The Beanstalk Daycare Parent Handbook
Download the PDF here
Updated June 12, 2020
MY PHILOSOPHY 2021
The Beanstalk’s vision is to help promote the health and well being of each child. In doing this, we believe the environment plays a vital role. It is important to nurture every child’s development and growth as an individual, while providing support to the families. Our goal is to teach children self worth, independence and individuality. The Beanstalk believes highly in healthy choices, environmentally friendly practices, quality care and age-appropriate learning. It is critical that each child gains the skills to succeed in life and have a passion to learn and play.
It is important that children can express themselves through art and through play. Play is a key factor for children in dealing with emotions and learning about their world. Every child is unique; therefore, we plan our curriculum around the needs of the children. Each month we teach a different theme, with a science and math component. We revolve our circle time teaching and art around this theme monthly. We also teach the FUN FAMILY PHONICS PROGRAM weekly. Our hope is to prepare your child to be ready and successful in kindergarten and beyond.
GUIDANCE AND DISCIPLINE
It is especially important to try and provide the proper guidance and discipline for each child as an individual. We strive to help each child build the necessary skills to communicate their needs. We offer simple explanations for the limits and rules within the daycare. Such as setting clear, consistent, & simple limits. For example, “walking feet inside.” Modeling a positive attitude and reinforcing appropriate behavior is essential in the program. We believe in offering choices and recognizing each child’s feelings. Respect is very important tool. We strive for each child respecting themselves, others, and their surroundings. All “rules” focus on the guidelines of respect, responsibility, and safety. These guidelines will be reminded in a positive manner. (i.e. hands to our own bodies.)
Guidance provides children with appropriate and positive models of behaviour and helps them to develop self-regulation, self-confidence and sensitivity as they learn and grow. Guidance is needed while appropriate behaviour is happening, as well as before, during, and after inappropriate behaviour is displayed. We give easy to understand explanations for limits. For example “sand stays low, so it doesn’t go in your eyes,” helps children understand the limit. Saying limits in a positive way, rather than in a negative way, for example, “Turn the pages gently,” as oppose to “stop ripping the pages,” is a softer approach at guidance.
At the Beanstalk Daycare we focus on discipling the behaviour, rather than on the child. For example, “its not safe to climb on the table.” We say what is expected, for example, “its time to clean up now.” When we sing our clean up song it engages the children and gets them excited for the task. As the others clean up, it encourages all children to participate. Lastly, we reinforce appropriate behavior, for example, “when you clean up, it makes our room safe.”
Every child has a different personality and power struggles may develop. It may be necessary to offer choices instead of stating what is expected of the child. For example, “do you want to put your shirt or pants on first?” Therefore, allowing the child to make the healthy choice. It is also important to acknowledge the child's feelings before setting limits. Children are encouraged to problem solve and are taught conflict resolution through discussing their feelings and acknowledging their peers reactions. It is important to give children enough time to respond to expectations. When intervening in any situation we get down at the child’s level and get their attention, through eye contact and verbal communication. We feel it is important to encourage the children in expressing their feelings and ideas for solving the problem and have them work together to come up with solutions. We try to ask open-ended questions encouraging the children to become the problem solver.
If a persistent behaviour occurs or the child is endangering the safety of the other children or themselves, this may requires the child to be removed from the situation. This is until he/she is able to calm their body and is then ready to listen to the teacher and participate appropriately with the group. A safe place in the nap room or an area of the room where the child can feel safe and be provided with healthy boundaries is available. Redirection strategies can be effective for all ages of children. A redirection strategy for caregivers is to direct a child away from an over stimulating activity or environment to a more calming area. This could be a nap room that’s quiet, or a table to do a puzzle or quiet activity or simply another area away from other children or the issue causing harm. This gives the child the opportunity to develop self-regulation and regain control of their emotional and physical state.
If a child has persistent behavior that does not respond to the above techniques a care plan may be put in place.
*Under no circumstances will any child be humiliated, neglected, isolated, deprived of food or basic needs, physically punished or spoken to in any inappropriate or demeaning manner.
ARRIVING AT DAYCARE
Please ensure that children come dressed in “play” clothes. We try our best to be careful while doing art and playing outside, but we allow children to express themselves and feel free in their play. Each child will also need outdoor clothing appropriate for our different weather conditions. For example, a hat, boots, jacket.
ITEMS NEEDED FROM HOME
· Sleep toy (if needed for comforting)
· Spare Clothing –underwear, socks, pants, shirts, etc.
· Muddy buddies or snow pants – mud pants are provided
· Appropriate (waterproof) jacket
· Gloves/mitts (in winter)
· Boots (winter or rain)
· If in diapers: diapers are necessary (wipes are provided).
· ** Extra items can be left at the center and replenished when needed.
DAILY ROUTINE (APPROX. TIME)
See here for a schedule of daily routine. Children thrive off routine; therefore, I try to keep our daily activities on a fixed schedule. Please try and have children to daycare by 9:30am to benefit the most from the day.
ACTIVE PLAY
As a multi age childcare facility, we ensure that the children in care receive a minimum of 60 minutes per day of active play. It has always been important to me to get the kids out for daily fresh
air and exercise. We go outside rain or shine, with the exception and limited time in the event of extreme weather or unsafe weather conditions (extreme cold, smoke, or extreme heat). Please ensure that children have proper clothing for the weather, as well as a change of clothes (if they get wet or dirty). Boots, gloves, and jackets on rainy or snowy days. Hats, shorts, and sweater on sunny days. On sunny days, please sunscreen children in the morning, we have mostly shade in the morning, but still get some sun. I will re apply sunscreen. This is a minimum and most times we can get outside twice daily. Active play also includes exercise that keeps us up and moving. Inside games and yoga activities are also offered indoors.
SCREEN TIME
There will be no more than 30 minutes a day of screen time per day for children older than 3 years of age. This screen time is only done during our nap and quiet time, if there is an older child, potentially a school age child who doesn’t nap. During this time, educational shows are chosen, or a age appropriate cartoon is available. The infant and toddlers do not receive any screen time. The screen time that could be available to the older child(ren) is still limited to a 30-minute max.
NAP TIME
All children will be given the opportunity for some down time. This usually includes a nap. However, as children get older, they begin to grow out of naps. We will then offer a quiet time. This could be laying on a mat resting, reading books or doing a quiet activity on their own. If your children is “not allowed” to nap, but is not yet school age, we will be mindful of this. However, sleep is important for all of us because it’s a time for rest and recovery, it allows our brains to form new pathways and is a chance to replace chemicals and repair muscles. Because young children grow and develop so quickly, they need much more sleep—including daytime sleep—than adults.
It may be tempting to allow your child to nap less, or not at all. Logic would follow that a tired child will sleep well at night. In reality, the opposite is true. It can be unhealthy for a young child to go without the daytime recharge a nap provides, if they need it, but sleep begets sleep, meaning a child who naps well during the day is more likely to sleep well at night. An overtired child will have trouble falling and staying asleep. We will try our best to keep your children up, if they are going to bed late, however, a cycle of late nights, and tired days is hard to break, and sometimes your child is unable to stay awake no matter the stimulation we provide. If they are tired and unable to stay awake on their own, we will let them rest and wake them after a short while (30 min to an hour)
Naptime is not only important for regaining energy, it’s also beneficial for brain development in young children. Several studies have shown that napping allows for improved cognition and memory development. In fact, one study had preschool children play the game “Memory” either after a nap or after quiet playtime. The children who napped showed better recall than those who did not.
TRANSPORTATION
Currently we do not transport by vehicle for any child. There are times that we will go for outings for nature walks or to local parks in the neighbourhood.
MEALTIME
Morning snack and afternoon snack are provided. All foods will be healthy choices including fruits, veggies, whole grains, and dairy. We like to ensure that the children get a well-rounded diet by offering a variety weekly. We will provide each child with water through out the day. Once a month we will provide a hot lunch, it will be posted in the monthly newsletter.
Meal Plan available
Parents/guardians are welcome to bring your child’s breakfast to the center. Breakfast is a very important meal that no child should miss!
At all times during drinking and eating, children are required to be seated. This is to ensure safety and to promote appropriate eating/drinking habits.
HYGIENE AND HEALTH PROMOTION
For hand washing, liquid hand soap and individual hand towels will be used. Children and staff will wash their hands before and after food prep/eating, before and after diapering, after toileting, nose wiping/sneezing and outside play. Hand washing and toileting will be supervised. Toileting will be supervised from outside of the bathroom to give the child privacy (depending on age of child).
The refrigerator will be kept between 0 - 4 degrees C, which will be monitored by a thermometer located in the refrigerator at all times. All hand towels, wash clothes and dish towels will be laundered daily. Tables, and counter tops will be cleaned after each use with the appropriate precept solution. Toileting areas will be sanitized daily and floors will be vacuumed. Shelving and toys will be sanitized with an appropriate bleach/water solution weekly, or as needed. All dishes will be washed in a dishwasher or by use of the four-step method (wash, rinse, sanitize, air dry). Plastic toys will be washed on a rotating schedule using the same methods, and stuffed toys and dress-up clothes will also be laundered on a schedule. Each child will have their own sleep mats, which will be sanitized weekly, or as needed. Bedding will be laundered every week or as needed. All cleaning supplies, knives, plastic bags and other potentially dangerous products are stored inaccessible to the children in latched cupboards.
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
The health and well being of your child is the number one concern, but children do become ill. Therefore, it is important to take preventative steps:
· hand washing
· healthy and nutritious food
· teaching personal hygiene habits
· Keeping a clean environment
If your child has become ill, I require that your child is away from the center for a minimum of 24 hours. If your child is prescribed antibiotics, your child must stay home for a minimum of 24 hours. The following symptoms of illness that would exclude your child from attending childcare are:
· nausea
· diarrhea
· vomiting
· difficulty breathing or swallowing
· fever of 38.3 degrees Celsius
· sore throat
· infected skin or eyes
· undiagnosed rash
· severe itching of body or scalp
· any known or suspected communicable disease
If you are not able to pick your child up, alternate arrangements must be available. Please inform us if your child has any allergies or any other medical condition. Every child must be well enough to participate in the daily routine.
** Refer to COVID policy for further details
REPORTING ABUSE
Anyone who has a reason to believe that a child has been or is likely to be physically harmed, sexually abused or sexually exploited, neglect or needs protection is legally responsible to report the matter to a child protection social worker. Any suspicion of abuse will be reported to a child protection social worker. It is our legal duty to report any of these situations. The number is 310-1234 for reporting.
The law defines these things as follows:
“Sexual abuse” means any sexual touching or intercourse between a child and an older person, or using a child for sexual purposes. “Physical abuse” means any physical force or action by a parent or adult which could injure a child and which exceeds “reasonable discipline.” “Emotional abuse” is a pattern of destructive behaviour or verbal attacks by an adult on a child. It can include rejecting, terrorizing, ignoring, isolating, exploiting or corrupting a child. “Neglect” means failing to look after the physical, emotional or medical needs of a child, so that the child’s health, development or safety is endangered.
REPORTABLE INCIDENCES
Any incident that falls under the list of reportable incidents from Fraser health childcare licensing regulations, including disease outbreak, a serious fall or injury, missing person, etc. will be reported. The incident will be well documented, signed and dated, then reported to the Fraser health licensing board, and all parents involved will be notified immediately.
NON-REPORTABLE INCIDENCES
Any incidents which fall under the non-reportable incidents, such as minor accidents and illnesses, will be documented, signed, and dated in our incident log. Parents/Guardians of the involved child/children will be notified if any of these incidents occur upon time of pick up.
MEDICATIONS
All medications are stored in a locked cupboard. Children are not given any medication without the parents’ written consent. Written consent may only be on a “Permission to administer medications” form and all medications must be in their original bottles with original labels. With any prescription medication children may not return to care until they’ve had a full 24 hours of dosage, are no longer contagious and ready to participate in the full childcare day.
ALLERGIES
All allergies (and dietary concerns) will be clearly posted both on the refrigerator and written on the child’s emergency info/consent cards. Please inform us of any allergies or concerns.
FIRST AID AND CPR
All staff have a current childcare first aid certificate. A complete first aid kit is available at all times, including on field trips, transportation and outdoors. The children’s emergency info/consent cards are kept in the first aid kit at all times. In the event a child needs emergency medical attention an ambulance will be called, and then the parents. This is to allow them to meet the child at the hospital as soon as possible. Any serious incidents will be reported by filing a serious incident report immediately.
FEES/ REPAYMENT POLICY
Click here to see the current rates.
· Fees are due by the 1st of each month.
· Fees may be paid in E-transfer or cheque. (E transfer preferred)
· Any fees received later than the first (1st) day of the month are subject to the $2 a day late charge.
· NSF cheques are subject to a $20 service charge. Returned cheques may result in cash only payment policy for future services.
· Any parent paying fees late three months may be subject to paying fees by a pre-payment plan.
· Full fees are due regardless of a child’s illness, or family holidays.
· A receipt for fees paid will be provided at the end of each year for tax purposes.
· Fees are subject to increase with three months notice.
· Fees remain the same regardless of stat holidays, snow day, our one week summer and Christmas break.
· Fees are based per month, not per day or per hour
· ONE MONTH written notice must be given on the 1 st of the month for termination of care.
· In the case, that our daycare agreement is cancelled immediately by the daycare, re-imbursement of the rest of the given month will be returned to the parent
Parents/guardians that use government subsidy to help pay for fees are responsible for any cost subsidy will not cover and for renewing their authorization before it expires. If parents/guardians do not renew their subsidy claim before their previous claim expires the parents/guardians will be responsible for full fees until authorization is received. If I receive back payment from the ministry (for fees already paid for by the parents), I will reimburse that amount.
WITHDRAWAL OR TERMINATION OF CARE AND REPAYMENT PLAN
A minimum of one MONTH and WRITTEN NOTICE is required for termination of childcare service. The month must be given on the 1st of the month or sooner. If parents/guardians do not give full termination notice they are responsible for paying the following month fees. Any fees not paid on time with regards to termination of childcare services will also be subject to daily late fees, until full payment is received. This is a non-negotiable policy.
In the event of any concerns (by staff, parents/guardians or child) a meeting can be scheduled to address any issues. The meeting will involve staff involved and the parents/guardians. The concerns will be clearly stated and discussed. A care plan will be designed, and a second meeting may be scheduled to review the situation. In the event the issue cannot be resolved to everyone’s satisfaction, a 1 month written notice of termination of services will be given.
DAYCARE CLOSURES
Closed every statutory holiday.
Closed Christmas Eve to New Years Day
Closed on public school closures due to weather (Report is on STAR FM)
Closed for one week in summer (At the BC day long weekend)
Power Outages: Closed after power is out and confirmed 2 hours or more. Please have emergency contacts available.
PARENT COMMUNICATION
If you need to contact me during the daycare hours please feel free to phone or text. If you get my voice mail please leave a message. Cell: 604-845-1050
If you call outside of daycare hours, please leave a detailed message. I don’t usually return calls until the next daycare day unless an emergency. I provide an “open-door” policy. Please feel free to stop by to visit the center and see what activities your child is engaging in. I also provide a daily routine schedule, so that the parent/guardian can know what their child is doing through out the day.
PICK UP/ DROP OFF
Please try and have your children at daycare by 930am; this is so that your child can benefit the most from our program. Parents must walk their children into the center, please do not send them on their own.
Children will only be released to their parents/guardians or authorized person for pick-up. All persons authorized to pick up the child must be at least sixteen years old. Identification will be required for persons picking up that I have not met before, for safety/security reasons. In the event that an unauthorized person arrives to pick up the child, the child will not be released and the parent will be notified immediately.
Children will not be released to any person that appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol or appears incapable of providing safe care for the child. Another authorized person will be contacted. If the person picking up does not comply, the police/authorities will be notified.
Children not picked up by closing time results in a late fee of $5 for every 15 minutes late. These fees will be on your next bill.
If you plan to arrive or pick up outside of your normal arranged hours (although, still within hours of operation) please advise me of this.
SAFETY DRILLS
Fire and Earthquake drills are held monthly, and the children are taught what to do in each situation.
In the event of Fire:
At the signal of the smoke detector all children and staff will stop what they are doing and leave the centre by way of the closest, safest exit.
Out the closest exit door leading to the parking lot downstairs.
An Attendance Sheet and first aid kit (with emergency cards) are taken with the staff and all windows/doors on the way out are closed.
Children physically incapable of walking out will be carried by staff.
Children and staff will meet outside at the farthest end of the parking lot and a head count will be done.
911 will then be called and any medical treatment necessary will be administered, as well as notification to the parents/guardians.
In the event of Earthquake:
If OUTSIDE: children will be instructed to get to the most open area (free from buildings and trees)
If INSIDE: children will be instructed to crawl beneath the closest tables and doorways, and to crouch with their heads down, and hands covering their heads.
Children will be instructed to remain in these positions until the shaking stops.
When the shaking stops all children and staff will group and any medical treatment necessary will be administered.
Staff and children will remain in the centre if possible until parents/guardians arrive to pick-up their children.
The centre will have enough supplies on hand and in the earthquake kit to comfortably sustain ourselves for 72 hours.
*Specific Emergency Escape Plans are posted in the centre with Floor Plans that detail which exits to use.
** Out of province contact: Chelsey Young 1-780-297-3483
Meeting address in the event of an emergency where we must leave the site is 44490 Keith Wilson Road.
EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS STRATEGIES
Earthquake drills are practiced monthly. The children are taught that when the ground starts shaking, they need to get under the closest table or doorway, away from windows. They will crouch down and cover their heads with their hands. We will stay in these positions, counting out loud until the shaking stops.
It has been made clear that our only concern is to be safe.
Along with our practice drills, having an emergency kit for each child is important. This can include: the child’s changes of clothes, a blanket, a comfort toy, and a picture of their family.
COVID-19 Policies
Arrival Procedures
· Children go directly to the washroom to wash their hands upon entering centre
· Staff will verbally ask parent how their child is feeling if they have any symptoms (coughing, sneezing, fever, sore throat, difficulty breathing, feeling unwell, fatigue, headache, chills, aches and pains, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting)
· Designated drop off area directly at the front of the door
· No parents in the cubby area – ask a staff for assistance
· Only one parent dropping off at a time, if there is another parent inside when you arrive, please wait outside the door.
· If your child needs a stuffy for quiet time, they will only be permitted if they stay at the centre on their nap bed (stuffed animals will not be allowed anywhere else in the centre). ABSOLUTELY NO TOYS FROM HOME ALLOWED IN CENTRE.
Departure Procedures
· Parents stay in designated area when coming to pick up their children
· Only one parent picking up at a time, if there is another parent inside when you arrive, please wait outside the door.
· Child will wash their hands before leaving centre
· Please ask a staff member if assistance in the cubbies is needed.
Handwashing Procedures
· Children will be required to wash their hands when they arrive at the centre, before and after meal and snack times, after playing outside, after using the toilet, and before going home. They will also be asked to wash their hands anytime they sneeze or cough.
· Staff will also be washing their hands at these times as well as before handling food and after cleaning duties.
Cleaning Procedures
· General cleaning and disinfecting of the centre will occur at least once a day
· Frequently touched surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected multiple times a day – these surfaces include doorknobs, light switches, faucet handles, tables and chairs, and toys
Sickness Policy
Protocol for child or staff with symptoms of COVID-19 in a childcare setting
IF CHILD DEVELOPS SYMPTOMS AT HOME:
Parents or caregivers must keep their child at home until they have been assessed by a health care provider to exclude COVID-19 or other infectious diseases, AND their symptoms have resolved.
IF CHILD DEVELOPS SYMPTOMS WHILE AT CHILD CARE:
Staff must take the following steps:
1. Staff member will supervise the child.
2. Staff member should immediately separate the symptomatic child from others in a supervised area until they can go home.
3. Contact the child’s parent or caregiver to pick them up right away.
4. Where possible, maintain a distance of 2 metres from the ill child. If this is not possible, the staff member may use a mask.
5. Open outside doors and windows to increase air circulation in the area.
6. Once the child is picked up, wash your hands.
7. Clean and disinfect the space where the child was separated and any areas used by the child (e.g., bathroom, common areas).
IF STAFF DEVELOPS SYMPTOMS AT HOME:
Staff must be excluded from work, stay home and self-isolate for a minimum of 10 days from the onset of symptoms AND until all symptoms resolve, whichever is longer.
IF STAFF DEVELOPS SYMPTOMS WHILE AT WORK:
Staff should go home right away where possible. If unable to leave immediately, the symptomatic staff person should:
1. Separate themselves into an area away from others.
2. Maintain a distance of 2 metres from others.
3. Use a mask to cover their nose and mouth while they wait for a replacement or to be picked up.
4. Remaining staff must clean and disinfect the space where staff was separated and any areas used by them (e.g., office, bathroom, common areas).
5. If concerned, contact 8-1-1 or the local public health unit to seek further advice.
Parents or caregivers must pick up their child promptly once notified that their child is ill.
If a child or staff member is assessed by their family physician or nurse practitioner and it is determined that they do NOT have COVID-19, they may return to childcare once symptoms resolve. (possibly through testing)