Parent's Handbook

 

I will provide you child (ren) with a safe and comfortable environment to play and learn with loving guidance. This is a play based program, meaning that my "curriculum" is integrated throughout the day using arts & crafts, songs, stories, games, indoor play, outdoor play, and learn with flashcards. This variety of activities will help stimulate your child's intellectual, social, emotional and physical development. I am able to provide a wonderful atmosphere for children, and do treat them as part of my family. I love that this allows a great deal of flexibility in meeting each child's needs, which in turn creates the ultimate opportunities for each child's personal growth. I believe that parents and caregivers must work as a team. This means good communication between us, respect for each other's opinions and philosophies, and consistency between home and childcare.

 

 

THINGS YOU WILL SEE IN MY CHILDCARE

* Children will spend much of their time engaged in playing, working with materials and other children.

* Children will have access to various activities throughout the day including: building blocks, props for pretend play, books, play dough, puzzles, music, matching games, and much more...

* I will work with your child as individual and small groups.

* Numbers, the alphabet, colors, counting, and shape skills are taught through everyday experiences, songs, games, and other activities.

* I will encourage your child's imagination, worksheets and coloring books are generally resaved for preschool aged or older children.

* Children are encouraged to explore and develop at their own pace and interest level.

 ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE

Arrival and departure times are transition times for your child. This is a time of testing when two different authority figures are present. At drop off time please give me any special instructions and information, give you child a hug and kiss, remind them that you will return for them later and leave. This is the easiest transition for children. The longer you hesitate, the worse you both will feel! I will gladly help your child's transition into the home, and they are fine minutes after you leave!

*Please call and inform me if you will be arriving early or late for your child's pick up or drop off time*

I will not release your child to anyone other than you unless I have your prior consent, and it can only be someone who you previously indicated as an alternate contact.                                                                                      

BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT & DISCIPLINE POLICY

 *Absolutely No discipline involving physical or mental abuse is used here*

In the event that a child is being disruptive or violent, a parent will be notified with a verbal warning, and it will be recorded in the child's file. If the inappropriate behaviour continues, and all attempts to correct the situation by the child care provider, and the child's parents or guardians, are unsuccessful; the child's enrolment may be terminated. This is for safety of everyone concerned.

My behaviour management goal is that children learn to make and change their behavioural choices. This teaches children to make appropriate behaviour choices. Each child is different and I will try a variety of techniques until I find the one that works with your child. All aspects of child development are taken into consideration, this is a learning process! The techniques I use are:

* Positive Reinforcement: encourages acceptable behaviour. This is the most important technique I use!

* Re-Direction: The child is redirected to another area or activity.

* Natural & Logical Consequences: Natural Consequences happen when the child naturally learns what happens. EXAMPLE: Child doesn't want to wear their mittens outside, and we go outside. The child starts to complain that their hands are cold. "Mittens are needed to keep our hands warm in cold weather, let go put them on."A Logical consequence is something that happens as a result of something related to it. EXAMPLE: Child doesn't want to put the blocks away, child won't get to play with the blocks for the rest of the day.

Active listening: This is reflecting the child's feelings. EXAMPLE: Child takes a toy away. The child starts crying "you ’re feeling sad that child took your toy away..." 

*Calm down Time:This is time away from an activity, toy or person. When the child is calm they may rejoin the activity.

*This is a learning process for all concerned. Please feel free to share any ideas that you have, and be sure to let me know what type of things work best for your child, as consistency is important as well.

NAPS & QUIET TIME

Children who do not nap anymore read quietly, or another quiet activity may be selected, such as puzzles, or an appropriate children's movie. Quiet time is from 12:30pm to 1:30pm

If there is a special stuffed animal or blanket children feel more secure to have while napping, please bring it with them. As it is a sense of security when your not there.

 MEAL SERVICE

I will make every effort to ensure your child eats a variety of foods, using CANADA'S FOOD GUIDE. If you child has a special diet, you will be expected to provide their meals and snacks. If your child is under 1 year of age, or otherwise still eating "baby food", you must supply that for your child, with feeding instructions. If your infant takes a bottle, please send at least 1 bottle more than you would anticipate them needing. If you are planning on continuing to breastfeed your infant, I will do everything I can to support this. I will be providing snacks, juice, or milk. I can do breakfast, lunch, and dinner if need be. If your baby is on pabulum please supply that and I will be happy to feed him or her. I will not force a child to eat something; however I do believe they should be strongly encouraged to try unfamiliar foods. I serve a wide variety of foods, so if a child does not particularly care for, I will try something else. From time to time a special treat ( a cookie, jell-o, cupcake..etc..)

 TOLIET TRAINING

  I will be more than happy to help your child with potty training, provided your child is showing interest and signs of readiness. Please initiate the first steps at home over a weekend or vacation. I will not bribe a child to use the toilet with food or candy. But, the child will get a sticker for each time he or she does go on the potty as a reward. I will not punish or demean a child for having an accident. Please ensure that your child is dressed in clothing that they can successfully handle on their own (i.e. no buttons or snaps). Please send 3 full sets of clothing changes. A change of clothing includes: a shirt, pants, underwear, socks, and shoes.

BIRTHDAY/HOLIDAY CELEBRATION

I do enjoy celebrating a child's birthday and other special occasions or holidays. There will be things they would be bringing home that day.

ILLNESS AT CHILDCARE AND HEALTH POLICIES

If your child is feverish, vomiting, has diarrhoea, or anything contagious, please do not bring them here. If your child has been exposed to anything contagious, please let me know, so I may inform other parents. This is for the protection of your child, as well as the other children here. If your child becomes sick while they are here, I will make them comfortable and call you to discuss the illness, and in some cases immediate pick up will be required.

MEDICATION

If your child needs medication (prescription or over the counter drugs), they must be in their original container with the child's name (prescription), name of the medication and the amount given. Please complete a Medication Consent Form (provided by me) so that I will have all of the necessary instructions for administering the medication. Please make sure that you hand the medication to me directly, with the completed consent form, do not leave it in your child's belongings.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

In the event of a medical emergency (illness or injury) or other type of emergency we will make every attempt to contact you immediately in order that you may come and pick up your child (ran) immediately. If neither parent can be reached, we will then attempt to reach the alternate contacts that you have listed on your EMERGENCY FORM (provided by me).

CHILDCARE REGULATIONS

My childcare is not a licensed facility under the provincial regulations that govern childcare in the province of British Columbia. As a child care provider, I do abide by the regulations that are in place with respect to this type of childcare. This means that I am allowed to care for 2 children at one time. In addition, I am required by law to report any issues of child abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities.

VACATION

Parents are to give child care provider two weeks vacation notice. The provider will give parents two weeks vacation notice. It is the parents' responsibility to arrange for alternative care during the provider's vacation.

STATUTORY HOLIDAYS

Childcare will be closed on the following holidays: New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

PAYMENTS:

Payments are every two weeks. I know some people get paid every second Friday or they get paid on the 1^st and the 15^th. We will discuss.

CHANGE OF SCHEDULE & TERMINATION OF SERVICES

Parents must give two weeks written notice of their intention to withdraw their child (ren) from Little Monkey childcare. Little Monkey childcare will also give two weeks advance notice if the child (ren) is to be terminated from care. Little Monkey childcare may require a family to withdraw their child from care without notice under the following circumstances:

• Parent's Handbook
• Rates

Littlemonkeychildcare

985 Adair Avenue
Coquitlam, B.C.,
V3K 3V3

604-760-4197

pegasus_angel@hotmail.com