Our policies & procedures.

Park Lane Preschool fees are payable in advance and are due on the first of each month.

Fees must be paid in advance, monthly, by bank transfer. There will be no refund for fees should your child fail to attend. If your child will not be attending on any day, we request that a parent inform the centre.

Fees that are non-refundable:

• $150.00 registration fee
• Upon registration, the first month fee is payable on acceptance of the place
• Children enrolling for the start of a new school year must pay September fees at time of registration for the school year.
• Late payment fees
• Late pickup fees
• Monthly fees if a withdrawal notice has not been given in a timely manner (minimum one calendar month notice prior to withdrawal date).
• Monthly fees if a child is immediately withdrawn from the centre regardless of withdrawal reason.
• Sick days, holidays, preschool closures (including but not limited to statutory holidays, emergency closures, etc.)

Late Pick up fees

$10 for any late pick up to 10 minutes late and an additional $25 charge for pick-ups longer than 10 minutes.

Late Payment Fees

Any monthly fees not paid on-time incur a 10% late payment charge. If fees are not paid within one week after due date, then the place may be withdrawn.

If you are struggling to pay fees in a timely manner, please contact the centre and payment plans to support you can be discussed. This agreement must be made prior to any late payments.

Fees are updated in April of each year

All children release incidents will be documented.

Park Lane Preschool requires parents to list all adults authorized to pick up their child from the facility. No child will be released to anyone except parents, or an alternate person authorized by the child's guardians.

Picture identification will be checked for anyone unfamiliar. If prior arrangements are not made, staff is required to contact parents or emergency contacts for approval or confirmation of identification in order for the child's safe release. If approval or confirmation of identification is not made staff will be unable to release the child.

If the adult appears to be incapable of providing safe care, this includes intoxication due to alcohol or drugs, no car seat for the child etc., the supervisor or staff member will suggest an alternate person to be called for the child's pickup in order for a safe trip home. If the parent/guardian or alternate care provider does not agree with the supervisor or staff member's decision, then 9-1-1 will be contacted. In the event that the child or any staff members safety is at risk, authorities will also be called. If we believe a child will be at risk, a report will be made to the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

If a custody agreement involving a child attending Park Lane Preschool exists, parents/guardians are required to provide a copy of the files to be kept at the centre.

If a child is left at the daycare longer than one hour past the closing time and all attempts have been made to contact the parents or emergency contacts, Park Lane Preschool staff will contact the Ministry for Children and Family Development.

Policy Statement

Park Lane Preschool welcomes all families and children into our service inclusive of gender, marital status, family status, age, disability, race, sexual orientation and religious belief.

Application Process

• Promotion of equal opportunities
• Open and fair admission procedures
• Parents are required to complete the registration form and submit it to the centre along with the registration fee of $150.
• A member of the management team will contact parent to confirm receipt of registration form and fee.
• Admissions will be based on a case by case basis and in accordance with place availability and the allocation criteria stated below
• We reserve the right to review and change how places are allocated.
• Children with additional needs are welcome. An up-to-date assessment form must be attached to the child's registration form. Childcare places are limited in line with adequate staffing and parents must be aware it may be required for them to provide a special needs assistant.
• Parents must sign and agree to all Park Lane Preschool policies and procedures.

Allocation of Places

• Places will not be held without a completed registration form and fee payment
• We offer a waitlist; however, this does not guarantee a place
• Acceptance of a place confirms that you have read, understood, and agree to comply with Park Lane Preschool's Policies and Procedures.
• Should a child be unable to start on the agreed start date then the place can be deferred for up to a maximum of 1 week. After which time, the place will be allocated to the next child on the waiting list.
• Children are ready for preschool – refer to "Preschool Readiness" stated below

Allocation Criteria

• Currently enrolled children wishing to increase sessions
• Siblings
• Those requesting hours which we can best serve with availability
• All other applications will be allocated based on preschool readiness

Termination / Refusal of Service Policy

The preschool is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for children, families, and staff. We reserve the right to refuse admission or terminate care in the following circumstances:

• We reserve the right to refuse admission to any child or family where the needs of the child or expectations of the family cannot reasonably be met by the centre.
• Children whose behaviour is persistently disruptive, poses a risk to the safety or wellbeing of other children or staff, or results in damage to the centre, equipment, or property may be excluded from the service.
• If, after reasonable discussion and efforts to resolve concerns, parental expectations cannot be met by the preschool, we reserve the right to terminate care.
• Any aggressive, abusive, threatening, or intimidating behaviour (including verbal, written, or physical actions) by parents or guardians toward staff, children, or other families will not be tolerated and may result in immediate termination of care.
• Where the needs of the child can not be reasonably met by the preschool staff (eg: where children do not meet preschool readiness criteria)
• The preschool reserves the right to terminate services at its discretion, in accordance with this policy.

Notice Period and Fees

Where termination is not related to safety concerns, one week's written notice will be provided. Fees remain payable through the end of the notice period. Any fees paid beyond the notice period will be refunded.

Example: If termination notice is given on December 1st and fees for the full month have been paid, fees will be refunded for the period after December 7th.

Where termination is required due to concerns related to the safety of children or staff, care will be terminated with immediate effect. Fees paid beyond the date of termination will be refunded.

Preschool Readiness

How to determine if your child is ready for preschool!

• They have had experience being separated from their parents (eg: babysitter, with a grandparent, etc)
• Is toilet trained – this includes being able to wipe themselves independently
• They are able to communicate their needs and emotions effectively using appropriate language
• Can participate in group activities including circle time and is able to sit and listen to a story and take part in games and songs
• Can put on coat and shoes independently for outside play
• Can follow and listen to simple directions

Promoting children's health is an important aspect of quality childcare. Park Lane Preschool recognizes the important connection between a healthy diet and a child's ability to participate and learn effectively.

Healthy and fresh snacks (food and drink) are to be provided by the parents/guardians. Children should be provided with a nutritious snack for each session.

Any type of candies, whole nuts, and popcorn should not be included in snacks because of their choking possibilities. In addition, hot dogs and grapes need to be cut width-wise to prevent choking.

Any type of candies, gum, and junk food is not allowed in daily snack kits as part of the daily diet and will be sent home. Sweets/junk food and cakes will be allowed on special occasions and celebrations only. If a parent/guardian does not want their child to consume any type of sweets, cakes/cookies, or junk food please notify the preschool. Park Lane Preschool will always try and opt for healthy food options at any party or special occasion when possible. Parents will be notified prior to any party happening within the preschool and after regarding what their child had to eat.

The following procedures and practices will be followed with respect to allergies:

• No nuts or products containing nuts will be served at Park Lane Preschool if there is a child with severe allergies in the program.
• When children with food allergies register at Park Lane Preschool, parents will be provided with the Food Allergy Action Plan to be filled out by the child's parent/guardian. This action plan must be filled out and returned to Park Lane Preschool before the child begins our program.

Based on the child's Food Allergy Action Plan, caregivers will put into practice:

• Preventing exposure to the specific food(s) that trigger an allergic reaction.
• Recognizing the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
• Treating an allergic reaction.

Parents and staff will:

• Ensure Park Lane Preschool has the appropriate medication on-site (if necessary).
• Ensure proper storage of the medication.
• Ensure the proper equipment and training are in place to use while the child is in daycare.

Park Lane Preschool Centre will:

• Promptly take steps outlined in the Action Plan if a reaction occurs.
• Notify emergency medical personnel if warranted, or if epinephrine has been given.
• Notify parents of any allergic reaction or possible contact with food that may cause an allergic reaction.

An individual child's food allergies will be posted prominently in classrooms and/or wherever food is prepared (care will be given to confidentiality issues). A child's Allergy Action Plan and medication will be taken on field trips, or any outing.

Park Lane Preschool strives to offer quality childcare. Supervision is the most crucial element in providing quality childcare; our qualified staff provides safe Supervision of children based on age, development, and environment inside and outside the centre, where most severe injuries occur in EC programs.

Policy for Supervision of children inside and outside

• Staff must ensure that the minimum child-staff ratio is always maintained. If children require additional support, we will appropriately enhance the staff-child ratio to accommodate their needs.
• Staff is always expected to observe children play.
• Staff must know how many children are always under their care and account for them.
• Staff should record the children's arrival and departure times.
• If a child is missing in the facility or on a field trip, a thorough search will be made in the areas they could possibly be in. If unsuccessful, the police would be called, and parents would be notified immediately within the first 5 minutes of an unsuccessful search. We will continue to search after calling parents and police and notify them if we can find the child. However, licensing will be notified immediately after parents and police, even though the child was found safe.

Follow up on a missing child incident:

1. Notify Child Care Facilities Licensing office through an incident report (Within 24hrs).
2. Staff evaluations of the event
3. Implement immediate changes to ensure safety
4. Education of children - review what to do if they become lost or approached by unfamiliar adults or children to prevent a similar incident.

Staff are committed to the following as a matter of practice:

• Being aware of emergency procedures.
• Know who is responsible for picking up a child in the place of a parent. Parents must contact the teacher at the child's pickup or drop-off.
• Conducting regular outside checks.
• Knowing where emergency medications, scheduled medications, first aid kits, and emergency contact numbers are kept or stored.
• Always watching and supervising the children.
• Knowing where emergency medications, scheduled medications, first aid kits, and emergency contact numbers are kept or stored.
• Being aware of all emergency procedures.
• Conducting regular and scheduled safety checks of our premises and equipment.
• Knowing which individuals have been authorized to pick up a child in the place of a parent.

Indoor Supervision

• Arranging the furniture, equipment and play area strategically to assist with Supervision.
• Staff must keep a communication book to inform all important and critical incidents.
• Staff continually walk around the room so they can always see and hear the children.
• Avoid using phones or any activity that distracts you from Supervision.
• Be consistently present to help children resolve conflict.
• Children must inform an educator when they leave the room to use the bathroom or go to their cubbies, and the educator must accompany the child to ensure we practice safety at all times.
• Spend quality time with each child daily.
• Every day, staff will be prepared with lesson plans and activities, and will have all supplies on hand so they don't have to leave children unsupervised to find something. The morning staff will be in charge of getting activities ready.

Outdoor Supervision

During outdoor play, educators will ensure the following:

• The Educator-to-child ratio will be maintained.
• Always keep a close first aid kit, cell phone, and necessary medication.
• Children should always be in the enclosed area.
• Inform co-workers if you are moving to a different area, taking a child inside to the bathroom, or for any other reason.
• Children must wear proper clothing (muddy buddies, t-shirts, swimsuits, etc.) depending on the weather.
• Ensure children can not exit the facility unattended and do not have access to areas requiring increased supervision.

Park Lane Preschool strives and is committed to providing children with a safe and healthy environment. Park Lane Preschool is responsible for ensuring all staff and children follow the health policies and guidelines set forth. We strongly recommend your child's immunizations are up to date.

Should a child become ill or injured while at the facility, parents/guardians will be called. If parents are not at home, the emergency contact list will be used. For the well-being of each child, we ask that you keep your child at home should he/she display any of the following symptoms:

• Pain- any complaint of unexplained or undiagnosed pain or not feeling well.
• Temperature above normal (within the previous 24 hours)
• Excessive coughing
• Sinus or nasal infection
• Contagious disease (chicken pox, measles, etc.)
• Skin disorders (ringworm, scabies, pink eye, lice, etc.)
• Vomiting (within the previous 48 hours)
• Diarrhea (within the previous 24 hours)
• Fever (within the previous 24 hours)
• Respiratory difficulties

In the event that your child is sick:

• If the staff feels your child should not be at the daycare because of illness, you will be notified and are expected to have him/her picked up as soon as possible.
• A quiet place to rest is provided for ill children with extra care/supervision while waiting to be picked up by parents
• Parents may be asked to confirm their child is free from symptoms before returning to the facility. This will ensure the control of contagious disease and well-being of others in the facility.
• It is advised that you inform the daycare within 24 hours of diagnosis of a serious illness or contagious disease your child or any family members may have. In the event of a contagious disease, we will warn other families of a potential outbreak. (eg. Chicken pox)
• Please phone the centre if your child will not attend due to illness, etc.

If medication is required to be administered, an administration of medication consent form is required to be signed by parents as given permission. Please give all medication to the caregiver on arrival. It is required that medication must be in the original container. We must follow the directions for use on the container unless alternate written instructions come from a physician. The medication must be administered in the amount and at the times specified on the medication consent form signed by the child's parent. Medication must be readily accessible to employees. Children's medication must not be accessible to any child except that a child may have access to the child's own medication if

(a) the child's parent has instructed the licensee to permit this, and
(b) the nature of the child's medication is such that, without immediate access to the medication by the child, the child's health will be significantly at risk.

At all times an employee is available who is competent to either

(a) administer a child's medication as instructed by the child's parent or required by the child's record or care plan, or
(b) if, by the parent's instructions or under the child's care plan, the child is permitted to self-administer the medication, supervise the administration of a child's medication.

Employees who supervises a child who self-administers medication must document the administration of the medication

(a) in the child's care plan, or
(b) in the child's record, in the case of a licensee who provides a care program described as Recreational Care.

It is required that all medications other than emergency medication must be stored in a locked medical box.

Emergency medication (inhaler, EpiPen, etc) will be placed in a clear ziplock bag and pinned on the wall out of reach of children but available for easy access in the event of an emergency.

We practice the rules of health and hygiene provided by B.C Health Guide on a regular basis including staff, children and equipment. For example, washing hands before and after eating meals and snacks, after using the washroom, diaper changing, cleaning up bodily fluids, blowing nose, handling garbage, touching pets, etc. Cleaning and sanitizing washrooms, floors, tables, chairs, kitchenware, toys, children's bedding and all other equipment on a regular basis to prevent spread of infectious diseases in our facility.

Care Plans

Park Lane Preschool keeps, for each child requiring extra support, a current care plan showing the following information:

(a) the diagnoses relevant to the child's requirement for extra support, as made by health care professionals;
(b) the courses of action recommended by health care professionals to address the needs of the child requiring extra support;
(c) the resources to be made available to the child requiring extra support by the licensee, including
    (i) any adaptation of the community care facility necessary to ensure the child's safety or comfort, and
    (ii) any modification to the program of activities necessary to enable the child to participate in or benefit from the program.

Care Plans are developed in consultation and are reviewed at least once per year with a parent of the child requiring extra support and any person requested by the parent. Park Lane Preschool records any therapeutic diet given to the child, any medication administered including the amount and time at which the medication was given, any modification to our program of activities, any behavioural guidance provided and any other matter which is agreed with the parent to record compliance.

At Park Lane Preschool, we regard discipline as a plan of training. Acceptable behaviour is noted and approved, and we acknowledge this through words and gestures. A positive learning environment is the objective in all aspects of care and guidance towards the children at Park Lane Preschool, including those times in which difficult situations require disciplinary measures. Corporal punishment and other prohibited disciplinary practices as defined are absolutely prohibited in order to protect the emotional and physical well-being of the children in the care of Park Lane Preschool. Positive reinforcement helps children build self-confidence and encourages them to repeat desired behaviours.

At Park Lane Preschool, we believe children have the right to quality care which is safe and healthy and provides learning opportunities that promote their growth and development. To ensure a child's safety and well-being and to foster social and emotional development, it is necessary at times to impose limits or set standards of acceptable behaviour. Teachers should be guided by their knowledge and understanding of a child's growth and development, as well as an understanding of the individual child.

In most instances, staff is encouraged to combine approaches or use several strategies as they respond to a child's behaviour. It is very important to remember that no one strategy will be effective in every situation, or with every child.

When a child's behaviour becomes challenging for the staff and/or other children, an individual behaviour management plan may be required and in this case we would work with the parents and bring in the appropriate community resources to assist the family and centre in providing support and intervention for the child.

Permitted Disciplinary Practices

The following strategies are prevention oriented. They "set the stage" for a positive atmosphere and maximize opportunities for desirable behaviour and will help insure that guidance is supportive, rather than punitive.

Reminding Of Natural and Logical Consequences: Making the child aware of the results of their actions. Clarify and reinforce limits, simple reminders are helpful to young children. A statement of natural consequences simply clarifies the inevitable or unavoidable outcome of a behaviour. A statement of logical consequences clarifies the adult-arranged outcome of a behaviour.

Establishing Clear, Consistent & Simple Limits: They ensure children know what is expected. Teachers develop boundaries for the children, either as a group or individually according to the situation. Limits should be clearly related to the safety and protection of self and others, and the environment.

Limit the Use of Equipment: Redirecting often goes hand in hand with removing a piece of equipment from a child's play options.

Modelling Problem-Solving Skills: When children face difficult or frustrating situations, it is natural for them to lose control.

Some ways to help model problem-solving skills are:

• Providing coping skills is to acknowledge the problem
• Pose helpful questions, e.g. "have you asked him?" "what happened?" etc.
• If further guidance is necessary, state a solution or physical demonstrate
• When the situation has been resolved, it is helpful to summarize it so the child gets a clear understanding of what just happened.

Providing Choices: Teachers outline appropriate choices and children are encouraged to make decisions for themselves.

Anticipating: Teachers plan and prepare the environment in such a manner to avoid conflict

Use Proximity & Touch: Simply moving close to the child, moving between two children, or even putting your arm around the child can serve as effective guidance and intervention.

Acknowledge Feelings Before Setting Limits: In order for children to perceive our guidance as support, it is important for them to know that their feelings are recognized and understood.

Providing Opportunities for Children to Make Amends: Rather than demanding a superficial apology, offer genuine opportunities for children to restore relationships after an incident of hurt or harm.

Redirection: Persistent refusal to abide by the rules of the safety for others and the environment may, on occasion, require that a child be removed from the situation. Redirection can show children that being redirected from an overstimulation environment to a more calming area allows them to manage their own behaviours before inappropriate behaviors occur or escalate.

Prohibited Disciplinary Practices

There shall be no:

• Corporal Punishment of a child.
• Use of harsh or degrading measures or threats or use of derogatory language directed at or used in the presence of a child that would humiliate, shame, or frighten the child or undermine his or her self-respect, dignity, or self-worth
• Depriving the child of basic needs including food, drink, shelter, sleep, toilet use, clothing or bedding
• Inflicting any bodily harm on children

Harmful Actions Not Permitted

(a) shoving, hitting or shaking by an employee or another child, or confinement or physical restraint by another child;
(b) confinement or physical restraint by an employee, except as authorized in a child care's plan if the care plan includes instructions respecting behavioral guidance;
(c) harsh, belittling, or degrading treatment by an employee or another child, whether verbal, emotional or physical, that could humiliate the child or undermine the child's self-respect;
(d) spanking or any other form of corporal punishment;
(e) separation, without supervision by a responsible adult, from other children;
(f) as a form of punishment, deprivation of meals, snacks, rest or necessary use of a toilet.

Furthermore, Park Lane Preschool will ensure that a child is not, while under their care or supervision, subjected to any of the following types of abuse or neglect,

(a) emotional abuse;
(b) financial abuse;
(c) neglect;
(d) physical abuse;
(e) sexual abuse.

Informing Parents

Should a child's behaviour cause harm to another child or staff member, Park Lane Preschool staff will act in accordance with the Health & Safety Policy. Staff will contact the parents/caregivers of the responsible child to explain what has happened during pickup time or by a phone call during the day.

Persistent disruptive behaviour, which lasts over a period of time, shall have a Support Plan to identify strategies in place.

In all cases when parents are informed of a child's behaviour, staff will discuss the causal behaviour with the parents and attempt to determine together if this is a pattern of behaviour and how best to resolve the behaviour in a positive, supportive fashion.

Staff will provide parents with information on local resources available for professional support if required.

If required for the safety of the children and staff at Park Lane Preschool, the child may be removed from Park Lane Preschool at the discretion of the Director/Manager.

Park Lane Preschool recognizes the importance of physical activity for young children. Implementation of appropriate physical activity practices supports the health and development of children in care, as well as assisting in establishing positive lifestyle habits.

The Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines recommend that:

Toddlers and preschoolers should accumulate at least 180 minutes of physical activity spread throughout the day.

What is ACTIVE PLAY? Active play is physical activity which includes moderate to vigorous bursts of high energy, raises children's heart rate and may make them 'huff and puff' such as running or jumping.

Active play helps to promote healthy growth and development and supports body control and movement. Active play also helps to promote children's confidence, improves concentration and thinking and learning skills and provides opportunities to develop social skills and make friends.

STANDARD OF PRACTICE

Whenever possible, Park Lane Preschool incorporates active play and physical movement through daily routines and activities.

Our program ensures a minimum of 30 minutes per session of outdoor active play (indoor active play may be planned when weather is poor). Active play may be accumulated through 15 minute portions of time throughout the day or continuously. We provide a variety of play materials (both indoor and outdoor) that promote physical activity.

Facilitated & Un-facilitated Play

Our staff is required to engage children in daily active play, consisting of un-facilitated play (free play) such as allowing children to run, jump and dance around the play space or a group of children initiating playing soccer together. We also initiate facilitated play such as organized sports or led games such as octopus, tag or duck, duck goose.

Fundamental Movement Skills

These are gross motor skills that involve different body parts such as feet, legs, trunk, head, arms, and hands. Park Lane Preschool staff teach these skills to children because they are the building blocks of movements for more complex skills that kids will need in the future to play different games and participate in recreational activities.

Some examples are:

• Balance skills: Activities where the body remains in place
• Coordination skills: Activities where children can catch, throw or kick. EG: balloon batting
• Locomotor skills: Activities that involve walking, running, jumping, hopping, crawling, marching, climbing, galloping, sliding, leaping, hopping, and skipping

Injury prevention:

Injury prevention strategies will vary depending on the age of the children, their developmental levels and environment.

Park Lane Preschool staff teach children how to be safe and act responsibly in the play space and how to correctly use toys and equipment, and to be aware of potential hazards. For example, children are taught to wear helmets when they are riding a bicycle.

Physical literacy:

Park Lane Preschool staff build children's confidence and physical competence by increasing their knowledge and understanding of the value and responsibility for engagements in physical activities for life.

These skills enable individuals to make healthy, active choices that are both beneficial to and respectful of their whole self, others and their environment.

Note: When we plan activities that require longer periods of time without whole-body muscle movement we make sure children's sitting time is broken up with short burst of activities for one or two minutes.

Screen Use Policy

Park Lane Preschool cares about the health and well-being of the children in our care. Park Lane Preschool does not rely on television, movies or computers to fill space in our daily schedules. We strives to build curriculum and daily routines that promote physically active play, cognitive and social development.

Park Lane Preschool will ensure that:

• Children who attend the centre for three or less hours will not be offered screen time.
• Screen time includes computers, movies, tablets, smart phones, video games, etc.
• All attempts will be made to avoid exposing children to marketing and advertising

All employees at the centre should know the following procedures for Active Supervision during Toileting and diapering.

Only qualified Staff (IT, ECE, or ECEA) will be allowed to take children to the bathroom; volunteers and students should refrain from changing a child or taking them to the bathroom.

Educators must watch all interactions and guide children to use safe practices when using the toilet and sinks. Assist children if needed.

When children are in the toilet training process, it is important that they wear a pull-up until they can keep it dry for at least two hours. This will help them become more independent and allow the Staff to maintain better visual supervision of the group.

When helping a child who needs additional assistance with cleaning up after an accident, the Educator will encourage the child to participate in the process as much as possible. The Educator will provide verbal instructions and guidance and will be nearby to help with complicated tasks that the child may struggle with. Toileting time will be used as a learning time by teaching self-help skills, safety, and hygiene.

Diapering

Children attending Park Lane Preschool must be toilet trained. In exceptional circumstances, and agreed in advance with the director, children may attend who still require diapering. If this is the case the following procedures are followed:

Staff will take extra steps to ensure safety and hygiene if a child needs to lie down to change clothing or a diaper.

Staff must prepare the area before laying the child down to ensure all necessary supplies are within reach. Keep supplies as close as possible to the changing table so you can reach them comfortably without leaving a child alone.

Encourage children to walk up the stairs instead of lifting them; we should assist children in holding their hands going up or walking downstairs.

Preschool children will have diapers changed in the shared toilet area. Children's nappies, wipes and cream will be stored in named bags and brought into the toilet area in which they receive diapering.

Toileting Schedule

Children go to the toilet before snack and before outdoor play in addition to any time they require.