Schoolage Program
HOURS OF OPERATION AND CLOSURES
|
|
Schoolage Program HOURS OF OPERATION AND CLOSURES |
Schoolage Program: Ages (5 to 12 years)
Locations:
Wilfrid Jury Childcare Centre, Parkview Schoolage Program, Ilderton Nursery School and Schoolage Programs, Centennial Central Schoolage Program, Sherwood Forest Schoolage Program, Orchard Park Public School
Whitehills Childcare Association programs are community services that operate as nonprofit 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.
Whitehills offersinclusive 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.
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 child care and the education system should promote the all round development of the child.
Based on these beliefs, quality child care is aimed at offering a child the maximum opportunities to grow and develop to their full potential. (Top of Page)
To achieve the quality care described in our program, we feel parents and staff should work together. Parent participation is encouraged in the following ways.
Before School Program: 7:30 a.m. to school opening
After School Program School: dismissal to 6:00 p.m.
P.A. Days and Holidays 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Regular fees are charged for the following statutory holidays, however, the school will be closed. No fees for Christmas Eve.
New Years Day
Family Day
Good Friday
Canada Day
Victoria Day
Civic Holiday (1st Monday in August)
Labour Day
Thanksgiving
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
Early closure/closures and additional holidays may be established at the discretion of the Board of Directors and/or the Executive Director.
School based programs will NOT operate if the school is closed due to storm conditions/power failure.
P.A. DAYS
A full day of care is provided on all P.A. Days at our Wilfrid Jury location. A full day program will be offered at additional sites if numbers permit. Various field trips are offered on these days to places of special interest.
HOLIDAY PROGRAM
A full day of care is provided during the summer months, Christmas and March Break at our Wilfrid Jury location. Emphasis is placed on recreational and outdoor activites, including field trips. A calendar of events is provided. (Top of Page)
To ensure a safe arrival BEFORE school each parent is responsible for bringing his/her child into the program and signing him/her in on our attendance sheet. The centre assumes responsibility for the child after this point until school transition time.
To ensure a safe departure AFTER school each parent must sign his/her child out of the program and at this point, the centre returns responsibility for the child back to the parent. Make sure that a staff member is aware of your child's arrival and departure.
NOTE: Whitehills Childcare Association does not assume responsibility for your child once he/she has left for the classroom or until he / she has arrived at the program. Safe transition between the before and after school program and the classroom is ensured by requesting your child:
Please let us know by 8:00 a.m. if your child is going to be absent for any reason. Please 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 from the program by a responsible person 13 years of age or older.
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 activities. Sick children will not be admitted.
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 is needed.
If your child becomes ill during his/her day and is unable to participate in our program, 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 Childcare Association requires parents 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/or Health Units 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 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. (Exc
eption: See Illness Policies on Pink eye and 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 must be notified of a child's allergy to food, clothing, animals, pollen, etc.
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: Immediate removal from the program if the eyes are discharging watery tears or mucous. If the infection is bacterial, your child may return 24 hours after starting eye drops, provided his/her 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 e.g. due to 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 must 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 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 diseases, Ministry of Health guidelines will apply. (Top of Page)
Our staff provides opportunities for fun and relaxing activities before and after a busy school day. Some examples of activities might include sports, crafts, games, cooking and drama.
Whitehills Childcare Association provides children with two nutritious snacks that adhere to the Canada Food Guide. Note: The morning snack is NOT a substitute for breakfast.
A menu is posed on the bulletin board. It is rotated on a 4 week basis. A summer and winter menu is offered.
On P.A. Days and holidays, parents should provide a nutritious lunch according to the Canada Food Guide. Lunches should be packaged and clearly labelled and should include a beverage.
Please inform the staff of any food allergies/restrictions your child may have.
Parents are welcome to provide a special treat for celebrations and birthdays. (Top of Page)
WHITEHILLS IS A NUT FREE ENVIRONMENT!
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.
In the event your child is unable to cope and exhibits an unacceptable behaviour (e.g. hitting), removal from the situation will be used in order to reflect on his/her actions and to gain control over his/her emotions. A staff member and your child will discuss an acceptable way of dealing with the situation should it occur again.
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)
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.
A monthly newsletter and calendar are distributed to each family. Contributions to the newsletter are appreciated.
Children should be suitably dressed for all weather conditions.
Due to circumstances beyond our control, field trips are subject to change.
Children are not encouraged to bring spending money.
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.
