Kory's Family Child Care Policies

Vision

To provide excellent childcare within a family child care setting.

Philosophy

Kory's Family Child Care for young children:

It is my commitment that all young children's programs will provide activities, spaces, and experiences that support the individual child's development and wellness. Encouraging creativity, imagination, exploration, educational development and social development must be balanced with guidance and structure in all programming. The daycare is instrumental in facilitating learning through play with experiences that are authentic, meaningful and age-appropriate. Respectful family-centered interactions are of utmost importance to my efforts as a child care provider.

Kory's Family Child Care is licensed to provide childcare for young children. The child care licensing regulation permits a maximum group size of 7 children – ages from birth to 13 years of age.

The childcare centre works in partnership and complies with:

The daycare centre is for children ages birth to school age, with program focus on social development, language development, early literacy and early numeracy. The centre offers learning experiences that are authentic and meaningful to the young child, respectful of individual development and needs, family culture, tradition and values.

Hours of Operation
Monday 7:55am - 5:00pm
Tuesday 7:55am - 5:00pm
Wednesday 7:55am - 5:00pm
Thrusday 7:55am - 5:00pm
Friday 7:55am - 5:00pm
Saterday Closed
Sunday Closed
Holidays and Closures
 

Registration

Parents/Guardians must fully complete the centre's registration forms and family contract for services. All families will have received a copy of the Parent Manual and must have completed the required forms and have arranged for payment (see fees section) before their child can attend the centre. When a parent has made a confirmation to secure a spot and start date and then decides to withdraw their child from a secured spot the families will be responsible for a one month withdrawal fee.

Registration includes the Membership fee of $30.00 as a non-refundable deposit to secure your child's place on our waitlist or directly into the childcare program unless otherwise agreed in writing. If the registered child does not accept the first opportunity the child will either be removed from registration and/or placed at the bottom of the waitlist.

Childcare Fees

Full-Time
Infant ages birth to 18 months $40.00/day, due monthly
Toddler ages 19th months – 3rd birthday $40.00/day, due monthly
3-5 years ages 3-first day entering grade 1 $40.00/day, due monthly
(With the exception of prior fee/payment arrangement)
Part-time
Infant ages birth to 18 months $40.00/day, due monthly
Toddler ages 19th months – 3rd birthday $40.00/day, due monthly
3-5 years ages 3-first day entering grade 1 $40.00/day, due monthly
3-5 yr olds before or after school $20.00/day, due monthly
(With the exception of prior fee/payment arrangement)

Part-time and before or after school families must pay for all the days per month they are registered whether they attend or not.

Drop-in Policy

Drop-in services are available in the case that you are in need of care on a day that differs from your regular schedule. Drop-in fees are $50.00/day or $6.00/hr with a minimum of 2 hours per day. Drop-in fees are due on the day of care.

(Note* drop-in services are not guaranteed, space must be available)

Childcare Fees Subsidies

All parents utilizing Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) childcare subsidies must apply for daycare subsidy before starting at the centre. Call 1-800-338-6622. It is the parent's responsibility to continue with subsidy renewals. Subsidies will cover all or part of a child's childcare fees. The subsidized monthly feels are based on the average of 20 days per month. In months where the care of your child exceeds 20 days, you will be responsible for the additional fees. In addition, if there is a difference between the amount of subsidy and the centre's monthly fee, families are required to pay the difference. If a family's subsidy or part thereof, is discontinued, the family is responsible for all fees. Families can visit the MCFD Subsidy website to see if they are eligible. The household income eligible amount has changed and many more families can now apply.

Billing and Receipts

Payment is due the 1st of each month (for the current month). Families will be given a receipt per fees paid. Families are responsible for the safe-keeping of their fees receipts.

N.S.F. cheques

Any cheques returned with a Non Sufficient Funds will be charged a $40.00 NSF fee. Families are responsible to keep all fees paid in full by the 1st of each month.

Late Fees
Late fees, considered overdue after the 15th of each month, are subject to $25.00 late fee charge.

Refund Policy

Families will not receive a refund of fees for:

Holidays and Closures

The Licensee takes approximately approximately 1 month of vacation time per year.
The centre will be closed on snow days (see Refund Policy) and statutory holidays:

Damages

The Licensee takes responsibility for normal wear and tear of the daycare facility's equipment and toys; however, if a child willfully damages or destroys toys, equipment, or personal belongings within the facility the repair or replacement will be at the cost of the parents.

The daycare facility will not be held responsible for damages to any belongings the child brings to the daycare. This includes any assistive devices. Please ensure such devices are insured should such an incidence occur.

Withdrawal

Families wishing to withdrawal their child(ren) from the centre are required to provide 1 full month's notice in writing or pay 1 month's fees in lieu of notice. Fees are not pro-rated and not refunded.

Communication

Families are asked to keep the centre informed of any and all changes in their child's home life. Confidentially between families and staff will be maintained. Families can feel comfortable discussing any concerns they might have with their child's caregiver. Phone calls, emails or notes are excellent ways families can assist in supporting them. Good communication is the key to understanding our families and their needs.

Attendance: Arrival/Pickup

The centre is open Monday to Friday from 7:55-5:00 pm. There is a small window from 5:00-5:20 pm for special circumstances or late pickup. If you are going to be late (from your normal drop off and pick up time) you MUST contact the centre, note late charges will apply.

Children must always be delivered to Licensee. Children will not be allowed to leave the centre including the playground alone or with any unauthorized persons. All persons must be of 19 years of age to be eligible for an authorized person (excluding parents). The children will not be allowed to leave the centre with anyone who is not on their registration form, without parent or guardian written consent.

If the child is still at the center at the time of closing for the day every effort to contact parents, guardians or emergency contacts will be made by staff. Children picked up after 5:20 are charged a late-pickup fee of $25.00. If staff is unable to locate someone for the child within 30 minutes after closing they will contact the Ministry for Children and Families who will assume responsibility for the child until family can be contacted. In the event that a family or family member is late at the end of the day, they are required to contact staff IMMEDIATELY.
Children are welcomed each morning and need to attend the centre by 9:00am. Families are asked to call the centre before 8:30am if their child is to be away for the day. Please contact the centre in the event of arriving late.

Children will not be released into the care of parents or guardians who are obviously under the influence of drugs or alcohol or, in the opinion of the staff, would not be able to provide appropriate care to the/their child. Alternative contacts will be called for pickup. If the issue escalates, additional supports will be called for the staff.

Absences

If a child is absent for two days or more the staff will phone the family's home or place of work, to inquire about their child's health. If a child needs to be absent for an extended period of time, specific arrangements must be made with the Licensee in writing. If we do not hear from a family by month's end in regards to a child and we have tried to contact the family by phone or letter that child's space will be given to the next child on the wait list on the first of the next month. Outstanding fees will be required. Families are responsible to inform staff in writing of any vacations, absences.

Termination Policy

The Licensee reserves the right to suspend or terminate the care of a child without notice if the Licensee feels the safety and/or health of others is compromised.

Licensee

I currently hold a valid First Aid and CPR certificate and have passed Criminal Record Checks.

Outside Play

Part of every day is spent in our yard (playground), rain or shine, with the exception of special circumstances or severe weather conditions. For this reason we suggest that children wear clothing that is washable and appropriate for the weather. Families are asked to bring the following articles of clothing (labeled with their child's name) to the centre to keep in the front door cubbie:

Change of Clothing and Supplies

Families are responsible to supply their child or children's diapers, wipes, pull-ups, bottles and any other specific supplies required for their child's personal comfort and heath. All bottles, lunch containers, clothing, etc. must be labeled with the child's name. Licensee will label items that do not already have the child's name on them. Families will receive a reminder when diapers, pull-ups and wipes are almost gone. Families are required to replace these items the day after receiving the reminder.

Change of clothing

Licensee will assist all children when clothes need changing. Soiled clothing will be placed in a plastic bag, knotted shut for safety purposes and hung on the child's cubbie to go home. Families are responsible for children's clothing and returning "spare clothes" to the centre the next day.

Meals

All families will provide a nutritious lunch and 2 snacks for their child or children. Water and milk will be provided for children at both snack time and lunch time as advised by the community nutrition programs. A new regulation states that the Licensee is to develop a method to inform parents of any food and drink given to their child. I will provide each family with a written list of foods and drinks given (if different from the above) from the facility to each of the children. This list will be provided and inserted into each child's backpack.

Lunches

Snacks and lunches need to be nutritious and easy for little hands to open and eat. Please do not send food in cans that need opening and heating, or food that requires cooking. I am happy to warm up food that comes to the centre ready to eat in small, reheatable and labeled (with the child's name) containers.

Allergies and Food Sensitivities

All families are responsible at all times to inform staff of food and medical allergies and sensitivities. If your child(ren) has an allergy and/or Food Sensitivities you are required to fill out an "Individual Care Plan" form which will be kept in your child file and noted on your child(ren) emergency card kept in the Emergency First Aid Kit.

Guidance

The centre is obligated by B.C. Law to report suspected or disclosed abuse to the Ministry for Children and Family Development. Guidance policies are in accordance with B.C. Ministry of Heath Handbook "Guidance with Young Children". Guidance is the teaching/learning process by which children develop socially appropriate behavior and make appropriate choices. Guidance supports the young child in developing self-control.

Guidance and Intervention Strategies include:

Challenging Behaviours and Communication

We understand that developmentally all behavior is a child's way to communicate a need or a want. I will work with families in supporting their children in more effective communication (behavior) of needs and wants. I will support children in being heard and respected by their peers as well as listening to and being respectful of those peers. Kory's Family Child Care will promote a "safe place" for our bodies, feelings, and minds. We will support the group as a whole by valuing and upholding respectful, kind, and caring actions and words in all activities/programs and among one another.

Unacceptable Behavior

The following behavior is not acceptable in the daycare facility and will be addressed immediately with the parents; shoving, hitting, biting, pulling hair, and bullying or degrading treatment.

Daily Activities

Learning is an essential and important part of your child's every day experience at the daycare facility. The activities and learning experiences practiced at the facility are geared towards language development, self-help skills, creative expression, development of small and large muscle skills, and phonics and literacy skills that provide your child with the teachings equivalent to preschool to make them 'kindergarten ready'. Plenty of play time and sufficient rest time is also an incorporated essential part of each and every day.

Health and Safety

Emergencies:

In the event of a medical emergency and we are not able to immediately contact families or their alternative contact and the situation warrants, the centre will call the ambulance for assistance with children and staff.
All emergencies or injuries to children are noted and kept on file and copies of reportable injuries must be reported to Licensing. This includes biting. Families will be notified in the event that a report was filed concerning their child and/or their child was injured or bit at the centre. A copy of all reports are kept in centre files. The Licensee holds a current first aid and CPR certificate and training on sight at all times.

Licensing:

The centre is inspected annually by Community Care Facilities Licensing Officers for health and safety regulations compliances. These reports are kept in centre files and are also made public on the VIHA website.

Fire and Earthquake Drills:

Fire and Earthquake Drills are carried out on a regular basis following building evacuation plans. An emergency meeting place will be planned. Children may have to leave the building without coats or appropriate footwear. Children will always be in the direct supervision of an adult.

Emergency Evacuation:

In the event of a real emergency, Licensee will keep children secure and safe, warm and comfortable until they are able to reach families and or their emergency contacts. The meeting place will be at Cilaire Elementary School Gym or immediately outside the front doors of the Elementary School under shelter. The centre's has a well maintained first-aid kit and earthquake emergency supplies bin.

Smoking/drugs/alcohol/violence:

We encourage wellness for all the families we serve and so we have a smoke free, drug free, alcohol free physical environment and a violence free emotional environment. We encourage healthy families and children through healthy verbal and body language, healthy respect of our bodies, our friends and our centre.
The centre will maintain a safe environment and keep all rooms, play areas and equipment clean and in good repair. The Childcare Centre building and grounds are smoke, drug, alcohol and violence free area, therefore no use of the before mentioned items or behavior may be done inside or on the facility property.

Illness Policy:

Families are required to keep their child home or find alternative care when he or she has:

If a child becomes ill while at the centre, Licensee will provide an area where the child can rest, phone the parent or the alternative person, monitor the child's health, and contact medical services if necessary and if the family is not immediately available. A Doctor's note may be required before your child can return to the daycare facility. All families must inform the Licensee if their child is to go to a Doctor or Dentist appointment.

Medications:

Staff will administer medically prescribed drugs from the original container with the instructions from the physician, to children in care. Non-prescription drugs can also be administered when supplied by the parents/guardian and in its original container. Families may not at any time send any medication in their child's lunch box or backpack. Parents are to fill out a Medication Release form for any medication to be administered at the centre. Licensee has these forms for families to complete. Medications must be placed in our locked storage. Licensee will return medications to families on requires.

Families are required to always report head lice and all communicable diseases to the Licensee.

Head Lice

If your child has head lice, they can not return to the daycare facility until treatment has been completed and the child is free of all lice and eggs.

Immunization Policy

It is recommended (but not required) that all children are kept up to date with their immunizations. Immunizations prevent the spread of serious communicable diseases. Immunization records are required prior to entry, and all up dates must be reported for record purposes.

Rest and Nap Time

Infant, toddlers and preschool children play hard and need a period of time each day for a nap or a rest. Families are asked to let the centre know what their child's nap and rest needs are. All children will be offered a quiet nap/rest time after lunch daily. The centre will have lights dimmed, have quiet music playing and offer the older children quiet books and activities to do. The centre is respectful of children's individual needs and no child will be "kept awake" if they appear sleepy or tired. Babies will not have bottles "propped" to go to sleep. For the sake of dental health, soothers must be used sparingly.

Cribs, Cots

The centre provides cribs and mattresses as well as fitted sheets and cozy blankets for all the children. Families are asked not to send personal blankets from home. All bedding is laundered regularly on sight.

Privacy and Confidentiality

Privacy is important and valued. Children's files will only be seen by the Ministry of Health Community Care and Assisted Living Facilities Licensing Officers in regards to childcare centre regulations and compliance. In the event of medical emergency, children's files will be released to medical professionals only.

If custody of the child(ren) changes or a court order exists, it is the responsibility of the guardian to provide a copy of the court order to the licensee for the facility's records.