Policy and Procedure
Absence & Drop-In
Please notify us in the case of vacation and sickness. Once you notify us of the day off, we will offer that day’s slot to the other currently enrolled part timers. Do not just show up unannounced as we may not be able to take your child in.
For the part timers who are seeking to drop-in on a day outside their regular schedule – we cannot guarantee spot availability, but you can check with the staff (either a few days prior or calling in the morning of). If you are dropping-in, it is $50/day (cash only) and can be delivered to any staff on the floor.
Payments for drop-in must be made on the day in cash.
Please note: You do not automatically get another day if you miss your registered day. If you need to come at another day, check with us the availability and pay drop-in fee of $50 in cash.
Active Play Policy
Inside the centre there are also various toys set up for the children to play. For active play, children get at least 60 minutes of outdoor time everyday, rain or shine. There are cars, toys, balls, and push cars for the kids to play.
Behavioural Guidance
Children need adults to teach, guide, and support them as they grow and learn. The most appropriate ways to guide behavior are different at different ages, depending on their developmental abilities and needs. For example, two-year-olds have limited understanding and need a lot of redirection, but five-year-olds can learn to be good problem solvers. Effective guidance strategies also depend on the individual child’s personality. Strategies that work well for one child may not be effective for another child of the same age.
Strategies for Guiding Children’s Behavior at Opus
Keep rules simple and easy to understand. Discuss rules with children and even better draw it out. Repeat the rules often. A few rules that work well with children include:
- Help each other.
- Take care of our toys.
- Say please and thank you.
- Be kind to each other.
Say what you mean. Use “do” instead of “don’t” whenever possible. Keep sentences short and simple. Focus on what to do rather than what not to do.
- Saying, “Slow down and walk” instead of “stop running.”
- Saying, “Come hold my hand” instead of “don’t touch anything.”
- Saying, “Keep your feet on the floor” instead of “don’t climb on the table.”
- Saying, “Use a quiet voice inside” instead of “stop shouting.”
Talk with children – not “at” them. Children often don’t pay attention when we are talking (or shouting) “at” them. Guidance is much more effective when we talk to children at their eye level. Look them in the eyes, touch them on the shoulder, and talk with them. Resist the urge to simply lecture. Instead, give children time to respond, and listen genuinely to their points of view.
Set a good example. Children watch us all the time. They see how we talk to other children and adults. They listen to how we say “I’m sorry.” The way we handle the ups and downs of life teaches children a lot about how to behave and get along with others.
Encourage children to set good examples for each other. Children also learn a great deal from each other. Encourage appropriate ways to share, play, and be kind to each other.
Give clear, simple choices. Toddlers can choose between a red cup and a green cup. Give children a choice only when there is a choice. For example, saying “It is nap time, do you want to lie down now?” is not really an option if your rule is that everyone will rest at nap time.
Show respect for children. Talk to children about misbehavior in private, rather than in front of others. Remind them of reasons for rules, and discuss what they can do differently.
Catch children being good. All children want attention. It is better to give them positive attention for good behavior than negative attention for misbehavior. Comment on something positive about each child, each day. Better yet, strive for several times a day. And share the good news. When children have done something positive, mention it to other children and to parents.
Encourage like a good coach instead of a cheerleader. A cheerleader just shouts general praise: “What a great job!” or “What a beautiful picture.” A good coach tells you what you’re doing right, uses praise as a teaching tool, and lets you know why he or she is proud of you. If a child sets the table, you might say, “You did such a good job setting the table! You put the spoons and forks in the right place and remembered the napkins!” When you look at a child’s painting, you might remark, “This painting just glows with color. You used blue, green, red, yellow, and orange. Tell me how you did this!”
Teach children how to resolve conflict and solve problems. Help them recognize and name feelings, identify problems clearly, come up with ideas for solving the problem, and try possible solutions.
Teach children how to apologize. Learning how to apologize is a skill. Keep it simple (e.g., “Lucas, I’m sorry I hit you.”). Or if they are not ready to say the word, simply encourage them to give each other a hug as an alternative way.
Teach children how to correct their misbehavior. If a child throws food onto the floor give him a broom and show him how to clean it up. If a child draws on the wall, give her a wet cloth to clean the wall. Even if the child cannot successfully clean up the entire mess alone, participating in clean-up teaches him that his actions have consequences. Over time, experiencing consequences helps children learn self-control.
Harmful actions not permitted
1) A licensee must ensure that a child, while under the care or supervision of the licensee, is not subjected to any of the following:
a) Shoving, hitting or shaking by an employee or another child, or confinement or physical restraint by another child;
b) Confinement or physical restraint by an employee, except as authorized in a child care’s plan if the care plan includes instructions respecting behavioural guidance;
c) Harsh, belittling or degrading treatment by an employee or another child, whether verbal, emotional or physical, that could humiliate the child or undermine the child’s self respect;
d) Spanking or any other form of corporal punishment;
e) Separation, without supervision by a responsible adult, from other children;
f) As a form of punishment, deprivation of meals, snacks, rest or necessary use of a toilet.
2) A licensee must ensure that a child is not, while under the care or supervision of the licensee, subjected to any of the following types of abuse or neglect:
a) emotional abuse;
b) financial abuse
c) neglect
d)physical abuse
e)sexual abuse
Cleaning and Sanitization
·Each child needs to wash hands before leaving the house.
·Frequent hand washing (before and after eating, after diaper change or potty, after playing outside, and when hands are visibly dirty)
·The diaper change area is cleaned and sanitized in between each use.
·Frequently touched area will be sanitized twice a day (i.e., taps, door handles, chairs, table edges, light switch)
·All the toys, chairs and tables will be sanitized daily (We will immediately remove the toy that was being mouthed.)
·Floor and floor mat will be mopped at the end of the day.
·Nap beddings will be sent home to wash every Friday. Part time kid’s beddings will be sent home every two weeks unless otherwise requested.
·We deep clean the center once a week. This includes thoroughly spray with partially bleached water or putting toys into dishwasher; wiping down wood toys and large toys with disinfectant wipes; washing stuffed animals and towels in washing machine; wiping down all the shelves, cubbies, doors, walls where kids touch, washroom every week.
·Please refer to the latest Sickness policy.
Closures
Statuary Holidays:
- New Year's Day, BC Family Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Canada Day, Civic Holiday Labour Day, National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day
Centre Closures:
- We will be closed for five (5) business days in spring, five (5) business days in summer, and days between Christmas Day to New Year Days for winter holidays. Please see our website for the exact dates.
Emergency Closures:
- We may have to close the facility due to extenuating circumstances such as earthquakes, floods, snowstorms, power outage, etc.
Covid related:
- Centres experiencing illness amongst staff may need to close for operational reasons if they are unable to maintain staff-to-child ratios as required under the Child Care Licensing Regulation.
Daily Schedule
The following daily schedule is an outline of a typical day with the infants and toddlers. Keep in mind again that, if needed, the schedule will include children’s individual needs based on their age. Younger toddlers will have a morning nap as well as an afternoon nap.
8:00-9:30 Breakfast/Indoor free play
9:30-10:30 Hand washing/Diaper change-potty/Snack time
1030:-11:15 Outdoor play or Music and Movement/Yoga
11:15-12:30 Hand washing/Circle time/Lunch time/Hand washing/Diaper change-potty
12:30-3:00 Nap time (time will vary between each child)
3:00-4:00 Hand washing/Diaper change-potty/Snack time
4:00-5:00 Outdoor play or Indoor free play.
Emergency Consent Form
It is our policy to notify the parent when a child is ill or needs medical attention.
If we cannot contact enrolling parents and we need to get immediate help for the child, our procedure is to call the ambulance. Please complete and sign the attached emergency consent card and ‘Medical Release Form’ so that we can take appropriate action on behalf of your child. Return the signed card to the center immediately.
Emergency Kit
In accordance with Fraser Health Regulations, each child is required to have one emergency kit kept at the daycare. We order the kit from 72 hours.ca and it is $50. You may bring this with you when your child leaves, just let us know.
Fire Drills and Emergency Evacuation Policy
There is an emergency evacuation policy that is reviewed, practiced, and recorded on a regular basis.
In preparing for emergency situations:
- Fire drills will be practiced monthly and full evacuation drill annually.
- A first aid kit, an attendance record, a pen, and an emergency information card for each child and each staff member are kept beside the exit door for quick and easy access.
- Emergency supplies, including water and food will be kept in an accessible place. The supplies will be checked for expiry date on a regular schedule.
- All the staff knows how to work the fire extinguishers.
- A simple diagram of exit paths from the building to the meeting place is posted at the entrance.
- The designated meeting place outside the building is the driveway at the front of the house.
Fire Drill Procedure
- When the alarm is sounded, staff will move children out of the building through safe designated exits.
- We will grab a cell phone, attendance sheet, emergency kit, and emergency contact. We will count the number of children.
- Join the others.
- We will all meet at the designated meeting area – driveway that is in front of the house.
- One staff will check the building to make sure it is safe then we will return to the center when the all-clear is given by staff.
- In the case we must evacuate the house, we will be gathering at Riverway Sport Complex that is 350 meters from the center.
- We will contact parents at this point.
- If we go to any place other than the childcare, we will call the parent and inform where to meet.
- Staff will also contact emergency number 416-443-9839 which is an out of province number.
Emergency Evacuation Procedure
- Staff will move children out of the building through safe designated exits.
- We will grab a cell phone, attendance sheet, emergency kit (that includes emergency contact), and luggage containing food/water. We will count the number of children.
- Once we get to Riverway Sport Complex, we will settle the children and start making calls to the parents for pickup from there.
Gradual Entry
We will send you a separate gradual entry schedule later. Please contact us two weeks ahead of time if you have not received it.
Health, Illness, and medication procedures
Health
- Proper hygiene is maintained
- Frequent hand washing throughout the day
- Families are informed of any outbreak of a contagious disease.
Illness
- In the event that a child becomes sick while here, the family will be notified and prompt pick up arrangements will be made.
- If a child is sick, unable to play outdoors, and/or unable to participate in regular daily activities, alternate arrangements for care must be made.
- Children with infectious illnesses cannot attend.
Medication Procedure
- Parents are to hand medication to a staff member for safe storage. They should give written permission to the caregiver, with full instructions.
- Parents are to record details of the medication in the Medication Book and sign the entry.
- All prescribed medications must have the child’s name on the prescription bottle.
- Non-prescription medications will need to have a written parental consent and also doctor’s note to administer medicine.
- We do not give fever reducing medicine to the child. When fever develops, staff will put cold towel or icepack on the child’s forehead and wait for parent’s prompt pickup.
Late Arrival, Pick-Up, Fees
Let the staff know if your child will be absent or arrive later than 10AM.
Last pick up is 10 minutes to the closing time. Late fees of $5 per 5-minute interval applies. Late fee start counting when you actually leave the door, not when you arrive. Keep social distancing and keep the conversation brief. Each family will be given daily journal to go home with.
First time will be verbal warning. Pay cash to the closing staff without being asked. The late fee will go up after two times. Repeated late pick-ups will result in termination of the contract.
Nap Time
In our daycare, it is important that everyone goes to nap at the same time. However, we understand when a child is still young and does require a short power nap in the morning. If that is the case, we would put the child down for a short nap with baby monitor on. The teacher will keep an eye on the sleeping baby while attending to the majority of the children. This baby will be expected to nap again when everyone else goes to nap. If the baby is too awake to nap again during our nap time, the morning nap would need to be adjusted. It is very important that we keep the same schedule for everyone for our center to function optimally. Also, nap time allows our staff to have a rest. Refrain from asking the staff to limit your child’s nap. We expect all families to respect our daily schedule.
Nutrition
Families need to pack healthy lunch and snacks.
Put hot food in a thermos that is ready to eat. No glassware. We will not have time to heat up everyone’s food, or to scoop out to a separate bowl to be heated up. Do not pack anything with soup or anything that’s too messy to clean up. The centre will provide the forks and spoons. Prepare bib as needed.
We are a nut aware facility. We will learn about each child’s allergy and intolerance upon registration.
If a child suffers from an allergy or intolerance, the key person will discuss this carefully with the parent to ensure that the child’s needs are fully understood.
No child will ever be forced to eat or drink something against their will and the withholding or granting of food and drink will never be used as either a punishment or reward.
Others
Let us know if your child recently got a vaccine shot. It will prepare us to look out for side effect.
We do not perform nanny duties outside the normal scope of daycare’s duties.
Daily schedule is expected to be respected. You cannot demand the staff to change the schedule tailoring only to your child.
When you receive an email in private, it means that there is a concern. You will need to take it seriously.
Philosophy
Children in their early years learn best through play-based environments. Play provides children with opportunities to learn. Through play in a safe, comfortable and creative space, children are encouraged to explore their environment, satisfy their curiosities, express self-confidence and independence, get along with others, cope with their feelings, solve problems, express themselves and feel good about their accomplishments. We also believe nature is a great place to learn and acts as the third teacher.
At our Centre we provide children with opportunities to examine and challenge their capabilities in all areas of development: physical; social; emotional, intellectual and language. Nurturing self-esteem and establishing social skills are an integral part of our philosophy.
We encourage children to learn and develop at their own pace with the support and guidance of our professional Early Childhood Educators. Our goal is to create a positive and rewarding experience for your child. Young children feel the safest being in the home-like environment. Our smaller class size provides a concentrated, safe, and caring environment for your child.
We believe in the importance of developing good relationships and building trust between families, children, and staff. Building trust takes time and mutual respect. We encourage open communication and giving feedback in a respectful manner.
We work together as staff, parents, and families for the best interest of our children.
Potty Training
This policy is created due to sanitary reasons; anxiety and stress for your child; and balancing daycare staff’s workload.
Assistance with toilet training will be provided with the understanding that it is exactly that, assistance. We will assist with toilet training however it is the parent's responsibility to start, continue and complete the process.
Each child is an individual and develops at his/her own rate. There is no set age at which toilet training should begin. The right time depends on the physical and emotional readiness of each child. See below.
A child must be able to control the muscles that regulate the bowel and the bladder before beginning to train. Having the ability to get to the potty and then undress quickly are also important.
Readiness Checklist
· Remains dry for at least 2 hours at a time during the day.
· Regular and predictable bowel movements
· Positively walks to and from the bathroom. Seems interested in the toilet.
· Seems uncomfortable with soiled or wet diapers.
· Has asked to wear grown-up underwear (doesn’t mean he’s ready currently)
· If they do not have most of these skills in the daycare, they are not ready.
Policy
· They need to be able to tell us if they need to go. It is not teacher’s responsibility to ask them every 15 minutes or sit them on the toilet.
· They need to have regular bowel movement.
· They need to be willing.
· We will put on pull-up if we see two pee accidents in a day until we see dry pull-up 5 days in a row.
· We will put on pull-up if we see two poop accidents in a week until we see dry pull-up 5 days in a row.
· To be pull-up/diaper free during the nap time and outdoor time, we need to see dry diaper 5 days in a row during the nap time and outdoor time. Otherwise, we will put on pull- up until we see dry pull-up 5 days in a row.
· If accident is persistent, we will stop the assistance until we see signs that they are ready.
Required Clothing
- Do not bring your child in panties or underwear until your child remains dry for a week throughout the day.
- Send them to daycare with loose fitting clothing that your child can manage independently. Avoid tight clothing, pants with snaps or buttons, overalls, and tight leggings.
Repayment Method Policy
You will need to submit the monthly fee by the 1st of each month. Payment methods are EMT (preferred), post-dated cheques, and cash. The unused post-dated cheques will be returned to you during the last month attending.
The following conditions will render the deposit to be non-refundable:
- Contract is terminated before care starts.
- Failure to provide 45-day advance notice before termination of care. Notice needs to be given before the 15th of the month.
- Meet termination conditions (see Termination)
Reportable Incident Procedure
We are required to report incidents that occur at the facility if the incident meets the definition on the Reportable Incident form. Minor incidents are reported in a logbook, while others are reported to Licensing.
Reportable Incidents
- Reportable incident forms are kept in the folder. If a reportable incident has occurred a form must be completed, and Licensing notified within 24 hours.
- Staff present at the time of incident will be responsible for completing and signing the pink form and notifying the parents/guardians. The Manager/Licensee will review and sign the form.
- The original copy is kept at the facility and a copy is submitted to the licensing officer of Burnaby Health Authority. A copy is provided to the parents.
Non-Reportable Incidents
- Minor incidents, illness or unusual events are recorded in the bound logbook. Any entry must be dated and signed.
Reporting Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect
If a suspected abuse happened outside the center, we would contact MCFD. If a suspected abuse happened inside the daycare, we would contact the licensing. It is not my responsibility to investigate or question the circumstances of the suspected abuse. I will not inform you or anyone else of my suspicions and subsequent report to the Ministry.
It is the Ministry’s responsibility to investigate any report and to inform all those involved of their investigation.
Safe Release of a Child Policy
The children will not be released to an unauthorized person.
The children will not be released when there is a change in the custody situation.
Only people who have been previously authorized to do so, will be allowed to pick up children from childcare. If, in an emergency, you need to send someone else to pick up the children, please call in advance with the name and description of the person who will be coming. I will require identification.
If the staff is concerned about the physical or mental condition of the authorized person, we would recommend but not force different alternatives for getting the child home, such as calling taxi or arrange the other authorized person for pick up.
If children are not picked up at the agreed upon time, the authorized alternate will be called. If you or an authorized alternate cannot be contacted and a reasonable amount of time has passed, I will call the appropriate Ministry.
Screen Use Policy
We do not have screen use in the center at any time.
Sickness Policy
- We update our sickness policy and other policy whenever we see fit. As childcare provider, we will follow health authority guideline as well as adding additional policy that’s within reasons. This is to best protect the children in our centre.
- Do not send your child to daycare if they are sick, experience fatigue, or that their behaviours are out of the ordinary.
- If your child starts to develop a low fever, or exhibits diarrhea, or vomiting, you must pick up right away and then stay home to minor them.
- For fever, the child must stay home until 48 hours free of symptom.
- For infectious or communicable disease, a doctor’s note is required upon return. The note needs to specifically state that the child is no longer contagious. If your child’s symptoms seem to be worsening after 3 days of the doctor’s note, stay home or come back with an updated doctor’s note. A week-old doctor’s note is considered expired.
- For symptoms that you claim are allergy related, we need doctor’s note stating that the symptoms are allergy related and not sickness related.
- We do not want to see a vague doctor’s note saying that the child is good to attend the daycare. It could mean that the child’s energy is good to attend but still contagious. If you must send a doctor’s note despite staff’s concern, we need to see the word ‘not contagious.
- Symptoms are based on how the child exhibits “at the centre”, not “at home”.
- The staff may tolerate minor symptom(s) at their discretion. If your child’s symptom(s) are beyond minor or begin worsening, they must be picked up.
- Failure to comply may result in termination of the contract. Please see “Termination”.
Covid-19 (Check with us for up to date policy)
- If your child has tested positive, stay home until symptom free.
- If the parent is tested positive, keep the child home to wait for the symptom. The child may return if there are no symptoms.
We do not want to hear:
“My child is fine at home…he/she has good energy…”. The symptoms are based on how your child exhibits “at the centre”, not “at home”. When we must send the child home, it means he/she is exhibiting symptom(s).
“Other kids passed it to my kid”. Sickness is sickness. It doesn’t matter who is patient zero.
“The symptoms linger from last cold…my doctor said it won’t be contagious”. Symptoms from the same sickness only gets better, not worse. If it gets worse, we must assume it’s from the new sickness. Unless your doctor writes you a note stating specifically that the sickness is not contagious, stay home otherwise.
“So and so daycare allow sick kids to attend”. We have the well being of everyone’s children while they are attending the daycare. We are diligent and take pride in our work, but we are not a hospital.
“My child has been having bad runny nose for over a week”. The child would smear the nose snot everywhere. While we tolerate minor runny nose, we will not tolerate anything beyond. Other families would appreciate the same as well.
Tax Receipts
We issue childcare tax receipts for the previous calendar year (i.e. December 31) on February of the following year. We do not provide monthly invoices/receipts. Kids who withdraw mid year will still get the tax receipt in February.
Termination:
We require a 45-day notice prior to modification or termination of service. Additionally, services can only be modified/cancelled by the 15th of each month (for example, if 45 day notice is provided on May 15 (or prior), than full payment must be made for the month of June. However, if notice is given after May 15, payment for June and July is required). Please still give us notice in the case of your child turning three.
Opus may terminate this Agreement for any of the following reasons:
• The fees for services are not paid or constantly late.
• Failure to comply with the contract (any of the daycare policies).
• The child is no longer in the custody of the enrolling parent/guardian.
• A family member makes negative comments about our program to the staff or other parents, harasses, threatens, or commits a violent act toward Opus staff, children or other families involved in the program.
• Opus is unable to satisfactorily resolve problems with either the child or the parent.
• When the parent constantly complains, demands, or causes stress/anxiety to the staffs or the Manager.
• When the child has ongoing behavioural issue that is affecting other children and does not seem to be improving.
• Repeated failure to pick up the child at scheduled times.
• Failure to show up for 5 consecutive days without any communication.
• Disrespect towards the provider or the teachers.
• If a parent knowingly brings their child ill despite staff’s concern.
• Consistent child-rearing style differences between the parent and provider.
• Challenge any of the policy causing grief to the staff.
• Staff or provider feeling intimidated by the families.
• False information given by a parent either verbally or in writing.
If for any reason legal services are needed, Opus Daycare will not be responsible for any legal fee incurred.
Trial Period – One Month
It is our policy that the child will have a one-month trial period during which Opus will have the right to terminate ONLY if the child is showing prolonged distress with no signs of improvement, or if the child exhibits aggressive behaviour which is putting others at risk. If we decide to try for longer and your child is still not the right fit, we remain the right to terminate the contract after the initial month. Deposit and the remaining monthly payment will be refunded. If YOU choose to withdraw during the first month, you will still need to follow the proper withdrawal procedure by giving us 45 days of notice before the 15th of the month to get your deposit back.