Parent Handbook

HOURS of OPERATION:
7:00am – 6:00pm, Monday to Friday. 

COMMUNICATION:
I encourage a strong line of communication between myself and the families I work with.  I feel as though I can provide the best childcare environment to children when I work closely with parents and can share freely and openly.  Please always feel free to come to me with questions, concerns, suggestions and ideas.  Your input is welcome.

OPEN-DOOR POLICY:
I observe and open-door policy.  This means that parents are free to stop in or call whenever they would like.  My open-door policy does not mean my door will be kept unlocked.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE:
Please send your child clean and dressed.  Please make your goodbye brief.  Children’s separation often subsides soon after you leave.  Feel free to call me or text me whenever you would like to check in and see how you child is.  Please help your child transition to day home by saying good bye.

Please contact me should you be running late in the morning or picking up late in the evening. 

Please be advised that children will only be released to parents, and individuals noted on our ‘safe list’.  If an individual not listed will be picking your child up, please be sure that I have their name beforehand and let them know that they will be asked to show photo identification before I will let your child go home with them.

The safety of your children is a primary concern.  If, for any reason, I deem an individual unfit to reach destination with your child safely, the following action will be taken:
a) Call the parent or emergency contacts
b) Call the police.

Smoking is not allowed in my house.  Please do not smoke while picking up or dropping off your child.

If there is a court order keeping one parent away from the child, I must have a written note from the custodial parent in my file to that effect.  Otherwise I cannot deny the non-custodial parent access to the child.

YOUR CHILD WILL NEED to BRING:
Seasonally appropriate outdoor clothing and items including bug spray and sunscreen
Diapering items
Sleep items such as a blankie or lovey
Bottle or sippy cup
Soothers
A complete change of clothes
Slippers for indoor use

FEES:
Fees are due on the last day of the current month for the following month. 
Ex:  January fees shall be paid in full on December 31st.
Payments can be made via e-transfer:  jlolson82@gmail.com  or by post-dated cheques provided on the first day of care.

Part-Time (up to 3 days per week)
$550.00

Full-Time (4+ days per week)
$750.00

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Extra Days
$50.00 per day

Monthly rates are not dependent on your child’s attendance.  No refunds will be given for absences, late arrivals, vacations or days otherwise missed unless the day home has been closed.  In the event of closure, refunds will be discussed if appropriate (if they are not my sick or planned personal days). 

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OVERDUE FEES:
A charge of $25.00 per day will be applied to accounts that are not paid in full by the first of each month.  This includes Saturdays and Sundays.  Your child will not be allowed to attend day home if fees are not paid in full.  Failure to make payment or repeated late payments are grounds for immediate termination.  If court costs or attorney fees are incurred as a result of legal action due to non-payment, you will be responsible for those as well.

REFERRALS:
Referrals from parents are one of the greatest compliments I can receive.  As a thank you I offer families one free day of service for each referral that enrolls.  Your free day will be deducted from your monthly fee after the referred child has attended for four weeks.  At times when taking in new children, I may ask your permission to use you as a reference or for a letter of recommendation.

PROVIDER VACATION, HOLIDAYS and ABSENCES:
Each year, day home will be closed for the following paid holidays:

New Years Eve (closed at 4:00pm)
New Years Day
Family Day
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Victoria Day
Canada Day
Heritage Day
Labour Day
Thanksgiving Day
Remembrance Day
Christmas Eve (closed at 4:00pm)
Christmas Day
Boxing Day

I allot myself two paid weeks of vacation time per year.  These days do not roll over come year end and I will always provide as much notice as I can to ensure convenience for everyone. 

I allot myself five sick days and five personal days per year.  These days do not roll over come year end and I will always provide as much notice as possible should I need to use one.  I will make every effort to be available each day and will always do my best to provide back-up childcare (by an approved individual) if I need to step out.  Should my efforts fail, it will be parent responsibility to obtain substitute care for those occasions.

Parents are responsible for alternate care during provider vacation or closures.
Parent vacation time is not discounted.  A full rate is applied to all days in which the child is absent from day home.

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HEALTH and WELLNESS:
Please respect my sickness policy.
A parent MUST keep the child home if the child has:

Conjunctivitis or pink-eye, or any type of eye infection or discharge.
Impetigo or rash, until it is identified as non-contagious by your doctor.
Diarrhea, loose or runny bowel movements that look different and happen more frequently than the norm.  Diarrhea is highly contagious.
Listlessness
Nausea
Vomiting
Abdominal pain
Fever (38.3 Celsius or more)
Severe cough or runny nose/discharge (yellow, green, bloody, thick)
Untreated lice or scabies
General malaise and lethargy

Prescription medications will be documented for my files and administered only as directed by physician.  A child with a diagnosed illness must be on medication for 24 hours before returning to care.  Non-prescription medications such as Tylenol will be documented and administered according to dosage on packaging.  Please label all medications in the original contained with child’s name, dosage, date of purchase, and instruction for storage.  Please put it in a plastic baggie with your child’s name on it and hand it straight to me.  Do not leave it in a diaper bag or backpack.  These are fair and standard practice among day homes, day cares and schools.  I cannot care for a sick child and give proper care to the other children in my group.  These guidelines are made with the children’s best interests in mind.

GUIDANCE and DISCIPLINE:
I believe in a gentle and positive approach to discipline.  I am kind and firm when needed.  Positive reinforcement, redirection, reminder and discussion, shadowing, and time-out are used as age dictates appropriate.  Abuse or corporal punishment of any kind is NEVER used in my day home.

FOOD and SPECIAL NEEDS:
All meals are provided in your fees.  If your child has highly specialized dietary needs or intolerances, please provide meals from home.  This is not a nut free home.  Please advise me if there are other allergies or conditions that I should be aware of as well.

SCHEDULE:
Our day is child-led and focused on keeping our friends entertained, engaged and happy.  We participate in a variety of indoor and outdoor activities designed to hold their interest and provide fun, educational and age appropriate activity.

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NAPPING AND TOILETING:
Nap times can be tailored to your child’s needs.  I provide sleeping equipment such as beds, cots and playpens.  I will always help your child get to sleep as best as I can.  Please provide diapering supplies as needed, including creams and wipes.  Potty training will be done according to how you do it at home so as to keep consistent.

REVISIONS to CONTRACT and HANDBOOK:
I reserve the right to revise the Childcare Contract/Handbook as needed.  I reserve the right to make changes to rates and policies as deemed necessary.  You will be notified in writing of any changes that occur.

TRIAL PERIOD and TERMINATION OF CARE:
There will be a two week trial period for each new child in care.  During this time the parent or provider may terminate the childcare agreement with 24 hours notice.   Any unused fees with be refunded.  After the trial period is over, I require four calendar weeks notice to terminate care.  If I terminate care, I will provide four weeks written notice as well.  Should you choose to withdraw your child before the four week termination notice is over, you will not receive credit for unused time.

Terms for immediate termination of care are as follows:  Failure to make payment, behavioral issues and dangerous parental situations.