Program Policies
SIGNING YOUR CHILD IN AND OUT
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BEHAVIOUR GUIDANCE POLICY
We strive to prevent difficult discipline situations from arising by providing an environment that is comfortable for children in a group, and provide activities that allow for freedom of choice. We emphasize role modeling, re-direction and reinforcement through praise and encouragement. Through caring and consistency, behavior problems can be solved fairly. When a child's behaviour becomes unacceptable or unsafe for himself or others, discipline is a necessary part of guidance. We strive to provide an environment that minimizes conflicts between children by providing many different play centers and activities that keep children busy and happy, and allows them to interact in a constructive and stress free manner. By providing age-appropriate equipment and activities, and dividing children into smaller sub-groups throughout the school day, we hope to minimize the need for discipline.
On occasion, children may become frustrated and act in an unacceptable manner towards other children or adults. In these situations, we apply the following procedures to assist the child in regaining his self-control:
1. REDIRECTION
When a child is experiencing frustration in a situation, we will direct that child towards another activity in which he is able to experience more success. NEVER is a child's self-esteem allowed to suffer by being labelled 'bad', 'naughty' or 'not nice'.
2. LIMITS
Explaining and defining limits is done in a classroom situation, and children are made aware of the behaviour expected within the classroom and towards others. Children will be reminded on an individual basis when a situation warrants.
3. MODELING BEHAVIOR
Adults in the classroom will always model acceptable behaviour to children. This is the most basic way in which children learn, and as adults we will never display behavior that we would find unacceptable for a child.
4. REINFORCEMENT
Through praise and encouragement, children will learn that acceptable behavior is far more rewarding. Young children learn quickly that positive attention is far more fulfilling than negative attention. In a classroom setting, the praise of their teachers and approval of their peers is often the only reinforcement necessary to maintain a high level of self-esteem. We will strive to encourage acceptable behaviour at all times, and reward that behaviour with praise.
We may choose to remove a child from a play situation or equipment if the child is having difficulty resolving a conflict within the situation or with another child. This will occur if redirecting the child was unsuccessful. The child will be moved away from the area, and remain in the care of a staff member to discuss the problem and allow the child to regain their composure. Once the child and the staff have resolved the situation, an attempt to incorporate the child back into the play situation may be made. Alternatively, the staff member will introduce the child to a new activity, and the staff will remain with the child until the child is playing comfortably. This time away is viewed as an opportunity to regain composure, and not as punishment. The child is given sufficient time to amend his behaviour to within acceptable limits, and no time period is allocated to this. AT NO TIME we will act aggressively towards the child. The child will be spoken to in a calming manner until he or she is reassured. When the child is calmed, any of the above mentioned methods might be used to assist the child in regaining self-control.
COMPLAINT PROCEDURE
We will always encourage honest and open communication between parents, staff, and the Director. Parents are encouraged to first speak to the staff regarding any concerns, which they will in turn discuss with the Director if necessary. If you feel you have not had a satisfactory response, please feel free to call or email Benzy David, the owner and discuss the situation. Our objective is to have a positive preschool experience for both children and parents, and our philosophy is "we cannot solve a problem that we don't know about". So please be sure to ask us to clarify or explain any of our policies or procedures.
CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY
Childsplace Learning Centres Ltd. has a written confidentiality policy that all staff sign when they are hired. This means that they must respect the confidentiality of each family, not sharing information among staff, children or other families in the centre. Information that is vital to give your child the best care possible is shared between the Director, Assistant Director and staff, of course, as are any important health, safety or custody concerns.
ILLNESS POLICY
Communicable Disease
Parents would be asked to inform if the child contracts any communicable disease, such as Chicken Pox, Rubella or Pertussis. We are obligated to report these illnesses to Calgary Health Services, and a notice must be posted to advise other parents of children in the program. If a child begins to display any of the above symptoms during class time, parents or emergency contacts will be contacted to pick the child up from school.Sick Child
Children who are displaying any symptoms of fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough or running nose, are considered to be contagious and should be kept at home. Children who are ill require rest and TLC, as the school environment is conducive to spreading germs. Children that have had a fever, vomiting or diarrhea are asked to remain away from the program 48 hours after all symptoms/fever has stopped.Contact Us
Please call us if your child will be away from school for any reason- we worry! Our answering machine is on 24 hours a day, so you may call at your convenience.
FOOD POLICY
Childsplace will provide breakfast and 2 snacks daily.
Children are to bring their own lunch and drink to daycare each day. Please send your meal in re-useable containers, labeled with your child's name, and placed in labelled ziploc bag or lunch bag. Lunch should must contain at least two food groups; ie: fruit, grains, meats or alternates and dairy.
NO NUTS PLEASE! Childsplace Learning Centres Ltd. strives to be a "Peanut and Nut Free Zone". All parents must insure that their child's meal is free of any kind of peanuts or nuts, due to several children in the program with severe, life threatening allergies. Please read labels carefully, and send nothing that "may contain" peanut, peanut oils or other nuts. Please note that any family functions are also nut free.
Please inform us of any food sensitivities or allergies, as well as the type and severity of reactions. Although we strive to be a nut free zone, we cannot guarantee this to any parent or child. This means that parent and child must still use reasonable caution regarding snacks, and any child with life threatening allergies MUST have an epi-pen, supplied through a prescription from their physician. The epi-pen must come with the child and be stored away in an unlocked box for emergency medications.
All staff are certified in Child Safety First Aid, and know the steps necessary to act in the event of serious allergy reactions. Please refer to our Emergency Procedure for further information. Childsplace Learning Centre Ltd. will accept NO LIABILITY for exposure to any food allergen a child may be inadvertently exposed to in the daycare.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURE
Hospital
In an event where a child requires sutures or minor medical attention, we will contact parents or emergency contact immediately. In a more serious event, Emergency Medical Services will be contacted to transport the child to hospital. Any costs incurred by this will be the responsibility of the parents. Parents will be notified immediately.Fire
In case of fire or other emergency, children will be evacuated to a safe area, and parents contacted immediately. Fire drills are a regular monthly routine of the school, as well as visits by Fire Department and Emergency Services Personnel.
Emergency Evacuation Procedure
In case the necessity to evacuate the children arises due to fire or any other emergency situation, the children will be walked across the street to Amaranth grocery store which is located at 7 Arbour Lake drive NW phone #(403)547-6333. If the store is not available we will proceed directly to St. Ambrose School, which is located 1500 Arbour Lake Road NW. The Director will be responsible for obtaining the children's emergency contact records, the first aid kit and the attendance records. The support staff will be responsible for making sure children are all together, and ready to leave the building. The Director will quickly check all areas to be sure no children remain, and then lock the door behind her. The primary exit will be directly out into the Sun pocket area, and up the stairs to the parking area. From there we will proceed directly to our evacuation site. The secondary exit will be through the main door, and up the stairs to the main entry of the building, and then out the doors to the parking area. From the parking area we will proceed directly to our evacuation site from there we will contact the Fire department, as well as contact parents or emergency contacts.
Intruder
In the event of an intruder on the premises, or a child being removed from the program without parent consent, the police will be contacted immediately as well as parents.
Health & Safety
The staff will record any accidents or incidents involving children who are injured and first aid is administered. All records will state the date and time of the incident, and the action taken. This report will be signed by the staff in charge, and initialled by the parent, and filed with the child's application form.
Medication Administration
Written and signed instructions are required by the parent for any medication to be administered to the child while in care. This includes the use of Inhalers or EPI-pens. All medications MUST be in their original containers, with the date, child's name, dosage, name of medication and strength, and the Physician's name all clearly labelled. Over the counter drugs will NOT be administered by staff under any circumstances. All medications are stored in a lock box in the main room where it is out of children's reach. Refridgerated medication will be stored in a locked medication box and put into the fridge.
Immunizations
Parents are required to inform us if a child is not immunized for any reason. We do not request a copy of the child inmmunization record.
More polices are located in our Handbook (located at the top of the Registration page)
