Welcome to Whale Spirit Early Enrichment Centre

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE CENTRE

a) Parking:

• Parents and caregivers may use the drop off area located on Wale Road or a parking space when picking up or dropping off.

b) Arrivals and Departures:

• The arrival routine is an opportunity for your child to begin their day in a positive way. It is a time to practice independent, self-help skills. Staff are available to support this transition.
• Our hours of operation are 7:30am - 5:30pm. If you find you will be later than 5:30pm, there will be a $1.00 per minute charge over and above your usual fee. This is to help cover the cost of paying staff overtime.
• Please call as soon as possible to inform us if your child will be late or not attending daycare.
• Children must be entered in the sign in book each day with all the information required: child’s name, time of arrival, any parent messages; expected time of departure. When you pick up your child, please fill out the time of departure column and check the staff message column for any other information.
• We require that the children are dropped off by 11 am to minimize disruption of the daily routine.

RELEASE OF A CHILD

Children can only be released to those with written parental/guardian consent. Alternate and/or emergency contacts with consent will be asked to provide photo ID. If an emergency does arise and you are unable to have your child picked up by a person with written consent, we will require a phone call with verbal confirmation from you as well as an E-mail or fax stating your arrangements.

c) Special Occasions:

• Celebrations such as Christmas, Valentines, Halloween, Easter, etc. are sometimes recognized with special games, snack etc. If your family has a special way of recognizing a celebration/tradition we welcome your family to share it with the centre.

d) Birthdays:

• We generally celebrate birthdays with a special hat and song. Some parents/guardians may choose to bring a snack, however it must comply with our nutrition standards.

e) Photographs:

• We take many photographs of the children. This aids in children’s sense of identity and belonging and helps them to recall projects they have been involved in, ultimately aiding in learning. A picture-taking consent form must be signed in order for us to take pictures of your child.

f) Parent Volunteers:

• Parent Volunteers will be requested occasionally for the following purposes: helpers on field trips, assistants during special events or fundraising. Parent involvement is always welcome and encouraged.

g) Registration Procedures:

• We recommend a gradual entry into the daycare program, when possible. These visits to the centre prior to the start date allow time for you and your child to get comfortable with the setting and staff and gain an understanding of what to expect. This will often help with separation when the time comes. Contact the coordinator to arrange a gradual entry schedule.
• There will be a six week trial period; this is to make sure that the centre is a nice fit with your child.
• A registration form will be completed at this time. If there are any changes with addresses, phone number or contacts, please up-date the centre right away.
• Please ensure your child’s immunization records are completed on the form as it is a requirement of child care licensing.

h) Fees:

• Fees are payable to Whale Spirit Early Enrichment Centre on the first day of attendance each month unless alternative arrangements have been agreed upon.
• A credit of fees is not awarded for absence from the child care program. The program fee schedule is set up on a monthly basis and does include statutory holidays. To ensure a child’s continued enrollment in the program, full payment is required each month whether the child attends his/her scheduled days or not.
• Late payment fees could result in loss of your child’s space at daycare.
• There will be a $1.00 per minute charge over and above your usual fee for late pick-up.
• Receipts are issued regularly and should be kept as they are useful for tax purposes.
• Whale Spirit requires six months worth of postdated cheques, If for some reason care is no longer required the remaining cheques will be returned.

I) Notice of withdrawal:

• We require 1 month notice if a child is to be withdrawn from the centre

GUIDANCE AND DISCIPLINE

The goal of guidance and discipline is to provide a safe and positive learning environment. We support children to gain the tools they need in order to self-regulate, be self-confident and aware of others. We feel the key to this is positive, caring relationships between staff and children; staff consistently model appropriate behavioral interactions between children, parents, co-workers and their environment.

• Staff demonstrate respect and caring for children through appropriate forms of verbal and physical interaction.
• Staff members are proactive in their approach to guidance and discipline, maximizing opportunities for appropriate positive behaviour to occur.
• Clear, simple, consistent limits are provided in a positive manner.
• Harsh or belittling language will not be used at any time.
• Verbal direction and redirection will be used as the main form of guidance and discipline (this is adjusted to meet the needs of children with communication difficulties).
• Staff recognize and label children’s emotions in situations which may be difficult for them.
• Staff physically restrain a child only if they present a physical danger to themselves or others; such restraint will protect the child until they gain control.
• The children are supervised at all times and no child will be removed to an unsupervised area as a form of punishment.

Staff members are regularly trained in guidance and discipline techniques; these training programs will also be offered to interested parents. Parents are encouraged to communicate with staff about any aspect of guidance and discipline practices. All guidance and discipline policies and practices follow the Ministry of Children and Family Development guidelines.

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COMMUNICATION

a) Open Door Policy:

• We have an open door policy for visiting your child during the day. Educators can share with you the best times suited to visiting.
• An open door approach is taken towards parents and visitors who may drop in and observe the program at any time.
• A high degree of confidentiality is maintained at all times.

b) Registration Forms:

• The Registration Form is the Centre’s first contact for your child. These forms provide important information regarding your child. It is important that all the information is completed on these forms and kept updated in order to ensure your child’s safety and well being at the centre.

c) Parent Mail Box:

• Each family has a mail box where we deliver correspondence such as fee receipts, newsletters, memos from educators, etc.

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CUSTODY AGREEMENT

At the time of registration and when the child is enrolled at the centre:

• The coordinator is responsible for meeting with the enrolling family and reviewing the registration package.

• If a custody agreement exists at the time of registration or custody becomes an issue while a child is enrolled at the centre, the coordinator must ask for a certified copy of the most recent court order, if it is legally available.

• It is important to note that even when the registration form includes information not to release a child to another parent, without a court document, both parents have equal rights to custody and the daycare cannot be responsible in deciding which parent has legal custody.

• If there is a custody disagreement/dispute, the daycare is legally bound to respect the wishes of the parent with legal custody.

• If custody has not yet been established or there is a concern about a possible disagreement/dispute, the parent will be told that the daycare will be unable to care for their child unless both parents sign a written agreement confirming who can pick up the child at which times.

• If an unauthorized person demands to pick up a child we will ask for identification, explain the daycare’s policy and contact the custodial parent. If that parent does not want the child released or the parent cannot be reached we will contact the police if necessary.

Thank you for your cooperation on these sensitive but necessary issues.