Objectives
Nursery Two Child Care Centre is an incorporated non-profit, charitable organization. Nursery Two Child Care Centre is a United Way Member Agency.
A Voluntary Community Board of Directors consisting of parents, members of the community and staff.
The Centre is licensed by the Ministry of Community and Social Services under the Day Nurseries Act.
The professional staff in the Centre has training in Early Childhood Education, or equivalent training recognized by the Ontario Day Nurseries Act, and has a variety of experience in working with young children.
Objectives of the Organization:
- To offer quality child care service to families
- To provide a program of child development and early childhood education
- To promote involvement of families in the operation of the day care centre
- To educate parents and the public on the importance of a high quality child care system
- To influence decision-makers on child care issues
Our Early Childhood Education Programs are planned to provide challenging, creative programming and to promote the overall growth and development of young children.
The play environment is designed to meet the social, emotional, intellectual, and physical needs of the young child. Children, sometimes alone and sometimes-in collaboration with others, play out their fantasies and events of their daily lives. Through play young children consolidate their understanding of the world, their language and their social skills.
The daily schedule reflects the importance of providing children with the opportunity for active and quiet play indoors and outdoors, for self-directed activity and structured time.
Age appropriate toys are provided for the shared play experience of all children.
Entering our Early Childhood Education Programs is to step into a world of wonder, exploration, and discovery
PARENT MANUAL / Enrollment and OrientationAttendance
A child will be accepted in the program when:
- The child accompanies parent(s) on a preliminary visit
- The child is at an appropriate age
- The program meets the child’s needs
- The parent complies with the Childcare Centre’s orientation procedures and general policies
- All paperwork is completed
- All financial arrangements have been put in place
14. ATTENDANCE
Children that arrive prior to 9:15 a.m. can take full advantage of the educational program. A child’s consistent late arrival may hinder his/her ability to adapt socially and emotionally in the program. Regular attendance of your child is expected as it generally promotes better adjustment to the program.
However, if your child is unable to attend the Centre due to illness or vacation, please notify the Centre in the morning. Notifications of vacation plans are required.
Contact Phone Numbers:
Nursery Two @ St. John’s School: 745 7553
Nursery Two @ St. Alphonsus School: 745 3353
Fax: 745 7571(for both location)
PARENT MANUAL / Hours of OperationNursery Two Child Care Centre:
Hours of Operation for Full Days:
- Toddler Program
- Preschool Program
- JK/SK Program(Best Start)
- Before and After School Program
- Infant Program
- School Age Full Day Program
Hours of Operation for Nursery School:
9:00 to 11:30 am
Regular Hours of Operation Full Day:
7:30a.m. to 5:30pm
PARENT MANUAL
/ HolidaysEmergency Closures
Fees
It may be necessary to close the Centre for emergencies such as snowstorms, power failures, etc. Please tune into local radio stations for announcements regarding emergency closures. There will also be a message on our answering machine indicating a closure.
Fees are based on the cost of operating the Child Care Centre. No refunds can be given for absent days and vacations. Extended absences due to illness should be brought to the attention of the Executive Director. It is the parent’s responsibility to provide us with written information regarding any changes in your child’s schedule. If we do not receive this information from you, you will be billed for any missed days. Parents that are on a sporadic schedule are responsible to provide a weekly schedule at a minimum. If you do not provide us with a schedule we will assume you require full time care and will bill you accordingly. Please note that if you are on a sporadic schedule we cannot guarantee a spot on the day that care is needed if we do not receive a schedule a head of time. (it is important for everyone involved to receive schedules a head of time )
Fees are generally set for the fiscal year January to December. Each year the Board determines if a fee increase is required to run the Centre. Upon initial enrollment a onetime $40 registration fee is due. Fees can be paid by cash, cheque or money order.
PARENT MANUAL
/ Full and Partial SubsidyHealth Regulations
Program Description
Overview of the Day
Parent Role
The Centre has a Purchase of service Agreement with the City of Peterborough, which allows us to enroll children in subsidized spaces.
To ascertain subsidy eligibility, please contact the City of Peterborough at 748-8830. The Executive Director will be pleased to provide further information and to answer any questions regarding subsidy.
The Day Nurseries Health Record must be completed and returned to the childcare centre prior to the child entering the program.
The following are a part of everyday: Art, Science, Pre Literacy Skills, Pre Math Skills, Physical Activity, Dramatic Play, and Structured Learning time, and Outdoor Activities, rest time.
All program plans are posted on our Parent Boards.
Our program provides a minimum of 2 hours of outdoor play activities each day for those children that attend a full day, weather permitting. Parents must provide suitable and extra clothing for active play and varying weather conditions. Additional changes of clothing are needed in case of soiling or wetting. Labeled clothing is helpful. Parents need to provide diapers, change pad and diaper wipes for their child.
ROLE OF THE PARENT
Parent’s roles vary within our organization. Beyond your responsibility as a parent it is also your role to abide by the Policies and Procedures put into place by our Organization. Within this Parent Manual are the Policies in which you are to adhere to. We welcome parents to bring any skills to our Programs that would enhance the day for the children. Parents are encouraged to take part in field trips, Special Events at the Childcare Program, and offering your help as a volunteering at various events. Parents must also keep us up to date on any changes that may be important for the best care for your child.
PARENT MANUAL / Field TripsMeals
Rest Time
Field trips are a part of our program and are taken throughout the year to special places of interest. There are two types of field trips that we take the children on. The first type is a local informal trip, such as a walk around the neighborhood. For this type of trip, parents will receive a general permission form at registration time, which will cover all our informal trips. The second type of field trip is a formal longer trip, which involves transportation services such as public transportation or a chartered bus.
Parents will be informed of these excursions in advance and a consent form will have to be signed for each trip. Parents choosing not to have their child participate will be required to make their own alternative care arrangements at their own cost for the duration of the field trip.
Parents are always welcome to accompany their child on our trips. For transportation planning purposes, we require advance notice. A current police check for participating parents will also be required prior to the event.
A hot lunch and morning and afternoon snacks are provided.
All food is chosen on the basis of its nutritional value and with the food preferences of preschool children in mind.
It is important that we are informed if your child has any allergies or dietary restrictions. Parents are not allowed to bring any food to our programs due to allergies of some of the other children and staff. Some children have life threatening allergies and it is everyone’s responsibility to help protect all children
All children require a time for rest and relaxation in the course of a day filled with activities and socializing. A favourite blanket or a soft toy will serve as a comfort and reassurance to a child during rest period.
Due to the nature of a group program, there are limitations to the extent rest periods can be individualized. Children who do not require a two-hour rest period will be given the opportunity to engage in quiet play after one hour of rest. Children will not be prevented from falling asleep during two-hour rest period. Soft, comforting music will be played at rest time.
PARENT MANUAL / IllnessInjuries
Toys From Home
Your child should remain at home whenever he/she has a fever or has been diagnosed by a physician as having a contagious disease.
Parents will be notified and requested to pick up their child when he/she appears to be ill and/or shows symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or unidentified rashes.
After an unidentifiable rash has been diagnosed by a doctor, a note from a doctor is required stating that the child is not contagious. The child may return to the program with a medical certificate stating that the child is not contagious. The note must be dated.
In considering whether a child is well enough to return to the program, he/she must be well enough to participate in indoor and outdoor activities.
A teacher can only administer medication with a written authorization from the parent. The medicine must be in the original container, clearly labeled with instruction for storage and administration. Parents must complete our Medication Forms.
Parents will be notified immediately when a child receives an injury such as head or facial injuries, severe sprains, lacerations, etc. Minor injuries such as bumps, bruises, and scratches will be reported at pick-up time.
All our teachers have training in First Aid and CPR.
Toys from home frequently cause conflict and envy and should remain at home. A special cuddle toy or blanket for rest time is acceptable and recommended. We are not responsible for any lost toys.
PARENT MANUAL / BehaviourArrival/Departure
Parking Areas
When a child’s behaviour prevents him/her from functioning appropriately in our group settings a parent will be notified to pick up their child. However, all behaviours will be dealt with in a positive manner by our teachers and at a level that is appropriate to their actions and age of development. This is done to promote self-discipline, ensure health and safety and to respect the rights of others.
Methods and techniques for appropriate behaviour management are discussed at regular staff meetings and all our teachers are required to review and sign our Behaviour Policy Standards annually.
Parents must notify the teacher directly of the child’s arrival and departure. Children must never be left unattended in classrooms, playgrounds, hallways, cars, parking lots, or “drop off” areas.
The Centre must be informed whenever a person other than the parents will be picking up their child. The teachers will not release the child without this notification and photo identification.
Parking lots are a source of danger to young children and extreme caution must be used when entering and leaving the area.
Children are not to be left unattended in vehicles with the motor running. When dropping off and picking up your child, please ensure that the motor is turned off. Please respect the no parking zones and handicapped spaces.
PARENT MANUAL / Criteria For WithdrawalTemporary Withdrawal
Process for Communication
The child is no longer able to continue in the program when:
- The child is beyond program age
- The program does not meet the needs of a child
- The child is unable to function in a group setting
- The parent does not accept the policies of the program
In the event a child does not meet the criteria for continued enrollment in the program the centre may assist the family in pursuing other child care options in the community.
Parents must give a minimum of two weeks written notice or payment in lieu of notice.
If a child is withdrawn temporarily, he/she will be put on the waiting list on the date of withdrawal. Every effort will be made to re-enroll the child on the requested date. No guarantee can be given.
Open communication is vital to creating a positive environment. We welcome ongoing feedback from parents. Working together with families and building on your constructive feedback and recommendations enables us to improve our programs. All children that attend full days have a daily communication book for parents and staff to write in. If you have a concern that you would like to speak with a staff about please set up a time that is best for both you and the staff to speak together. Please remember the staffs first responsibility is the well being of all children in our care therefore they are unable to speak at length with parents during pick up and arrival times. If you would like to express your concern to our Executive Director please put your concern in writing or call her directly (745 7553).
PARENT MANUAL / Tips For ParentsWelcome From The Board
- Ensure that we always have current emergency contact names and telephone numbers
- Advise staff of any allergies or medical conditions
- Arrange for alternative care when your child is not well enough to participate fully in the program
- Advise the Centre each day if your child is absent due to illness or vacation
- Advise the Centre each day that your child will not be returning to the centre after school
- Ensure that your child has an extra set of clothing
- Label your child’s clothing
- Provide your child with appropriate outdoor clothing at all times
- Discourage your child from bringing toys from home to his or her program
- Ensure that all policies and procedures outlined in the Parent Manual are adhered to at all times.
The Board of Directors and Staff extend a warm welcome to all new children and parents.
NURSERY TWO CHILDCARE CENTRE
AGREEMENT
I/We have read and agree to the policies described within this manual. I also understand that Nursery Two will inform me of any changes to policies that would pertain to my child’s care. I further understand that not all of the agencies policies and procedures have been listed in this handbook. However, the policies and procedures that pertain to my child’s day to day care have been provided to me in this handbook.
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NAME OF CHILD (please print) SIGNATURE OF PARENT/GUARDIAN
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RELATION TO CHILD
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NAME OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTORSIGNATURE
______
DATED
This page is to be signed and returned with Registration Forms along with a up to date Record of Immunization.