THE CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
MUNICIPAL OPERATED CHILD CARE
BY THE TOWN OF SMITHS FALLS
73 Thurber Street
Smiths Falls, Ontario
K7A 3G3
Telephone: 613-283-4124
Extension 6601 or
613-283-2898
Supervisor: Beverly Leach RECE AECEOC
[email protected]
TOPIC CHART
Philosophy and Program Statement: Hours of operation,
Page
3&4
ages served, any dates of closure, program development
Admission/Enrolment and Discharge/Service
Terminations
Fee Payment Policy and Payment Options
Fee Payment Policy relating to absences due to illness or
vacation
Registration / Orientation Procedures
Children’s Belongings
Arrival /Departure /Release of Child from the program
Code of Conduct /Behaviour Management
Health: Illness in a child and degree of illness which excludes a
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6
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child from care
Medication Administration
Nutrition: Food and Snacks
Field Trips /Off-site Activities
Parent Participation (Role of parent in the program)
Process for Expressing Concerns
Supervision Policy for Volunteers and Students
Serious Occurrence Reporting
Water Safety
Parent Information
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PHILOSOPHY
The Child Development Centre believes a happy, stimulating environment
is the right of every child. The environment must be such that every child
has assistance and opportunity to develop self-help skills, self confidence
and a strong feeling of self worth. All aspects of the child’s development
must be understood and planned for – creative, physical development,
social interaction and intellectual.
PROGRAM STATEMENT
The Child Development Centre is licensed by the Ministry of Education.
It is a place where children learn as they play and share experiences with
other children under the guidance of adults who have an understanding of
child growth, development and the learning process, to include those
children with special needs.
HOURS OF OPERATION
The Centre is open Monday to Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. We are
closed for Statutory Holidays and one professional day per year (as
required). Advance notice will be given.
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STATUTORY HOLIDAYS OBSERVED
New Years Day
Family Day
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Victoria Day
Canada Day
Civic Holiday
Labour Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
Boxing Day
Note: The Centre is closed between Christmas Day and New Years Day.
AGES SERVED
We have an enrolment of fifty-four children. 10 Toddlers/ 24 Preschoolers/
and 20 jk/sk children. This may include a 20% mixed age grouping within
each category, including ages 6-12 years.
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
Nurturing and caring Early Childhood Educators play an
important role to help support children’s learning, development,
health and well being. Our educator’s use the Early Learning for
Every Child framework “Elect” and How Learning Happens,
Ontario’s Pedagogy for the early years. We are committed to
delivering high quality early learning programming which will
improve children’s learning and development.
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Children will play outdoors weather permitting, for two hours each day in
accordance with the guidelines set by the Ministry of Education.
Each child in attendance for a full day (toddler and preschooler) shall
have a rest period of up to two hours each day in accordance with the
guidelines set by the Ministry of Education.
ADMISSION/ENROLMENT POLICY
Each child must be registered by filling out all required admission forms
(application, emergency consent, etc.) for child care services. Subsidy
spaces are available to families that qualify through your County Office.
DISCHARGE/SERVICE TERMINATION POLICY
Two weeks’ notice is required when terminating your child from the
program or two weeks fees will be charged.
FEE PAYMENT POLICY/ PAYMENT OPTIONS
Fees are required two weeks in advance by cash or cheque payable to the
Child Development Centre or Town of Smiths Falls. Receipts will be
given for income tax purposes.
FEE PAYMENT POLICY RELATING TO ABSENCES DUE TO
ILLNESS OR VACATION
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Parents are required to pay for all days for which the child is enrolled.
No free sick or vacation days will be allowed.
LATE FEES
The Child Development Centre is closed at 5:30 p.m. It is expected that
you pick up your child before 5:30 p.m. when the Centre closes. A penalty
fee of $5.00 for the first 10 minutes or less, and for all or any part of each
additional 10 minutes there will be a $10.00 charge.
REGISTRATION AND ORIENTATION PROCEDURES
Each child that is registered at the Child Development Centre has an
assigned locker and is greeted warmly by name upon arrival. The child is
escorted to the classroom and reintroduced to the teacher and the children.
We help the children to settle into an activity and are helped with routines.
Parents are greeted at the end of the day and positive feedback is shared by
the staff.
Parents are assisted through the sign in/out process and informed that they
are welcome to call anytime throughout the day. They are required to
complete all admission/withdrawal forms. The paperwork is reviewed for
completion, checking all phone contacts, allergies, and child’s individual
characteristics. Payment options are finalized and all paperwork is then
filed on premises.
CHILDREN’S BELONGINGS
ITEMS YOU NEED TO SUPPLY
 Extra clothes for your child (there should always be extras in their
cubby). Weather appropriate clothes are needed for outdoors.
 A small blanket for quiet time, to be left on your child’s cot.
 One pair of shoes or slippers for indoor/outdoor play.
 Diapers (if required).
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HOME TOYS
A favourite toy may be brought to daycare. Please limit the quantity to one
soft toy (or item). These items are to remain in their cubbies and only
taken out at appropriate times. WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE for loss or
breakage
ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE/RELEASE OF CHILDREN
FROM THE PROGRAM
1) Please bring your child into the daycare and assist them in hanging
up their outer clothes, putting on shoes, etc. Make sure a teacher is
aware of their arrival. Please establish regular drop-off and pick-up
times for your child.
2) We do not take responsibility for transportation (this includes
taxis). We take children to Duncan J. Schoular Public School but it
is the parent’s responsibility to arrange to get them back to the
Child Development Centre and to arrange bus transportation.
3) Children will NOT be released to a person:
a) Unauthorized by the parent, or person registering the child. Their
name must be on the child’s registration form.
b) Under the age of sixteen years old.
c) Under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
d) Under any situation which might prove harmful to the child.
Our response in the event of this happening will be:
a) Call another member of the family or contact person.
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b) Call the Police.
c) Call the Children’s Aid Society
4) If your child is participating in programs/activities after school,
parents will be required to authorize permission by signing the Child
Development Centre’s “School Age Children without Direct Adult
Supervision” Policy. This policy must be agreed upon by the
parent/guardian and the supervisor of the Child Development Centre
and filed on premises.
BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT
The following forms of behaviour management shall not be permitted by
anyone including staff, students, volunteers and parents during operation of
the program.
1) Corporal punishment of a child (e.g. spanking, hitting, shaking etc.).
2) Deliberate harsh or degrading measures that would humiliate a child
or undermine a child’s self-respect.
3) Deprivation of a child of basic needs including food, shelter,
clothing, or bedding.
4) Being confined in a locked room or area.
5) Locking the exits of the Child Care Centre for the purpose of
confining a child.
GUIDANCE AND DISCIPLINE
The general rules of the Centre need to be kept, as well as respect for the
rights and welfare of others. When a child is in conflict, a staff member
will:
1) Remind him/her of the rules.
2) Give him/her two or three chances to comply.
3) Redirect
4) Give him/her an age appropriate “time-out”. This consists of
removing the child from the situation, and a teacher will:
 Make sure the child knows what the problem was.
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 Ask or suggest other ways of solving the problem.
 Judge the seriousness of the offense, and the age of the child,
setting an appropriate ‘time-out’.
HEALTH
When your child is ill, please notify the daycare that they will not be in. If
your child becomes ill here, you will be called to come and pick them up.
If they are too sick to participate in outdoor activity, they must stay at
home.
For your child’s personal care, a towel, wash cloth and cot sheet are
provided and laundered daily and weekly.
Please inform us of any exposure to a contagious disease, and we will give
the information of any communicable disease in our daycare.
MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION
Under regulations from the Public Health Department, all medication must
come in the original container, clearly marked with child’s name, date,
name of drug, instructions for storage and administration.
A MEDICATION AUTHORIZATION FORM must be completed and
signed by the parent before any medication is given.
WE ADMINISTER ONLY PRESCRIBED MEDICATON.
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NUTRITION
The Smiths Falls Child Development Centre ensures all children receive
nutritious meals and snacks that follow Canada’s Food Guide and also take
into account health issues (allergies) and respect families requests and
preferences. The preparation and serving of meals and snacks will meet
regulatory requirements and proper food handling practices.
Menus will be posted two weeks in advance on the Parent Bulletin Board
including morning/afternoon snacks and lunch. Food allergies and special
diets will be posted. Parents and program staff will work together to
ensure food substitutions when necessary. Our Facility is “PEANUT
SAFE”
FIELD TRIPS AND OFF-SITE ACTIVITIES
Upon enrolment parents sign a permission form for their child to
participate in field trips/neighbourhood walks. Parents are informed in
advance of all bus trips/special events outside our licensed facility or
visitors to the centre.
TRANSPORTATION
The Child Development Centre does not provide any transportation. You
must arrange transportation, car pools or collective taxi services for
yourself. We take J.K./S.K. children to Duncan J. Schoular Public School
but it is the parent’s responsibility to arrange to get them back to the Child
Development Centre and to arrange bus transportation.
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PARENT PARTICIPATION
We encourage daily communication regarding your child and pertinent
information that would help the teacher relate more sensitively throughout
the day.
Parents are encouraged to be involved using their talents, or area of
expertise, providing instruction for the children, through co-operation and
assistance with the staff. A Criminal Reference Check, vulnerable sector is
needed if you are wishing to volunteer.
We also ask for your support with fundraising events designed to enhance
the program. (e.g. new equipment)
PROCESS FOR EXPRESSING CONCERNS/COMMENTS
Parents are encouraged to visit or phone the Centre throughout the day.
We encourage parents to ask questions, give instructive criticism, and give
us positive feedback.
You may voice your concerns about the Program through verbal or written
requests or by speaking with the supervisor or any staff member.
Please note: The staff’s first responsibility is their awareness of the
children in the program. Therefore, opportunities to chat at arrival and
departure time may be limited. If you wish, you may arrange for a
convenient time to chat later on, or you may wish to leave a note for the
staff.
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The Child Development Centre Supervision Policy for Volunteers and Students Direct unsupervised access is not permitted for persons who are not employees of
the Smiths Falls Child Development Centre, and no child is supervised by a person
under18 years of age. Placement students or volunteers may not be counted in the
staffing ratios for the programs.
The Child Development Centre:
We commit to the following:
1. Ensure that every child in attendance is supervised by an adult at all times.
2. All policies and procedures are reviewed and signed off, by students and or
volunteers before they begin providing care and at least annually afterwards. They
will also be provided with a copy of the parent handbook
3. The operator will review the policy at least annually and ensure all staff, students;
volunteers have reviewed and signed off on policies.
4. The supervisor will provide orientation to all students and volunteers before they
begin care.
5. Volunteers and students will be supervised by the RECE staff person, in their
designated age groups.
VOLUNTEER:
1. To perform my volunteer duties to the best of my ability.
2. To adhere to The Smiths Falls Child Development Centre’s policies and
procedures.
3. To provide a current criminal reference check and up-to-date immunization record.
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Serious Occurrence Reporting for The CDC and Before and After School Programs
The Supervisor is required to report all serious occurrences within 24
hours. In addition, a copy of the report will be sent to the Community
Services Manager and CDC Advisory Board and Lanark County Child
Care Services.
a) The Serious Occurrence Notification Form will be posted next to our license for a minimum of 10 business days and will be updated as the Child Development Centre takes additional actions or investigations are completed. If the form is updated with additional information such as additional actions, the form will remain for 10 days from the update. No identifying information will be included in the Serious Occurrence Notification form: e.g. child’s name, staff name, age or birth date of child. The Child Development Centre will retain the Serious Occurrence Notification form for at least two years from the date of the occurrence and make forms available for current and prospective parents, licensing and municipal children’s services staff upon request (consistent with current requirements for the availability of licensing documentation.) b) An Annual Summary and Analysis Report. ~13~
The Smiths Falls Child Development Centre The safety and well‐being of children is a priority for the Ministry of Education. The purpose of this memo is to inform you regarding the use of standing and recreational bodies of water for children in licensed child care.  Effective immediately, we are prohibited the use of and access to all standing bodies of water, e.g., ponds, recreational in‐ ground/above ground swimming, portable/kiddie/inflatable wading type pools, during operating hours. Water Safety Best Practices for all licensed Child Care Operators  The ministry does support play‐based learning and sensory exploration and encourages the use of splash pads, sprinklers, hoses or water tables, under close supervision of adults at all times.  Child Care operators may decide to have children attend and use public pools. In this case, it is strongly recommended that children attend regulated “public pools” where  There is a qualified life‐guard(s) on duty at all times in accordance with regulation 565  The rules of the public pool are followed  The children are accompanied and directly supervised by adults at all times (a person who is 18 years or older)  Day Nursery Act ratios are maintained at all times  All staff will familiarize themselves with basic water/ swimming tips ~14~
FEES
Toddler
18-30months
$________
Preschooler
2 ½ to 5 years
$________
Half day with lunch
$________
Half day no lunch
$________
Before and After School
$________
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