Drop-Offs & Pick-Ups
Come Ready for the Day
Upon drop off your child must be awake, dressed, eaten breakfast and be ready to play (no food to be brought or sent – please finish food in the car prior to coming in if need be). This is required in order to ensure a positive environment for all children – no arguments over what you are bringing for your child and not them.
Only those stated on the contract can pick up and drop off your child (verbal permission is sufficient prior to pick-up). Written consent is to be given to me in advance if someone not on the contract will be dropping off or picking up your child. I.D. will be required to verify the person’s identity if I have not met them in person already.
Once arrangements for drop off and pick up schedules are agreed upon this schedule needs to be followed or notification needs to be given as soon as possible by phone/text.
(see Hours of Operation & Late Fees)
I would ask that you keep your drop-off time and pick-up time to a minimum so that I can get into the daily activities. Transition times between parent and caregiver are naturally the most anxious for children. They sometimes act out and test both you and me to see if either of our rules still applies. I prefer not to, but if need be I have and will give a time out even with you there. I am always here to talk to if you need to but to make transitions easier on your child you can always call/text me or email me later as well to discuss anything further about your child I need to know.
Bringing Appropriate Outdoor Clothing
It is very important that your child comes with the appropriate type of outdoor clothing for the time of year. Dressing your children in warmer clothes is always better than not having enough clothes because they do not always move around as much as adults and get cold easier.
Spring & Summer:
- Hat
- Running Shoes or Sandals that they can run in and stay on their feet (not flip-flop)
- Raincoat if necessary
- Rubber Boots if necessary
Fall:
- Coat
- Hat
- Gloves (light)
- Rain Coat if necessary
- Rubber Boots if necessary
- Running Shoes
Winter:
- Winter Boots
- Winter Hat
- Neckwarmer
- Winter Mittens
(warm, waterproof, and up to their elbows are preferred)
- Snow-pants
- Winter Coat
**Those children who don't come with the proper clothing may not be able to participate in some activities that day. It will depend on what has been forgotten.
Nap/Quiet Time Policy
It is essential that every preschooler gets at least one hour of rest/sleep every day as per the Ministry of Education. Therefore, there is a mandatory quiet time for all preschool children after lunch. However, I understand that every child's need for sleep varies, so I am flexible to a certain extent in adjusting for those who require more or less sleep.
Each child will have their own playpen to sleep/rest in, with their own bedding that I will launder at least once a week. Younger children will have their own bedroom to sleep in. Children can take a stuffed animal or a soother to bed, but pillows and large blankets are not allowed for their safety.
Nap/quiet times are scheduled at 9 am and 1 pm, for those children that need two naps a day with a window of about 30 minutes. I try to stick to the same times to provide a routine for your child. I am unable to provide every child with a separate nap schedule. All children go for their nap/quiet time at the same time, and the time they wake up varies based on their needs.
For a smooth transition, it is suggested to get your child on the same schedule as the one used here before starting daycare to help them transition easily.
Illness Policy
What happens when my child is sick?
When is a child too sick or contagious to be brought to my daycare home? This is a question that will probably arise at one point, and in order to protect your child and the other children in my care, I have set up some guidelines on illness.
Three Questions to Ask
It can be difficult to determine if your little one needs to stay home from school, or if they are well enough to power through the day. A few simple questions can help you decide if your child needs to rest at home.
- Are they running a temperature? If your child has fever, that’s a sign they are fighting a bacterial or viral infection. This is usually a good indicator they need to stay home.
- How are they acting? If your child seems sleepy, drowsy, achy, or nauseated, they probably won’t be able to absorb learning material or focus in class. A day or two of rest can go a long way, and help them feel energized enough to participate.
- Are they contagious? If you think your child may be contagious, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Keep them home until their symptoms improve.
Symptoms to get looked at:
Only a healthcare professional can diagnose your child, and tell you for sure what’s keeping them down. It’s important to seek medical advice when your child shows the following symptoms:
- Persistent fever
- Severe sore throat that lasts more than 48 hours
- Rashes
- Severe ear pain
- Uncontrollable cough
- Diarrhea
Any child who is ill and unable to participate fully in regular activities should be cared for at home.
My number one priority is the well-being of ALL the children in my care. It is for this reason that I have strict rules around the Illness Policy. Please take time to read this carefully and when in doubt please call me to discuss. Please inform me ASAP when your child is too sick to come to child care.
What Symptoms Requiring My Child to NOT be at Daycare?
As your child’s caregiver, if at any time I feel your child is too sick or is contagious, I do have the option of not allowing your child into the daycare home. Please have a friend, neighbor or family member on call to care for your child in the event that you cannot when your child is ill.
This is a list of some of the reasons your child should remain home to reduce the spread of illness to other children and families.
- Feeling Ill
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Runny Nose & Cough
- Lice/Nits
- Rashes
- Crusty/Runny Eyes
- Pink Eye
- Impetigo of the skin
- Hepatitis A
- Measles
- Scabies
- Ringworm
- Mumps
- Infectious Diarrhea
- Roseola
- Chicken Pox
- Scarlet Fever
- Strep Throat
- Hand, Food, & Mouth
- Communicable Diseases: May Not Be Permitted by Law to attend Child Care.
- Immunizations: Not permitted back to childcare after vaccination until your child has been monitored overnight – side effects are possible (Example: shots at 10:00 am = return to care the next morning if no side effects).
You may be asked to pick your child up as soon as possible.
Communication is key to reducing the spread of any illness. When a child is home sick please let me know as soon as possible what is wrong and I will inform other families of the child's symptoms so they can monitor their child(ren) for any signs of the same illness.
PLEASE NOTE: Depending on the symptoms the amount of time needing to remain out of care will vary. We will look at each case on an individual basis.
24/48 Hour Rule:
- Sick children must be kept home for 24-48 hours after their symptoms disappear and they are healthy enough to play with the other children – without the aid of any over the counter or herbal medications.
Examples:
- If you take them to the doctor at 2pm on Monday to get antibiotics for an ear infection, then they can not return to daycare until Wednesday morning at their regular time (min of 24 hours after the medication is in their system).
- If your child is sent home with a fever on Monday at 11am and they have an ongoing fever until Wednesday afternoon. Then your child can not return to daycare until Friday morning at their regular time (24 hours after their last fever takes place).
- If your child throws up during the night on Tuesday and they don't throw up again then your child may return to daycare Thursday morning at their regular time (24 hours after their last vomiting takes place).
Administration of Medication
Please administer all medications at home when possible.
The following is to ensure that all medications are administered to the correct child in the correct amount. All medications will be stored in a safe place out of the reach of the children in my care.
- I require written permission for administration of medication – Medication Waiver filled out and signed by parent (including decongestants, prescriptions, Tylenol, acetaminophen, ect.)
- Medications must be in the original container as supplied by the pharmacist or over-the-counter purchase.
- The container must be clearly labelled with the following information: Child`s name, Name of medication, Dosage of medication, Date of issue, Date of expiration, and CLEAR instructions for the administration and storage of the medication
- All medications should include any possible side effects and treatment of those side effects.
- Puffers for Asthma and Epi-pens will be kept in the same room that the child and I are in. For the administration of Puffers, Epi-pens, Benadryl, or any other such drugs you must provide in writing (from a doctor) a note as to what the allergy is and when and how the drug needs to be used in your child(rens) individual case (the more info the better). If they are required carry an Epi-pen at all times, please make sure to bring it or I will not accept them into the daycare until you have it with them.
- All medications must not be expired or recalled
This is to ensure that all medications are administered to the correct child in the correct amount. All medications will be stored in a safe place out of the reach of the children in my care.
If your child has an allergy that requires the use of Benadryl, Epi pen, Puffer or other such drugs. You must provide in writing (from a doctor) a note as to what the allergy is and when and how the drug needs to be used in your child(rens) individual case.
Payment is still due for your child(ren) when he/she’s sick or has an appointment.
Learn More
Any child who is ill and unable to participate fully in regular activities should be cared for at home.
Sick children must be kept home until 24 hours after their symptoms disappear and they are healthy enough to play with the other children - without the aid of medications.
Payment is still due for your child(ren) when they are sick or have an appointment.
Administering any kind of drug to reduce your child’s fever so that you can bring them to childcare is grounds for Immediate Termination. (Including but not limited to Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, Herbal, etc…)
Please administer all medications at home where possible - antibiotics, prescriptions, etc.
Please keep me informed as to your child's health status. I am concerned about your child’s well-being and wish to provide the best environment possible for all the children in my care.
Parents are required to provide current and up-to-date immunization information upon contract signing and throughout the child's care. It is a requirement of the Child Care and Early Years Act that immunization records are kept up to date.
If you choose not to immunize your child, you must inform me of your choice prior to contract signing as I am unable to accept children into my care who are not going to be immunized. This is to minimize risk to other family’s children - if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.