Wawanesa Wee Care Inc. |
parent handbook
Wawanesa Wee Care Inc. Parent Manual
Board of Directors 2023/2024
Chairperson- Lyndsay Seafoot
Vice Chair - Breanna Dick
Treasurer- Lyndsey Friesen
Secretary - Jennifer Badiou
Members- Hailey Jefferies
Shaun Cory
Tom Lockhart
Employee Rep Sharla Neufeld
Welcome to the programs of Wawanesa Wee Care Inc.
Infant- ages 12 weeks to 2 years
Toddlers- ages 2-3 years
Junior K- ages 4 and 5 years
KinderClub- ages 5 and 6 years
Kids Club- ages 6-12 years
We Believe:
-All children bring gifts and have the right to be valued, accepted and included.
-We embrace inclusion and celebrate diversity as the means to foster the well being of every child and thereby enrich our communities.
-All are entitled to full participation and support to meet their individual needs using a strength based, family centered approach whereby we all learn from each other.
Our daycare is a provincially licensed, government subsidized daycare center. In order for us to keep our license, various criteria must be met. Such as space requirements, staff qualifications, program statements, behavior management policies, etc. A copy of the Manitoba Day Care Licensing/Best Practices Manual is available for viewing at the center, or online.
Here at Wawanesa Wee Care Inc. we aim to provide the best quality care for your child(ren). We will provide your child(ren) with a physical, emotional, and intellectual environment to explore to the best of their abilities.
Our Early Childhood Educators (ECE’s hereafter) will be there to guide the children through different areas of play, such as art, music, dramatic play, science, library, and in the fine and gross motor skill areas. The ECE’s will be providing the children with multiple daily activities, where many of the curriculum areas will be introduced to your child(ren), enhancing their knowledge of different things in the world around them.
Each child is a special individual and therefore, we will treat your child with respect and kindness. Every child will be given opportunities to participate in their own decision making to help develop creative abilities, and explore their interests reflecting their own developmental level. Our program structure is flexible, but organized and consistent, which will help your child in the day-to-day happenings in the center.
With our warm, caring, ECE’s in our center, each child will grow and develop to their full potential while developing a positive self-image.
Through positive role modeling, children will be learning, and we value their need to be treated respectfully while in our care.
Parental and community involvement plays a vital role in the establishment of our center to make it to be as effective as it possibly can. Positive and supportive relationships will be created so the child, family, center, and the community will benefit.
Parental involvement includes helping as much as you can in our center. Parents can help with yard work , building/repairing shelving, painting, and whatever other odd jobs need to be done on a regular basis. Once a year we will hold our Annual General Meeting. At this meeting board members will be picked, our center can’t run without a parental board. 20% of this board is to be parents of the center
Mission Statement:
Wawanesa Wee Care strives to support a child’s desire to become a lifelong learner. Through close partnerships with the families we serve, our nurturing, home like environment will cater to the diversity of every child’s learning style.
Philosophy: Wawanesa Wee Care Inc. is committed to provide a secure physical, emotional, social and intellectual environment. We aim to provide a space in which the children are exposed to a variety of experiences that will enhance their total development, and encourage independence. The structure in our programs is very flexible, yet organized and consistent. Children are encouraged to explore and learn about their environment, while staff enhances learning with props, equipment, supplies and choices. By providing consistent care, in a nurturing environment, children will be encouraged to grow and develop to their full potential as lifelong learners.
Goals:
For Staff:
- To nurture each child’s sense of self worth
- To encourage autonomy and independence
- To treat each child with respect and understanding
- To recognize and respect that each child is unique
- To provide and model appropriate nutrition and wellbeing for each child
- To provide appropriate guidance
- To provide support to the families we serve in a professional and confidential manner
For Children:
- To have an opportunity for meaningful play that is based on a child’s individual needs, interests, and abilities.
- To have access to appropriate play experiences that contribute to the individual needs of the child
- To develop a positive self-image while exploring independence
- To develop self-help skills, while gaining a positive self-image
- To develop communication skills and language through play
- For Parents:
2) To feel comfortable in establishing partnerships with staff
For the Community:
- To have the needs of the community met by providing quality childcare
- To contribute to the growth and development of future citizens
- The enhance the role of Wawanesa Wee Care Inc. as an integral part of the community
Behavior Management Policy
We provide a safe and stimulating environment for all children. This allows them to grow emotionally, physically, intellectually, and socially.
Our goal is to allow the children to develop self-control. A minimum number of rules are used to set and maintain limits. This is done in a consistent and positive manner, with simple reasons and explanations.
If a child demonstrates persistent aggressive behavior (i.e. hitting, biting, yelling), he/she will be removed briefly from the situation. This will be a “cooling off” period. When the child is removed from the group he/she will never be out of sight of a staff member. After the “time-away” a staff member will guide the child in helping them choose an appropriate activity. This helps to clarify that the behavior, not the child, was inappropriate. The staff will help the child find the words to express their feelings and learn how to deal with the situation in an appropriate manner.
If a child’s behavior becomes an increasing problem, we will assess the situation and consult with the parent(s) in devising approaches to solving the problem. In accordance with the Licensing Standards Act, Subsection 9, for daycare centers, we “will not inflict any form of physical punishment, verbal, or emotional abuse, or denial of physical necessities for any child in attendance.”
If a child is consistently disruptive, or physically or verbally abusive towards other children or staff, and all other forms of disciplinary actions have failed, the parent/guardian will be contacted. The situation will be discussed and an approach to solving the problem will be devised. If the problem cannot be solved, the child will be removed from Wawanesa Wee care Inc.
Hours of operation / Late fee
All programs are open from 6:45a.m. to 5 p.m. if needed, Monday to Friday, except holidays. Your child may attend a full day (4hrs- 10 hrs) or a half day (less than 4 hours) or before and/or after school. If your child is booked for a half day, but is at the center for more than 4 hours, you will automatically be charged for a full day. (children in attendance for more than 10 hours will be charged accordingly. Please see fee chart for more information.)
A parent who picks up his/her child after the closing time of 5pm will be given a warning for the first time they are late, any time thereafter, the parent will be charged a late fee of $5 per child per 5 minutes. This fee will be billed to your bi weekly statement.
Statutory Holidays
The center will be closed for the following statutory holidays:
New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, August civic Holiday, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas day, Boxing Day, and Remembrance Day, Louis Riel Day. If the stat falls on a weekend we will close on the next week day! (ie Christmas Day and Boxing Day!)
The Manitoba Child Care Program allows us to apply for an alternate closure day in lieu of being closed on Easter Monday. We will also close on an alternate date if Remembrance Day falls on a weekend. (Usually the day will be taken at Christmas time)
When a statutory holiday falls on a day that your child regularly attends daycare you will be charged your regular fee for that day.
Eligibility
Children are accepted into the center from 12 weeks to 12 years old. The center is licensed for 4 infants, 32 pre-school children and 15 school age children. The stand-alone building houses the 4 infants and 16 preschool spaces (ages 2 and 3), while the school classroom houses our Junior K and Kinder Kids Programs (16 spaces) as well as our Kids Club school age program (15 spaces). Spaces are available in a full time, part time and casual basis. Booking will be taken on a first come first serve basis. Our priority is to provide full time childcare with part time and casual care if the space is available. Securing a spot means paying for the spot, not for attendance.
Registration
Parents are required to:
- Contact and visit the center prior to your child’s first day and be involved in an orientation with the director.
- Complete registration forms and return them to the center before or on your child’s first day.
Fees
Infant Full day $10.00
Pre school Full day $10.00
School Age Care
One period $6.15 Two Periods $8.15
Half day care $10.40
Full day care $20.80
Payments
At the end of a 2-week period, you will receive a bill for the previous 2 weeks use of childcare. You will have the current week to make payments on your bill to bring your account balance to zero. Bank deposits will be done every Friday, so both center and family can keep their records straight.
If remittance is not made during this week, children may not be allowed to use the center and their booking may be lost until remittance is made in full. Two percent interest compounded bi-weekly, and will be charged on all overdue accounts and if no effort is made to settle these accounts they will be taken to small claims court or collection agency.
Payments are preferred to be made by cheque or email money transfer.
Wawanesa Wee Care Daycare Inc. will charge $20.00 For each N.S.F. cheque. We reserve the right to request cash only payments in the event of repeated N.S.F. cheques.
Billing is done on Fastoche and receipts will be issued to ensure receipt of your payment, if requested. A final receipt will be issued at the end of the year for income tax purposes.
Additional fees:
Every year in January, Wawanesa Wee Care Inc. will add $12.50 to every family account to cover bank charges and fees we incur as a business account. The fee can be paid with your regular bill via etransfer or cheque. Additionally, summer fees may include sunscreen/bugspray charges.
Subsidy
The government provides subsidy for daycare families with working parents, parents at school, medical problems, or social needs, provided the requirements are met. Wawanesa Wee Care, accepts subsidized children in both full time and part time spaces for preschool and school age children.
Parents are responsible for payment of fees until approval is obtained.
It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that their subsidy is approved and renewed when required.
Parent Schedules, vacation time, and withdrawal from care
Upon registration, parents are requested to inform the director of the times care is needed. This assists with staffing and programming.
We request parents to advise the staff two weeks in advance in case of drop off or pick up changes or of required days off/holidays in order to staff accordingly. ‘Proper notice’ entails at least two (2) week written notice to a daycare staff member. This can come in the form of an email to the director, a written note or verbal notice given directly to the staff at the facility. Texts, facebook messages and the like shall not be considered written notice. .
Two weeks’ notice is required to withdraw your child from the program. Failure to produce written notice will result in being charged for the full two weeks.
Sick Policy
Please report all illnesses to the facility. We require parents to either call their child’s program or message Fastoche with ‘CHILD’S NAME is sick’. Please do not bring a sick child to the center, as this exposes other children and staff to unnecessary illness. Your child should not attend the daycare is he/she is too ill to participate in the full day’s activities, including outdoor play. We will not have the staff to sit with one sick child while the rest of the children participate in regular daycare activities.
If a child has a fever of 100 F or more, or has had diarrhea more than three times during the course of the day, is vomiting, or is not feeling well enough to participate in the daycare day, staff will notify the parent (or the designated person to care for your child) and the child must be picked up as soon as possible. If this does not happen the emergency person on file will be contacted. (Thus the emergency contact on your registration forms must include a person local who is willing to come to get your child immediately if you cannot!)
If your child is booked in to attend daycare for that day, then you will be charged the normal rate for your child. Therefore if your child is booked in for a full day then you will be charged for a full day, like wise for a ½ day. A ½ day booking, results in a ½ day charge.
If your child is sick in the morning, we appreciate a phone call or a fastoche message, stating that your child(ren) won’t be in.
If children are vomiting, or has diarrhea, they should not return to daycare until 24 hours after the vomiting/diarrhea has stopped.
If your child has a communicable disease, you must follow the Public Health regulations regarding incubation and/or isolation. Including reporting the illness to the facility. Your parent package includes a communicable disease book for your reference.
*Please see additional COVID-19 information
Medication
Staff will administer prescription medication only if the medication form in their file has been completed and signed by the parent.
The form includes:
1-child’s name
2-date
3-type of medication
4-dosage
5-time to be administered
6-signature of parent
7-administered by (initials of staff)
***All medication must be in the original dispensing bottle and will be stored in a locked container in the fridge or cupboard.
***Tylenol: If Tylenol is being given to lower a fever it is recommended the child not attend daycare. Tylenol may be given in the case of an ear infection for pain, or other causes of pain, not to reduce a fever.
Emergency Procedures
In 2010, the Manitoba Childcare Program introduced the Children’s Safety Charter, resulting in centers producing an ‘Enhanced Safety Plan’. Included in this plan are procedures for emergency weather (tornado, flood), chemical spills, power outages, loss of utilities, intruders, and lock down and locked door policies.
In case the center needs to evacuate, our place of shelter will be the Wawanesa Rec Center (rink). In case of evacuation a letter will be posted on the door, and phone calls will be made. A copy of the Emergency Plan is available at the center for those who wish to read it in its entirety.
Child’s arrival and departure
The staff is responsible to greet and sign the child in and out during their arrival and departure. Wawanesa Wee Care Inc. assumes responsibility for your child during the times indicated on the attendance sheet. All transportation to and from the center is the responsibility of the parent(s).
When dropping children off please use the parent drop off loop at the stand-alone building and/or the visitor parking lot on the north east side of the school.
Of your child has not arrived by 9:15 am, Fastoche will automatically send a text, asking if your child is still coming. This allows staff to plan the remainder of the day accordingly (ie if they are going on a walk or field trip) Please text Fastoche at 204-817-3969 to report an absence or illness, or call your child’s program if they will not be attending that day. If they will be late, please let us know, so we can over-ride the 9:15am text to you.
The child must be picked up by someone over the age of 12, unless indicated on the registration form, and named on the registration form or by written notice (verbal notice will be accepted if staff is notified first thing in the morning when the child is dropped off). If there is a question regarding the pick-up person, a phone call will be made to the parents.
To limit the distress of your child during drop off and pick up time, try to make those times as unhurried as possible. Please feel free to come in and help your child get settled.
On the occasion there may be a storm during the winter, and the roads may become closed or you may not be able to get back to the center on time. If this may be the case then we ask that you have a person in town to be an alternate pick up for your child(ren).
Snack and Lunch:
All snacks and meals are provided by the parents. Please ensure your child has enough food for 2 snacks and lunch.
Lunches can be stored in the fridge, and we have a microwave for leftovers/warm ups. We will provide water at every snack and meal, as well as utensils to eat with.
Morning snack will be served between 830 and 9 am (depending on program). Lunch will be served between 1130 and 12, and afternoon snack will be served between 230 and 3pm.
The centre follows the ‘Division of Responsibility’ approach to eating. We trust your child to know if they are hungry, how much they want to eat, and we trust they know when they are full. By 4 years old (JrK), children should be able to select their snack directly from their lunch kit, with some coaching (“pick one or two things from your lunch kit for your snack”). Then staff will close/put away the lunch kits while they eat. Unfinished items selected will go back in their lunch kit for later, and also so you know what they are or are not eating. If they eat all of what they selected for snack and are still hungry, they may choose another item. For younger children, staff will select the snack from the lunch kit, serve it on their placemat, and let the child decide how much of it and whether to eat it. We will not ask your child to eat more (‘have two more bites’.) We will let them eat as much as they want of any of the foods you have packed, in any order, even if they eat nothing, or only eat dessert.
If there is ever a child with an extreme food allergy, parents will be notified and asked not to bring that particular food.
Wawanesa Wee Care requires foods of low choking potential.
IF YOU SEND FOODS FROM HOME THAT ARE CHOKING POTENTIAL, i.e. grapes, hotdogs, carrots, etc. PLEASE SLICE LENGTHWISE.
Attached are some snack and lunch ideas, as well as the ‘division of responsibility’ guideline we are referencing.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the centre.
For more information, please visit www.ellynsatterinstitute.org
Or www.gov.mb.ca/health/foodinchildcare
Naptime:
Each child who naps in the infant/toddler program, will have a mat/crib that will be washed weekly or more often if needed. Blankets and stuffies can be used from the center that will be stored separately for each child and washed weekly. Blankies or stuffies can come from home, to be used at naptime only. Bedding will be washed at the center once a week, or more often if necessary.
Field trips:
Your child’s registration form asks for ‘field trip permission’. This only means that we would be taking the children on walks off of daycare property. It does not mean you give permission for your child to be transported in any vehicle.
In the event of field trips requiring transportation via motor vehicles, parents would be well notified and separate permission slips would be sent out, parent volunteers will be asked to transport staff and children. Children will not be allowed to attend a field trip via motor vehicle unless proper permission forms are filled out. Parents will be given 24 hours notice of an outing that requires transportation.
If you do not wish for your child to attend the field trip, you may be asked to pick up your child at the departure time that the field trip is scheduled. This is due to the child/staff ratio required for the field trip.
Necessary safety requirements (i.e. seat belts, and restraints) will be strictly enforced by the center.
All other transportation is the responsibility of the parent.
Students and Volunteers:
On occasion, Wee Care will have high school or college students in attendance for the purpose of volunteer hours or practicum placement. During this time students may need to do child observations as part of their school requirement/assignments. Students will be required to change the names of the children and not use any last names. The sole purpose of these observations will be for classroom use only. The college students may need to take photos or video as part of the observation.
The students will be here as a volunteer only and will not be counted in our teacher/child ratio, or left alone with the children.
Media:
On occasion, the local papers may request photos of our center activities. If you do not wish to have your child photographed by the media, please check the appropriate box on the registration form.
Clothing:
Weather permitting; the children will play outside everyday. Please see that your child has:
Summer; shorts, t-shirt, sun hat, bathing suit, towel, and rubber boots in rainy weather.
Winter: warm winter boots, snow pants, proper hat, neck warmer, 2 pairs of mittens.
Spring: please ensure they have several pairs of socks and pants to change into as the snow melts and we get to ‘mud’ season! Splash pants AND ski pants may be required!
Outdoor play will take place daily unless the wind chill conditions of more than 1500 watts per square meter, temperature below -25 C or other forms of inclement weather. Staff will then use discretion on outdoor play. (ie if we can play out of the wind, or go for a quick walk around the building)
All children must bring and extra change of clothes to the center. More will be needed if your child is potty training. Any clothing being worn or brought to the center must have no strings. We ask that infants and toddlers have one full change of clothing at all times.
All clothing and footwear must be labeled with the child’s name and stored in a backpack or cloth bag, in their locker.
Infants and toddlers should have a pair of indoor shoes, but they will not be required to wear them all day. JrK and school age children need indoor shoes, as per school policy. One pair of shoes is needed for inside wear and appropriate outside footwear is needed. Clothing should be suited to the weather and type of activities. Please do not send your child in “good clothing” as they are apt to end up being dirtied while having fun with paint, mud, etc.
Toys and security objects:
Wee Care asks that children do not bring toys from home. Toys brought to the center are the responsibility of the parent, not the staff. Staff may ask for show and tell items to enhance our circle time. Notice of show and tell times will be given from the staff. School age children may bring toys from home at the discretion of the Kids Club staff.
If your child has a security object they need for napping or other reasons, please discuss with staff.
Diapers:
Parents are responsible for providing an adequate supply of diapers and wipes. Staff will notify parents when the supply is low, If you wish, please discuss the possibility of bringing cloth diapers with the director.
Staff will be happy to assist in the potty training process once the parents notify us. Please ask about our cloth diaper policy, if this is your families preference.
Staff:
Infant/staff ratio is 4:1 (ages 12 weeks to 2 years)
Preschool/staff ratio is 8:1 (ages 2 years to 6 years)
School-aged/staff ratio is 15:1 (ages 6 years to 12 years)
Wawanesa Wee Care Inc. is staffed with the qualified Early Childhood Educators (ECE’s hereafter) that is required by regulations, as well as certified Child Care Assistants (CCA’s). We aim to hire staff with the experience and training required to care for children.
In summer and other times throughout the year we may be fortunate enough to have support staff that is hired through grants. We also have high school students on work experience and ECE’s on practicum. All staff working alone with the children will be at least 18 years of age, have cleared background checks, as well as First Aid and CPR training.
Confidentiality Policy:
No information, verbal or written, regarding children or their family shall be released to anybody other than the legal guardians of the child.
In case of an emergency or injury to a child, information may be released to the police authorities, medical staff attending a child or the appropriate child welfare department.
If there is an ongoing problem with a child, then some information will be discussed with the board of directors, and be kept confidential.
Access to a child’s information record will be given only to the legal guardians of the child and regular staff.
Confidentiality of families will be respected at all times.
Information may be released about a child to others only in accordance with written parental permission. Please read the attached Code of Conduct and keep for your reference, along with this manual.
Parental involvement:
Wawanesa Wee Care Inc. believes that parental involvement in the daycare is very important. Through cooperation and communication between the parent and the staff, we hope to offer the best possible care for each child.
We encourage parents to become as involved as possible in all aspects of the center so that the child’s total development is enhanced.
You can help by:
1—attending meetings
2—donations (can be met with a tax receipt)
3—fundraising goals
4—mending
5—special work projects
6—volunteering
7—joining the board of directors
8—checking your emails
9--child information—please ensure that your child’s information and requirements are up to date. Please inform any staff of any changes.
10—any other ideas, comments or concerns to help our center are going to be very much appreciated. Let us know how we can improve our center.
Parents are welcome to visit the center anytime but we discourage visits at naptime. This may become a disruptive time for all children.
Parental Concerns:
The center and the staff are committed to working cooperatively with the parents. Most of the time, problems or concerns can be resolved by cooperation and working together. We encourage parents to discuss any concerns they may have with the Director before they become major problems.
The staff is available to discuss the day-to-day happenings, but concerns and complaints should be addressed to the Director ONLY.
When the Director is not available, a message can be left or an email sent. Contact will be made as soon as possible. Arrangements will be made for a meeting with the parents at a mutually convenient time.
If you do not feel you have received a satisfactory explanation the Director will provide you with the name of a Board Member that you may contact.
Should your concern not be resolved at this level, the Board Member may suggest that you submit a written statement of concern to the Board of Directors, or present your concern in person at the next board meeting.
The Board will deal with the concern at the next scheduled board meeting or at a special meeting for that purpose.
Under NO circumstances should a parent approach any child/children or their parent(s) with a concern regarding inappropriate behavior.
Daily Schedules :
Each Wee Care Program has their own daily schedule to meet the needs of their specific ages and developmental levels. Although these are our typical daily guidelines, the schedules are flexible enough to allow for changes, special occasions and changing developmental needs of the children in our care.
INFANT DAILY SCHEDULE
7- 8:30 arrival, free play
8:30 - 9:00 Snack
9:00 - 11:30 free play, circle, art, diapers/nap when needed ,outside play weather permitting
11:30 - 12:00 Lunch
12:00 - 2:30 diapers, nap, quiet activities
2:30 - 3:00 Snack
3:00 - 5 free play, diapers, outdoor play (weather permitting)departure
Pre – School Schedule: (ages 2 &3)
6:45 ---Center opens
7-9am Arrival Activities, free play, staff led activities,
9:00—snack
9:10 Free play, staff led activities, outside time
11:25---clean up and story time
11:45--lunch
12:30---rest/nap time, stay ups play outdoors
2:45---snack
3:00-- Center time…games, play doh, painting, art, science experiments…
3:30---outside time or staff led activities
4:00--- free play
5---center closes
Jr. K and Kinder Club Schedule (ages 4 and 5)
6:45 ---Center opens
7-8am Arrival Activities
7:30-8---Kids Club Leaves
8:35---school kids clean up and get ready for school
SNACK??
9:30—Free play, staff-child activity
10--- Clean up, bathroom, sunscreen and bug spray, dress for outside
10:45---outside time, weather permitting
12:30---Come in from outside
12:45-Lunch
1:15-2:30 activities and free play
2:30---Carpet time
3:00---wash up/bathroom
3:00-Snack
3pm Center time…games, play doh, painting, art, science experiments…
3:20 school agers return
3:30---outside time, weather permitting, centers, games, planned activities
5:00---center close
Kids Club Schedule (school age center)
6:45am Center Opens, arrivals, greetings
6:45-840 Children can eat breakfast if they bring it, table centers, art activity, free choice play
840am Dismissal for school
315pm Arrival from school, free choice activities, homework time, planned art activity, project work, snack time
400 outside/gym time (possible joining with the preschool center, depending on attendance)
500 free choice activities, reading, journal work, games,
530pm Center Closes
Full day/no school day schedule
6:45 am Center opens
6:45-8 free choice play, journals, reading
8am Snack Time
830 Planned activities, project work
930 outside/gym time
1130 handwashing, prep for lunch
12 noon lunch time
1230 planned activity, project work
100 outside/gym time/field trips
300 snack time
330 free choice play, games, planned activities
430 outside time/gym time
530 center closes
NOTE: This schedule is a guideline only. No school days will be used for field trips or kid planned activities, guest speakers, gym blasts, and other planned projects depending on weather, school use and other factors! If there are low numbers of Kids Club children in attendance, they may join with the regular center before or after school and at some point on no school days!