My Childcare Philosophy
A child that is kept active is a happy child.
I strive to provide an active and healthy environment for children to grow, play and learn in. I believe in making learning fun, by learning through play. I provide an active schedule to keep their little bodies and minds active.

Services Provided
I currently provide year round childcare for infants to preschoolers, and summer child care for school aged children, from 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday.
I can care for 1 infant, 2 toddles or preschoolers and 2 school aged children. Infant openings may be filled with a toddler or preschooler if needed.
Please refer to Spaces Available, to see what openings I currently have. Thank you.

Trial Period & Giving Notice
There is a two week trial period for all children beginning on the first day of the child�s care. During this two week period, myself, or the parent may terminate the Child Care agreement, with 24 hours notice.
After the trial period, two weeks written noticed will be required by either myself or by the child�s parents. If there is a difference in fee's from the time of the deposit and the time of termination, the difference will be due for these weeks, whether or not the child attends. If two weeks notice is not given, the security deposit will cover the last two weeks of care.

Supplies
Parents are required to supply:
Diapers
Wipes
Diaper cream
Baby food
Prepared bottles
At least one change of clothes
Slippers, for my home is mostly hardwood
Over-the-counter medication, if or when needed
Sun screen
Sun hat
Bug spray

Communication
Communication between myself and the parents I provide childcare for is very important to me. I would like to be able to share openly any concerns or questions that may arise. I am always open to feed back of any kind, to ensure that the care I provide all children is positive. I do ask that any sensitive issues not be discussed in front of the children. Therefore please wait until after hours, and give me a call.
As my days can get very busy and many things happen through out the day, to insure that the days events for each child is properly communicated to their parent(s), a daily report will be given each day at time of pick up.

Enrollment
There are a few forms that I will require to be filled out before I can care for any children. To locate a copy, please click on Forms located at the top of the page.

Security Deposit
I do require a two-week non-refundable security deposit before children attend my childcare. This deposit will protect me from unexpected termination. With a two week notice, the security deposit will be used to pay for the last two-weeks of care. If there is any difference between the fees upon enrollment and termination I will require that the difference be paid at this time.

Payment Procedure & Fees
Please understand that this is my business and I set my own fees, I must request prompt payment for my services. In return, children will receive quality care and nutritious meals. Fees also cover toys, equipment, supplies, and helps to pay for the bills that keeps the house running, therefore the childcare running.
Childcare fees will be due weekly. Fees are not based on a child�s attendance, no discounts will be given for late arrivals, early departures or absence due to illness or vacations. Full payment of fees ensures the security of each child�s spot in my Childcare.
Cheque (payable to myself) or cash is accepted. However if a cheque is returned, I will require a replacement payment immediately with a service fee of $25, and I will only accept cash from that point on.

Late Pick-up
I ask that children be picked up at the time agreed upon in the Parent Contract. I may be able to work over-time, but only when agreed upon ahead of time. Over-time fee�s will be due with the normal weekly fee�s. Late pick-up fees will be due no latter than pick-up of the following day.
Please do not assume that I have nothing to do after my Childcare closes. I have a busy family life after my working day. Hence fees are charged to discourage late pick-ups and over-time.

Provider Vacation & Absences
I will be closed two weeks out of the year for personal vacation. This typically will be the last two weeks of July. At least two weeks advanced notice will be given for the exact dates. Fees will not be due for my vacation time.
I do make every effort to be available every day, however there will be occasion when I am not available to provide childcare. Each parent will be notified as soon as any personal matter, personal/family illness, funerals or other emergencies should arise. I do reserve the right to three (3) personal/sick days in a calendar year. Payment for these days will be required. Any days above and beyond these days will be unpaid.
*Parents are responsible for having back up care for days that I will be closed.*

Holidays
The following will be paid holidays and no care will be provided:
New Years's Day
Good Friday
Victoria Day
Canada Day
August Civic Holiday
Labour day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas day
Boxing Day
Christmas Eve Day - open until noon
New Years Eve Day - open until noon

Parents Vacation
If families take their 2 weeks vacation while my childcare is open, they will be required to pay one full weekly fee. If however, families take their vacation during my vacation, they will not be required to pay the one full weekly fee.
In the case of extended leave (more then 2 weeks vacation, maternity leave or long-term illness, etc.) parents will be required to pay one-half weekly fee for each week in which the child will not attend childcare, to guarantee the child�s spot upon returning.

Illness
In order to provide a healthy environment for the children under my care I do ask that sick children are not brought to my childcare. Parents will be called immediately if a child begins to vomit (teething excluded), develop diarrhea, or any other signs of illness. If I am unable contact either parent, I will contact the parties on the emergency contact forum. Once I have spoken to a parent or emergency contact, I do expect that the child be picked up immediately.
Please keep your child home if he/she has:
�Fever
�Strepthroat
�pinkeye
�flu
�unexplained rash
�severe cough & cold
�diarrhea
�head lice
�vomiting
or any sort of illness that would result in child not being able to participate in daily activities.
*Parents are responsible for having back up care for thier childs sick days.*

Injuries & other Emergencies
Scrapes, cuts, bumps and burses are a natural part of being a child. Any minor scrapes and cuts suffered under my care well be cared for right away, by cleaning and bandaging it properly. If a serious accident should occur, I will seek necessary medical assistance immediately, once I have done so I will contact the child�s parents. If a hospital visit is required, I will call for an ambulance, at the cost of the parents. If I must leave the children due to an emergency, my husband Derrick will be called as my back up.

Medication
If a child is on a prescribed medication, I would appreciate it if it were administered at home. Though I do respect of course that it may be necessary for it to be administered to the child while in my care. The medicine must be in the original container, labeled with the child�s name, doctor�s name, name of the medication, dosage and when it needs to be taken. I will also require a Medication Consent form filled out by the child�s parent giving me permission to administrate the medication.

Toys
Please do not bring toys from home. With the exception of a nap time blanket and or stuffed animal. Personal toys can cause unnecessary conflict between children. I also will not be responsible for lost or damaged toys. If a toy is brought to my childcare it will be left in the child�s bag until it is time to go home.

Outdoor Play
Outdoor play is an important part of our day, children will be outside at least once a day. Only exceptions to this is being a rainy day or in extreme heat/cold weather. I ask that children come to my childcare with weather appropriate outdoor clothing. If one child does not have adequate outdoor clothing, no one will be able to go outside.
I have a fenced backyard, that we do use, with outdoor toys and a small swing/slide set. There are also three parks with in walking distance of my home, that we use. You can find photos of the parks, and their locations on my website (maps located at end of the Parents Corner).

Activities
Our daily schedule includes age appropriate activities that are designed to be flexible so they can be adjusted to each child�s individual needs. My goal is to encourage learning though play and having fun. I use a variety of activities to achieve this goal. Free play, personal and group reading, arts & crafts, pretend play, and educational TV or videos/DVD�s just to name a few of the activities.

Nap/Quiet Time
I believe that preschoolers and under should have a nap/rest period. I provide a safe, warm and quiet room for children to nap in. Children who do not wish to nap are still required to have quiet time for at least and hour.

Lunches & Snacks
Children will be encouraged to try at least one bite of each food on their plate. There will be no more food served to children who do not eat all of their meal until the next scheduled meal. If a meal is not liked as a whole, it will be taken off of the menu, and reintroduced at a later time.
I do provide a morning snack, though I ask that children be fed breakfast before coming into my care. The morning snack is too late in the morning to be used as a breakfast substitute.

Arrival & Departure
I ask that children be dropped of appropriately dressed for the weather each day and in play clothes that can get dirty. I also ask that at least one change of weather appropriate clothing be accompanied with each child. A backpack or diaper bag would be preferable to carry such items, as well as other supplies need (listed under Supplies).
Please make goodbyes brief (no more than a few minutes). The longer parents stay the harder it is on the child. Also please do not leave with out saying goodbye or see u latter.
Please make pick-ups brief as well. When parents are around, children sometimes forget the rules and tests their boundaries. Please help show children that the rules are to be respected at all times, with or without their parents around.

Releasing Children
Children will be released to their parents. If it is necessary for a child to be released to someone else aside from the parents I must be notified ahead of time, and a password must be agreed upon, and known by all three parties. Also if there is a court order keeping one parent from a child, I must have a written note from the custodial parent in my file along with a copy of the court order. Please understand that these precautions are for the children�s safety and protection.

Toilet Teaching
In our home the proper name for our daughter�s private parts are used. As parents we do not like the �pet names� given to these parts, like hee-hee or hoo-hoo, and so on. Though I do respect that some parents do not want their children to use these names, and will use �privates� as an alternative when it is their child�s potty time. Though please be advised that children may be exposed to these words when it is my daughters potty time.
When it comes time for children to be toilet trained, I ask that the process be started at home. I will continue to follow through and encourage children to use the potty while in my care. Please keep in mind that an active schedule can be distracting for children, and accidents will happen. For this reason I do ask that children continue to wear diapers/pull ups until they are able to effectively communicate the need to go potty. Once this has been demonstrated when under my care, underwear may be used at this point. I will require that parents provide at least two changes of clothes (including socks) for a couple of months after wearing underwear when under my care.

Behavior Management & Discipline
I strive to teach children two main patterns of behavior:
1) Respect for one self and for others.
2) Respect for property.
I have a �3 strikes, that�s it� approach to discipline. Children will be asked to stop the undesired action. They will be given two opportunities to choose to stop on their own. Upon my third request to stop, the action will be dealt with one of the following techniques:
Redirection: The child is redirected to another activity, away from the undesired behavior. This technique is often used along with the first and second warning, and not just upon the third.
Time Out: Is used when a child is exhibiting temper tantrum type behavior. The length of the time out depends on the age of the child, 1 minute for each year of the age of the child. So a 2 year old child will get 2 minutes.
Positive reinforcement is a norm in my childcare practices. Children are always encouraged when they demonstrate acceptable behavior.

Pets
Our dog Lynt was born in 1998 and is a cross between a Shiatsu and a Pekinese. She�s quiet, mild mannered, loves people, and pretty much keeps to her own. She has also been trained to get out of reach of children when she�s had enough of their interaction. As well she will not be in the Play Room while it is in use.

Sign (ASL)
My husband and I have been teaching our daughter to sign. It started out as a mean of communication between us when she was too young to talk. Now it has evolved into a hand full of sings that we use along with speaking. I will not directly teach children under my care sign unless other wise requested. Though it is possible that children may pick up a sign or two just by watching my daughter and I interact.
Parents can find information about sign and see where we learn new sings at the following link:
ASL Browser

Parents Date Night
On the last Saturday of each month, I will provide childcare for parents to have a night out. I charge $6 an hour. The hours will be from 6pm to no latter than 10pm with a 2 hour minimum. Reservations for spots will be open on the first Monday of each month. To be fare to all parents, parents are not permitted to book two consecutive months.

Thank you for taking the time to read through the handbook. Please keep this as a reference for any questions or concerns that may arise. If a particular question is not address in the handbook, please feel free to contact me.