PRESCHOOL

Whale Spirit Preschool Re-registration Form [PDF]
Whale Spirit Preschool Calendar - June 2008 [PDF]
Whale Spirit Newsletter - June 2008 [PDF]

Archives

This handbook is designed to familiarize you with the Early Enrichment Centre. We encourage open communication to help make your family's experience a positive one.  Thank you for taking the time to read this manual and please direct any question to the Whale Spirit staff.

Whale Spirit Preschool is located at the new Westshore Child Youth and Family Centre in Colwood. Our teachers are licensed ECE's (early childhood educators) with years of experience working with children 3-5. Our curriculum is designed to promote positive self-image, independence and school readiness, through a combination of child and teacher directed activities.

Welcome to Whale Spirit Preschool

Staff

HOURS OF OPERATION AND CLOSURES

Tuesday/ Thursday morning session 1 ............................................9:15am - 11:30am

Tuesday/Thursday afternoon session 2 ...........................................12:15pm - 2:30pm

• It is very important that your child arrives at the centre on time so that he/she feels comfortable and the program can run uninterrupted.
• The Centre closes for all statutory holidays and the week between Christmas and New Years
• The Manager may close the Centre due to weather conditions which make travel unsafe. In this event, the staff will attempt to contact each family.
• During a heavy snow fall, the Centre will follow the same protocol as that of the local school district. When in doubt call the Centre.
• Licensing requires the Centre to close for the following reasons: Water problems, electrical failure (if conditions exceed 1 hour) and highly contagious disease.

Ages, Class size and Ratios:

• Whale Spirit Preschool is a 30 month-5 years centre.
• Class sizes will not exceed 15 children.
• 1 ECE instructor and 1 assistant per session.

Whale Spirit Preschool Fees:

Tuesday/ Thursday morning session 1 ............................................$95.00 month

Tuesday/Thursday afternoon session 2 ...........................................$95.00 month

• There is a $25 dollar registration fee which is due at the time of registration. The fee is to secure your child's space at Preschool. It is non-refundable; the $25 fee will be deducted from the first preschool payment.
• Fees are due on the first day of each month.
• Parents are required to bring post-dated cheques dated the first of each month up till June.
• We require 1 month notice if a child is to be withdrawn from the program.
• Subsidized spaces are available, for more information contact Jenn Lucas (Manager).

WHAT TO BRING TO PRESCHOOL

• Please label all of your children's belongings.
• Please provide your child with a nutritious snack such as fruit, vegetable, yogurt, etc.
• Please do not include candy, pop or unsafe food.
• Inform staff of any food restrictions/allergies or changes to your child's food intake.
• A choice of water or milk is provided during snack
• Whale Spirit is a nut free zone, so please do not include products that contain nuts.
• We understand the need for your child to occasionally bring items from home. This sometimes helps with the transition from home to preschool or to feel more secure.Things brought from home do sometimes cause problems with sharing, misplacement, damage or distraction. Therefore we ask that you encourage your child to leave their toys at home or in the car.
• Whale Spirit requires all children to have an emergency kit (comfort pack) at the Centre; a list of contents for the kit is provided with the registration package or may be picked up at the office.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE CENTRE

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.
• The children must be signed in and out each day that they attend the program.

Field Trips:

• The Field trips are designed to have parent participation. There will be approximately 4-6 field trips during the 10 months of the program.

Centre Features:

• Indoor play and outdoor play areas, onsite gymnasium, as well as resources available to children and parents.

Toileting:

• Children attending the program are required to be toilet trained; we understand that accidents happen so please have a change of clothing in your child's bag while at school. (Pull-ups are fine)

RELEASE OF A CHILD

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.

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.

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 photo consent form must be signed in order for us to take pictures of your child.

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.

Registration Procedures:

• A registration form will be completed at time of enrollment.  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 Community Care Licensing.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

• To support optimal development in all areas of development; physical, emotional, social, language and cognitive.
• To provide enriched programming which meets the individualized need of each child with a focus on language, communication, socialization and literacy.
• To increase school readiness in the West Shore.
• To provide parenting and individual support to families through resources, education and individual support.
• To promote partnerships with community agencies to best support a wide range of needs of families.
• To provide opportunities to the community, students and professionals within the Early Childhood field to learn and enhance existing and future child care programs.
• To provide a safe and emotionally secure environment in which each child is treated with respect and is protected within the Ministry of Children and Family guidelines.

Emotional Development

• Nurturing environment
• Anti-bias curriculum
• Continuum of care providing respectful, ongoing supportive care for families
• Professional support is available for families which ultimately supports the emotional development of children.
• Value of children is the core philosophy of the Centre.

Physical Development

• Equal access to all equipment both indoors and outdoors.
• Small and large muscle activities.
• Tactile experiences such as water and sand consistently available.
• A Child Centered Environment design both indoors and outdoors
• Access to large gym for gross motor exploration.
• Outdoor play space equally accessible and challenging for children with various skills and abilities.

Cognitive Development

• Experiential learning where children have the opportunity to take their learning as far as they desire.
• Language rich program including sign language and communication aides.
• Caregivers observing and listening to child's interests, providing opportunities to add to their learning.
• Encouraging children to make decisions, choices and problem solve.
• Free 'choice play' opportunities.
• Child centered curriculum.
• Early literacy focus.
• Working alongside school district 62 towards school readiness.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Illness:

• Parents can assist in limiting the spread of disease by keeping sick children at home and washing hands when arriving at the Centre.
• While children are ill they require a quiet relaxed setting. The active environment of the Centre is not the place for them.

Conditions for children to be considered for exclusion from the Centre as recommended by the Capital Health Regional District for group care facilities:

• Acute cold (initially most contagious) - with infected discharge, thick and colored and /or present in conjunction with other symptoms.
• Cough (frequent bouts 3-5 an hour)
• Fever 38*C (101F) or over - child may return when fever has remained below 38*C for 24 hours without medication.
• Inability to cope - abnormally irritable or lethargic, inability to cope emotionally and unable to participate in the program.
• Vomiting: vomiting within the past 12 hours - child may return when 24 hours has passed since the last bout of vomiting and no other signs of illness are present.
• Diarrhea: twice a day - child may return after one normal bowel movement.
• Infected skin or eyes - child may return after examination by a doctor and has received medical clearance.
• Communicable diseases: (chicken pox, etc.) Please report the disease to the Preschool as soon as possible and observe Public Health Standards for the safe return to Preschool.
• Antibiotics - child may return after 24 hours since first taken.

Immunization:

• Immunizations are an effective way of preventing the spread of communicable disease; we recommend that children's immunizations are brought up to date before attending the centre

Medical Emergency:

• In the event of a sudden illness or accident of an urgent nature and the inability to immediately contact a parent/guardian, the staff will seek medical assistance. Permission for this is granted on the registration form.

GUIDANCE AND DISCIPLINE

The goal of guidance and discipline is to provide a safe and positive learning environment. We support children to gain the skills 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.

SAFETY PROCEDURES

Emergency Procedures:

• Evacuation Drills: Conducted once a month and recorded.  Procedures are posted at several exit doors within the Centre.
• Earthquake Kits and Supplies: Contains first aid kit, emergency information, blankets, clothing, food stuffs, water, etc.Located in outdoor storage area. Kits evaluated twice a year.
• First Aid Kits: Kits located near kitchen door; in addition the Centre has a travel first aid kit for walks and field trips.

CUSTODY AGREEMENT

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

• The Manager/Teacher 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 direction not to release a child to another parent, without a court document, both parents have equal rights to custody and the Preschool cannot be responsible in deciding which parent has legal custody.
• If there is a custody disagreement/dispute, the Preschool 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 Preschool 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 Centre's policy and contact the custodial parent. If that parent does not want the child released or the parent cannot be reached we may be forced to call the R.C.M.P.

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

IN CLOSING

Thank you for taking the time to read this information. If you have any questions regarding this parent handbook please feel free to talk to Gail (Teacher), Karen (Teacher) or Jenn (Manager). Our goal is to work in partnership to provide your child with a positive, fulfilling experience at the Preschool.

Whale Spirit Staff