Policies

Behavioral Guidance Policy

No child while enrolled in Quality time childcare centre while under the supervision or care of staff will be:

• Subjected to shoving, hitting, shaking, spanking or any other form of corporal punishment.
• Subjected to harsh belittling or degrading treatment, whether verbal, emotional, or physical that would humiliate the child or undermine the child’s respect.

Unacceptable behavior (like hitting, biting, pushing, throwing things, Kicking) during Preschool time will be discussed calmly with the individual child and the child will be made aware that his/her behavior was unacceptable. The unacceptable behavior will be explained to the child in a positive manner. Children are treated with courtesy, respect, and patience. Activities within the program are monitored and adjusted accordingly to promote ongoing development. Positive guidance techniques are used to encourage appropriate behavior.
They include:

1. Establishing clean, consistent, and simple limits.
2. Stating limits in a positive way.
3. Keeping the focus on behavior, rather than the child.
4. Stating what to expect, instead of posing questions.
5. Providing real choices.
6. Allowing sufficient time for children to respond to expectations.
7. Reinforce appropriate behavior with words and gestures.
8. Encourage children to use the teacher as a resource when they cannot resolve issues on their own.

When inappropriate behavior occurs( like, nose picking, lifting clothing, spitting, putting fingers in the mouth, licking things, picking scabs, touching other people in appropriate way) Staff will use age/ developmentally appropriate measures:

• Give a non-verbal or verbal cue/warning.
• Restate limits/ boundaries.
• Redirect to a different activity or area of the room.
• Use problem solving strategies/ acknowledge child’s feelings.
• Allow natural consequences
• If they act dangerously towards oneself and others, they will be moved to a safe area to calm down.
• Provide children the opportunity to make amends.

In case of repeated incidences of inappropriate behavior, parents of the child will be notified. All the incidents will be documented in the communication book with date and time. Parents will be notified time to time about the behavior of child. Staff and parents will work together to encourage appropriate behavior. If after a discussion with the family, a child’s behavior still poses risk to itself and children around it, the parents may be asked immediately withdraw the child from the centre and the care can be terminated without any notice.

Minor incident log book will be used to document the behavior concerns of children and if needed reportable incident form will be used. All the parents and staff are provided with the copy of policy on behavioral guidance.

Active Play Policy

At Quality time childcare centre we value the importance of active and outdoor play. Active play is important in all areas of the learning domain. Active play for one hour is incorporated into our daily program, utilizing both inside and outside settings as children develop controlled muscle movement through certain play activities.

Proper outside attire is essential for a positive play experience for your child’s time outside, please bring: For Fall and Winter, please ensure they have all lined and waterproof materials, (cloth mittens or sweaters for example will be easily soaked). For Spring and Summer, each child is required to wear a hat, rain boots and a light sweater. Please do NOT send:, Flip flops, tie-up shoes, overalls, tight jeans with belts, hard to do buttons and snaps that children can’t handle alone. Children take pride in being able to care for themselves and it will increase their independence during washroom routines.

Screen Time Policy

Because we care about the health and well being of the children in our care, we follow the Director of Licensing standard of practice recommendations on Screen Time (which is 30min per day for preschool age children). Children under 2 should have no screen time

Children age 2 and over should watch less than 30 minutes per of screen time could be provided for educational purposes or sometimes for music and movement. Most of the time CD players will be used in classrooms

Financial Policy(Repayment Agreement Policy)

Any late fees or NSF cheques will result in a $50 charge. Consistent late fees or NSF cheques will result in dismissal from the program. Fees must be paid in FULL PRIOR to program start date.

In order to hold your child’s space, fees are charged during any period of absence (i.e. vacation, illness) and including statutory holidays and Christmas. If affordable childcare benefits would take more than 4 weeks, parents are obliged to pay immediately, however once the affordable childcare benefits pays the centre we will refund you the paid amount less the parent portion.

Withdrawal from Quality time childcare centre requires one month written notice or payment will be required if one months notice is not given. After completion of withdrawal post-dated cheques will be returned.

Medication Administration Policy

If a child has been ill and requires prescription medication while at the childcare centre, the following steps must be taken upon arrival:

1. Parents must fill out a “Permission to Administer Medication” form with all required information.
2. Specifics must be discussed fully between parent and staff members.
3. Any and all medication will be stored in a locked medical box out of reach of children, unless the medication requires refrigeration. The medication will then be stored in the fridge in a locked box. Keys are kept out of children’s reach.
4. Permission form is to be kept in a clear zip-lock bag with the medication. It is to be filled out every time medication is administered by a staff member.
5. When medication is finished, the “Permission” form is to be kept in the child’s file.
6. Children are not allowed to administer their own medication, including asthma ventilators

THIS CENTRE DOES NOT ADMINISTER OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATION THAT IS NOT PRESCRIPTION.( IE. TYLONOL, BENADRYL) If a child requires these medications, they are too ill to participate in the program and must be kept home to ensure the health and safety of the other children and staff

CHILDREN MUST BE SYMPTOM FREE FOR 24 HRS BEFORE RETURNING TO THE CENTRE. A DOCTORS NOTE MAY BE REQUIRED BEFORE THE CHILD IS ALLOWED TO RETURN. THIS IS FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE OTHER CHILDREN AND STAFF MEMBERS.

Each Child is required to have a complete copy of their personal immunization record on file, which needs to be kept up to date. If parents have chosen not to immunize their child, then a written statement will also be required to have on file. If there is a communicable disease outbreak, all parents will be notified immediately.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE POLICIES

All parents are required to sign their child in when arriving and out at time of departure.

RELEASE OF A CHILD

1. If you should meet with an emergency and cannot communicate with us or arrange an alternate person to pick up your child the policy of Quality time childcare centre with program is:
   The staff will try to contact the parent, then the emergency contact person, and finally after an hour the Ministry of Children and Families. A note will be posted on the door as to where your child is at this point.
2. If the staff at pick up time suspects that a parent or designate appears to you as being intoxicated or in some way incapacitated they will approach the situation in the following manner:
• Offer to call a relative or friend to pick up the parent and child.
• Offer to call a taxi.
• Inform parent that if he/she chooses to go with an authorized person or taxi the staff will notify the Police immediately.

DRINKING AND DRIVING IS AGAINST THE LAW AND THE STAFF SUPPORTS THIS LEGAL POSITION.

3. If a person arrives to pick up your child and they are not on the authorized list, staff will need to ask for ID and the parent will be contacted. Parent has to inform staff before by calling at the centre or texting manager or director. Your child will not be released to anyone who is not authorized.
If a Custody or Court Order exists, a copy of the order needs to be placed in the child’s file. Without an Order on file, the caregiver cannot deny access to the non-enrolling parent. If the non-enrolling parent is not listed on the authorized pick-up list, the policy on unauthorized persons will be implemented.
4. A late fee will be charged if the parent/designate is consistently late. They will be charged $1.00 a minute after 5 minutes
5. Parents will notify staff if there is change in drop off and pick up time.