child. (Top of Page)
ILLNESS POLICIES
COLDS: Your child may attend the program, but if his/her temperature becomes elevated you may be contacted.
CONJUNCTIVITIS/PINK EYE INFECTION: Your child must be picked up 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 after a normal stool or on the advice of a doctor i.e. due to teething, medication.
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 Fahrenheit or below, staff will monitor the child for additional symptoms and you will be informed. You may be called to pick up your child depending on his/her ability to cope in the program. If the temperature is 102 or higher, you will be called to pick up your child.
SKIN RASH: Rashes may need to be diagnosed and proper treatment started.
STREP THROAT: Immediate removal from the program and your child cannot 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 program until the white spots/blistering are no longer present.
HAND, FOOT AND MOUTH: If lesions/blisters are in the mouth, or watery blisters are on the hands, your child cannot return to the program 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 the Philosophy Statement. Daily activities include:
FREE PLAY: An opportunity for children to explore and experiment in play based activities of their choice, e.g. puppets, water play, puzzles, books.
CREATIVE ACTIVITIES: An opportunity for children to explore materials creatively, e.g. gluing, painting, cutting, making collages.
CIRCLE: An opportunity to learn through the sharing of stories, songs and ideas.
DRAMATIC PLAY: Provides an opportunity for children to express their feelings and to explore various roles through the free use of props.
CREATIVE MOVEMENT: Is an opportunity for children to move creatively to music, sounds or words.
OUTDOOR PLAY/ WALKS: Provided spontaneously, weather permitting and is an opportunity for children to experience outdoor games and activities and walks in the neighbourhood.
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.
FIELD TRIPS
Your child may participate in field trips. Notice of all field trips will be posted in advance. Parents are asked to sign a permission form to allow their child to participate.
Methods of transportation used; walking, rented buses, Kiwanis bus.
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.
Parents will rotate responsibility for snacks with juice provided by Whitehills. Some suggestions are:
- cheese and crackers
- muffins
- rice krispie squares
- fruit
- veggies and dip
Please inform the staff of any food allergies/restrictions your child may have.
WHITEHILLS IS A NUT FREE ENVIRONMENT! (Top of Page)
We believe guidance of behaviour should be handled without causing humiliation to a child. The staff will NOT use any form of corporal punishment (i.e. slapping, strapping, etc.), verbal or emotional abuse, or denial of physical necessities.
Positive reinforcement (verbal praise and encouragement) is emphasized and the staff will consistently:
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 may have should be directed to the Program Supervisor or Director.
Notes: If the staff determines a child may have special needs or that his/her behaviour is unmanageable, the Staff/Program Supervisor will meet with the parents to discuss the problems encountered and to formulate a plan to manage the situation i.e. contacting outside agencies. In the event that the program is unsuitable for a child, the Program Supervisor/Executive Director will meet with the parents to discuss alternative arrangements. (Top of Page)
CHILDREN'S STUFF
Please send your child in appropriate, labelled clothing so that his/her enjoyment of play will not be hampered and a complete change of clothing
Your child's art is important to him/her, please take it home daily.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Parents have access to the program at any time during the day, and are welcome to observe their children's activities or to participate if they wish.
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. (Top of Page)
Whitehills Childcare Association welcomes your family.
We are sure your stay with us will be a positive and rewarding one.
