École Leduc Estates Out of School Care/KinderCare Program

95 Alton Drive, Leduc, AB, T9E 5K4

780-986-6750

Email Address:

OUT OF SCHOOL CARE HANDBOOK FOR PARENTS

I/We have read the OSC Handbook and agree to abide by the policies and procedures set out within.

Confidentiality of Information Collected:

Please note, all information provided to the École Leduc Estates School Out of School Care/KinderCare for the purpose of enrolment or otherwise shall be considered confidential and shall not be used or made available to anyone outside of the OSC and School staff. Permission will be requested from parents for the provision and use of any information on a needed basis.

______

PARENT/Guardian SignatureDATE

Please return this form to the staff in the OSC. Thanks

École Leduc Estates School

Out of School Care/KinderCare

Parent Handbook

Operated by: Black Gold Regional Schools

95 Alton Drive, Leduc, AB T9E 5K4

(780)986-6750

ÉCOLE LEDUC ESTATES OUT OF SCHOOL CARE/KINDERCARE HANDBOOK

OVERVIEW

PROGRAMS

HOURS OF OPERATION

PROGRAM POLICY

PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

STAFF

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE TIME

COST

LUNCH

PARTICIPATION IN ÉCOLE LEDUC ESTATES HOT LUNCH PROGRAM

SNACK PROGRAM

CHILD DISCIPLINE

ACCIDENT/ILLNESSES

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

SUPERVISED CARE FOR SICK CHILDREN

HEALTH CARE

SMOKING

CHILDRENS’ RECORDS

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

EMERGENCY INFORMATION
Overview:

École Leduc Estates Schools, part of Black Gold Regional Schools operates a Before/After School Program and KinderCare Program that is licensed by Alberta Children Services.

The current operating capacity for the OSC Program at École Leduc Estates Schoolis for 51 children. The capacity for KinderCare is for 10 students. Both programs are staffed by personnel currently working for Black Gold Regional Schools as educational assistants. These individuals are also certified according to the requirements set forth in Alberta’s Child Care Licensing Act.

Parents are encouraged to make themselves familiar with Alberta’s Child Care Licensing Act (available online) and understand that although we are a school currently operating under the guidelines established by the Alberta School Act, all matters (forms, regulations etc.) that pertain to the operation of the OSC and KinderCare Program come under the Alberta Child Care Licensing Act. The regulations and requirements may be different than those found in theAlberta School Act.

Programs

École Leduc Estates School offers the following programs:

  • Out of School Care Program (OSC)
  • KinderCare Program (KC)

Contact:

To Contact the OSC program or KC program call École Leduc Estates School at (780)986-6750. The programs can also be contacted through email at This email will be reviewed at the sign in of each day, will not be reviewed after 3:05pm.

Hours of Operation:

  • Before School Care: 7:15 am – 8:36 am
  • After School Care:3:05 pm – 5:30 pm

2:20pm– 5:30pm on earlydismissal days

  • KinderCare Program:11:32 am -3:05 pm

8:42am- 3:05pm on early dismissal days

The OCS runs on instructional days (as per the BGRS approved school calendar), KC runs on ECS instructional days and early dismissal Wednesday (as per the ECS BGRS school calendar). KC commences on the first day of instruction for all kindergarten students. It does not operate on staggered entry days.

Students registered in KinderCare have access to Before/After School Care at no additional cost providing they can handle the length of the day. Please note that due to provincial legislation, parents must complete a registration form for both KinderCare and OSC if utilizing this option.

Program Policy

The École Leduc Estates School Out of School Care Programs (OSC) and KinderCare Programs provide a safe and nurturing environment for children outside of the regular school hours.

Children are cared for in a familiar and comfortable environment which offers parents a convenient and affordable child care option.

For both the KinderCare and Before and After School Care, your child must be able to toilet themselves. Staff is not permitted to leave the center to assist.

Program Activities

In both the OSC Program and the KinderCare Program, the children will engage in a variety of structured and unstructured activities to meet their physical, social, intellectual, creative and emotional needs. The following are examples of the types of activities the students will be engaged in:

Physical: students will play outdoors on the playing field or playground (weather permitting) or indoors in the gym; healthy snacks and drinks will be provided for the children each day during the after school care portion of the program.

Social: students will engage in cooperative group or partner play and socialization throughout their time in out of school care.

Intellectual: a variety of educational toys, board games, books and computer time will be available for children to access.

Creative: students will be able to create and explore through building, crafts, music, and drawing activities.

Emotional: students emotional well being will be enhanced by being closely supervised and monitored and by the modeling and reinforcement of social skills by staff members.

Staff

The Out of School Care and KinderCare Program are staffed by Black Gold Regional Schools employees who currently work within the school as educational assistants. As we are a licensed facility, all staff have a minimum of Child Development Assistant Childcare certification through Alberta Children Services. In compliance with Alberta Children Services requirements, all staff have a current criminal background check, a Child Intervention check and first aid training.

The school principal and the assistant principal are certified as the OSC and KC supervisors.

Program Registration and Fee Information

Registration in both the OSC Program and the KinderCare Program is on a first come-first paid basis.

École Leduc Estates begins accepting registrations for the KinderCare Program with ECS registrations in January of the year prior to the student attending kindergarten and Out of School Care registrations in June.

Children attending the École Leduc Estates OSC Program and KinderCare must currently reside in the enrolment area for École Leduc Estates School and be a registered student at École Leduc Estates School.

Registration Information for Both Programs:

As a licensed facility we are required to be in compliance with the regulations set forth in the Alberta Child Care Licensing Act. We are inspected and monitored consistently by Alberta Children Services for compliance. The following information and policies related to registration must be strictly adhered to:

  1. All registration forms must be completed on a yearly basis in full. We require complete contact information for parents and emergency contact (this includes addresses). No forms will be accepted without this information as we are required to have these forms in the center at all times. Parents are responsible for updating their contact information with the program staff. Please note that updating your school forms does not constitute updating your OSC and/or KinderCare forms. You must specifically notify the staff in the OSC center of your new information.
  2. All health related information must be included on these forms as well as information regarding any medication the student may take. If your child self administers medication, the staff must be aware of where the medication is kept (example: fanny pack/back pack etc.). If our staff is required to administer medication, we must have a completed medical form (these are available at the office). The medication must be in the original prescription vial with correct information on the vial. Please note that the medication for the OSC center must be kept in the center so if, for example the school retains an epi-pen for your child in the school office, we would require another epi-pen to be kept in the OSC center.

Arrival and Departure Time

  • All children must be physically signed in and out of the program by a parent or authorized person.
  • Parents must complete an authorization for permission to release their child to a person other than themselves. This must be done in advance so parents are advised to select individuals in advance. Phone calls will not be accepted (unless it is deemed to be an emergency)
  • The program operates with a strict drop off time in the morning of 7:15 AM and a pick up time of 5:30 PM in the afternoon. For parents and/or authorized persons who are late picking up their child(ren), the following will be applied:

The current overtime rate per hour (to the nearest half hour) for the staff member on duty will be billed to the parent. This amount is payable and due immediately. Failure to pay may result in yourchild(ren) will be removed from our Out of School Program.

For the 2017-2018 school year, the late charge is: $17.50 (each half hour)

Further late pick-ups (after the first) will result intermination of yourOut of School Care registration.

We understand parent’s frustrations when faced with unexpected delays due to traffic etc. However,we will not tolerate rudeness to the OSC staff and/or school staff. The staff thatwork in this program must follow the guidelines established by the program.

TERMINATION/ WITHDRAWAL OF REGISTRATION AND ATTENDANCE

École Leduc Estates School Out of School Care reserves the right to terminate or modify registration and attendance in the Out of School Care Program and/or KinderCare (or part thereof) for any of the following reasons, but not solely limited to:

  • Child’s inability to meet the demands of the program or the length of the time in care.
  • The provider’s inability to meet the child’s needs in a manner that is safe for all children and staff.
  • Failure to abide by the policies in this handbook.
  • Lack of parental cooperation and communication.

If the safety of staff and students are at risk, termination may be immediate. In other circumstances the steps in the discipline policy will be followed. The director (principal) may choose to provide the parents with date specific time to make other child care arrangements.

If École Leduc Estates School Out of School Care terminates registration and attendance, unpaid portions of the fees paid will be refunded.

Should you have to withdraw your child from the KinderCare program, we ask that you give one month notice to the School Office or Out of School Care Staff. This gives us the opportunity to fill your child’s spot in the program.

Cost

For the 2017-2018 school year the costs are as follows:

Before School Care: $7/per visit

After School Care:$9/per visit (includes snack)

KinderCare: $503.60/ month based on

($28/day and $40/early dismissal)

The KC works on anonline monthly payment plan. The Fee has been determined by:

((Number Regular ECS Days X $28) + (Early Dismissal Days X $40))/10= monthly cost

A deposit of one month will be collected and monthly payments will be taken October thru June. One months’ notice must be given in order for monthly payments to be stopped.

Receipts are available electronically through your PowerSchool account.

We do participate in the Child Care Subsidy Program administered by Alberta Children Services. Parents requiring this option have to complete the application thru Alberta Children Services.

Lunch

Children attending the KC Program are required to bring a packed lunch from home on each day they attend. The only exception to this would be if parents have chosen to order a Hot Lunch for their child on Fridays. For Hot Lunch information refer to École Leduc Estates Website or inquire at the office.

Snack Program (OSC)

  • Children who attend the After School Care portion of the program are provided with a small snack at approximately 3:45 PM. Preparation of the snack menu is based on the nutritional guidelines provided by Children Services and the Canada Food Guide.
  • If your child has allergies, it is the parents responsibility to provide alternative snacks.

Child Discipline

As part of the licensing agreement with Alberta Children Services, we are required to have a child discipline policy for children attending our OSC programs. The Out of School Care Program will follow the Discipline Procedures as per Black Gold Regional Schools and theÉcoleLeduc Estates School 3 C Plan.

1.Students and adults maintain a learning atmosphere where each individual is respected.

2.Students and adults act and speak kindly to each other.

3.Students and adults actively work or play in ways that are safe.

Talk --Walk --Get Help

The basic purpose of discipline is to develop, as far as possible, in all students, the capacity for responsible behaviour and self-discipline.

As part of our Out of School Care Program, staff will strive to support children with the following goals:

  • Children need to be safe, with themselves and others
  • Children should feel good about themselves and have positive interactions with staff and peers
  • Children should develop self-control and good coping skills
  • Children need to learn to appropriately express their feelings
  • Children should be encouraged and supported to become more independent
  • Children need guidance to balance their needs and wants with those of others
  • Children will be helped and encouraged to learn new problem solving skills, including non-violent conflict resolution

Acceptable Discipline Methods:

Age appropriate, fair routines, consequences, etc. are in place both at our school and in our OSC Programs. We believe consistency in expectations is most important for effective discipline. Any discipline measures used with a child are appropriate to the developmental needs of the individual child and may include the following:

  • Redirect child with verbal request
  • Speak to child individually away from other children and explain the reason the child needs to change the action or behaviour
  • Redirect child to another area of the room or center
  • Remove child from the play center for a brief time-out to de-escalate the situation
  • The staff will discuss the issue with the child to work out possible causes and solutions. A brainstorming session will occur between the child and staff member to identify some possible solutions that could be implemented.
  • The Program Director/Principal may be included in the discussion to assist in the brainstorming of possible solutions, where warranted.
  • Parents will be notified of difficulties that the child has had by the staff and if the difficulties persist, the Program Director/Principal will meet with the parents to try to resolve the issues. If issues are left unresolved the following removal from care will be followed:
  • 1 day
  • 3 days
  • 5 days
  • Lastly, child will be removed from the program.

Prohibited Activities – Child Discipline:

  • Spanking or other corporal punishment of children
  • Subjecting children to cruel or severe punishment such as humiliation
  • Verbal or physical abuse, neglect, or abusive treatment
  • Depriving children of meals or snacks
  • Force feeding children

Accident or Illness

In case of an accident or serious illness involving a child, the child’s parent shall be notified by telephone of the incident as soon as is possible.The staff will access medical attention for the child in case of a serious illness or accident as necessary.

In compliance with the regulations established by Alberta Children Services, all serious accidents or illnesses will be the licensing officer with Alberta Children Services.

Communicable Disease

A staff member who knows or believes that a child may have a communicable disease will ensure that the child’s parent/guardian is contacted and the child is removed from the program premises immediately.

Signs or symptoms of illness exhibited by a child include the child (a) vomiting, having a fever, diarrhea or a new or unexplained rash or cough, (b) requiring greater care and attention than can be provided without compromising the care of the other children in the program, or (c) having or displaying any other illness or symptom the staff member knows or believes may indicate that the child poses a health risk to persons on the program premises.

Supervised Care for Sick Children

A child who is in the program who is deemed to be sick shall be kept as far away from the other children as possible until such time as the parent/guardian is able to remove the child from the program.

Health Care

Program staff may only provide or allow for the provision of health care to a child if the written consent of the parent has been obtained, or if the health care provided is in the nature of first aid.

Smoking

No staff member shall smoke at any time or place where child care is being provided.All school buildings in Black Gold Regional Schools are designated smoke free.

Children’s’ Records

Information will be collected and maintained by Program staff for each child registered in the Out of School Care Program. Please ensure that emergency contact information is kept up to date.

Emergency Procedures

The Out of School Care Program will follow the Emergency Procedures outlined for the school and also those identified in the BGRS Crisis Manual. The programs will participate in all school drills that occur during Program hours.

In the event of an emergency evacuation during OSC hours, the children attending the OSC programs will be taken to the Alliance Church on Black GoldDrive.

Emergency Information

In case of an Emergency on premises refer to the Black Gold Website at or the École Leduc Estates School Website