Policies

Biting Policy

Biting happens in almost every childcare center and home that cares for young children. We tried our level best to avoid any incident but sometime it happens in fraction of seconds. To avoid biting we take below steps:

Recognize children’s reasons for biting,
React appropriately, and
Take the proper measures to prevent further incidents.

If biting is a frequent and recurring problem, working with parents is also essential.

WHY DO YOUNG CHILDREN BITE?

Biting is a natural part of children’s development!

Infants and toddlers put everything in their mouths. It feels good to bite and chew while you’re teething.
Toddlers and young preschoolers don’t have the verbal skills to fully express themselves.
Biting brings about a quick and dramatic response.
Children experience many emotions (positive and negative) that are difficult for them to express and, at times, control. These emotions can be caused by numerous things: over excitement, frustration, fatigue, fear of being separated from people they love, etc.

STAFF REACTION:

Please consider that, biters are usually looking for help and/or attention. Expect that biting may occur at some time with every infant or toddler. Our task is to carefully and thoughtfully handle the situation, and move on, so as not to reward the child with our attention.

STOP the action. Say, “NO!”
Quickly assess the situation to determine the cause of the biting.
Attend to the victim. Wash area with soap and water, apply cold compress if swollen, and comfort the child.
Talk to the biter. Tell the biter, “Biting hurts! Teeth are not for biting children. Teeth are for eating food.” Try to figure out reason behind biting.
If it is an older child, we can ask what a better solution might have been.
Redirect the child to another area. This might mean feeding the child, putting down for a nap, or involving in another toy or activity. Stay with that child until he/she becomes involved in the new activity.
Finish the interaction on a positive note. Reassure the biter that he/she is still important to you and that you still care about him/her.
Update parents about incident. Ask for guidance and suggestions.

INFORM THE PARENT

Biter’s parents

Inform parents that their child bit someone.
Stress the severity or mildness of the incident.
Assure parents that you have taken care of the situation, and further reprimands are not necessary.
If this is a recurring problem, work with the parents on a plan of action that will be reinforced in the home.

Victim’s parents

Inform parents that their child was bitten.
Assure parents that you have taken care of the situation and that you are taking measures to prevent further incidents.
Explain to them what your plan of action is if they ask.

BUT WHAT IF WE HAVE TRIED IT ALL, AND NOTHING IS WORKING?

It is our job as a caregiver, to ensure the safety of all children in our care. If one child is jeopardizing the safety of others by frequently biting, action must be taken. Sometimes, no matter how hard we try to fix the situation, no matter how patient we are, a child may just not be a good match with our program. After talking to the parents, the best thing for the child may be to move to a new childcare setting. As this can be very upsetting for the child and parents, it is important to be helpful and compassionate. Remember, this should be our last resort, after exhausting all other possibilities.

Parking Policy

All is Well Childcare Centre is situated in residential neighborhoods. Please do not park on neighboring property or block neighbors’ driveways.

Pick Up Policy

If you need to pick up your child from the centre other than regular schedule please inform/call staff before you come to pick up. This will give some planning idea to staff to schedule their activities.

Telephone Policy

Our main responsibility is to provide quality childcare. If we are doing art, preparing snack, busy with the children or at the time of nap hours, chances are that we will not answer the phone. Please leave a detail message. We will answer the phone when possible within a short time before the end of the day.

Visiting Times Policy

Our visiting times are Monday to Friday 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM & 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM | Saturday & Sunday 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. To come to us and visit our centre you don’t need an appointment. We welcome you to bring your child with you – we will be happy to show you around and familiarize you with our activities. If you would like to visit us outside of the visiting times, please let us know and we will arrange an appointment that is convenient for you.

Health & Illness Policy

We won’t administer Tylenol at the childcare at all.
If Parents thinks that the child need Tylenol for teething or light fever, please give it at home.
When your child need Tylenol for any reason that means he/she is not ready for childcare. Please keep them home.
Staff will only administer prescribed medicine with Doctor’s note. Parent has to fill out Medication Consent form.
Any contagious disease like Diarrhea, Chicken Pox, Pink Eye, Mumps, Whooping Cough etc., your child must stay at home.
Normal temperature for young child is 36.5 C. Once the temperature reach above normal, staff will contact parent to pick up the child.

Fees & Withdrawal Policy

Fees are due on the first day of each month. All is Well Childcare Centre request 6 months of post-dated cheques at time of registration and throughout your child’s enrolment. A fine of $1 per day will be charged after the 5th of the month. NSF cheques must be repaid within 5 working days including the $25 surcharge.

Fees are required for a child’s possible illness, vacation, etc., as your child’s space is reserved for him/her.

When it is time to leave All is Well Childcare Centre, a minimum of two-month notice is required. Your deposit will be returned to you after the withdrawal, provided that all financial commitment has been met. Your deposit will be forfeit should you fail to give notice of your withdrawal.

Unauthorized Persons Policy

An Unauthorized Person is anyone who is not clearly stated on the registration form and any person who is incapable (intoxicated, medicated, etc.) of caring for your child. It is important for staff to know who is authorized to pick up your child thus the authorized person list on the registration form must be kept up to date. If an unauthorized person arrives to pick up your child access will be denied. Your child will remain under the supervision and custody of staff until an authorized person arrives for pick up.

Snowfall Closure Policy

Due to heavy snowfall when the transit is close staff will be unable to reach to the centres. The childcare will be closed. Please check the local news and media.

Closure of Centres Policy

All is Well Childcare Centre closes for the following days each year:

Labour Day (first Monday in September)
Thanksgiving Day (second Monday in October)
Remembrance Day (November 11)
Christmas Day (December 25)
New Year’s Day (January 1)
Good Friday (April)
Easter Monday (April)
Victoria Day (Monday preceding May 25)
Canada Day (July 1)
BC Day (first Monday in August)

If a holiday should fall on a weekend, we will close the following Monday in lieu of the holiday. In addition to the above listed holidays, we close for 5 business days at Christmas.

Five business days during the month of December (Christmas break, TBA)