Open Door:
Parents are welcome to check in throughout the day as they wish. Parents may call or text me on my cell number and usually I can reply fairly quickly if not immediately.
Food:
I follow the Canada Food Guide for meal planning. I do not follow a set menu but do have examples of meals I serve available for the parents review. Children that arrive before 7:30 AM will be offered breakfast, otherwise all children will receive a morning snack, lunch as well as afternoon snack. Please do not send any food or drinks with your child without prior discussion. No child will be forced to eat although they will be encouraged to try everything. We are tree nut free and mainly peanut free. We do have a peanut allergy in the dayhome currently so I refrain from using any peanut butter unless they are absent that day.
Supplies:
Each child will have a designated space for their diapers (if applicable). Please label a Ziploc bag with your childs name if you choose to leave a spare set of clothing at the dayhome. Otherwise please have a spare set of clothing in the diaper bag. Parents are required to dress their children appropriately for the weather including a hat and swimsuit in the summer months. Sunblock is required in the sunny weather, parents are asked to apply sunblock before drop-off in the summer mornings if they are dropping off after 9 AM as we are often going immediately outside and sunblock needs a 20 minute period after application before it is most effective.
Toilet Training:
I am more than happy to assist and encourage your child during potty training, providing they are ready. Please send cotton underwear or pull-ups as well as two changes of clothes during this time. Parents should dress their child in clothing that is easily removed by themselves. Soiled clothing will be rinsed out and handwashed with laundry soap time permitting at the dayhome; otherwise it will be send home in a plastic bag. Please replace spare clothing as needed.
Behavior & Discipline:
I believe that children should be treated with patience, consistency, courtesy, respect and positive reinforcement. I encourage the children to use their manners as well as to be kind and respectful of others. If a child is showing inappropriate behavior they will be redirected to another activity and reminded of better choices. Generally redirection is very effective especially with younger children. If redirection isn't working in a particular situation a time-out may be given. Almost always one minute per year of age, not to exceed ten minutes and the child will not be left unattended. If a child's behavior becomes an issue and interferes with the other children's well being I will address it with you and we will try to resolve it together.
Sometimes at drop-off and pick-up times a child may forget the rules or test the boundaries when both a parent and a provider are both present. Please remind your children that they still need to follow my house rules while you are present if they are acting inappropriately.
Illness:
It is in everyone’s best interest that a sick child stays home. If a child has any of the symptoms listed below, they will not be permitted to attend the dayhome until symptoms subside or 24 FULL hours after medical treatment has begun as prescribed by a physician.
Symptoms include but are not limited to:
1. Fever of 100 or more
2. Severe diarrhea (cannot be contained by the diaper or toilet) or vomiting
3. Unexplained rash
4. Pinkeye or eye drainage
5. Chickenpox
In the event that your child is ill and needs to miss a day, please call/text before your anticipated arrival. If a child becomes ill while at the dayhome, parents will be notified and he/she must be picked up.
Health:
I will do my best to maintain a healthy environment for the children. Although no environment can be made germ free, keeping their numbers low can lessen the harmful effects of germs. The #1 way to reduce the spread of germs is by thorough and frequent hand washing. I require hand washing before eating and after toileting. All children have their own color coded hand towel/face cloth. Play areas and toys are cleaned frequently also.
Safety:
Our house and yard is set up as a safe environment for children. Safety gates, door latches and electrical outlet covers are throughout the house. Poisonous/toxic substances are placed out of children’s reach.
Although supervision is constantly given, I cannot be by the child’s side at all times to prevent falls, tripping, bumps, etc. If the child is injured in a non-life-threatening way, I will assess the child and provide home first-aid. In the event of a serious injury, the parents will be notified immediately and necessary steps will be taken to obtain medical aid. For emergency purposes, parents must keep all contact information current. If I am unable to reach you, or your emergency contacts, I will transport your child to his/her doctor or the nearest medical facility if necessary. If immediate intervention is required, I will take appropriate action, including calling 911 and having your child transported by ambulance to the hospital. You and your family insurance is/are responsible for the cost of medical help or treatment due to accidents or illness while in the dayhome. The provider is not responsible for any accidents that may happen to your child or for any medical or legal charges.
Television Viewing:
Television viewing is very limited. Children are never required to sit and watch TV it is not offered in place of free play or learning activities. The majority of screen time is at naptime and Leap Frog DVD or on special party days such as Polar Express on our traditional Pajama Day when we make our Wish Lists for Santa.
Transportation:
Walking is our first choice method of transportation. Babies and toddlers have access to the 4 person stroller or wagon; preschoolers are encouraged to walk as much as possible. In inclement weather we will drive. Each child will be in the appropriate car seat or booster seat provided by the provider. In summer months we may drive to a neighboring community for a picnic or to the zoo. Parents will be notified in advance as much as possible. Traffic and safety laws will be followed. No child will ever be left unattended in a vehicle.
Holidays:
I will close for two weeks in the summer month with the option of a third week at Christmas. All Provincial and National holidays the dayhome will be closed. Notification of at least 30 days will be given prior to any closed days with the exception of emergencies or illness. Rates are based on a 20-day month; all additional days will be banked and taken in lieu for holidays. Please have a backup childcare provider for these occasions. I am not responsible for finding alternate care for your child, although I will try to have backup at all times. In the event that I will be away for a period of time less than three hours substitute care will be provided by a back-up provider that I will arrange, most likely my husband.
Terminating Child Care:
After the trial period a two-week notice must be given prior to terminating childcare services, or to make changes in the contract (i.e. need to change hours or days care is needed). Parents will be responsible for paying for the two weeks after notice is given regardless of whether parents choose to keep children in care or not for those two weeks. If I feel that the requirements of the contract are not being met or if there is a conflict in caring for a child I may choose to terminate the contract. I will give families a minimum of two week notice and assist in any way I can to help families find new child care.
The child care reserves the right to terminate the service if:
1. Tuition is not paid in full
2. If the parent is not supportive of the guidelines
3. The provider is treated in an abusive or derogatory manner
4. Child fails to adjust in the dayhome
5. If the child’s behavior is disruptive, unmanageable, and/or harmful to the other children
or to the provider
Parents are welcome to check in throughout the day as they wish. Parents may call or text me on my cell number and usually I can reply fairly quickly if not immediately.
Food:
I follow the Canada Food Guide for meal planning. I do not follow a set menu but do have examples of meals I serve available for the parents review. Children that arrive before 7:30 AM will be offered breakfast, otherwise all children will receive a morning snack, lunch as well as afternoon snack. Please do not send any food or drinks with your child without prior discussion. No child will be forced to eat although they will be encouraged to try everything. We are tree nut free and mainly peanut free. We do have a peanut allergy in the dayhome currently so I refrain from using any peanut butter unless they are absent that day.
Supplies:
Each child will have a designated space for their diapers (if applicable). Please label a Ziploc bag with your childs name if you choose to leave a spare set of clothing at the dayhome. Otherwise please have a spare set of clothing in the diaper bag. Parents are required to dress their children appropriately for the weather including a hat and swimsuit in the summer months. Sunblock is required in the sunny weather, parents are asked to apply sunblock before drop-off in the summer mornings if they are dropping off after 9 AM as we are often going immediately outside and sunblock needs a 20 minute period after application before it is most effective.
Toilet Training:
I am more than happy to assist and encourage your child during potty training, providing they are ready. Please send cotton underwear or pull-ups as well as two changes of clothes during this time. Parents should dress their child in clothing that is easily removed by themselves. Soiled clothing will be rinsed out and handwashed with laundry soap time permitting at the dayhome; otherwise it will be send home in a plastic bag. Please replace spare clothing as needed.
Behavior & Discipline:
I believe that children should be treated with patience, consistency, courtesy, respect and positive reinforcement. I encourage the children to use their manners as well as to be kind and respectful of others. If a child is showing inappropriate behavior they will be redirected to another activity and reminded of better choices. Generally redirection is very effective especially with younger children. If redirection isn't working in a particular situation a time-out may be given. Almost always one minute per year of age, not to exceed ten minutes and the child will not be left unattended. If a child's behavior becomes an issue and interferes with the other children's well being I will address it with you and we will try to resolve it together.
Sometimes at drop-off and pick-up times a child may forget the rules or test the boundaries when both a parent and a provider are both present. Please remind your children that they still need to follow my house rules while you are present if they are acting inappropriately.
Illness:
It is in everyone’s best interest that a sick child stays home. If a child has any of the symptoms listed below, they will not be permitted to attend the dayhome until symptoms subside or 24 FULL hours after medical treatment has begun as prescribed by a physician.
Symptoms include but are not limited to:
1. Fever of 100 or more
2. Severe diarrhea (cannot be contained by the diaper or toilet) or vomiting
3. Unexplained rash
4. Pinkeye or eye drainage
5. Chickenpox
In the event that your child is ill and needs to miss a day, please call/text before your anticipated arrival. If a child becomes ill while at the dayhome, parents will be notified and he/she must be picked up.
Health:
I will do my best to maintain a healthy environment for the children. Although no environment can be made germ free, keeping their numbers low can lessen the harmful effects of germs. The #1 way to reduce the spread of germs is by thorough and frequent hand washing. I require hand washing before eating and after toileting. All children have their own color coded hand towel/face cloth. Play areas and toys are cleaned frequently also.
Safety:
Our house and yard is set up as a safe environment for children. Safety gates, door latches and electrical outlet covers are throughout the house. Poisonous/toxic substances are placed out of children’s reach.
Although supervision is constantly given, I cannot be by the child’s side at all times to prevent falls, tripping, bumps, etc. If the child is injured in a non-life-threatening way, I will assess the child and provide home first-aid. In the event of a serious injury, the parents will be notified immediately and necessary steps will be taken to obtain medical aid. For emergency purposes, parents must keep all contact information current. If I am unable to reach you, or your emergency contacts, I will transport your child to his/her doctor or the nearest medical facility if necessary. If immediate intervention is required, I will take appropriate action, including calling 911 and having your child transported by ambulance to the hospital. You and your family insurance is/are responsible for the cost of medical help or treatment due to accidents or illness while in the dayhome. The provider is not responsible for any accidents that may happen to your child or for any medical or legal charges.
Television Viewing:
Television viewing is very limited. Children are never required to sit and watch TV it is not offered in place of free play or learning activities. The majority of screen time is at naptime and Leap Frog DVD or on special party days such as Polar Express on our traditional Pajama Day when we make our Wish Lists for Santa.
Transportation:
Walking is our first choice method of transportation. Babies and toddlers have access to the 4 person stroller or wagon; preschoolers are encouraged to walk as much as possible. In inclement weather we will drive. Each child will be in the appropriate car seat or booster seat provided by the provider. In summer months we may drive to a neighboring community for a picnic or to the zoo. Parents will be notified in advance as much as possible. Traffic and safety laws will be followed. No child will ever be left unattended in a vehicle.
Holidays:
I will close for two weeks in the summer month with the option of a third week at Christmas. All Provincial and National holidays the dayhome will be closed. Notification of at least 30 days will be given prior to any closed days with the exception of emergencies or illness. Rates are based on a 20-day month; all additional days will be banked and taken in lieu for holidays. Please have a backup childcare provider for these occasions. I am not responsible for finding alternate care for your child, although I will try to have backup at all times. In the event that I will be away for a period of time less than three hours substitute care will be provided by a back-up provider that I will arrange, most likely my husband.
Terminating Child Care:
After the trial period a two-week notice must be given prior to terminating childcare services, or to make changes in the contract (i.e. need to change hours or days care is needed). Parents will be responsible for paying for the two weeks after notice is given regardless of whether parents choose to keep children in care or not for those two weeks. If I feel that the requirements of the contract are not being met or if there is a conflict in caring for a child I may choose to terminate the contract. I will give families a minimum of two week notice and assist in any way I can to help families find new child care.
The child care reserves the right to terminate the service if:
1. Tuition is not paid in full
2. If the parent is not supportive of the guidelines
3. The provider is treated in an abusive or derogatory manner
4. Child fails to adjust in the dayhome
5. If the child’s behavior is disruptive, unmanageable, and/or harmful to the other children
or to the provider