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Policy & Procedures
Welcome
This Parent Handbook was developed to give you a complete outline of the daycare operations at Tiny Turtles
Philosophy:
My object is to not only to provide a happy and, secure place for children but to encourage social skills and broaden their educational horizon. It is important for parents to feel good about bringing their children to Tiny Turtles. I look forward to introducing your child to a world full of laughter, learning and fun.
Curriculum:
Our programs vary to fit the needs of each child. The activities are well balanced for group and free play. They consists of weekly structured activities that will help your child develop his/her emotional, physical, intellectual and social skills.
Hours of Operation: 7:30a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday
Holidays:
We will be closed on all statutory holidays.
Some of these days include-
Canada Day --July 1st (folowing monday will be closed if July 1st is on Saterday)
Family Day—3rd Monday in Feb
Good Friday –Friday before Easter Sunday
Easter Monday—Monday after Easter Sunday Victoria Day—Monday preceding May 25th Labour Day--1st Monday in Sept.
Thanks Giving—2nd Monday in Oct.
Civic Holiday—1st Monday in August
Christmas—Dec 25th
Boxing Day—Dec 26th
New Year’s Day—Jan 1st
Dates are subject to change
Vacation:
Parents will be responsible to find alternate care during caregiver holidays.
I will take 2 weeks holiday during summer month.(1 month notice will be given to all parent)
Last day of childcare before Christmas holidays will be determined no later than November.
These days will be PAID
Provider Sick /Family Days/Emergencies.
In the event that I am not in a position to provide childcare, parents will be notified as soon as possible so that alternate arrangement can be made.
I will also take a maximum of 8 sick days throughout the year
for These day I will call the parents by 5pm the night before to advice you that the daycare will be closed the following day
I reserve the right to use my vacation days to cover more sick days if required.
When or/if tiny turtles will need to close due to 2 or more children that have tested positive for infection diseases related to covid 19 or/RSV the daycare will close for 2 days so it can be thoroughly disinfected, the parents are responsible to find other arrangements for their child.
These days will be PAID!
The daycare will be closed for unexpected incidences like family emergencies, snow storms, tornado, pandemic, power outages and so on. Parents will receive as much notification as possible in these instances.
there will be no refunds in theses cases
Interview Procedures:
I will not accept any child into care without conducting a complete interview first. Both parties must feel comfortable and confident that the arrangements will work.
Permission Forms:
All parents MUST complete and sign the following forms before your child will be admitted into care.
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Permission Forms
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Child Development Form (if required)
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Child Care Contract
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Medical Emergency Permission Form
Payment & Rates
Fees
Full time for 1 child $1,100.00 =(4 week month)
Full time for 1 child $1,375 =(5 week month)
All payment paid by e-transfer on the last day of each month for the entire following month.
The Fee is a flat rate, whether your child attends or not, it is not on a day to day basis but rather to hold your child’s place in the daycare (as stated in your contract)
Parents will receive one-month notice of any future rate changes.
Prices are subject to change.
Overtime Rates:
$1 for every 1min you are late picking up your child without proper notice. paid upon pick up
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Trial Period: Your child’s happiness is the up most importance. To ensure everyone is happy with the child care arrangements, a one week trial period is recommended prior to the finalization of the contract. If the parents and/or childcare provider are unhappy,(at the end of the week) either party will be able to terminate care without notice.
The first day of the trial period will be implemented on the contract
ReleasingYourChild: I will not release your child to anyone if they are not on your release form, unless I have spoken to the parent directly. Once I have been notified, I will require a picture ID from that person before releasing your child.
This is a security measure for all involved.
Please Note: I will not release a child to a parent or Guardian who comes to the Daycare clearly under the influence of alcohol, unless there is a designated driver. That driver must accompany the parent to the door so that I can ensure the child’s safety.
If a child leaves despite my best intentions I will be forced to terminate care and contact the authorities.
Health & Sick Policy:
Please go over this section very carefully. Children get sick without warning, and parents are to have an alternate plan for childcare.
Due to COVID19 our policy has changed
No child will be excepted into care (in addition to the regular health issues)with any of the following.
RUNNY NOSE OF ANY COLOR(a constant runny nose along with 1 other symptom)
FEVER
COUGH
RASH OF ANY KIND
along with any other symptoms listed below
For the health of all the children in the daycare I have the right to refuse to take a sick child into care and to determine when a child is too ill to remain in care.
NO refunds will be given.
DO NOT bring your child to care if he/she has the following symptoms:
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Fever over 100.4F / 38C degrees
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Head lice
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Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
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Yellow skin or eyes
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Eye infections, i.e. conjunctivitis (pink eye)
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Severe cold and/or cough
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Rash with a fever
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Rapid or labored breathing
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Sore throat
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Ear infection
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Contagious illness such measles, chicken pox, mumps, etc.
Parents MUST notify the daycare immediately if their child becomes infected with a contagious disease so that the other parents can be notified.
A child presenting any of the symptoms noted, while in care, he/she will be isolated from the other children. Parents will be notified to pick up the child immediately. Your child will be kept as comfortable as possible until you arrive. A child with a fever MUST be fever free for 48 hours before he/she will be accepted back into care. Children with mild illnesses will be welcome back as long as they are able to participate in our daily activities.
Head Lice: If your child contracts head lice you MUST notify me as soon as possible, so the other parents can be notified. The parents of the child, who brings the head lice in to the daycare will be responsible for 50% of the total cost to clean, disinfect the daycare.
My procedures to clean/disinfect the daycare are as following:
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Purchasing a solution to clean all furniture (sold at most Drug stores)
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Vacuum thoroughly
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Wash contaminated items: bedding, clothing, and stuffed animals. Etc...
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Clean all sleeping mats, floor mats, pillows, blankets, towels, Etc…
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If there are any toys that can not be cleaned and must be thrown away, you will have to pay for ½ the cost of the toy (stuffed toys that are battery operated) or replace it with a used toy
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The daycare will close for 3 days. The parent(s) will be responsible for the cost of 1 ½ days. A total of $75.
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Administering Medication
Medication will only be administered to your child under the following circumstances:
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All medication is in the original container with your child’s name, proper instructions, Dr.’s name and telephone number.
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Medication is accompanied by instructions with regards to dosage, times of dosage Parents must complete and sign a Permission form to administer medication.
Please take the time to go over the information with me so that the instructions are clearly understood.
Medical Emergencies:
In the event of an emergency, parents will be contacted immediately unless the injury/illness proves to be life threatening, at which time first call priority will be to 911, the hospital, doctor, poison control, etc. In order to secure emergency medical care for your child, parents MUST complete and sign all medical emergency permission forms.
Minor scratches, cuts will be treated with general first aid practices such as cleansing the wound with soap and water and bandaging. Parents will be notified of these injuries immediately upon their arrival of picking up their child.
Bed Bugs/bugs
These annoying little bugs are a pest, so i'v heard.
The population that has come across these bugs are on the rise. If your household has bedbugs you need to contact tiny turtles IMMEDIATELY, so the other parents can be notified. The parents of the child, who brings the bugs in to the daycare will be responsible for 50% of the total cost to clean/ fumigate the daycare.
My procedures to clean/fumigate the daycare are as following:
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Call an exterminator
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Wash contaminated items: bedding, clothing, and stuffed animals. Etc...
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Clean all sleeping mats, floor mats, pillows, blankets, towels, Etc…
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If there are any toys that can not be cleaned and must be thrown away, you will have to pay for ½ the cost of the toy (stuffed toys that are battery operated) or replace it with a used toy
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The daycare will have to close for 3 weeks. The parent(s) will be responsible for 1/2 of my lost wedges for those 3 weeks.
Pin worms
They are very contagious. They are easily spread from person to person.
your child must be at home for the entire duration that they are on medication
Behaviour
Child Guidance: Three simple rules apply at Tiny Turtles.
1. You must not hurt yourself. 2.You must not hurt others 3.You must respect others
When behavioral problems occur at the daycare, the following methods are used to teach the children appropriate behavior.
Redirect: Children most often squabble over toys and possessions. When this happens I talk to the children to explain why such behavior is not acceptable and offer suggestions for other toys or activities that will redirect the child’s attention and generally solve the problem.
Time Out:
If a child is causing a significant disturbance and not responding to the redirection, I will remove him/her from the immediate area and have them take a brief time out to calm down. I will talk with your child to explain why his/her behaviour is not appropriate, offer suggestions, and then leave him/her alone for just a minute or two. The child will then be welcomed back into the activity.
Privilege Removal:
When children are hurting things such as toys; using the equipment in an unsafe manner, the privilege to use the equipment/toy will be taken away at which time he/she will be redirected to another activity.
Parental Support:
Should behavioral problems escalate and the child is not responding to the aforementioned forms of behavior management; I will enlist the help and support of the parents.
A child learns best when the guidance is consistent both at home and at the daycare.
Parent are welcome to stay in the daycare, keeping in mind the children’s scheduled nap. You must inform me in advanced which day you would like to join us.
Removal from Care:
In extreme circumstances when a child is not responding to the guidance and is disruptive or dangerous to the daycare or the other children, I will regretfully have to ask that the child be removed from my care.
Nutrition
Meals & Snacks:
Every meal is made to meet or exceed the federal guidelines of the Canada food program and is served to the children "family style”.
Breakfast is provided until 8:30 only. Children coming to the daycare after 8:30 should be fed before they arrive. Lunch is provided at 11am everyday followed by a snack after nap time.
NOTE: Please let me know if there is anything that your child does not like so that other provisions (within reason) can be made.
Special Diets:
Parents are responsible for meals and snacks for children on special diets.
Infant Food:
Parents of infants are responsible for providing formula, Pabulum, and other baby foods.
Junk Food: With the exception of birthdays and special occasions, junk food will not be served. Parents are asked NOT to send candy, sweets, gum, and potato chips, or other unhealthy foods with their child.
Naps and Rest Periods:
It is a long day for children and nap time is essential to their development, therefore all children must nap.
Children under 2 years will nap in a play pen. Older children will be provided with a mat. If you child no longer requires a nap they sill have to lie down and rest.
Supplies & Equipment:
Tiny Turtles will provide all the necessary general equipment, toys and learning materials for the proper care of your child.
Parents are responsible to ensure their child has a change of clothing with them each day or can be left at the daycare. For infants, this means supplying a stack of diapers and wipes at the beginning of each week. When the supply is low I will inform you to bring more in.
Items Not Welcome:
To keep peace in the daycare I ask that parents not send toys or other goodies with their children unless it is cleared by me first. I will not permit any items such as guns, knives, swords, or other weapon type of toys. I am not responsible for any broken or damaged possessions.
Parent Supplied:
Parents are responsible to ensure their child has a change of clothing for each day or that can be left at the daycare. For infants that means supplying a stack of diapers either at the beginning of the week (preferably) or enough for each day. I will let you know when your supply is low and expect to have these replenished immediately.
Other items to be supplied by parents include:
• Daiper Cream
• Diapers
• During cold season I ask all Parents to bring in 1 box of tissue for
there child to keep peace in daycare I ask that parents not send toys or other goodies with their children unless it is cleared by me first
Toilet Training:
Toilet training requires a combined effort on the part of the parents and caregiver. Please talk with me about your views on toilet training when your child is ready for that step. I would like to note here that until your child is fully trained and able to announce that he or she has to use the bathroom, sleeps through naps without wetting or dirtying themselves, those diapers, pull-up pants, or undies with plastic pants will be used. I also ask that you ensure your child has an adequate supply of clean clothing to get through the daily training phase. This should consist of three complete outfits including socks.
Child Abuse:
Child care providers are all required by law to report any suspected cases of child abuse or neglect.
Termination of Care:
Parents are required to provide two weeks notice of termination of care after the two-week trial period has expired ((2 weeks directly after the child begins care.. ) Failure to do so will result in loosing any advance pay made equal to the amount of notice not provided.
The provider will give parents two weeks notice of termination of care except under the following circumstances at which time she reserves the right to terminate all care without notice:
Failure to abide by the policy.
Failure to abide by the terms set out in the child care contract.
Failure of the to make payments on time or not paying for care at all.
Failure to repeatedly not pick up your child at the agreed upon time.
Failure to complete all required forms in the Registration Package.
Inability of the parents and provider to communicate effectively.
Inability of the child to adjust to the child care being provided after a reasonable amount of time.
Provider’s inability to meet the needs of the child after exhaustive efforts to do so. Childs behavior is disruptive to the rest of the children in the daycare.
Thank you for your cooperation
Michelle Seguin
Owner and Director of Tiny Turtles