Welcome to Crain's Childcare. The purpose of this handbook is to outline the policies and procedures under which we operate. 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 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 skills, as well as self-help skills.
Your questions and comments are important so we can achieve the very best experiences for your child.
Owner
Leanne Crain operates Crain's Childcare. Leanne is a mother of two. Care is provided in a loving home environment. Crain's Childcare has been in operation since January of 2005.
Leanne has spent many years working with children. Experience includes: Guide Leader, (Sparks - age 5) Camp Counselor, (5-15 year olds) Live-in nanny and private family childcare. Certified in First Aid & CPR, as well as Infant First Aid & CPR. Also have taken numerous courses involving child development, nutrition, behaviour, nurturing and more! For more detailed information, please see Caregiver Information.
Days and Hours of Operation
The center is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 7:30am -5:30pm, and Tuesday's and Friday's from 7:30am - 5pm. Arrangements may be made for extended hours upon request. We are open year-round, with the exception of statutory holidays (listed below) and vacation time consisting of; the week between Christmas and New Year's, the week leading up to Civic Holiday weekend, and the week leading up to Labour Day.
The center will observe the following paid holidays unless prior arrangements have been made.
New Year's Day
Good Friday
Victoria day
Canada Day
Civic Holiday
Labour day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Eve (closing early)
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
Admission and Discharge
Prior to enrollment, an interview will be arranged to familiarize you and your child with the surroundings of the center, complete forms and answer any questions. It is important that immunizations be up to date at time of admission. (Proof will be required) Four weeks notice of withdrawal from program is appreciated.
We have the right to terminate service if policies are not followed, fees are not paid, or the program is unsuitable for your child.
Arrivals and Departures
Please send child clean, dressed for the day, and fed. Children MUST be escorted into the home. The parents are to notify provider of the child's arrival. Please do not leave without saying goodbye to your child. Letting them know you will return for them later gives them a sense of security.
Please bring your child to the front door of the home unless told otherwise. If we are in the backyard, please make sure gate is closed on your way in and out. When dropping off or picking up your child, please ensure you park on the RIGHT side of the driveway, as it is shared. Thank you.
Unless otherwise arranged, children will not be released to any person other than those who are listed on the registration form. If someone else is to pick up your child, please inform provider in advance. The provider reserves the right to check picture ID of people she does not know, please ensure anyone picking up your child has ID with them.
Fee Payment
It is our policy that when you are paying by cheque for a full-time child, all fees be paid in advance each Monday. Receipts will be written as requested. Please give cheques directly to provider.
If you prefer to pay in advance bi-weekly or monthly by cheque, payments are due the Monday of the first week for which the cheque is written.
If you prefer to pay by cash, payment is due by Friday morning each week. Receipts will be issued as requested. Please give cash to provider directly.
If prompt payment is not made, you child will not be admitted to childcare. A late fee of $15/day (including weekend days) will be assesed as well.
If fees are to increase, you will be given 8 weeks written notice.
There is a $25 charge for NSF cheques, and you will be responsible for any other fees I may have incurred my account due to the NSF cheque..
Provider has the right to add on a late charge for children picked up after 5:45pm unless otherwise arranged.
For full-time children, one weeks fees can be waived each year for absence (e.g. Vacation, illness) this year is calculated from the child's start date.
For a long-term absence, one half fee will be charged for consecutive weeks following the first.
Any days missed due to the provider are not subject to fees.
Less than 4 hours is considered a half day. 4 hours or more is considered a full day and will be charged accordingly.
Communication
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. A monthly newsletter will keep you up to date on general issues and what we are doing, but we will give you daily reports about your child.
Health
If your child is too sick to be in the company of other children or to participate in daily activities, they should not be in childcare. Provider has the right to ask the child to stay at home if necessary. When a child has discharging eyes, unexplained rash, vomiting or diarrhea, he/she may be contagious and should not be at childcare. These are guidelines you should follow if you are in doubt about bringing your child.
If a child becomes ill during the day, temporary care for the ill child will be provided until you can be contacted and arrangements made to pick up the child.
Prior to admission, each child must be immunized as recommended by the local medical office of health. Please bring yellow immunization care prior to your first day so that we may make a photocopy. As your child has additional immunizations, please let us know so we can update our records.
Medications
Prescriptions will be administered according to the following guidelines:
1) Written instructions, including dosage and times any drug is to be given are provided. Instructions to be signed by parent/guardian. Form will be provided.
2) The medication is in the original container, clearly labeled with child's name, date, name of doctor, instructions for storage and administration of the drug. Over the counter medication will only be administered with written confirmation by a medical doctor.
3) All medications will be kept in a locked area at child-care, and will only be administered by the provider.
Communicable Diseases
Attendance of child to care while having a communicable disease will be based on specific disease. Please see form on bulletin board. It is frequently updated from the public health department.
It is the policy of the provider that you inform us immediately if your child has been exposed to any communicable diseases, even if you feel it is not significant. This does not mean your child will not be able to attend care. Childcare is to informed right away, not after waiting period. Chickenpox is of utmost concern for us. Thank you.
Nutrition
A nutritious lunch, morning and afternoon snacks are provided. Please visit our sample menu for an idea of what we serve. Breakfast and supper are your responsibility. If we have to provide these for your child, you will either provide them, or reimburse us accordingly.
Children's special dietary needs and food allergies are posted in dining/cooking area.
For children with food allergies, parents are requested to make substitutions when necessary.
For infants requiring bottle feedings and baby foods, we ask the parents to provide them.
It is requested that children using a "sippy" cup or drink box are sent to childcare with this cup. 100% real fruit juice, water and milk are available at all times during day. Provider will generally only give water unless otherwise requested.
A Typical Day
Depending on the needs of the children, schedules are flexible and may very.
6:30 - 7:30 Arrival, quiet time, free play, Education TV
7:30 - 7:45 Breakfast
7:45 - 9:00 free play
9:00 - 10:30 Story, Circle time, Singing, ABC's, Crafts
10:30 - 11:15 free play, outside play or walk (weather permitting)
11:15 - 11:30 Clean up
11:30 - 12:00 Lunch
12:00 - 2:30 Change diapers/potty, Nap/rest time - everyone participates
2:00 - 2:30 Wake up
2:30 - 3:00 Change diapers/potty, brush hair
3:00 -3:15 snack
3:15 - 5:00 free play, outside play, Educational TV, Departure
Birthdays
A birthday is a special event for your child and you are welcome, if you wish to bring a cake for him/her to share with their friends.
TV Viewing
We allow limited TV viewing consisting of age appropriate educational shows on Treehouse TV and TVO or CBC Kids only. On occasion we 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 Free Play or Learning Activities.
Potty Training
We 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 weekend) before starting it at daycare. Once training is initiated, parents are to supply training pants or pull-ups. We have a great handout available, which lists the signs of readiness as well as tips on potty training.
Diaper Changes
Diapers are checked and changed every 1 1/2 - 2 hours or more frequently if required. Exception, each child will be diapered after waking up from their nap. Hand washing of child and caregiver is performed after each change.
Behavior Management & Discipline
Our philosophy is that you use discipline to teach a child. We 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 behavior.
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 behavior or hurting self, others, or equipment. When the child shows that he/she is ready to demonstrate acceptable behavior, they are encouraged to join the rest of the group and try again. Time-outs will be no longer than one minute for every year of child's age.
4. Last resort: When a child's behavior 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.
*Sometimes, if both a parent and a provider are both in the same area (ex. drop-off, pick up, parties, etc.) a child may forget the rules, or test the boundaries. Please help show your child that you respect me, the rules of my house, and my property by reminding them that the rules still apply when you are around. We will also remind them of the rules and, correct them if needed.
Supplies Needed
Please ensure all child's belongings are clearly labeled.
Parents are responsible for supplying:
Diapers & Wipes
Weather appropriate change of clothes (2 changes of clothes for children who are being toilet trained)
Weather appropriate outerwear, we do play outside all year round
Swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen (summer time only)
Blanket for rest time
Any other necessary items (powder, ointment)
NOTE: Please provide enough diapers, and wipes to last one week. I will notify you when your child's supply needs to be replenished.
Referrals
Referrals from a client is one of the biggest compliments we can receive. As a special thank you, we offer families a free day of care for each referral that enrolls. Your free day will be deducted from your weekly fee after the referred child has attended for 4 weeks.
Some of the Things We Encourage a Child To Learn
*Limits set by the environment. e.g. "We walk inside and run outside.", "Build a tower with blocks instead of throwing them."
*Child is encouraged to taste snack or lunch. e.g. "John, take a little taste and then I'll take it away."
*Encourage a child to use words rather than hiting, biting or pushing. e.g. "Sally, it hurts your friends when you bite"
*Child is encouraged to tidy up his toy before moving to another activity. e.g. "Rick, please finish your puzzle before going into the block centre."
*During washroom routine, child is encouraged to try to go to the washroom and must always wash hands after. e.g. "Bonnie, please wash your hands before you go have a snack.
Caregivers Responsibilites
The early years of a child's life are most critial; this is why it is so important to stimulate and offer the child a warm and comfortable environment. Caregiver will treat each child as an individual and allow him to develop at his own pace. We also foster independance and give him help only when needed or asked for. The caregiver will try to foresee accidents and intervene before they happen. We encourage creativity so that the children can use their own imagination and learn through experience. Caregiver is always open to suggestions or questions that parent may have regarding their child.
A Final Note
We are always open to suggestions and feel communication 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. Thank you for the opportunity to work with you and your child, and we look forward to the future.
We retain the right to enforce these policies at will. Lack of enforcement of a certain policy at any given time does not indicate that the particular policy is no longer in effect.
