PARENT MANUAL

Organization Objectives

1. ORGANIZATION
Nursery Two Child Care is an incorporated non-profit, charitable organization. Nursery Two Child Care is a United Way Member Agency. Nursery Two has a voluntary Community Board of Directors consisting of members of the community and staff. Our organization is licensed by the Ministry of Education under the Day Nurseries Act. The professional staff within our organization has training in Early Childhood Education, or equivalent training recognized by the Ontario Day Nurseries Act, and has a variety of experience working with young children.

2. OBJECTIVES OF ORGANIZATION
Objectives of the Organization: To offer quality child care service to families To provide a program of child development and early childhood education To promote involvement of families in the operation of our child care centres To educate parents and the public on the importance of a high quality child care system To influence decision-makers on child care issues

Our Early Childhood Education Programs are planned to provide challenging, creative programming and to promote the overall growth and development of young children. The play environment is designed to meet the social, emotional, intellectual, and physical needs of the young child. Children, sometimes alone and sometimes-in collaboration with others, play out their fantasies and events of their daily lives. Through play young children consolidate their understanding of the world, their language and their social skills.

The daily schedule reflects the importance of providing children with the opportunity for active and quiet play indoors and outdoors, for self-directed activity and structured time. Age appropriate toys are provided for the shared play experience of all children.

Entering our Early Childhood Education Programs is to step into a world of wonder, exploration, and discovery. PARENT MANUAL Enrolment and Orientation Attendance

3. ENROLMENT AND ORIENTATION PROCEDURE

A child will be accepted in the program when: The child accompanies parent(s)/guardian(s) on a preliminary visit The child is at an appropriate age The program meets the childs needs The parent complies with the Child Care Centres orientation procedures and general policies All paperwork is completed All financial arrangements have been put in place

4. ATTENDANCE 14. ATTENDANCE

Children that arrive prior to 9:15 a.m. can take full advantage of the educational program. A childs consistent late arrival may hinder his/her ability to adapt socially and emotionally in the program. Regular attendance of your child is expected as it generally promotes better adjustment to the program. If your child is unable to attend the Centre due to illness or vacation, please notify the Centre in the morning. Notifications of vacation plans are required.

PARENT MANUAL
5. HOURS OF OPERATION

Hours of Operation

Nursery Two Child Care Centre:

Hours of Operation for Full Days: Toddler Program Infant Program Preschool Program JK/SK Program (Best Start) Before and After School Program Infant Program (12 months) School Age Full Day Program
Nursery Two @ St. Alphonsus School 705 745 3353 Fax: 705 745 7571 (for all locations) Website: www.nurserytwochildcare.com

Nursery Two @ St. Johns School 705 745 7553

Regular Hours of Operation Full Day: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30pm

Contact Information:

Observance of the opening and closing times is essential. Staff are not available prior to 7:30 a.m. and after 5:30 p.m. Our program closes at 5:30pm; therefore parents must arrive prior to 5:30 to pick up their children.

Nursery Two @ Otonabee Valley Public School 705 745 0651

PARENT MANUAL

Holidays Emergency Closures Fees

6. HOLIDAYS
The Centre will be closed as follows: (Parents pay for the following days) New Years Day Family Day Good Friday Easter Monday Victoria Day Canada Day Civic Holiday (August) Labour Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day

Closed for one day in the spring for Staff Training (no charge to parents) Closed for two weeks in December for Christmas Holidays. (no charge to parents)

7. EMERGENCY CLOSURES
It may be necessary to close the Centre for emergencies such as snowstorms, power failures, etc. Please tune in to local radio stations for announcements regarding emergency closures. There will also be a message on our answering machine indicating a closure, as well as our website. Parents are required to pay for any emergency closures.

8. FEES

Fees are based on the cost of operating the Child Care Centres. No refunds can be given for absent days and vacations. Extended absences due to illness should be brought to the attention of the Executive Director. It is the parents responsibility to provide us with written information regarding any changes in your childs schedule. If we do not receive this information from you, you will be billed for any missed days. Parents that are on a sporadic schedule are responsible to provide a weekly schedule at a minimum. If you do not provide us with a schedule we will assume you require full time care and will bill you accordingly. Please note that if you are on a sporadic schedule we cannot guarantee a spot on the day that care is needed if we do not receive a schedule a head of time. (It is important for everyone involved to receive schedules ahead of time) Fees are generally set for the fiscal year January to December. Each year the Board determines if a fee increase is required to run the Centre. Upon initial enrolment a one-time $40 registration fee is due. Fees can be paid by cash, cheque or money order. School Age Program Fees Before School After School Full Day (P.A. Day, Summer, etc.) $8 $10 $30

PARENT MANUAL

Full and Partial Subsidy Health Regulations Program Description Overview of the Day Parent Role

9. FULL AND PARTIAL SUBSIDY

The Centre has a Purchase of service Agreement with the City of Peterborough, which allows us to enroll children in subsidized spaces. To ascertain subsidy eligibility, please contact the City of Peterborough at 7488830. The Executive Director will be pleased to provide further information and to answer any questions regarding subsidy.

10. HEALTH REGULATIONS

The Day Nurseries Health Record must be completed and returned to the child care centre prior to the child entering the program.

11. OVERVIEW OF THE DAY

The following are included in each and every day: Art, Science, Pre Literacy Skills, Pre Math Skills, Physical Activity, Dramatic Play, Outdoor Activities, rest time. All program plans are posted on our Program Boards. Our program provides a minimum of 2 hours of outdoor play activities each day for those children that attend a full day, weather permitting. Parents must provide suitable and extra clothing for active play and varying weather conditions. Additional changes of clothing are needed in case of soiling or wetting. Labeled clothing is helpful. Parents need to provide diapers, change pad and diaper wipes for their child.

12. PARENT ROLE ROLE OF THE PARENT

Parents roles vary within our organization. Beyond your responsibility as a parent it is also your role to abide by the Policies and Procedures put into place by our Organization. Within this Parent Manual are the Policies in which you are to adhere to. We welcome parents to bring any skills to our Programs that would enhance the day for the children. Parents are encouraged to take part in field trips, special events at our Child Care Programs, and offering your help as a volunteer at various events. Parents must also keep us up to date on any changes that may be important for the best care for your child.

PARENT MANUAL

Field Trips Meals Rest Time

13. FIELD TRIPS

Field trips are a part of our program and are taken throughout the year to special places of interest. There are two types of field trips that we take the children on. The first type is a local informal trip, such as a walk around the neighborhood. For this type of

trip, parents will receive a general permission form at registration time, which will cover all of our informal trips. The second type of field trip is a formal longer trip, which involves transportation services such as public transportation or a chartered bus. Parents will be informed of these excursions in advance and a consent form will have to be signed for each trip. Parents choosing not to have their child participate will be required to make their own alternative care arrangements at their own cost for the duration of the field trip. Parents are always welcome to accompany their child on our trips. For transportation planning purposes, we require advance notice. A current police check for participating parents will also be required prior to the event.

14. MEALS

A hot lunch and morning and afternoon snacks are provided. All food is chosen on the basis of its nutritional value and with the food preferences of preschool children in mind. It is important that we are informed if your child has any allergies or dietary restrictions. Parents are not allowed to bring any food to our programs due to allergies of some of the other children and staff. Some children have life threatening allergies and it is everyones responsibility to help protect all children.

15. REST PERIOD

All children require a time for rest and relaxation in the course of a day filled with activities and socializing. A favourite blanket or a soft toy will serve as a comfort and reassurance to a child during rest period. Due to the nature of a group program, there are limitations to the extent rest periods can be individualized. Children who do not require a two-hour rest period will be given the opportunity to engage in quiet play after one hour of rest. Children will not be prevented from falling asleep during two-hour rest period. Soft, comforting music will be played at rest time.

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Illness Injuries Toys From Home

16. ILLNESS

Your child should remain at home whenever he/she has a fever or has been diagnosed by a physician as having a contagious disease. Parents will be notified and requested to pick up their child when he/she appears to be ill and/or shows symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or unidentified rashes. A child can return to our program 24 hours after a fever has subsided. After an unidentifiable rash has been diagnosed by a doctor, a note from a doctor is required stating that the child is not contagious. The child may return to the program with a medical certificate stating that the child is not contagious. The note must be dated. In considering whether a child is well enough to return to the program, he/she must be well enough to participate in indoor and outdoor activities. Staff will not administer Tylenol, Advil, or equivalents. If a child requires these medications, they are not well enough to attend our program. An educator can only administer medication with a written authorization from the parent. The medicine must be in the original container, clearly labeled with instruction for storage and administration. Parents must complete our Medication Forms.

IT IS ADVISABLE TO PLAN FOR ALTERNATE CARE FOR ILL CHILDREN AT THE TIME OF ENROLMENT.

17. INJURIES

Parents will be notified immediately when a child receives an injury such as head or facial injuries, severe sprains,

lacerations, etc. Minor injuries such as bumps, bruises, and scratches will be reported at pick-up time.

18. TOYS FROM HOME

Toys from home frequently cause conflict and envy and should remain at home. A special cuddle toy or blanket for rest time is acceptable and recommended. We are not responsible for any lost toys.

PARENT MANUAL

Child Guidance Arrival/Departure Parking Areas

19. BEHAVIOUR

When a childs behaviour prevents him/her from functioning appropriately in our group settings a parent will be notified to pick up their child. However, all behaviours will be dealt with in a positive manner by our educators and at a level that is appropriate to their actions and age of development. This is done to promote self-discipline, ensure health and safety, and to respect the rights of others. Methods and techniques for appropriate behaviour management are discussed at regular staff meetings and all of our educators are required to review and sign our Behaviour Policy Standards annually.

20. ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

Parents must notify the educator directly of the childs arrival and departure. Children must never be left unattended in classrooms, playgrounds, hallways, cars, parking lots, or drop off areas. Parents are responsible for bringing their child in and assisting them with removal of their outdoor clothing.

The Centre must be informed whenever a person other than the parents will be picking up their child. The educators will not release the child without this notification and photo identification.

21. PARKING AREAS

Parking lots are a source of danger to young children and extreme caution must be used when entering and leaving the area. Children are not to be left unattended in vehicles. When dropping off and picking up your child, please ensure that your vehicles motor is turned off. Please respect the no parking zones and handicapped/administration spaces.

PARENT MANUAL

Criteria For Withdrawal Temporary Withdrawal Process for Communication

22. CRITERIA FOR WITHDRAWAL

The child is no longer able to continue in the program when: The child is beyond program age The program does not meet the needs of a child The child is unable to function in a group setting The parent does not accept the policies of the program In the event a child does not meet the criteria for continued enrolment in the program the centre may assist the family in pursuing other child care options in the community. Parents must give a minimum of two weeks written notice or payment in lieu of notice.

23. TEMPORARY WITHDRAWAL

If a child is withdrawn temporarily, he/she will be put on the waiting list on the date of withdrawal. Every effort will be made to re-enroll the child on the requested date. No guarantee can be given.

24. PROCESS FOR COMMUNICATION

Open communication is vital to creating a positive environment. We welcome ongoing feedback from parents. Working together with families and building on your constructive feedback and recommendations enables us to improve our programs. All children that attend full days in our Preschool and Toddler Program have a Profile Binder which has learning stories and pictures of their time with us. If you have a concern that you would like to speak with a staff about please set up a time that is best for both you and the staff to speak together. Please remember the staffs first responsibility is the well being of all children in our care. Therefore they are unable to speak at length with parents during pick up and arrival times. If you would like to express your concern to our Executive Director please put your concern in writing or call her directly at 705 745 7553.

PARENT MANUAL
25. TIPS FOR PARENTS

Tips For Parents Welcome From The Board

Ensure that we always have current emergency contact names and telephone numbers Advise staff of any allergies or medical conditions Arrange for alternative care when your child is not well enough to participate fully in the program

Advise the Centre each day if your child is absent due to illness or vacation Advise the Centre each day that your child will not be returning to the centre after school Ensure that your child has an extra set of clothing Label your childs clothing Provide your child with appropriate outdoor clothing at all times Discourage your child from bringing toys from home to his or her program

Ensure that all policies and procedures outlined in the Parent Manual are adhered to at all times.

26. WELCOME FROM THE BOARD

The Board of Directors and Staff extend a warm welcome to all new children and parents.

NURSERY TWO CHILD CARE CENTRE AGREEMENT

I/We have read and agree to the policies described within this manual. I also understand that Nursery Two will inform me of any changes to policies that would pertain to my childs care. I further understand that not all of the agencies policies and procedures have been listed in this handbook. However, the policies and procedures that pertain to my childs day to day care have been provided to me in this handbook.
_____________________________ NAME OF CHILD (please print) PARENT/GUARDIAN __________________________________ SIGNATURE OF

______________________________ RELATION TO CHILD

_________________________________ NAME OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

______________________________ SIGNATURE

_________________________________ DATED

This page is to be signed and returned with Registration Forms along with an up to date Record of Immunization.

Website Picture Release Form

Often our staff take pictures of the children throughout the day and have them on display. In order to have our website uniquely personal to Nursery Two, we would like to be able to post those pictures on our site as well. For this to happen, we need you to give your permission: I ____________________________________________ give permission for Nursery Two Child Care to post my child ________________________________________s picture on the Nursery Two website. Parent Signature: _____________________________________________________________ Dated: _________________________________________ * names of children will not be put on our website

Sharing Pictures Release Form

Often our staff take pictures of the children throughout the day and have them on display for everyone to enjoy. From time to time staff would like to share these photos with you and your child in journals, picture sharing and on cards. We are able to send photos home with your child of your child. Sometimes the children would like to have the picture taken with their friends and take it home. In order for us to allow your child to share their photo with their friends we need your permission. Therefore: I _________________________________________ give permission for Nursery Two Child care to share my child ________________________s photo with other children and families associated with their organization. Parent Signature:_____________________________________________________________ Dated:________________________________________________________________