Welcome Home Learning Centre

WELCOME HOME LEARNING CENTRE

Parent/Guardian Binder

At Welcome Home Learning Centre, we believe that private home childcare gives your child the extra attention needed during their influential years. Small numbers ensure the individual attention that will encourage self-assurance and personal development.

The following agreement is made between:

Welcome Home Learning Centre

Jodi Carr

1377 Christina Court

Burlington, ON

L7P2V8

AND

Parent/Guardian(s) Name:

______

Address:______

Telephone:______

For the provision of child care for:

Child's Name:______

For the year

20____

The terms of the agreement are as follows:

Introduction

Welcome Home Learning Centre is committed to the value and uniqueness of each child. We understand that a child's early experiences can influence the adult he or she becomes. The early childhood education (ECE) and recreation professionals take concepts from many different development theories (Waldorf, Montessori) as well as their own experiences to create a holistic approach to the education of children and for children.

We understand how children learn and develop, not just cognitively, but also physically, socially, and emotionally. We design games and activities that are fun and educational in specific ways.

Welcome Home Learning Centre aims to provide children with a nurturing home care environment where social, physical, emotional and cognitive development is fostered. Through a variety of daily planned encounters, the children will experience creativity, building and construction play, floor and table toys, science and nature, books, music, math, drama, sensory, quiet play, group and individual activity time.

Children

Placement is available for up to 5 children at a time between the ages of 6weeks and6 years.

Special Health Care

Parent/guardians of children with a special health care needs will be advised on the extent of care we can offer. Staff are not qualified or trained to practice in the health care field beyond child specified training and emergency procedures. They may not be able to adequately deal with all the health care requirements of the child with special health care needs which may include things such as feeding tubes, uncontrolled seizures ect…

Reasonable precautions will be taken by the provider to ensure that every child's needs are met. Reasonable precautions for which the provider will accept responsibility will be agreed to in writing with the family at the time of registration, or at the time the Centre first becomes aware of the special health care needed.

Application for Admission

Parent/guardians seeking admission to the Welcome Home Learning Centre for their children must fill out an application form and return it with their first weeks fee.

Staff

Jodi Carr

Jodi is an ECE teacher with many years of experience working with children birth-16 years of age. She was a program instructor and parent educator for the YMCA for 14 years. In 2000 she was elected to the Halton Catholic School Board as the trustee for Burlington. She has worked as a teacher at Orde Street School – Toronto, King’s Road School – Burlington, Water Park Place C.C.C, Queen Street Centre for Mental Health and Addiction and Life Bridge C.C.C. She was the director for Tansley Woods, Camp Buradaca and Waterdown Day Camp. Single mom to an amazing14 year old.

During your families time at Welcome Home Learning Centre the providers agree to supply:

  • A safe environment for the child
  • Lots of care and affection (hugs, encouragement).
  • Stimulating and educational curriculum
  • Physical activities
  • Nutritious snacks and meals
  • Basic hygiene
  • Daily verbal communication with parent/guardians on days when children are in attendance at the centre
  • Positive reinforcement and encouragement in all your child does or attempts to do.
  • Opportunities to play in "larger groups" of children with the security of belonging to a small group home.

The Parent/Guardian

The parent/guardians agree to:

  • Pick up their child promptly, so the providers family's needs may also be met.
  • Call in advance if their child is going to be absent or late.
  • Notify the provider in case of illness and keep a sick child at home.
  • Be prompt in their childcare payments.
  • Provide extra snacks if your child requires them
  • Send diapers, wipes, bottles and formula (if required)
  • Discuss and provide special diet foods if needed
  • Send weather appropriate change of clothing (labeled with child's name),

Our Mutual Responsibility

  • Treat each other and your child with respect.
  • Communicate on a regular basis about your child's rest, nutrition, new skills, fears, interests, and joys.

Hours and Days of Operation

Care is available Monday – Friday from 7am to 5:30pm. After hours care, overnight care and weekend care maybe available when prearranged with the provider.

If both the caregivers cannot provide service due to illness or bereavement, the parent/guardians will be notified no later than 6:30am on the day by text message. The day’s pay is not expected. It is the parent/guardian's responsibility to find alternative day care.

A caregiver may take up to 10 days vacation per year. A minimum of two weeks notice will be given before the caregiver’s vacation leave is taken. The provider will attempt to find a replacement teacher however; it is the parent/guardian's responsibility to find alternative day care if a supply staff can not be found.

Welcome Home Learning Centre is CLOSED on the following holidays.

Payment is expected.

New Year's Day (January 1) Family Day (February 18)
Good Friday & Easter Monday (March or April) Victoria Day (in May)
Canada Day (July 1)
Civic Holiday (August)
Labour Day (September)
Thanksgiving (October)
Christmas Eve (December 24)
Christmas Day (December 25)
Boxing Day (December 26)
Any other government holiday

If aholidays fall on a weekend, the provider may take off a day before or after.

If previous arrangements have been made, the provider may be available to work certain holidays at a rate of time and one half.

Closing Policy

Parent/guardians should consider the centre open on regular service days unless otherwise notified. Criteria for closing are as follows:

  • The Centre is unable to provide a program for the children;(e.g. power outage, floods, storms etc)
  • All Major institutions such as all schools, universities, government offices have closed;
  • Dangerous or obstructed road conditions;
  • Police reports recommend closure.

Any or all of the above criteria may be used. Closure will be announced by a phone call from the provider as soon as possible.

Back Up Care

When choosing family childcare it is imperative that you have reliable back up care available. In the event of provider illness, vacations, etc., it is the responsibility of the client to arrange alternate care. However at Welcome Home Learning Centre we have a list of reliable and trained supply staff. When possible a supply staff member will be called in to replace the primary care provider.

Supply Staff

Occasionally the provider may find it necessary to leave the daycare home for a small portion of the day. A substitute (Usually Grams or Pops) will be provided if this is necessary. Parent/guardians will be informed in advance, if at all possible, if this is to take place.

Fees

All fees include meals, snacks and learning programs.Payment must be made in cash or by Cheque. Childcare fees are charged on a weekly basis. Payment is due every Friday by 5:30 pm. Each family is required to pay the weekly fee whenever the centre is open, whether or not the child is in attendance. This weekly fee ensures that the child's spot is held for him/her. Minimum number of days a week is 2. There are no ½ day fees. Sibling discounts only apply to FT spaces.

FULL TIME
( per week) / PART TIME
2 -4 days per week
(per day) / After Hours Care
(after 5:30pm) / Before and After School (per day)
$225.00 / $50.00 / $12.50per hour / No longer offered

Written notification will be given two weeks in advance by the day care for increases in child-care fees.

You are entitled to 1 week holiday per year (or the equivalent number of days your child attends in a week. For example if your child attends childcare 3 days a week you are entitled to 3 vacations days a year) where payment is not required. You cannot bank your holiday days from year to year. You may not use your holiday week when giving notice to leave care.When thedays are used up, payment is required even if your child stays home sick. This applies only when a minimum of two-weeks notice has been given before the child's scheduled arrival. Welcome Home Learning Centre is not obligated to hold a child's day care spot after 1 week of unpaid absents by the child.

Fees Not Paid On Time

If fees are not paid regularly and on time, the following policy will be applied:

  • For those accounts, which are two days in arrears, childcare services will be suspended until payment is received. A $10.00 per day late fee will be added. For example if payment is not made Friday by Saturday you owe your fee PLUS $10. If you do not pay until Sunday you owe an additional $20. If you pay Monday you owe your amount PLUS a $30 late fee.
  • Should payment not be received within five days of this suspension, services will be withdrawn and your child's space will be forfeited.
  • Unpaid accounts will be referred to a collection agency for recovery within 120 days of the child's withdrawal from the Centre.

Late Pick Up Fee

Late fee is $20 per 15 minutes or part there of starting at 5:30 according to the providers clock. The late fee is payable in cash or credit card upon pick up to the provider who waits with the child. A written warning will be issued to a family if they are late on 3 occasions. Any family who is late 5 times may be asked to leave the program.

Drop Off Adjustment

WHAT IS NORMAL: It is normal for your child to have some fears and misgivings about being away from you. Children, like adults, need time to get used to new situations. Try to prepare your child for the changes as far in advanced as possible. Discuss any concerns they may have. Talk about some of the new people your child will meet and the new things your child will do. If you are enthusiastic, soon your child will be too.

FIRST EXPERIENCE: If this is the first time your child has been separated from you, it is natural for them to be hesitant. A cheerful good-bye kiss, a smile, and a reassuring word that you will be back after work is all you need to do. Our caring staff will take it from there. Please do not sneak out when your child is not looking. Usually the child will settle down shortly after you leave.

COMMON BEHAVIORS: Depending on their age, some children will “act out” their feelings by:

1. Clinging to you and refusing to let go

2. Having tantrums

3. Forgetting their toilet training

4. Not eating

5. Waking up at night or having bad dreams

6. Thumb sucking

7. Bed-wetting

8. Expressing desire to stay home

WHAT TO DO: Usually these problems are temporary. If your child is treated lovingly, this behaviour should go away. Please feel free to call the provider when you arrive at work. Chances are that your child will be busy playing and you can relax and concentrate.

Arrival Routine

  • Help your child remove coat or other outerwear and shoes.
  • Put coats, spare clothing, boots, etc. neatly away.
  • Give the provider any special instructions for the day.
  • Give your child a kiss and say goodbye. Any tears will stop quickly. I promise

Departure Routine

  • Check the basket for artwork, notices.
  • Check for wet or soiled clothes.
  • Ask about your child's day.

Early and Late

We have an open door policy and you are welcome to join us at any time of day. However in order to stay here with the child 2days’ notice must be given so the other parents can be informed.

If you need to pick up your child early than you have indicated, please call so that the provider can make sure that they will be home when you arrive.

If you need to drop your child off late, please call so that the provider is not waiting around, wondering whether or not you will be coming.

If you need to drop off your child early, PLEASE contact the provider in advance.

You must always notify the provider if you anticipate being late for pick up. You will be charged for a late pick up and must pay when you arrive.

Child Release Policy

Children will only be sent home with people listed in their file. This form must be updated on a regular basis, especially if people other than parent/guardians are to pick up the children.

Photo ID. will be requested if the pick-up person is not familiar to the provider.

NOTE: Failure to notify the Centre that someone other than a parent/guardian is picking up a child will result in the child not being released until confirmation has been obtained.

In the interest of the safety of custodial parent/guardians, children and staff, the Centre is not be used as the place for non-custodial parent/guardian access.

Child Abduction Policy

If an unauthorized person comes to pick up a child from the centre, the provider will explain that they cannot release the child without authorization, and will take the child with them to check the file as well as to check for messages. The staff person must call a parent/guardian or emergency contact to obtain permission for release. If the child is taken without permission, this will be treated as an abduction and the police will be called immediately.

Duty to Report Child Abuse and Neglect

All staff at Welcome Home Learning Centre are responsible for reporting a child in need of protection. If a person has reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is or may be in need of protection, the person must promptly report the suspicion directly to a children’s aid society. The person must not rely on anyone else to report on his or her behalf. If any member of Welcome Home Learning Centre suspects any form of abuse, they WILL report it to CAS.

Health

Outdoor activities involving fresh air exercise and naps or quiet time are part of our daily agenda for all children in our program.

Meals and Snacks

A nutritious breakfast and lunch and 2 snacks are served as part of the program.

We use local produce and meat when possible. Children with food allergies are always welcome however this is NOT a nut free environment.

A child is never forced to finish what is on his/her plate. However, they are encouraged to try one or two bites of everything. Sometimes they are surprised by what they like!

If you wish to provide snacks or lunch on your child's birthday or another time, that's great! If you let the provider know ahead of time, it helps.

Allergies and Special Food Requirements

Every effort is made to accommodate children with allergies to certain foods, and special dietary requests. If your child is allergic to any foods, please let the provider know as soon as possible and we will make appropriate substitutions. If a child has so many allergies that he/she cannot eat from the menu, you are required to provide the child's meals and snacks.

The Welcome Home earning Centre accommodates allergies and dietary requirements to the best of our knowledge and ability. Please feel free to share any recipes with us.

Smoke free policy

The Welcome Home Learning Centre is a smoke-free, environment.

Naps

All children under the age of 5 are required to have a rest period. Children will be provided a safe, warm, quiet place to rest. Children under the age of 18 months sleep in a crib or playpen. Children over 18 months may sleep on the floor, on a foam mat, on a bed or couch as available. Children, who wake up before their rest time is over, will be guided in finding a quiet time activity to engage in that, will not disturb the other children still resting. Children will nap at the time scheduled by their families. We do not do group rest time.

Outdoors Play

Please dress your child appropriately for the current weather, and in play clothes (with shoes that adequately protect the feet). Children are taken outside daily, except under extreme weather conditions. Please note that children do go out on a regular basis, in all weather, and that cold weather is not considered unhealthy for children as long as they are dressed appropriately. Children well enough to be at the centre are considered well enough to go outside. Outdoor activities range from playing in a sand box or small wading pool to taking a walk around the neighborhood. Outdoor play can last anywhere from 10 minutes to 2 hours or more.

Only at the discretion of the provider may it be decided that during other conditions (i.e. extreme wind, snow blizzard, direct sunlight or heavy rain) the children should remain indoors. Indoor physical activities will be substituted.

Sunscreen

During the summer, the effects of the sun can be very hazardous to young skin and sunscreen is an important part of the routine of going out to play. Parent/guardians are asked to apply sunscreen before the child arrives in the morning. If you do not use sunscreen please ensure your child is FULLY covered including a hat and long sleeves.