Information Package

Nutrition

The health and well-being of your child is very important to me. The majority of our fruits and vegetables are served fresh. I serve a variety of nutritious 100% pure juices. I will encourage children to try new foods, but never force them to eat everything on their plate.

Dress Code

Please dress your child(ren) appropriately. (i.e. play clothes) Also send appropriate clothing for outdoors – please consider both the season as well as the current weather forecast. Children play outside each day for at least 1 hour (depending on weather). We also walk to and from the school bus stop each day.

Rest Period

All children under the age of 5 will have a rest period of two hours. No child is forced to sleep, however they must remain quiet. If child isn’t sleeping after an hour of resting, books, puzzles and coloring will be given to them until rest period is over.

Toilet Training

I encourage children to use the potty when they show signs of readiness. All wet or soiled clothing will be rinsed out and put in a plastic bag to take home. Please replace any clothing sent home on the following day. I reward every attempt with praise throughout the learning process, because I recognize that this can be a challenging skill for children to learn.

Medications

No child will be given any medication or prescription, unless WRITTEN permission is given by the parent. Prescription medication must be in the original container as dispensed by the pharmacy with child’s information and dosage stated on it.

Illness

Please call and let me know if your child will be unable to attend on a given day. You are expected to pay for your child when he/she’s ill or has an appointment. If your child is not feeling well enough to participate in normal daily activities, he or she should stay home. Children will be sent home from daycare if they are running a high fever, have more than 2 episodes of diarrhea or have vomited more than once. I choose to follow standard daycare procedures/guidelines from the Health Unit.

If for any reason I am unable to attend work, a substitute provider will fill in for me until I can return to work.

Please note: In very minimal circumstances my back-up providers may not be available (i.e. family funeral) In this case, I will do my best to find a substitute, but may have to shut down for the day if this is simply not possible.

Supplies

Complete change of clothing (more if we are toilet training) to be left here. This includes shirt, pants, socks, and underwear.
Diapers (if applicable). You will be notified when the supply is low.
Any cream, powder, etc. that you wish me to use.
Baby formula or food.
Sippy cup (if applicable)
Bib(s)
Blanket for nap time

Note: If you prefer not to supply these items to be left here, you may send them daily in a diaper bag. The option of leaving these items here is for your convenience and is not required.

Discipline

I believe the best way to encourage children's good behaviour is to provide them with interesting activities in a calm, loving, and supportive environment. If a child misbehaves, the child will be asked to stop the behaviour once and if the behaviour continues the child will be redirected to a new activity. In the event the child is causing harm, they will be removed from the playroom and asked to have quiet time to calm and relax themselves. I will talk to the child after they have calmed themselves down. If this behaviour occurs often, I will make observations of what is happening before, during and after the incident. The parents and I will come up with a plan to help the child with this behaviour.

Payment of Fees

Weekly fees are due each Friday in advance. Due to limited spaces, payments are based on holding your space and no refunds are given for missed days, late arrivals/early departures. Lunch, snacks, juice, milk and baby wipes are all included in the cost of each day.

Three methods of payment are accepted:

Cash
Cheque (made payable to "Carrie Armstrong" post-dated and received in 3-month intervals)
Interac e-Transfer (no more waiting for cheques to clear!)

Rates

All rates are per child.

4 hours or more	under 4 hours	before/after school	occasional evening/weekend care
$35/day	$25/day	$15/day	rates to be discussed

Family Vacations

I ask for the courtesy of a two-week written notice when your child will be away on vacation. As I am reserving your child's space, you will be charged 50% of your normal daily rate. If you request additional vacation time, beyond 2 weeks/year, regular daily rates apply.

Holiday’s Closed

I’m closed on the following days: New Years Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and at noon on New Year’s Eve. If any of these listed days fall on a weekend, an extra day will be allotted.

Both Full-time and Part-time families are to pay for these listed holidays if they fall on a day your child(ren) would normally attend.

Termination of Care

Care can only be terminated when 4 weeks notice is given by the parent. If you terminate care without giving appropriate notice, you will be responsible for payment of the final 4 weeks of care whether your child attends or not.

If a child does not adjust well or has trouble fitting in with other children in my care, I reserve the right to terminate care with appropriate notice.

If for any reason I need to resign from my position as a caregiver, I will notify you immediately with reasonable notice and will provide a replacement caregiver in my home if less than 4 weeks notice is given to you.

Daily Schedule

8:00 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.  Arrival Time/Free-Play
8:25 a.m. – 8:50 a.m.  Bus run
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.  Group Activities: Games, Crafts, etc.
10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.  Morning Snack/Diaper Change/Potty Break
10:25 a.m. – 11:25 a.m.  Outside Play (Weather Permitting)
11:45 p.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Lunch Time
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.   Quiet Time/Quiet Activities
3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.  Afternoon Snack/Diaper Change/Potty Break
3:30 p.m. – 3:55 p.m.  Bus run
4:05 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.  Free Play
4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.  Clean up Time/Get Ready for Home.