BABYCARE PARENT HANDBOOK - Roots and Wings Montessori … · 2014-09-05 · The Infant and Toddler...

F i r m F o u n d a t i o n s f o r I n f i n i t e D e v e l o p m e n t

BABYCARE

PARENT HANDBOOK


Mission

To create a community to nurture and honour children’s innate goodness, stimulate joy in learning and

encourage independence and expression of unique capabilities.

Purpose

Roots and Wings Montessori Place is dedicated to providing an optimum care environment based on

individual education of the whole child; ethically, socially, academically, physically, spiritually and

creatively, thus, enabling each to become self-reliant, satisfied and peaceful.

Program

The Infant and Toddler Programs both follow the Montessori philosophy that every child is capable and

eager for independence. We provide atmospheres that encourage and enable each child to learn to do

for him/herself in a safe and nurturing environment.

The program is centered around the needs of the child. Each child’s needs are met by educators in a

respectful, responsive and reciprocal manner.

The program focuses on a play as play is important for growth and learning. Play helps children to:

develop skills, learn concepts, is an avenue to early literacy skills, builds creativity, social and emotional

skills and problem solving skills.

Enrollment

Parents are welcome to call ahead for an appointment to view the infant and/or toddler programs

before enrolling. Once your child is registered a gradual entry schedule will be arranged with the staff to

help ensure your little one’s comfort level within the program.

A waiting list is maintained and vacancies into the program are filled on a “first come, first served” basis.

All programs within Roots and Wings Montessori Place are licensed and reguarily checked by our

licensing officer. The program also conducts monthly fire drills and is inspected yearly by the local fire

department.

Group Sizes

Both infant and Toddler classroom is licensed for up to 12 children ages 4 months to 3 years per day.


Daily Schedule: Infant Program

Our activities are centered around basic daily living routines (eating, playing ,resting, diapering) with a

focus on social play, problem solving skill building, empathy building and labeling emotions.

7:00 – 9:00 Free Play. Children chose areas and activities to use 9:00-9:30 Snack time: fruits/vegetable puree and diced foods. Water to drink. 9:30-10:00 Diaper time Nap (for those on a 2 nap a day schedule – till 11:00am)

Outdoor time for those awake 10 :00-11:00 Free play with art/sensory activities offered 11:00 Lunch time. Water provided 11:30 Diaper time, brush teeth Wash hands and face 11:45 – 2:30 Nap time (for those on 1 nap a day schedule) 12:00 – 1:00 Outdoor time for those awake 1:00- 2:30 Quiet free play time/art time for those awake 2:30-3:00 Wake up time – bottle time Diaper time 3:00 Snack time – finger foods/purees and water to drink 3:30 Story time Nap time for those on a 2 nap a day schedule 3:45 Free play 4:45 Diaper time 5:00-6:00 Small snack and water Free play until closing time


Daily Schedule: Toddler Program

7:00 – 9:00 Free play Art or sensory activity offered 9:00- 9:30 Snack time and milk to drink 9:35 Bathroom and diaper time 10:00- 11:00 Outdoor play 11:00 Lunch time and water to drink 11:30 Bathroom time/diaper time Brush teeth 12-2:30 Nap time/quiet time 2:30 Wake up/bathroom/diaper time 3:00 Snack time and water to drink 3:30 Table top time (playdough, puzzles, etc…) 4:00 Free play or outdoor time (weather pending) 4:45 Diaper and toilet time 5:00 Small snack and water offered 5:15-6:00 Free play until closing time


Gradual Entry Requirements

To help assist a child into a child care setting for the first time, gradual entry is an important first step. It consists of the child visiting the centre a few times before starting the program with the parent/guardian. Each visit will increase in length, while the parent/guardian will lessen their time spent at the centre with the child. This can help your child to feel more comfortable and secure in their new surroundings. The staff will set up a gradual entry schedule that works for you, your child and the center. It is

important to follow this schedule.

Open Door Policy Our door is always open to the parents and guardians of the children here at Roots and Wings for visits. Arrival and Departure When arriving at, or picking up from the centre, your child must be signed “in” or “out” on the provided sheets. Parents/guardians are to make contact with the child care staff to ensure safety at all times. We ask that you do not “sneak out” of the centre during drop off times. It is important that your child sees you leave and knows that you will be coming back. Separation Anxiety Separation anxiety is a temporary anxiety that a child may experience when the parent or primary caregiver separates from them, such as leaving a child at a child care centre. It is most common in children 7 months – 5 years of age. It may not be a problem for some children, but it can be a hard experience for others. It can last from a day to weeks to months. The intensity of anxiety can depend on how much experience away from the parent or primary caregiver the child has. It can also depend on the frequency of separation; the more frequent the separation, the less time it may take for the child to adjust. Just remember that this anxiety is normal and typically occurs with every child who must separate from their parent or primary caregiver for the first time, or in an unfamiliar setting. If your child experiences separation anxiety, please ask the staff for assistance. Gradual entry can help with this process. If you would like more information on separation anxiety, please ask the staff. Child/Teacher Ratio As required by Child Care Licensing, we will always have a ratio of 1 teacher to every 4 children for infant/toddler care. Teaching Staff Qualifications All teaching staff possess their Infant/Toddler Early Childhood Educator’s License to Practice and or are in training for their license. At all times, a fully licensed Infant/Toddler Educator will be in the classroom with the staff and children. All staff possess a valid First-Aid certificate, a cleared criminal record check and medical clearance.


Monthly Fees Full time Infant and Toddler: $1100.00 This is a Monday – Friday space Because of the high ratio of staff and limited number of spaces in the infant and toddler programs, as of September 1st 2011 we are only able to accept full time children only. All fees are to be paid on the first day of each month with a series of post-dated cheques at time of enrollment. Please make your cheques payable to: Roots and Wings Enterprises Ltd. As of September 1st 2011 there is a $5.00 per day late payment fee that will be added on to any and all outstanding accounts of Roots and Wings Montessori Place. To avoid a late payment fee, please make sure your payments are received on the first day of every month. As agreed upon in the registration contract, a full one month’s notice of withdrawal is required in writing. Parents are expected to pay for one full month if a full thirty days notice is not received in writing. There are no refunds for mid-month withdrawals. No reduction in fees are made for holidays or illness. Late Fees Late fees are charged at $1.00 per every minute you are late picking up your child after 6:00pm. NSF Cheques For any cheque returned NSF, a $25.00 service fee will apply per item. Payment for NSF cheque must be submitted in full within two days of notification. Hours of Operation Monday to Friday 7:00am – 6:00pm All children must be at the program by 10:00am. If your child will be late please phone the center to inform the staff of your estimated drop off time. If you arrive after 10am without a phone call your child may be sent home. The programs will be closed on: New Years Day Remembrance Day Labour Day Good Friday Boxing Day Thanksgiving Day Easter Monday Canada Day Christmas Day Victoria Day B.C. Day Program hours may be reduced during the Christmas Holidays (Christmas Eve to New Years Eve) for only those families requiring care. This gives the staff family holiday time.


Closure of Program for Extreme Weather conditions We may have to close our doors in the event that road conditions are deemed unsafe for staff to travel on. For any information on program closures call 778-384-2793. A message will be left by 7am on days of closures. Authorized Persons to Pick Up Roots and Wings will only release your child(ren) to an adult 19 years of age or older to a person who is named on the “authorized person(s) to pick up your child” section of the registration package. At no time will Roots and Wings release your child to a person who is not included on your list. This list can be changed at any time at your request. You may phone ahead to inform the staff of a change in pick up person(s). Please be ready to provide their first and last name to the staff. Please note: A person may be asked for photo identification when picking up your child. Children at the Centre Passed Closing Time If a child remains at the centre passed closing time, the staff will begin contacting the parent/guardian. If the parent/guardian cannot be reached at all phone numbers given, the staff will contact the “Emergency contact” person. If the emergency contact person cannot be reached, the staff will try to contact any other persons on the child’s registration package until someone can be reached. In the event that no adults can be contacted after 30 minutes, the staff member will phone the Ministry of Children and Families. Communication Daily communication is very important between parents and staff to ensure your child’s needs are being met. We believe in working closely with families, sharing ideas,needs and concerns and developing a positive, supportive relationship. Daily Please provide us with a general daily schedule of your child at enrollment. You will be informed of your child’s day in detail – for infants: with an intake form that goes home each night. For toddlers- with nap, snack and parent boards to read at pick up time. Staff will also verbally share details as well. We very much welcome all comments, suggestions, concerns and appreciation from parents. Our staff work hard to meet the needs of your little ones and it’s important that parents and children are satisfied. If there is a concern, parents should first discuss with the staff. If they are not satisfied, they may speak to Michelle Bergen, the program Manager. If they are still not satisfied, they should contact the school principal, Kristin Cassie at 604-574-5399.


Guidance and Discipline Each staff member will act as a role model for your child and therefore will be expected to display appropriate confidence, self-control and verbal interactions between your child, yourself and the other staff members. We seek to create a positive environment which will minimize negative behaviours through:

1.) Planning and providing age-appropriate activities which encourage success and inspire self-confidence and self-esteem to promote growth

2.) Arranging and limiting the play areas in such a way as to provide enough space to avoid confrontations

3.) Providing plenty of large motor activities to meet children’s activity needs and many activities involving sand, water, paint, etc… which meet creative and emotional needs

4.) Resting or quiet times, along with nutritional foods to meet physical needs 5.) Safety limits and simple routines are introduced to the children through discussion, felt board

explanation and repetition to ensure that they are clearly aware of our expectations 6.) Staff allowing the children time to follow through on their expectations; ie: for clean up time 7.) Children being given choices whenever possible, as thus gives them a sense of control,

important self-esteem and self-discipline

The staff will model appropriate behaviour and guide the children to problem solve. The staff will use proper language to show children how to express feelings and care for their peers in the program. The staff will also do their best to divert attention and not focus on negative behaviour, but provide an educational and calm environment. It may also be the case that if a child is hurting others, they may be removed from the situation and guided towards another area of focus, until they have calmed down. In very rare situations in which a child has lost all control or the ability to reason and is lashing out at others, holding the child may be necessary to protect other children. (As outlined in the Ministry of Health’s Guidance and Discipline Handbook) At this time, a staff would hold him/her with sufficient strength to restrict them until he/she regains self-control. Staff must retain a calm, soothing attitude and, as in all guidance strategies, ensure that their attitude is supportive and never punitive. Finally, it is important that other children be encouraged not to condemn, but to help and encourage and individual who is struggling with inappropriate behaviour, and that all involved attempt to work at separating the behaviour from the doer, showing confidence in his/her ability to be free from it. If a child shoes unusual behavioural difficulties the supervisor will consult with the parent. Safety

The staff maintain a safe and clean environment and keep equipment in good repair on a daily basis.

Earthquake kits are required. A list of contents goes home to you upon registration. It must come to the

center with your child on the first day at the program.


Health Policy

A child must remain at home, or picked up from the child care centre when one or more of the following

symptoms are present:

A fever of 38.5 degrees Celsius or 101.3 degrees Fahrenheit or higher

Diarrhea and/or vomiting

Unexplained/undiagnosed body or scalp itching

Unexplained/undiagnosed rash or hives

Head Lice that is untreated or live lice on scalp

Headache and sore or stiff neck – this may require medical treatment

A sore throat accompanied with a fever, runny nose or cough

Yellow or green discharge and/or redness of one or both eyes

A communicable disease

Children will go outside everyday. If you do not permit your child to go outside due to illness then your child must remain at home until well enough to participate in all center activities. 24 Hour Exclusion Policy If a child is sent home sick, the child must remain at home until symptom free for 24 hours, or with a written doctor’s note stating when the child may return. Under certain circumstances, a doctor’s note may be required for your child’s return to the centre. Children also must remain at home for the first 24 hours of starting any prescription medications. Children during this time are still contagious and must be monitored for allergic reactions to the medication. When to Notify the Centre It is important to notify the centre if your child acquires a communicable disease (e.g. Chicken pox) so we may inform other parents/guardians as soon as possible. Medication Policy Roots and Wings is able to administer prescription medications under the following circumstances only:

It is a prescription medication and it is in the original container

The label of the prescription clearly states: the medication name, pharmacists name and phone number, the dosage amount, the child’s name, doctor’s name and phone number and prescription number

The parent/guardian completes a “Permission to Administer Medication” form provided by the staff

The medication is handed over to a staff member at drop off time so it may be locked up out of children’s reach


Medications of ANY kind are not permitted in a child’s cubby area or with the child’s belongings. Medications MUST be handed over to a staff member upon arrival. Over the Counter Medications Over the counter medications can only be administered to a child when a doctor’s note is included. The doctor’s note must state:

1.) when to administer the medication 2.) how much the dosage is 3.) the medications name

Please keep all over the counter medications at home in a safe spot. Medications are not permitted with a child’s belongings. Nutrition

We know you all agree that good nutrition is essential to the young child’s growth, health and

development. When considering your child’s lunch, we recommend that parents follow the Canadian

Food Guide. Suggestions include:

Crackers and Cheese Oatmeal and other cereal Meats Whole grain breads Fruits Baked items Whole grain pasta Vegetables Nuts (if can handle) Eggs Brown Rice Dairy products Please keep all processed, refined and sugary snacks/lunches at home. Please leave pop, candy and other “treats” at home as they are for special occasions only.

Clothing/Personal Belongings

We recommend that your children wear warm and comfortable clothes suitable for the weather.

Outdoor play and messy play is considered a vital part of the child’s well being and education, so

children should come to school prepared to play outside year round.

Your child needs at the center:

A complete change of clothing, socks, shirt, pants, sweater, etc… A supply of diapers, disposable or cloth, (weekly is ideal), wipes, diaper cream, etc… A crib sheet and a nap blanket, something to cuddle with, a soother (if needed) A pair of indoor shoes or slippers Winter time: warm clothing, hat, mittens, boots, etc… (NO SCARVES) Summer time: Sun hat, sunscreen, etc…


Bottles Please supply pre-measured and pre-mixed bottles each day your child attends. Please place your child’s bottles in their basket (labeled with your child’s name) in the fridge. Staff will heat (using a crock pot – not a microwave) when your child needs a bottle. Please label each bottle with your child’s name. This prevents any mix-ups. Please take your used bottles home with you each night for disinfection and refills. Independent feeding We encourage parents to pack finger foods for your child to help teach self-help skills and foods that children can use utensils with on their own. If you need finger food ideas, please see the staff. Sharing Snack Sharing snack is where each parent brings one fruit or vegetable each day and places it into the sharing snack basket. Staff then wash and prepare each item for one morning and one afternoon snack time. Snack is served on a large platter at the table for children to try and taste. This sharing idea helps children to try new foods and teach social skills. If your child cannot yet eat diced solid fruits or vegetables, please pack pureed fruits/vegetables until your child is able to partake in the sharing snack times.


Staff

Ella Lee

Ella was born in Taiwan and grew up in Canada. She studied at Douglas College where she

earned a degree in early childhood education with a specialty in childcare for infants and

toddlers as well as children with special needs.

Ella widened her horizon by spending three months in Sweden learning the country’s well

renowned childcare system.

Amy Arnold

Born in Surrey, Amy spent 12 years in Ladner before returning to her roots. Amy studied childcare at 'Delta Continuing Education College' and also earns a certificate as special education assistant. Amy brings ten years of experience working in various daycare settings including children who require additional support and have special needs. Amy likes spending time with her 11 years-old daughter and their two dogs and two cats. In her spare time she enjoys scrapbooking, reading, working out, and retreating to their family cabin in BC's interior with her parents and siblings as often as possible.

Melissa Prohaska

Melissa was born and raised in the Lower Mainland. She graduated from the Langley

College as an Early Childhood Educator. Very much a family person, Melissa spends her

summers fishing with her grandparents on Vancouver Island. Melissa enjoys reading,

learning how to play the guitar, traveling, dancing, singing, and simply spending time

with her family and friend.

BABYCARE PARENT HANDBOOK - Roots and Wings Montessori … · 2014-09-05 · The Infant and Toddler...

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