Windsor Park After School Care Program Society

Parent Handbook

1.INTRODUCTION...... 5

A.Overview/Location...... 6

B. Goals...... 6

C.Philosophy...... 7

2. ADMISSION AND PROCEDURE POLICIES...... 8

A. Admittance to the Program...... 8

Age requirement

Application and registration process

Prioritization

B.Hours and days of operation...... 9

C.Delivery and pick-up procedures

D. Child Custody

E.Late policy

F. Partnerships with Families / Communications...... 10

G.Range of care provided

H.Fees and subsidy

I. Withdrawal, Temporary or Extended Leave

J. Termination

K.Absenteeism

L.Illness, injury, medication

M.Immunization

N. Head Lice …………………………………………………………………….14

O.Lunches

P.Emergency information and procedures

Q.Transportation

R. Field Trips

S. Privacy

3. PROGRAMMING

4. DAILY SCHEDULES

A.Typical School Day Program

B. Typical Non-School Day Schedule

5. CHILD GUIDANCE POLICY

A.Belief and method

B. Expectations of behaviour and conduct

C. Student plan of action

D. Bullying

6. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. Clothing

B. Shoes

C. Cubbies

D. Dangerous Toys

E. Snacks

F. Birthdays

G. Movies and Electronic Games

H. Optional programs and lessons

I. Club (a program for the older children)

7. ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION

A.History of the program

B.Windsor Park After School Care Program Society

C. Staff List

D. Staff Qualifications

E. Staff/Child Ratio

F. Insurance Information

G. Fund raising

Registration Forms (MUST be returned to Director)

  1. Child registration form
  2. Health information
  3. Admission agreement
  4. Can You Help / Going Green form

  1. INTRODUCTION

Welcome to WindsorPark After School Care Program!

  1. Overview/Location

Our parent package is divided into two parts:

PART ONE - contains policies and background information. Please take the

time to read the handbook since there are changes every year.

REGISTRATION FORM-provides us with the necessary information about your child. When all the information is complete, you must return

it to the Director BEFORESeptember 1 for new children, and September 7 for returning children.

Location -The program operates in St. George’s Anglican Church located at

11733-87 Avenue.

Parking -Parking is limited because of the centre’s location close to the University.

There is a small parking lot behind the building, accessed from the back alley. You enter the building through the back yard. There is also a fifteen-minute parking zone in front of the building. Please be aware there is also a handicapped zone there.

Phone -The centre phone number is(780)439-1456. That is the number to call during business numbers and to leave a message after hours.

The cell phone numbers are(780)953-6222 or (780)901-0460.

You cannot leave messages on the cell phones.

Cell phones are used onlywhen we areoutdoors, on a field trip or for EMERGENCIES after regular program hours.

E-mail -The centre’s main e-mail address is .

You can reach Ava at that number.

B. Goals

B.Philosophy

Our program provides a safe, stimulating and comfortable environment designed to meet school-age children’s needs for physical, social and intellectual growth and general well-being. The program supports working families and the greater community by ensuring that children are safe and engaged until they can be returned to the care of their parents or guardians. The program fosters an atmosphere that encourages parent participation.

We want children in our care to gain confidence in themselves and to be happy, competent individuals. We believe that during out-of-schoolhours, children should be able to pursue their own interests (within set limits), explore new activities, relax and have fun. We provide structured activities that simultaneously meet the individual needs of the children in casual large and small groups. These focus on:

Social: Developing personal and interpersonal social skills; fostering self-worth, initiative and independence, cooperation and self-control, choice and the assumption of responsibility; promoting self-care skills, awareness of and respect for others, character-building and a sense of community.

Physical: Providing recreational and physical activities to develop physical skills and constructively channel children's energy.

Creative: Stimulating children's imaginations and promoting creative expression.

Intellectual: Sparking curiosity and encouraging development of critical thinking, problem-solving and decision making skills.

2. ADMISSION AND PROCEDURE POLICIES

  1. Admittance to the Program

Age requirement

Children who are eligible to attend the Windsor Park After School Care Program must be between 5 and 13 years of age and enrolled in Grade 1 through 6.

Application and registration process

-Application will be accepted from the families with children attending WindsorPark

School. Applications will be accepted from other families if positions cannot be filled

by WindsorParkSchool students. Acceptance of applicants outside of WindsorPark

School is conditional on parents’ providing transportation to the point of check-in with

a Windsor Park After School staff member and approval of the board. It is the parents’ responsibility to make arrangements for their child to be escorted in and out of the centre.

-All applications are accepted and entered on the waiting list in order of date the waiting list application form is received. Siblings must be entered on the waiting list in order to have priority.

-Children will not be accepted on the waiting list until eighteen months before they are entering grade one.

-The waiting list will include children who are currently attending part-time who wish to change status, siblings of children currently in the program, and children returning from temporary withdrawal.

- All registrations must be completed and paid in full within three working days of

verbal notification of acceptance. Failure to complete the application will result

loss of the position.

-A $100.00 registration deposit, payable upon registration will be applied to the first

month’s fees. THE DEPOSIT IS NON-REFUNDABLE.

-There is a separate waiting list for part-time spaces. See Section E for definitions of

full time and part time care. Those pre-registering in the spring for full time or

afternoon care who wish to change their registration by fall to part-time care will be

added to this waiting list in the fall.

-Parents are expected to pay full monthly fees September through June. If a child is withdrawn and/or monthly fees are not maintained, then the child's name will be entered on the waiting list for re-entry to the program.

Prioritization

Vacancies will be filled in the following order:

  1. Children currently attending part-time who wish to change status.
  2. Siblings of children currently in the program.
  3. Children returning from a temporary withdrawal.
  4. Children on the waiting list.

For children currently in the program and their siblings, vacancies will be filled based on seniority in the program. If there is a tie, a random draw will be held.

  1. Hours and days of operation

The program is open from7:30 – 8:35 a.m.Monday to Friday

and3:30 – 5:45 p.m.Monday to Friday

Your child must not arrive prior to 7:30 a.m. and is to be picked up before5:45 p.m.

The After School program will be closed on the following holidays:

September – Labour DayFebruary – Family Day

October - Thanksgiving DayMarch /April – Good Friday

November – Remembrance Day and Easter Monday

December – December 24 – 31May - Victoria Day

January – New Year’s DayJuly– Canada Day

August – Heritage Day

PD Day – to be determined

The program will operate during Christmas Break, Teacher’s Convention, Spring Break, on Windsor Park School’s Professional Development days and days in lieu, if enough children enroll. The centre will also offer a summer program.

  1. Delivery and pick-up procedures

It is our policy that each child in our care enter the Centre with a parent or an authorized adult, and that the parent or adult check the child in with a staff member.The Centre does not take any responsibility for anything that might happen to a child when this policy is not honoured. The Centre’s responsibility for the child begins only at the time when the child reports to a staff member.

Parents must enter the time of drop-off and pick-up on the attendance sheets daily, and sign the attendance sheets on the last school day of each month.

Only an authorized person can remove a child from the Centre. If a situation occurs where a non-authorized individual must pick up a child, the parent MUSTcontact the Centre by phone. A signed, written notice should accompany that individual if possible.

D. Child Custody

The Centre must be notified in writing if there are any special custody arrangements. Please note: Access cannot be denied to a child’s parent unless the Centre is provided with a copy of the custody agreement or court order on file.

  1. Late policy

We ask families to respect everyone’s time schedule. If you are delayed, please call to inform us of other arrangements such as your child going home by taxi or a friend picking up your child. The staff will try to contact you or call your emergency contact number if you do not phone before 5:45 p.m. to indicate a delay. If we are unable to contact you or your emergency contact, we will call Alberta Child and Youth Services to care for your child.

LATENESS –Parents collecting a child late will pay a fine. The director may waive the fee in unusual circumstances. Continued abuse of time schedules may result in termination of the contract. An additional monetary fine or other penalty will be determined by the board upon review of late pick-ups.

NOTE –A FINE OF $5.00 FOR EVERY FIVE MINUTES OR PORTION THEREOF OF BEING LATE WILL BE CHARGED TO THE PARENT. THE RATE FOR FINES WILL BE DOUBLED AFTER THE SECOND LATE PICK-UP.

F. Partnerships with Families / Communications

Families are a very important part of our program! We invite parent participation in our activities.

Opportunities for your involvement include:

-Board of Directors: The centre is operated by a Board of Directors consisting of parent volunteers and community members. Parents are welcome to attend board meetings and, if interested, may be elected to the Board. Parents are also needed to sit on committees.

-Open Door Policy: Parents are welcome to visit the centre at any time, join activities, and volunteer for fieldtrips. Parents should call before visiting between 8:45 and 3:15 on school days so a staff member can unlock the door. The door is locked during these hours for security reasons.

-Sharing Information: We encourage daily contact with staff members so that any information may be shared. During program hours, staff members are involved with the children, so parents may occasionally have to make an appointment for another time.

- Fundraising: Regular fundraising allow us to raise additional revenues to support the program. Our main fundraiser is a casino every two years.

-Parents as Resources:

-Repairs and maintenance to equipment and toys.

- Donate items for dress-up, and arts and crafts supplies

-Computer support

-Share your talents, hobbies or culture with the children.

-Special Events: We host two family social events every year: The pizza dinner and children’s talent show in the winter and a June BBQ.

-Policies: Parents may ask to see any of our childcare policies.

-Program Review: A program review involving parent, child, and staff surveys is completed yearly. The review enables the program to respond to the needs and concerns of families, children and staff members.

We share information with parents by:

  • Seasonal newsletters
  • Parent handbook
  • E-mails and phone calls
  • Bulletin boards and posted monthly/weekly calendars and menus
  • White board and posters
  • Mailbags
  • Forms such as lesson registration forms are available on the check-out table

Our default distribution method is e-mail. However, on request, we will provide copies in your centre mailbag.

Please discuss any concerns with one of the staff members or with the Director. Board members can also be contacted, particularly in the case of a policy matter. The Director can work with parents to help them access resources, if necessary.

  1. Range of care provided

Full Time care is defined as:

Monday – Friday 7:30 – 8:35 a.m. and 3:30 – 5:45 p.m.

1

1

The EPSB has scheduled all non school days for 2014-15. We will offer care on:

October 3

November 7 and 10

November 24

January 2

February 2

February 26 and 27 (Teachers’ Convention)

March 20

March 30 through April 2 (Spring Break)

May 15

June 29 and 3

  1. Fees and subsidy

Monthly fees are:

  1. Mornings only - $180.00 per child
  2. Afternoons only - $345.00 per child
  3. Two afternoons a week - $140.00 per child, if available
  4. Three afternoons a week - $215.00 per child, if available
  5. Both mornings and afternoons -$435.00 per child
  6. Subsidized families are responsible for the difference between the fee and the subsidy amount.

Receipts are issued in January and September. Childcare fees are deductible from personal income tax so please keep your receipts.

Alberta Child and Family Services offer fee subsidies to low income families. For information on whether you are eligible, see Balance billing applies. That is, families must pay the difference between their child’s full fee (including PD Day fees) and the amount of subsidy the centre receives. For example, if a child’s total fee is $435 and the subsidy is $310, the parent will pay the remaining $125

Child care fees are due on the first working day of the month, and are considered delinquent on the fifth working day of the month. If you are unable to pay your fees as required, please contact the Director.

Since fees are the main source of income for the program we ask for all registrations toinclude post-dated chequesto be submitted by the first day of school. To hire staff and meet our expenses it is necessary to receive cheques on time. There is a $25 fee for all cheques not honoured by the bank.

There will be no rebate or reduction in fees due to casual absence, illness, statutory holidays, vacation, or other reasons.

Rates and policies for childcare will be subject to review by the board. Sixty (60) days notice of fee increases will be given to parents of children enrolled in the program.

  1. Withdrawal, temporary or extended leave

Permanent Withdrawal

Thirty (30) days written notice must be given for withdrawal from the program or for a change of registration (i.e. from full-time to afternoon only care). The notice is to be received no later than the first day of the month.

Short-term Withdrawal(i.e. maternity or sabbatical)

1.For leaves up to one year.

2. The child is placed onthe waiting list after children currently attending part-time who wish to change status, and siblings.

3. Thirty (30) days written notice must be given including the date leave commences and

the date of return.

  1. Termination

The Board reserves the right to suspend or terminate a child’s enrollment for reasons of:

  1. Non-cooperation of parents:

- inappropriate drop-offs, pick-ups

- refusal to address problems encountered when recommended

- inability of the child or parent to comply with the policies of

WindsorPark After School Care Program.

  1. The Centre is not able to meet the needs of the child or family. i.e. Staff are not equipped or trained to deal with specific behaviour or disabilities.

Two written warnings of termination, followed by a final termination notice, will be issued for non-cooperation and/or inability to comply with policies. In cases serious enough to warrant consideration of expulsion from the program, a meeting including parent(s), the Director and an Executive Committee member will be held. If an expulsion decision is made, parents will receive zero to thirty (0 to 30) days written notice. However, at the discretion of the Director at any time, a requirement to remove the child immediately may be made if deemed in the best interests of the child or the Centre. A meeting as indicated above will follow to decide on further action. In such cases termination will be immediate upon written notice being given.

  1. Delinquency in payment of fees

If fees are thirty days in arrears notice will be given that all outstanding and current fees must be paid in full within thirty days or registration will be revoked. The thirtieth day will be the child’s last day at the centre.

In all cases of voluntary withdrawal, a one-month written notice is required, except in the case of serious illness or injury. The notice must be received no later than the first day of the month.

  1. Absences

If your child is absent from the program for any reason, please contact staff (780-439-1456) to inform them as soon as possible. Advance notice of holidays is requested. If your child will not be at school for 3:30 pick up, please let us know by 3 p.m.

  1. Illness, injury, medication

Illness

Children cannot attend the centre if they are unable to participate in the regular daily activities due to illness or if their attendance could be harmful to others. Staff report clusters of illness to Alberta Health Services, giving all information AHS requests.

Parents or emergency contacts will be called to pick up their child immediately if the child has:

  • Acute cold
  • Fever (a temperature of 38 degrees Centigrade without the use ofTylenol, etc.)
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • A new or unexplained rash
  • A new or unexplained cough
  • Known or suspected communicable diseases

The child will be keep as far from other children as possible until the parents arrive. Once a child has been sent home, the child will not be allowed to return until the program receives a note from the child’s physician or the child has been symptom-free for at least twenty-four hours.