PARENT HANDBOOK AND GENERAL INFORMATION

Company Name: Appletree Childcare Centre
Name of Manager: Karen Zupp
Main Office Address: 1406 32nd Avenue, Vernon, BC, V1T-2H7
Phone: 250-550-4471
Email: appletreechildcare@telus.net

Operating Hours: 8:30-2:30

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

Our preschools focus on two main areas: social and emotional skills which we feel are key components to Kindergarten readiness.

Our goal is to foster their curiosity and independence to reach their fullest potential in their early childhood years.

How children learn is equally as important as what they learn. Play is a favorite medium for learning and is the universal language of all children. It allows them to explore, experiment, create and develop new relationships with others in their environment. There will be daily opportunity for children to have structured and free play outside unless the weather is prohibitive.

Positive social experiences provide children with the opportunity to learn how to share, cooperate, respect and develop friendships. Children will learn to participate in groups, respect cultural similarities and differences.

Caregiver Responsibilities

1). To make sure the facilities and play areas are safe for children (ex: dangerous materials are kept out of reach, using safe toys and equipment, reviewing safety procedures with children – going up and down stairs, etc.)

2). To make sure the program provided helps children to stay healthy

3). To make sure that children are supervised at all times.

4). To notify parents/guardians of any health or other problems noticed with a child.

5). To call the parent or if necessary, the ambulance, if a child is ill or injured in such a way that requires immediate medical attention.

6). To develop and review with children a fire/hazard safety plan.

7). All staff meet licensing requirements and qualifications

8). To make sure there are appropriate qualifications for substitute caregivers and other employees and to notify the parents.

9). To have a written discipline policy that is acceptable under the Child Care Regulations and to follow the policy.

10). To keep confidential, all information received about a child or family.

11). Depending on the circumstances, the caregiver may give medication to the child upon receipt of written permission from the parent.

Parent Responsibilities

1). To provide suitable outerwear and footwear.

2). To provide a healthy, suitable snack.

3). To drop off and pick up children on time

4). To inform the caregiver if the child will be late or absent.

5). To provide all information needed for the care and well being of the child.

6). To let the caregiver know if the child has a communicable disease or has been in contact with such – including head lice.

7). To keep the child home if s/he is ill, or to pick them up if they become ill at the facility.

8.) To let the caregiver know if there are any major changes in the child’s life.

9). To bring a change of clothes in case of accidents.

10). To pay fees on time.

Other Important Information

Reporting Child Abuse

It is the legal responsibility of all members of the public to report cases or possible cases of child abuse. If abuse is suspected, a report will be made to the authorities responsible.

Authorized pick-ups

Children will only be released to adults recorded on their registration form as ‘alternate adults authorized to pick-up.’ Please notify the facility if someone other than yourself is picking up for the first time. Even if an individual is authorized to pick-up, they may be asked to produce identification if this is the first time. IF YOU WISH SOMEONE TO PICK UP YOUR CHILD WHO IS NOT ON THE AUTHORIZED LIST, PLEASE MAKE CERTAIN YOU CONTACT THE FACILITY. If staff is not informed, your child will not be released until confirmation is made.

Impaired drivers

If staff has concerns about the condition of an adult who is authorized to pick up a child from this centre, the staff will ask the adult if they are alright to drive and offer to call a taxi or someone else on their contact list to pick up. If the parent insists on still driving their child, we are required to release the child but will also call the police. This is as per licensing regulations.

Dispute Resolution Process

Inevitably, whenever there are groups of people gathered, there will be conflict. The following is a dispute resolution process to be followed at Appletree.

Disagreement between parent and staff member.

A). Staff and parent will discuss point(s) of disagreement. Staff may wish to have manager present; parent may wish to have another person present for support or anyone else who is a stakeholder – ex: representative of children and families. Staff member or manager will record summary of meeting. Copy provided for parent. If disagreement is not resolved at this level.

B). Owner will meet with parent(s) to discuss point(s) of disagreement. If the dispute involves a licensing issue, licensing officer will be asked to attend meeting as well as staff. Any licensing issues will be addressed in an appropriate fashion.

C). If there is still no resolution after this and licensing issues have been addressed, then termination of contract will be considered.

Field trips

Parents will be notified by email about any field trips involving vehicle transportation. Parents will need to be to provide written permission. Walks within our neighborhood may occur from time to time. Staff will leave a note on the door indicating where the group is and what time they expect to return and cell phone # where care keeper may be reached in the event that a parent may decide to pick up earlier than usual.

Discipline policy

Whenever children are in groups, disputes are inevitable. We believe as childcare providers to help children resolve their disputes and conflicts in a positive manner. If the dispute involves two children, we encourage the children to talk through their problems and reach a fair solution. i.e. – ‘each child plays with the new toy for 5 minutes and when the timer goes the other child gets to play with the toy.’ We believe it is the childcare provider’s responsibility to ‘manage’ the discussion process and make certain that a fair solution is reach.

We believe very much in positive reinforcement and provide encouragement and recognition for POSITIVE behaviours rather than focusing on NEGATIVE behaviours. Ex. When we see a child doing something ‘positive’ we give verbal encouragement and at the end of the day let his/her parents know about the positive behaviour.

When a child refuses to follow a reasonable request from a childcare provider, we ask the child to please go to a quiet spot in the room, reflect and think through the situation and the child may return to the group when s/he is ready to talk about the situation and appropriate solutions with the care provider.

Food Policy

We require parents provide enough food and a variety from Canada’s Nutrition Guide. In the event a child does not have enough food or has forgotten to bring food – Appletree will provide food/snack based on Canada’s Nutrition Guide. This information will be provided to the parent as required by licensing policy that any food provided by the daycare provider will be reported to the parent.

Payment

Parents agree to pay in advance with either electronic deposit at the first of the month. A $50 registration fee is required.

Parents will provide Appletree with banking information upon registration for automatic withdrawals on the first of each month.

Parents using childcare subsidy are responsible for assuring that subsidy is processed and received on time. Parents are responsible for full preschool/daycare costs until subsidy payments are received.

An NSF fee of $25 for the first offense and $50 for the second will be charged.

In the event of absenteeism NOT initiated by the caregiver or circumstances out of our control (infectious diseases e.g., Covid, natural disasters e.g. floods, wildfires, storms, earthquake; human – caused disasters, e.g. shootings, act of terrorism;) full payment is still required as our overhead costs are fixed.

Termination policy

This contract may be terminated by either party by providing a month’s notice which must be given on the first of the month. Childcare fees till the end of the prepaid month will be not refunded to the payer. Any other prepaid amount will be refunded by e-transfer within 10 days after the letter of withdrawal ortermination.

This contract may be terminated with 48 hours notice in the event of non-payment.

This contract may be terminated immediately if there are health and safety concerns for the staff or children under care. Childcare fees till the end of the prepaid month will be not refunded to the payer. Any other prepaid amount will be refunded by e-transfer within 10 days from the day of termination.

This contract may be terminated immediately by the centre if the child is unable to meet routine, safety requirements and daily expectations after 3 meetings with parents/caregivers. Childcare fees till the end of the prepaid month will be not refunded to the payer. Any other prepaid amount will be refunded by e-transfer within 10 days from the day of termination.

Emergency Evacuation Plan for Appletree Childcare Centre

In the event of a major emergency which requires the children attending Appletree to vacate the premises, the staff will head to the below locations:

First Baptist

In the event of a major emergency which requires the children attending Appletree to vacate the premises, the staff will walk the children to Silver Star Elementary 1404 35^th avenue. This is the designated primary site. An alternative site if required, would be the Vernon Health Unit by vehicle. The address there is 1440 14^th avenue.

East Hill Community

**If we have to evacuate the facility, staff will leave a note on the door informing parents of where we are.

Prepare, mitigate & respond (as required by licensing)

If a major evacuation is necessary, staff will do the following:

Review and make certain that all children are accounted.
Bring children to primary site by walking or driving, whichever is the most feasible and safest form of transportation at the time.
Bring along emergency evacuation kit along with any medications (if needed) and emergency book.
Contact parents immediately from emergency cards.
Follow directions of emergency coordinator.
Release children only to authorized adults.
Continue to provide for the care and safety of the children as long as the situation requires.

Recover from any emergency (as required by licensing)

After the emergency is over, staff will do the following:

Review the emergency process to see what if any procedure needs changing or modification. Communicate the situation to licensing.
Address the facts of the particular emergency with the children in care and answer their questions in a sensitive manner.
Bring parents together as a group and communicate/review with them the event.
Review and communicate with parents individually if required.
Continue to monitor children’s behavior. Be sensitive. Communicate with parents if anxieties are still noted. After discussion with parents – recommend that they seek additional professional personnel trained in that particular emergency area for further assistance with their child.
If required, have trained staff attend facility and explain, review with children the event and provide reassurance.
Review and debrief with staff with a view to learning and improving. Use community resources and personnel as required.
Appraise and update Licensing Direct of the situation.

*No emergency plan is foolproof due to the broad scope of the mandate. Therefore, it is imperative that staff keep in mind the following at all times:

-Do nothing which will place the children in harm’s way or potential harm.

-Do everything which will assure the children’s safety and well-being.

Our emergency bag has the following in it: radio, flashlight and batteries, solar blankets, first aid kit, toiletries, pen and notepad, activities for children, food, water, whistle, etc.