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Treasured Tots Daycare Handbook |
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The purpose of this handbook is to outline the policies and procedures under which we operate as a child care provider. We give the children in our care opportunities to learn in a family-like setting with mixed age groups, where they can feel safe and loved, and can begin to build a positive self image. Your child will receive quality personal and individualized care in a warm and loving home.
Your child
will have the opportunity to gain practice in language, fine motor,
and large motor & self help skills. Your questions and comments are
important so we can achieve the very best experiences for your
child. Children will not be denied enrollment on the basis of sex,
race, religion or disability. I provide care for children ages 12
months to 12 years.
We are always
open to suggestions and feel communication is a very important part
of this business. If there are any problems or concerns, we
encourage you to talk to us about it. If a lengthy conference is
needed, a time that is convenient to both of us will be scheduled,
as the other children still need our attention during business hours.
We retain the right to enforce these
policies at will. |
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| Hours of operation: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7:00 am to 5:30 pm Monday through Friday. We do not provide any care on Saturday or Sunday | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Enrollment Procedures: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The following need to be completed and
given to Treasured Tots 24 hours prior to placement. We can not take
your child without these forms. PERIOD Note: All forms must be updated at least every year or sooner according to need. A position will not be held if the above requirements are not made. |
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A 2 week trial period is given for adjustment. During this
time period the parents or the provider may decide to
terminate care without prior notice. *After the trial period, care can be terminated with 2 weeks written notice. All final payments are to be paid at the time of notice. In cases of non-payment, legal actions may be taken and the parents will pay all legal fees incurred. *I will give two weeks notice if the child is to be terminated from care. Any abuse or violation of the rules/policies of the contract/handbook may be just cause for termination. Also if I have not had your child in care for more than 2 weeks, and no sign of return you will forfeit your position. *Immediate termination can occur for behavior problems, or dangerous parental situations. *It is required that you give me two weeks notice in writing if you will be taking your child out of day care permanently. Final payment is to be given with notice in cash. |
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| Enrollment Fee: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Full time care = equal to one weeks fee upfront. The one week fee is credited to your first week of care. If needing future enrollment (more than 2 weeks) I require ½ the weekly fee until your child is in care. This way your spot is guaranteed.
Your individual weekly fee is outlined
in your signed contract. All rates may be reviewed and increased on
January 1st of each year. |
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| Definitions: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Full Time: Daycare contracted on a set scheduled time slot for no more than 50 hours per week. Maximum of 10 hours per day. Sign in sheets will be used to track. (Example: Drop Off 7:30, Pick Up by 5:30)
Overtime fees: Overtime is considered any time outside the agreed time interval. The following charges will be assessed for overtime incurred, payable the same week of service. $10.00 per hour flat rate for prearranged overtime (with a 24 hour notice and my approval.)
$5.00 per 15 minutes will
be charged for late pick up.
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| Holidays/Personal Days: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Just
like everyone else, we take statutory holidays in accordance with
the Ontario Labour Law. We will also take 7 unpaid
personal (vacation) days per year. Vacation days are made
at least 2 weeks in advanced. Parents will be notified.
Please note if the holiday falls on Saturday daycare will close the Friday before, if the holiday falls on Sunday daycare will close the Monday after.
Notification of at least 2 weeks will be given prior to any closed
days, with the exception of emergencies or illness. In the event
that I will be away for a period of time less than two hours my
Sister Connie (regular daily volunteer) or husband Sean or will
provide substitute care. * There are a limited number of spaces available therefore; weekly payments are not based on child's attendance, they are to simply hold your child’s spot. No refunds are given for parental vacations or exclusion due to illness. |
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| Holidays and Birthdays: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| We celebrate all Christian holidays and a handful of others. If your culture or religion has a holiday you wish your child to celebrate we will do what we can to accommodate and use it as a teaching experience for the other children in the group. We have a Christmas party each year. We also have birthday parties for each child’s birthday. If there is a special treat you would like to bring that would be great. If not we usually have cupcakes. Your child does not have to participate in the parties and if you do not want them to attend then you may certainly keep them at home. No credit will be given for not attending. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Arrival and departure: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Please send your child clean, dressed for the day, and fed (if arriving after 8:00). Please make your goodbye brief (no more than a couple minutes), the longer you prolong departure the harder it gets. Never leave without telling your child goodbye. Please be in control of your child during pick up times. ***No one other than the parents or designated person will be allowed to pick up your child without prior arrangement. I must be notified in advance and have a written note with the person's name and relationship to the child and your signature for release. Should there be an emergency and you are unable to give notice or a written note we will first contact the emergency contact person before releasing 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 prevent the non-custodial parent from picking up the child. |
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| Communication: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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To provide the best possible care, please feel free to communicate any needs, wants, and or concerns regarding your child. It is only through parent/provider interaction that a goal of quality, nurturing care can be achieved. Weekly reports are given for each child and sent home on Fridays. |
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| Curriculum: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The main goal of Treasured Tots childcare is to have fun, improve social skills and encourage creative expression.
Treasured Tots will utilize a variety of activities to accomplish this goal. Free play, reading, arts & crafts, music/singing, dancing, dramatic play/pretend, games and puzzles are just some of the activities we will be doing. Treasured Tots have created our own curriculum with the help of the internet, books and Ontario Earlier Years Centres that specialize in early learning for child. Learn More about our Activities and Curriculum.... |
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| A Typical Day: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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We do go outside everyday to play in the backyard, or at our neighbourhood park (weather permitting). On those cold or rainy days, we enjoy getting our energy out by using the toys that have been dubbed “Indoor Playground toys”. Most washroom visits are not “scheduled” here. We follow the cues of the children and diapering happens as frequently as necessary, as do visits to the toilets. We don’t wait for an hourly visit to accommodate our body’s necessary functions, although we do insist on regular visits to ensure that each child has opportunities to “go”because sometimes it’s difficult to remember during fun playtimes. Depending on the needs of the children, schedules are flexible and may very.
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| TV viewing: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I allow limited TV viewing. On occasion I let the children pick a child appropriate video to watch. Children are never required to sit and watch TV, and TV is not offered in place of Learning Activities. We have movie day on Fridays. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nap/rest time: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All children 5 and under are REQUIRED by to have a rest period. No child is forced to sleep; however they must remain quiet. Child over the age of 5 (summer camp) can use this quite time to read or do activities on their own. No child is to be dropped off or picked up during this time; it has proven to be very disruptive to the other children. If you have to make an appointment for your child, please make it before 12:30 or after 3:00. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Meals: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Breakfast, for children arriving prior to 8:00am, lunch and
afternoon snack will be served. The children are offered the food,
not forced to eat. Children who choose not to eat will not be served
additional food until the next mealtime.
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| Special Diets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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If a child has a particular dietary need, substantiated by a medical evaluation, I must be informed and given a doctor's note. Substitute meals or snacks may then be brought from home. |
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| Child Abuse: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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I am required by law to report to the local Social Services Office of any suspected physical, emotional, sexual or suspected abuse or neglect. |
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| Behaviour Management & Discipline: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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My philosophy is that you use discipline to teach a child. I achieve this through love, consistency, and firmness. The children are explained the rules of the daycare frequently so that they know the guidelines. Once a child understands the rules and disobeys them, hurts others or property, the following developmentally appropriate guidance techniques will be used. These techniques are as follows: 1. Positive Reinforcement: The child will be encouraged when he/she is demonstrating acceptable behaviour. 2. Redirection: The child is redirected to another activity and given an opportunity to try again at another time. 3. Time out: The child is separated from the group for a child-regulated period of time. This technique is used only when a child is exhibiting temper tantrum type behaviour or hurting self, others, or equipment. When the child shows that he/she is ready to demonstrate acceptable behaviour, they are encouraged to join the rest of the group and try again.
4. Last
resort: When a child's behaviour is continually upsetting or
dangerous to others, or myself a conference will be called with the
parents. If the problems can't be resolved, arrangements will have
to be made for the child to go elsewhere for care. They safely of
all our students comes first. |
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*No running, jumping, or screaming permitted inside the house. *No hitting, pushing, biting, grabbing, kicking, spitting, or pinching others, including your parents. *No standing or climbing on chairs, tables, or furniture. *No mistreatment of toys - standing on, throwing, bashing, hitting with. Parents will be asked to pay for or replace toys if this occurs. *No mistreatment of my belongings and home. Parents will be asked to pay for or replace items if this occurs. *No name calling, teasing, swearing, bad language or violent play *No roughhousing, climbing or sitting on, pulling, or lifting/carrying other children. *No going out the door at pick up time without an adult. *No shoes in the house. |
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| Potty training: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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I will be more than happy to help with potty training provided that it is not done before the child is ready. Parents are asked to initiate the training at home (on vacation or weekends) before starting it at daycare. Once training is initiated, parents are to supply 5 ply-training pants with plastic pants or pull-ups. Diapers will not be allowed. I have a handout that I will give you when you think the child is ready. |
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| Diaper Changes: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diapers are checked and changed every 2 – 2 1/2 hours or more frequently if required. Exception, each child will be diapered after waking up from their nap. Hand washing of myself and child is performed after each change. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Supplies needed: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Parents are responsible for supplying the following items: - diapers or pull ups for non potty trained children - weather appropriate change of clothes (2 changes of clothes for children who are being toilet trained). *Swimsuit (summer time only) - any other necessary items (powder, ointment, etc.) I have cubbies to keep all of these items in with your Childs name on it. |
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| Toys: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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No toys should be brought from home. If your child needs a special toy or item for sleeping, it will be allowed, but it will be put in their cubbies when they first arrive. I take no responsibility for lost, stolen, or broken toys brought from home. Should the child deliberately destroy my toys or other property through misuse or willfulness, the parent will be required to replace it. |
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| Transportation and field trips: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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We sometimes go on outings such as field trips or local places in the general area. Generally all trips are scheduled; however, there will be times that quick local trips are unplanned. *It is not mandatory that your children attend these trips, but you will be required to provide backup childcare for your child if your child cannot attend. Of course, all children will be restrained in booster seats (over 4 years and 40 lbs.) or in approved car seats (under 4 years and 40 lbs.) |
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| Absences, Sick Days and Early Departure Days: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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In the event that your child leaves daycare early because of illness or any other condition that may affect the health and well being of other attendees or does not attend during his/her scheduled time, you are responsible for paying for the time our child would normally attend. If your child is ill, please call Treasured Tots (905.393.6356) as early as possible on the day of illness to let them know your child will not be in attendance that day. Payment is based on the hours you agree to use childcare, not the actual hours of attendance. If you reserve a spot for additional children, or for your child to attend an additional day, you will be charged for that day regardless of actual attendance. |
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| Health and Medication: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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*Provincial law indicates that medicine (even non-prescription) cannot be administered to a child in care without written permission from you child’s doctor. The medicine has to be in its original container with the child’s name and current date. Written instructions with the child's name, dose and times, needs to accompany the medication. Please ask for form. You must furnish Treasured Tots with a signed emergency medical statement on the first day of enrollment as well as a copy of your child’s current vaccination record. |
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| Health Matters: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Please do not bring your child if he/she is sick. I can only care for children with mild cold like symptoms (clear runny nose, slight cough, and no fever). Per Health Department regulations children will not be allowed to attend the daycare if they exhibit symptoms such as stated in this handbook. |
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SYMPTOMS
REQUIRING REMOVAL OF CHILD FROM CHILD CARE
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Communicable Diseases:
Not permitted by law in child care. Some of those illnesses are but
not limited to: Infectious Conjunctivitis (pink eye), Impetigo,
Hepatitis A, Scabies, Ringworm, Infectious Diarrhea, Chicken Pox,
Scarlet Fever, Lice, and Strep Throat. If your child is thought to
have a communicable disease, you will be notified and asked to pick
him/her up. Your child will be accepted back into care when no
longer contagious. All other parents will be notified of the
possibility of a communicable disease and what symptoms to watch
for. Vomiting: Not permitted. If your child vomits while at daycare, you will be expected to come within the hour to pick up your child. The child must stay home until 24 hours have passed with no vomiting . Runny nose: Your child may be brought to daycare if he/she has a common cold (slight occasional cough, clear runny nose, occasional sneezing). Discharge of any color other than clear is not acceptable in child care. A constant runny nose which needs wiped continually is not acceptable in child care. If your child has a clear runny nose which lasts longer than a week and you suspect it may be due to allergies, I will require you to bring a doctor's note stating the same.
Rashes:
Not permitted. Any rash other than diaper rash must accompany the
child to child care with a note from the doctor stating it is not
contagious. Lice: Not permitted back to child care until after the second hair treatment.
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| Medical emergencies: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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In case of
a serious accident or sudden illness requiring medical attention,
the following procedures are followed: 2) Child's parents (or emergency contacts) are called. 3) Child and health records are taken to emergency service at chosen hospital in registration form.
4) In all
cases, an emergency report is completed and a copy given to parents
as well as the Department of Social Services. * For minor injuries like bumps and bruises, I will provide home first aid. If the injury is more serious, (I.e. needs stitches, broken arm, or dislocation, etc.) the parent will be notified immediately. Parents will be responsible for all costs involved in emergency medical treatment, including emergency transportation if required. |
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| Natural Disaster Procedures: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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In the case of flooding, tornadoes or severe weather parents will be contacted immediately to come and get their child. If needed the authorities will be contacted in the appropriate manner. If we have to leave the house we will follow the proper evacuation plan already established I will then transport the children to Hamilton Fire Station 9 located at 125 Kenilworth Avenue North. |
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| Referrals: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Referral from a client is one of the biggest compliments I can receive. As a special thank you, I offer families a free week (based on one child) of care for each referral that enrolls. Your free week will be deducted after the referred child has attended for 4 weeks. |
