TLC Policy Handbook Please note that this is simply a condensed version of most policies written in the handbook. At time of interviews I hand out the legal copy to prospective parents.

POLICIES:   The following is a list of the different operations, daily routines and regulations in place at TLC Home Childcare. Some pertain to how I manage my home daycare and others are there to illustrate how a contracted spot at TLC Home Childcare operates. Parents would have to understand all conditions outlined here-in as well as to agree to abide by these rules before signing a contract.

ENROLLMENT:   Upon the decision of registering your child(ren) in my home daycare you are required to fill out and sign all information/background forms. We will set up your personalized contract pertaining to your childcare needs. I would need a copy of child's latest immunization record. Payment of required holding fee. (First and last weeks of care). This ensures that a spot has been reserved for your child.

OPEN DOOR POLICY:   All parents are welcome to join us or visit at any time during daycare hours. I also encourage parents who are enrolling their child to spend some mornings together with us before the full transition takes place.

ACTIVITIES & PROGRAMS:   As a home-based childcare provider I like to plan our activities on a flexible routine schedule. I keep meals/snack time and napping/quiet time quite regular. Most days we will have a circletime as well as a storytime. Because I have learned the importance of being flexible, some days we may be quite busy doing many different activities or we could simply spend more time on freeplay where others we may spend our morning attending a local playgroup. We may go for a walk, play at the park or enjoy some time in the backyard as I do try and take the children outside daily. I like varying the activites and will introduce different themes throughout the year. Children attending TLC Home Childcare will get to explore the world around them much the same as in their home. (Arts & crafts, painting, drawing, books, sensory play, outdoors, songs, games, dress-up fun, house, dolls, building blocks, baking/cooking, and so on...) Often I will let the children pick an activity of interest to them to do during the day to help include them and their interests. I will encourage the children to play all together in a game or craft while I have things set-up but won't force them to participate in an activity they would rather not do.

SNACKS & MEALS:   I follow the guidelines set out in Canada's Food Guide for healthy eating and give age-appropriate servings. I provide two snacks and one lunch meal per day. Any children needing breakfast upon arrival are asked to bring some in or I may also keep their supplies here. Follow -up of infants transitionning to solid table foods are monitored closely with parents guidance and approval on new foods being introduced.

NAP/QUIET TIME:   In the afternoon I set aside a couple of hours for mandatory rest/quiet time. Any babies also requiring a morning nap are put down for shorter napping period in the morning.

JOURNAL:   For all infants-toddlers I try to upkeep a daily log of activities, meals & snacks served as well as an outline of naps and activities that took place during the day. There is always a section for comments and parents are welcome to write in it as well.

OUTINGS:   Most if our outings consist of going to a local area playground or attending one of the playgroups. Occaisionaly we may participate in a field trip and parents will be notified in advance if they would also like to join us. I do not travel by car with the children so most outings take place within walking distance or by wagon-ride.

NON-FURNISHED ITEMS:   I have most big items needed for all the children (i.e. playpens, highchairs, mats, exersaucer, wagons, stroller...). Items that would be brought in for the children and kept here are: diapers, wipes, change of clothes, bottles/cups, sunscreen, toothbrush and any special foods such as formula and pureed foods. Blankets, soothers and special cuddly animals may be brought in to be used during naptime and children will be given item back to take home again.

SPECIAL NEEDS:   I have worked with some special needs children in the past and welcome them in my home. I will gladly enroll any child if it is within my capabilities to give them the proper care, attention and guidance they need. Please note that there could be an increase in fees for such placement, to be determined during evaluation of childcare needs. I can accomodate for pre-arranged visits by an occupational therapist in my home as well.

DISCIPLINE:   I approach discipline in a positive manner with love, firmness and consistancy. For children between one and two and a half years, I act mostly as a moderator and teach values such as sharing, being gentle, taking turns and so on. I will also redirect play or remove item causing conflict if neccessary and done with a positive attitude with redirection to a new activity. This is a time in their life when they react directly to their mood and I approach this with the knowledge that they are still mostly unaware of consequences of their actions. The older children are explained the rules of the daycare and will be reminded when "breaking" them. I will be using these methods of discipline (age taken into consideration.): Reminders, Discuss problem solving ideas before so they can make better choices in certain situations, Intervention with discussion, Redirection to another play area or solo activity, Using the 1,2,3 warning method for time-out. Time-out periods take place in a quiet area and last as many minutes as child's age. A brief explanation of why behaviour was unnacceptable is given to child after time-out as well as ideas on what other choice(s) could have been made to have avoided unwanted behaviour/reaction. A hug is always given before child resumes play with others. I want to show that it is the behaviour I punish and not the child. Consistancy is a key factor in helping to change behaviours and I am willing to help assist in achieving positive outcomes.

ILLNESSES:   All children attending TLC childcare must have immunizations up to date. Children who have any of the following symptoms are too sick to come and should stay at home until better:

a fever of 100.5 or over. vomitting night before or in morning. persistant diahrea, a severe cold or bronchidal cough. runny nose with colored discharge severe rash, infections, sore throat... conjunctivitus (pink eye) other communicable diseases. (measles, whooping cough, fifth disease...) chicken pox,

Parents will be immediately notified if their child becomes ill or feverish while in my care or if your child is injured. You are then expected to to pick up your child as early as is possible.

MISCELLANEOUS

PETS:   We have two household pets in the house. One 8 1/2 year old beagle who is very used to being around the children and is very gentle. He spends most of his time lying around now. Our other family pet is a dwarf rabbit that we have aquired in June 2004. The rabbit is always in his cage and the children may help at feeding times.

Health & Safety:    All necessary precautions have been taken to ensure a safe environment for your child. Safety gates and locks are used everyday. All medications, household cleaning supplies and poisons are out of reach of children.

Toys:   cleaned/disenfected every month or so with all pretend food cleaned on a more regular basis.

Laundry and disenfecting:   Linens and pillows are cleaned about every week. Diaper changing area is disenfected on a daily ongoing basis.

Personal items:   Please remember to label all clothing and articles belonging to your children.

Sharing info:   Please share or updateb any information pertinent to the well being of your child. This may include changes at home that could affect his mood or behaviour (for better or for worse), beginning new foods, potty training, change in routines, didn't get much sleep night before...