Policies at Natural Connections
Please note that our COVID-19 Plan follows the guidance of Provincial authorities. We keep the health of our families at the forefront and employ flexible guidelines around reduced size of groups, physical distancing, hygiene, activities and sanitization. Of particular note: this flexibility requires parents to regularly check emails for updates from us and to closely follow our health guidelines outlined here and in the parent handbook.
Registration and Payment
A $50.00 non-refundable processing fee is required upon registration. A non-refundable deposit of 25% of the monthly fee is due upon registration that will be deducted from the last month of the child's enrolment at the centre. We accept cash, e transfer and cheques on or before the first of every month. If cheques are the preference, a supply of post-dated ones are appreciated.
*A minimum of one month (30 days) notice on or before the first of the month prior to the leaving date is required on departure or when cutting down on the number of attending days. A $25.00 fee is charged for a NSF cheque. Three such incidents may require termination of the parent/centre contract. Late payments are subject to a fee of 5.00 per day up to 7 days after which the spot may be terminated.
Items Needed at the Centre for our 3-5 Friends
"There's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes!"
We are outside every day, rain or shine, so each child needs the following clearly labeled with name or initials:
A nutritious lunch packed with an ice pack along with two snacks for morning and afternoon
A complete "muddy buddy" or full set of rain gear
Appropriate warm clothing including hats and mitts
Waterproof boots
A complete change of clothing including socks and underwear
An emergency comfort kit consisting of a family photo, a short written message, a small flashlight, a small favourite toy,
Please keep personal toys at home to avoid loss, damage and sharing issues
Summertime: please provide sunscreen with name on it, a sun hat and never send your child in backless shoes for safety reasons
No electronics please. We are happily a screen-free centre!
Items Needed at the Centre for our 24 to 36 months Friends:
our littles ones need the items above as appropriate plus
a month's supply of diapers, wipes and creams clearly labelled
daily age appropriate lunch food, 2 snacks for morning and afternoon and ready made bottles when appropriate
*Please note that all bedding will be sent home on Friday for a wash and is to be returned on Monday. Thank you!
Celebrations
We enjoy celebrating all special days and plan fun activities and food for them! Families are welcome to provide a small portion of a treat for the children on their child's birthday. We love learning about multicultural celebrations and welcome new ideas. Please share!
Discipline
Our key strategy for discipline at NCCC is to respect the rights and well being of each child. We strive to create a safe and positive environment that encourages the development of problem solving skills, language and empathy. We devote the time to supporting all children in this.
Food
We are currently not a nut free facility. We do ask you not to send popcorn as it is a choking hazard and cut grapes in half for under 3’s. Again please check email updates regulary for child allergen changes.
Families are asked to send a healthy lunch on an ice pack as well as two healthy snacks for morning and afternoon. This allows the family to control what their child eats and helps us avoid accidental allergic reactions as well as food waste. Please use as little plastic wrap as possible.
NCCC teachers enjoy baking with the children on occasion and may offer the opportunity to engage in seasonal food sampling.
Note: We will never force a child to eat something. We believe in respecting his/her ability to choose. We give the children lots of time to eat their lunch in a comfortable and relaxed setting. If he or she cannot finish it, we'll send it home so you know and can adjust the amount for next time.
Nap Time
All children are encouraged to have a quiet time in the afternoon, however no child is forced to sleep. We find that fresh air usually solves the dilemma! If the child is unable to calm, they are given a quiet book or puzzle time as an alternative. Please note that we are governed by the individual needs of the child and will never force a child to stay awake when they are clearly in need of sleep. The nappers are gently awakened if more than 90 minutes go by to support nightly sleep routines.
Health and Hygiene
A child should be kept home when any of the following symptoms occur:
Pain - any complaints of unexplained or undiagnosed pain
Difficult breathing-wheezing or a persistent cough
Fever (100 degrees/ f/38.3 degrees or more), sore throat or trouble swallowing
Infected skin, discharge from eyes or an undiagnosed rash
Headache and stiff neck (should see a physician)
Unexplained diarrhea or loose stool in the last 48 hours (may or may not be combined with nausea, vomiting or stomach cramps)
Nausea or vomiting, one or more times in the past 48 hours
Severe itching, dry skin on either body or scalp if caused by head lice, scabies or pinworms
Children with known suspected communicable disease
Once a child's temperature, well-being and energy return to normal, the child is no longer considered contagious and may return back to daycare
Medication will be administered to children only when absolutely necessary with the following guidelines:
Parents must fill out an 'Administration of Medication' form before any medication can be administered to a child. The form includes date, child's name, the doctor's name and phone number, dosage and information about the medication. Staff will document on the form: the date, time, and dosage of when the medication was administered.
Medication must be sent in the original container and include directions for use or physician's instructions (no 'over-the-counter' medications will be administered unless accompanied by a doctor's note stating the dose and name of medication).
Medications will be placed in the 'Medication Box' inaccessible to the children.
Inhalers will be kept in a clear Ziploc bag labeled with the child's name. However, staff will only assist the child when administering the medication (hand-over-hand).
Inhalers must be prescribed by a doctor and a medical form must be filled out; inhalers must be handed directly to staff in a Ziploc bag with the child's name on it.
Important Note: Please do not send any medications (over-the-counter or prescribed) in your child's backpack or lunch kit!
Arrivals and Departures
Every child is to be personally dropped off or picked up by a parent/guardian or an authorized person stated in the registration package and emergency consent card. Your child is to be signed in daily on the sign-in sheet. Please try to have your child at daycare at approximately the same time each day to enable him/her to develop routines and absolutely no later than 9:30 please. Programs such as circle, music, etc. will generally begin at 9:30am. We also may leave for our outside experience around this same time. If a child arrives at 9:30, it doesn’t allow free play time and may leave him / her feeling frustrated.
If any unauthorized person (not on the pick-up list) comes to pick up your child, your child will not be released without written consent dated and signed by the parent. The Educators are forbidden to allow your child to leave the centre with anyone other than yourself or a person authorized by you.
Procedure if a child is not picked up by 5:00pm and the parent has not phoned:
We will try to reach all persons who have been designated as a pick-up person for that child on their emergency form (ie. parents and emergency contacts). Starting with the parents first, we will try to reach each designated person at least two times; also leaving a message to let them know we are trying to contact them in regards to picking up the child from daycare, leaving the time, contact info, name and date.
If no contact can be made with either a parent or emergency contact person in regards to coming and picking up the child by 5:30pm, Social Services will be informed. Please be aware that constant late pick-ups will be cause for termination of the parent agreement contract as determined by the centre manager.
In order to ensure your child's safety; please send a written note when someone other than yourself or your emergency contact will be picking up your child. Please state the first and last name of who will be picking up your child, the time they will pick up your child and the date. Also, please ensure that whomever is picking up your child has photo identification on hand before the child will be released into their care.
We aim to close our centre promptly at 5:00pm. In order to discourage late pick-ups and to pay staff for their extra time we have a late-fee charge of $1.00 per minute, paid directly and immediately to the staff member by cash or cheque.
