PARENT MANUAL

SECTION ONE

A. INTRODUCTION Ogema Total Learning & Child Care Incorporated is a non-profit organization, which is licensed with 25 subsidized child care spaces. Ogema Total Learning & Child care is open Monday through Friday from 6:30a.m. to 6p.m. We are closed during weekends and statutory holidays. In the event that a statutory holiday falls on the weekend the preceding or following day will be the closed day. Ogema TLC Inc. will be closed for the following statutory holidays: New Years Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Saskatchewan Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day and Christmas Day.

B. PHILOSOPHY Ogema Total Learning & Child Care Inc. was developed to fulfill a need for childcare in the town of Ogema. It was developed in partnership with the Ogema School to increase utilization of the school building. Ogema TLC Inc. believes in utilizing all possible programs to enhance the opportunities for our children in and around the community of Ogema.

C.MISSION STATEMENT In partnership with our School and Community, Ogema TLC Inc. - a non profit corporation - was developed to provide high quality, affordable childcare to the families of Ogema and area. Our mission is to provide a home away from home for infants, toddlers, pre-school and school age children. At Ogema TLC Inc. our programs promote healthy well being with a positive focus on learning, self esteem, nutrition, respect, individuality and fun. Our staff will strive to offer a developmentally appropriate and safe learning environment for all children.

SECTION TWO EMPLOYEES

Employees of Ogema Total Learning & Child Care are required to have a criminal record check, TB test, and First Aid and CPR Certification. All employees are required to have signed an oath of confidentiality. Full time employees are required to have their Early Childhood Education Certification or an exemption from the ministry due to taking classes towards their certification.

Employees share an interest in the success of Ogema TLC Inc. as well as the success of the families and their children involved in our early childhood centre. Employees have the right to:

A) Non-discriminatory terms of employment

B) Fairness and consistent treatment

C) Be treated with dignity and respect within a work environment conducive to efficiency, and the well being of the children and families enrolled in Ogema TLC Inc.

Ogema TLC Inc. encourages the free flow of information, within confidentiality guidelines, and the use of teamwork to provide the highest quality individualized responses.

SECTION THREE STAFFING RATIOS

For safety and security of the employees and children there should be at least 2 employees on the premise during peak hours. (At least 2 employees will be present an hour after the first child is booked in as ratios allow, and up to a half an hour before closing as ratios allow).

Ogema TLC is licensed for mixed staff/child ratios and so an employee can have up to 15 points. Points are categorized as follows; Infants: 5 points, Toddlers: 3 points, Preschool: 1.5 points and School-age are 1 point.

SECTION FOUR CURRICULUM, CHILD MANAGEMENT, PARENT INVOLVEMENT AND OPERATION OF THE CENTRE

A. CURRICULUM Early Childhood Educators will provide the children with a developmentally appropriate program, following the guidelines of the Play and Exploration program adopted by the Ministry of Education, Early Years Branch. Observations are done on the children's interests and then a program is implemented with all areas of development in mind. Staff will promote the acquisition of a positive self image in every child by encouraging and facilitating the child’s individual social, emotional and physical development. If excursions are planned away from the childcare centre parents will have no less than 24 hours notice. We go Outside everyday, unless the temperature is +28C with the humidex or -28C with the wind-chill. If the temperature exceeds - 25C or +25C the time spent outdoors will be limited 30-45 minutes.

B. COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PARENTS AND STAFF Staff will communicate with parents on a daily basis, both written and verbally. Staff will greet parents, and discuss with them about their child's day on a daily basis. Staff will also write in the child's journal daily. The staff will also fill out a developmental checklist quarterly. This allows both the staff and the parents to be aware of where each child is at developmentally and assists the staff in planning activities to help the child reach the next developmental milestones. It is the parent’s responsibility to communicate any information which would be important to the child's needs and care each day.

C. CHILD MANAGEMENT Staffs are encouraged to discipline children in a calm and reasonable manner and judge each situation on its merit. Discipline focuses on the unacceptable behaviour, not on the child. Positive reinforcement of positive behaviours is encouraged. The staff are educated and encouraged to give children reasonable choices which allow children to have dignity, be given respect and to have a reasonable say in what they wish to do. A break will be provided for children when they put themselves or others in danger. A break is only used to help calm the child until they can make a reasonable choice. The child will be provided with a quiet area until he/she is able to make a reasonable choice. Communication will always be encouraged to help the child express their feelings, problem solve and make appropriate choices.

D. POTTY TRAINING The parent must notify the childcare workers when potty training is to begin. The training process will be a one-month trial basis. At this time, the employees and parents will meet to assess the child’s progress. If no progress has been shown, for example, pulling up and down clothing, telling a staff that they need to go potty without being taken by the hand or prompted by a childcare staff, etc., then the training will be discontinued. If the child cannot do these things alone and be accurate about body functions, cries or has tantrums when put on the potty, these are good indicators that they may not be ready for training. Please try not to start training too early just because your child goes when taken every fifteen minutes at home or because they are now two years old. The staffs will not potty train on days the child is brought in a diaper as this can be very confusing for the child. If the parent uses a diaper or pull up during transportation, they are responsible to remove it before you leave your child in our care. To ensure that the child has a clear message that they are to use the potty during the day, and that the diaper is only for in the vehicle. When beginning potty training there are some general guidelines: girls normally begin around two years old and boys around two and a half to three years of age. Children should already be introduced to the potty before they start training at daycare. It is the parents responsibility to provide several pairs of training pants, rubber pants, or pull-ups and extra clothing while potty training. Once they are out of clothing that have been brought from home the will be put in a diaper or pull up and can start again the next day. A child will be considered fully trained when they are able to accomplish the following: Be able to unassisted, pull up and down own clothing Tell the staff that they have to go Be aware of what they are doing.

E. PARENTS RESPONSIBLITIES Parents are responsible to have the following at the centre Child’s completed file (agreement of services, emergency information card, and health resume and excursion release) An extra set of clothing - pants, shirts, underwear and socks - all labelled A labelled pair of indoor shoes with no mark soles to be used in the centre and in the gym. Diapers, formula, baby food and food for any special diets if required A blanket and pillow for children who require naps Proper outdoor clothing (labelled): Winter: Hats, warm coat, mittens, ski pants and boots Spring & Fall: mittens, splash pants and rubber boots Summer: Sun hat, swimsuit, towel, shorts and comfortable shoes To Sign their children in and out each day. And to sign the Monthly Child Care Attendance once per month. Notify The Director as soon as possible Of any changes in your schedule and cancellations Of any changes in address, telephone numbers, emergency contact information, children’s medical conditions etc. If your child is ill or has been ill with a communicable disease Parents must fill out and sign for any medications being administered to your children It is the parents’ responsibility to ensure that fees are paid up to date and arrangements are made for subsidy. It is the parent’s responsibility to confirm your child’s attendance and fee on the monthly attendance report and to sign it. Complete 4 hours of co-operative work per year at the child care centre. The child care centre will post a help wanted poster which will list some of the dates and details on what we need help with, which parents can sign up and help in order to meet their cooperative work per year. Parents are to be involved in our fundraising activities. For every fundraising activity (approximately two per year) parents can EITHER participate in the fundraiser or contribute $20.00 toward the fundraising event. All parents with a child enrolled at Ogema TLC Inc. must attend the AGM meetings or exceptional emergency meetings, which the Board of Directors deems that all members attend.

F. BIRTHDAYS Parents are welcome to send in their own treats, please make these special arrangements ahead of time with the Director.

G. PARENT FEES Payments for full & part time children are due on the first of each month to guarantee your space for the month. "Drop off" spaces will be billed at the end of each day. Payments are to be made in cash or by cheque and given only to full time staff; receipts are to be issued immediately. Cheques can be post dated a maximum of 7 days in advance. There will be a $40 charge for any NSF cheques. One month notice is required for a change in child care services (I.e. moving from full to part time services or termination of services). Parents also have the option of paying ½ of their monthly fee at the beginning of the month and paying the second ½ on the 15th of the month (or the Monday following, if it happens to land on the weekend). Clean up payments will then be added to the next 1st of the month payment. Fees are based on budgetary decisions made by the Board of Directors. They are subject to change and are reviewed on a regular basis. For fees please refer to the Fee Schedule and please note that **ALL FEES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE - A MINIMUM OF 2 MONTHS NOTICE WILL BE GIVEN. ** Drop off enrolment is only available between the hours of 9:00 & 3:00. These spaces may not always be available and we ask for as much notice as possible to ensure there will be enough staff for the days you need.

Late Pick Up Fee Children are to be picked up by 6:00 p.m. Drop off enrolment are to be picked up no later then 3:00. Parents will be charged a late fine of $15.00 for the first fifteen minutes late or a portion there of and $1.00/minute after. If parents are expecting to be late they must make alternate arrangements to have their child(ren) picked up.

The Early Childhood Educators will only release your child/ren to a person who is listed on your child’s alternate pick-up list or if we have verbal or written permission to release your child/ren to another person. Late Payment Fee There will be a $15.00 late payment fee, for fees which have not been paid or have not had a payment arrangement made by the 15th of the month. If you have made an alternative payment arrangement, and do not meet the date payment was arranged for, the $15.00 late payment fee will be applied to your account.

H. MEALS All meals are planned according to the Canada Food Guide Requirements. Weekly menus are posted in the entrance. We are a nut free facility. Children requiring a special diet or infants on formula or baby food will need to have their food supplied by their parents. Water is supplied for the children throughout the day. Time Meal Provided 7:00-8:00 Breakfast Available 2 Food Groups - I.e. Milk, with toast or cereal 9:00-9:30 Snack 3 Food Groups - I.e. Milk, muffins and fruit 11:45- 12:30 Lunch 4 Food Groups - Various hot lunches served with milk 3:15 - 3:45 Snack 2 Food Groups - I.e. Veggies and dip 5:30-5:45 Late Snack 2 Food Groups - I.e. Cheese and crackers

I.COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AND OTHER ILLNESSES

It is policy of the childcare centre to protect the health of all the staff and children enrolled at Ogema TLC Inc. Parents are asked to keep sick children out of the childcare centre. If you are unsure of whether or not your child should attend, please feel free to contact the Director at 459-2464 to ask for assistance and/or direction. No child should attend the childcare centre if they cannot actively take part in all components of the centre’s program, this includes playing outside. If your child becomes sick at the childcare centre, you will be notified and asked to remove your child as soon as possible. When a child is sent home they are to be away from the centre for 24hrs; unless they have obtained a doctors note stating that they have an ear or urinary tract infection. The child care centre has the right to ask for a doctor’s note stating what your child is ill with, and how long they should be away from the centre.

A child should not attend the childcare centre if they have or are developing any of the following: A child may return to the childcare centre when: A fever of 99.5°F (37.5°C) or higher when taken under the arm Fever has remained below 99.5°F (37.5°C) for 24 hours without medication Diarrhea that cannot be contained in a diaper or there have been more than two occurrences of diarrhea. Also in which case an older child is soiling their underwear. Diarrhea has resolved Child has been on antibiotics less than 24 hours (except for ear or urinary tract infections) Child has been on antibiotics for more than 24 hours Vomited in the past 24 hours 24 hours has passed since last vomiting Unusually tired, eating poorly, persistently crying or irritable. Symptoms have subsided Any contagious diseases (ex. Measles, chicken pox etc.) A doctor’s note saying when a child may return to the childcare centre Skin infections, undiagnosed rash, sore, infected eyes, yellow skin or eyes (jaundice) A doctor’s note saying when a child may return to the childcare centre Impetigo, Scabies, head lice etc. A doctor’s note saying child may return to the childcare centre. In the case of head lice the child must be nit free to return to the centre. When communicable diseases such as chicken pox, head lice or foot and mouth disease are present, Public Health will be notified. Parents will be provided with information on the disease and a notice will be posted. The child’s return to the childcare centre will depend on the guidelines of Public Health. Children with the following diseases may not return to the childcare centre until parents call Disease Control at 787-3131 to discuss a return date: - Measles- German measles - Mumps- whooping cough Children with the chicken pox may return to the childcare centre when they are feeling well. Parents should telephone Public Health to report the disease.

DISEASE INCUBATION PERIOD The time it takes for the first signs or symptoms to appear after the germ enters the body.

INFECTIOUS PERIOD The time during which a germ can spread to other people.

EXCLUSION PERIOD The time a person must stay at home to prevent the spread of infection. Measles 8-13 days (rash comes 2-4 days after the illness starts) 4 days before to 5 days after the rash appears 5 days from the time the rash appears German Measles 14-21 days 4 days before to 5 days after the rash appears 5 days from the time the rash appears Mumps 14-21 days 1 week before, and for the duration of the swelling 7 days after the swelling appears Whooping Cough 6-20 days As soon as illness begins and for 3 weeks or until the completion of 5 days of appropriate treatment First 5 days of appropriate treatment (or if untreated for 3 weeks for the beginning of the coughing attacks) Hepatitis B and AIDS are not spread through casual contact so exclusion from the childcare centre is not usually necessary.

The following procedures will apply if a child becomes ill while at the childcare centre: If a child becomes ill while in attendance at the childcare centre, the Director or senior staff in charge will decide whether the parent is to be notified and whether the child is to be picked up from the childcare centre. If you feel that your child is too ill to participate in regular programming which includes daily outside activities you may want to consider alternate arrangements for that day. If an excursion has been planned for all the children, the ill child is expected to join the group outdoors.

J. MEDICATION All medication must be labelled with the child’s name. All prescription medication must have the original prescription label on the container. Parents must sign all medication forms before medication can be administered. All medication is to be locked and stored out of the children’s reach. The Director or senior staff is responsible to administer the medication and to record it. The parent must specify if the medication is only to be administered for a specific length of time; otherwise the staff will administer the medication until it is complete.

K. MAJOR INJURIES Major injuries include cuts requiring stitches, broken or sprained limbs, concussions, injuries to the spinal column, burns, injuries that occurred in automobile accidents and ingestion of poisonous or hazardous materials. If such injuries do occur, the staff will immediately alert the Director while at times attending to the child’s injury and safety by administering first aid. The Director or senior staff in charge will immediately notify the parents or other designated emergency contact if the parent cannot be contacted. The Director will then take the necessary steps to ensure that the child receives medical attention. The Director is required to stay with the injured child until the parent or designate arrives. If the Child needs to be transported, EMS or the parent will do so, the staff will not transport the child in their vehicles. The Director must fill out a Serious Occurrence report and ensure the parent reviews and signs both the childcare centre’s accident report and the Serious Occurrence report. The Childcare Consultant, Childcare Branch and the Board of Director’s will all be notified of the incident.

L. MINOR INJURIES All injuries not listed above shall be considered minor injuries and the staff will provide necessary first aid to treat the injury. The staff will complete and sign an incident report. The Director will ensure that the parent has been notified of the incident and have reviewed and signed the report to confirm that they have received notification of the incident. The Director will then sign the incident and it will remain on file in the child’s records. M. CHILD ABUSE We have a duty to report any suspected abuse. Failure to report abuse may result in a case of neglect being brought against us. Employees are educated on how to notice the signs of abuse and to report them to the proper authorities.

N. CHILD ENDANGERMENT POLICY In the event that a questionable situation arises involving a child or children and an employee, the employee will be suspended from work. This may result in suspension with or without pay depending on the severity of the situation and an external investigation will commence immediately.

O. TERMINATION OF CHILD CARE Ogema Total Learning & Child Care can terminate a child's enrolment immediately if; the child's behaviour threatens the physical or emotional well-being of one or more of the other children or staff and efforts to change the behaviours have not been successful. Enrolment may be terminated immediately if a parent/guardian is verbally or physically abusive or threatening in anyway to the staff or other children of the facility or school. Immediate Termination may also occur if child care fees are not being paid on time. Termination by either party for any other reasons requires one month’s written notice.

P. CHILD ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE It is the parent's responsibility to ensure that their child is signed in upon arrival, that the staff are aware of any important information which will affect the child's day at day care, and aware that the child is present at the centre. Upon departure it is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that their child is signed out everyday. It is also the parent’s responsibity to ensure that the staffs are aware if someone else other than themselves is picking their child up.

Q. UNAUTHORIZED PICK UP Parents are required to inform child care staff of who is picking their child up from the centre, through written or verbal notice. Upon registration parents must fill out an emergency contact card, the people listed on this card are authorized to pick up the child in the case of an emergency. In the case that one of these people came to pick up the child listed on the card and the parent could not be reached by phone, the child would be released to the person. All persons who are not known to the staff even if they have been authorized to pick up a child will be asked to produce photo id to the staff to verify who they are. The staff will not put themselves or the other children in harms way to prevent a child from leaving the centre. If all avenues to hold the child in the centre have been exercised and a person physically takes the child the staff will follow them, get a description of the vehicle and call the police.

R. ALLEGED IMPAIRED PICK UP Staff will not release a child to an authorized person or a person who is unable to adequately care for the child. The staff will offer to call a relative or friend to pick up the person and child, or offer to call a taxi to pick them up. The staff will not put themselves or the other children in harms way to ensure that the child does not leave with an alleged impaired person; they will though gain a description of the vehicle and person leaving with the child and call the police immediately.

S. CUSTODY AND RELATED COURT ORDERS If a custody or court order exists, a copy of the order must be placed in the child's file at the centre. The guardian is responsible for providing accurate and up-to-date information concerning the legal guardianship of the child. Without a custody or court order on file, the staff cannot deny access to the non-enrolling parent. If the non-enrolling parent is not listed on the authorized pick up list, the policy of unauthorized persons will be implemented. The guardian will provide all consents.

SECTION FIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS All board members will sign an oath of confidentiality upon joining the board. Those attending board meetings must also sign an oath of confidentiality. The board of directors exists to oversee the operation of the child care centre. THE OVERALL ROLE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: To be responsible to the membership for ensuring that the goals of the child day care centre are achieved and that the Corporation is effectively managed. To represent the Corporation both legally and morally. The Board of Directors carries the final responsibility and accountability for the Corporation’s existence and for its activities and programs. To ensure the Corporation is able to carry out the needed responsibilities. To attend to the Corporation’s own structure, to its committee structure, and to its procedures. To ensure there are policies for making and implementing decisions. To ensure there are policies about delegating its authority.

SECTION SIX VOLUNTEERS Ogema Total Learning & Child Care does accept Volunteers to work within the centre with the children and with the everyday duties of the centre. Volunteers need to apply to the director, with a criminal record check. Once the Volunteers have met with the director and provided a criminal record check, they will then set up hours with the director and be given duties based on where the director best sees fit and the needs of the centre at the time.