The following policies have been passed by the Board of Directors. This is to ensure that the Day Care will run smoothly on a day to day basis. Like all policies, they are flexible guidelines requiring regular evaluation and change to correspond with the Ontario Day Nurseries Act.


Ages of Children
Good Beginnings will have spaces for the following groups of children:
Finkle:
* Infants - Birth to 18 months
* Toddler- 18 months to 2.5 years
* Preschool 2.5 years to six years

Devonshire:
* Toddlers 16 months to 2.5 years
* Preschool 2.5 to six years

Algonquin:
* Preschool 2.5 to six years.

School Age program:
* 5-12 years.


Teacher/Child Ratio
These ratios are based on the Day Nurseries Act.
Infants 1 teacher for every 3 children
Toddlers 1 teacher for every 5 children
Preschool 1 teacher for every 8 children.


Days and Hours of Operation
Both fulltime and part-time care are provided year round. Good Beginnings Day Nursery is open five days a week, the Finkle and Algonquin locations are open from 6:30am to 5:30pm, the Devonshire location is open from 7:00am to 5:30pm. Fulltime care is a maximum of 9 hours per day. Part-time care is a maximum of 4.5 hours per day. The school will be closed on the legal holidays stated on the financial agreement.


Admission and Discharge Policy
An interview will be arranged prior to enrolment to familiarize you and your child with the surroundings, answer questions and complete registration forms. A registration fee is required and can be paid at this time. Parents are entitled to take their children out of the Day Care for two weeks vacation time without paying fees as stated in the financial agreement. Two weeks notice of termination must be given or 2 weeks fees will be required in lieu of notice.


Arrival and Pick-up
Young children depend on regular routines for their own security. It is recommended that you establish fixed hours to pick up and drop off your child. When your child arrives, notify a member of the staff as to her or his presence. Similarly, when picking up your child, enter the building and make sure the staff knows you are leaving. There is a "sign in book" to record what time your child arrived and what time your child departed. The Day Care will not release your child to any person who has not been authorized to take her/him by the parent. If another person is picking up your child, please telephone the Centre, otherwise your child will not be released. Parents whose child is absent or late should call the Day Care to confirm this information. To the parent - be confident - this is a fun time for your child. Be positive you will be back. Be firm you are leaving promptly. A hug and a kiss good-bye is reassurance to your child that you believe the experience is going to be a pleasant one. Tears are usually short-lived as your child becomes involved.


Late Pick-up Penalty
Parents who pick up their child/children late will be required to pay a late fee of $5.00 for every 15 minutes or part of. This is to be paid to the staff who is covering the last shift of the day.


Clothing
All clothing should be suitable for the weather. Snow suits, boots, hats, mitts, etc. for winter, and cooler clothes for summer. Children should have appropriate footwear for inside throughout the year. We suggest running shoes or other soft soled shoes, as the children seem to play more safely when running and climbing. Clothes should be simple, comfortable, and washable as the children often get dirty when playing. It is helpful if clothing is marked with the child's name, but the Day Care is unable to be responsible for lost clothing.


Personal Articles
Good Beginnings Day Nursery does not encourage the children to bring personal articles, e.g. toys (with the exception of Show and Tell days), food and candy to the Day Care as this often creates problems for both the child with the item and the other children. The Day Care cannot be responsible for loss or damage to personal articles. The children are encouraged to bring a favourite blanket or stuffed toy for sleep time only.


Illness
Be wise - keep your sick child home. Remember our children are just building up their immunities and a child who is unwell is prone to other infections. A child cannot attend the Day Care if they are suffering from a communicable disease (e.g. chicken pox, measles, etc.). Specific details about the isolation period for these illnesses can be obtained from the Director.
If a child has any of the following symptoms: vomiting, fever, diarrhea, severe cough or chest congestion, severe listlessness, swollen glands, or other serious discomforts, the child may not attend until she/he has been free of symptoms for 24 hours.
A doctor's note will be required before your child can return to the Day Care after suffering from running eyes, skin eruptions and parasites.
Regulations require daily outdoor play for each child. Therefore, children too ill to play outside should remain at home.
Please telephone the Day Care if your child will be absent due to illness. It is essential that your notify the Director if your child is diagnosed as suffering from a communicable disease.
We strongly recommend that your arrange an on-call alternative caregiver in the event that your child is ill and unable to attend the program. Please refer to the financial agreement for the Day Care's fee policy for absences due to illness.
If a child has a serious accident, parents will be notified immediately, and arrangements will be made for a staff member to meet the parent at the hospital.


Health and Administration of Drugs
The Day Nurseries Act stipulates that prior to admission, each child must be immunized according to the local Medical Officer of Health.
Good Beginnings Day Nursery also requires that a medical form confirming a complete medical assessment be submitted at this time. The Day Care will administer prescription drugs to children in accordance with provincial legislation. The Day Care requires that parents provide:
a) written instruction including the dosage and times any drug is to be given
b) medication in the original container, clearly labelled with the child's name, date, name of drug. Medication is not to be left in the cubby area. Kindly give it directly to a staff member.


Nutrition
Good Beginnings Day Nursery is committed to provide the children with excellent food while they are in our care. A hot nutritious mid-day meal will be served. Snacks will be served mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Children's special dietary needs and allergies will be posted. The current week and next week's plan will assist you in menu planning at home.


Infants
Parents are encouraged to visit our infant program anytime throughout the day. Nursing mothers are welcome to arrange a schedule that is convenient for child and mother. Parents are required to provide their infant with baby food and bottles each day. As you introduce regular food into your child's diet, staff will feed them accordingly to our menu plan. Staff work very closely with the parents to make your infant feel contented and secure in our daycare setting.


Toilet Learning
Please provide your Toddler with an adequate supply of disposable diapers and complete changes of clothes each day. When either you or the staff feel your child is ready to begin toilet training, we will discuss this with you so that we can support each other's efforts. Until your child has made a successful adjustment in his/her new surroundings, we will not attempt toilet learning. It is essential in this in-between stage that your child has lots of extra clothes for us when the inevitable "accidents" happen. If your child's clothing becomes wet or soiled during the day, it will be rinsed and put in a plastic bag in her/his cupboard.


Discipline
Children are disciplined in a positive manner at a level that is appropriate to their actions and their ages in order to promote self discipline, ensure health and safety, and respect for the rights of others. Good Beginnings Day Nursery does not permit spanking or other forms of corporal punishment. Staff are expected to comply with procedures outlined in Good Beginnings Day Nursery's Behaviour Management policies. Take time to share your discipline methods with the staff.


Parental Involvement
Daily contact with parents and staff will be supplemented by parent Open Houses and interviews upon request. You are encouraged to participate in the daily program and visit your child in your free time.

Special Activities
Throughout the year, special activities are planned. These vary from a Grandparent's lunch, muffin mornings, parent barbecues, a fun fair, and more! A notice will be sent home in advance informing you of our special days. We encourage parents to participate as often as possible.