Policies

Philosophy

Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, 5 Little Owls Family Child Care’s goal is to provide a quality, supportive, child-centered program that encourages play-based learning. We believe that quality child care fosters the physical, social, emotional and cognitive development of the child. 5 Little Owls Family Child Care is committed to the following:

To provide an environment that is warm, welcoming and nurturing, with the goal of allowing children to feel safe and secure within the family setting.
To recognize the uniqueness and the diversity of our children and families.
To recognize the importance of play-based learning and create an environment that facilitates this, allowing for children to develop at their own rate. Play-based learning will foster curiosity, independence, decision-making, communication skills, self-esteem and relations with others.
To provide activities that are appropriate for each child’s age, interests and abilities. Routines and a balance of activities will incorporate active and quiet play; where parallel play and group based learning occurs indoors and outdoors.
Assisting children in their physical development by encouraging their involvement in both small and large muscle activities. Facilitating social development by modeling positive relations with others, promoting new friendships and life skills. Emotionally supporting children by allowing them to express their feelings positively, and encouraging cognitive development by providing activities that support creativity, pre-reading, writing and math skills.

We believe that families are the foundation of our program. We are committed to working with the families to support the child’s developmental success by maintaining open communication, sharing resources, exchanging information and encouraging family involvement in the program.

Operating Hours

Daily Operating Hours

5 Little Owls Family Child Care’s operating hours are Monday-Friday 7:30am to 5:30pm.

Holiday Closures

We are closed on all federal and provincial statutory holidays. Parents/guardians will not be reimbursed for federal and provincial statutory holiday closures. For example, if your child regularly attends on a Wednesday and there is a statutory holiday on a Wednesday, you are required to pay for that day.

During Christmas we are closed for 1 week. During the summer we are closed for 2 weeks. Parents/guardians will not be charged during the weeks that the child care is closed. An effort will be made to help find and refer temporary care for this time. Parents/guardians will be provided with at least one month’s notice of any closures.

Registration

Prior to the start date of care, 5 Little Owls Family Child Care must receive the following:

Registration Form
Immunization Record
Parent & Care Provider Contract
Emergency Permission Card
Infant Intake Form (if child is under 18 months of age)
Non-refundable Deposit
Daycare Subsidy Request Form (if applicable) Parents are responsible for picking up the form and returning it to the Subsidy Office. Care will not begin until approved by the Subsidy Office unless the parent agrees to pay.

Financial Information

Deposit

Once the child is registered into the program a non-refundable deposit of a full month’s fee (per child) is required to hold the child’s spot. This deposit is non-refundable and will be applied to the last month’s care fee.

Fees

Monthly fees include all statutory holidays and sick days. Fees are based on booked days not attendance. Refunds and credits will not be provided for days when the child does not attend.

Full Time (5 days per week)

Under 18 months $1000 per month (per child)

18 to 30 months $950 per month (per child)

30 months to 5 years $850 per month (per child)

6 to 11 years $700 per month (per child) (available for Summer months)

Included in the full time fee are two healthy snacks, one for the morning and one for the afternoon. Parents are required to provide their child with a lunch.

Part time (less than 5 days per week, minimum 2 days per week)

Under 18 months $50 per day (per child)

18 months to 30 months $47.50 per day (per child)

30 months to 5 years $42.50 per day (per child)

6 to 11 years $35 per day (per child)

Included in the part time fee are two healthy snacks, one for the morning and one for the afternoon. Parents are required to provide their child with a lunch.

Payment Policy

All fees will be paid on the first of each month in advance. Unpaid fees are subject to immediate suspension or termination of care unless both parties (parent/guardian & 5 Little Owls Family Child Care) have agreed and made arrangements.

A fee of $30.00 will be charged for all NSF cheques.

Trial Period

To ensure that 5 Little Owls Family Child Care is the right fit for both the child and the family there will be a 3 week trial period where either party may end the agreement for any reason. Any fees paid will not be refunded should that occur.

Termination of Child Care

If the parent/guardian no longer needs child care they are required to provide at least one full months notice (notice to be given on the first of the month) to 5 Little Owls Family Child Care or agree to pay a month’s fee in lieu of. If there are no outstanding fees owed, the unused post-dated cheques will be returned to the parent/guardian.

5 Little Owls Family Child Care can terminate care for the following reasons; notice will be provided if possible:

Failure to pay
Consistent late payments or NSF cheques
Failure to follow procedures outlined in the Parent Handbook
Failure of a child to adjust in a reasonable amount of time
Disrespect toward myself, other children, parents or my family
Inability of myself to meet child’s/parent’s specific needs
5 Little Owls Family Child Care decides to stop operation

Drop Off and Pick Up

When the child is dropped off and picked up the parent/guardian must sign in and sign out the child in the Attendance Record form.

Notification is required if an unauthorized person will be picking up the child. Verbal or written permission must be received before the child will be released to anyone who is not authorized on the registration form. This policy is for the protection and safety of the child. If an authorized individual is picking up the child, the individual must present valid identification (passport, drivers license, BC ID card) in order for the child to be released in their care.

Late Pick Up

Please advise 5 Little Owls Family Child Care immediately if the parent/guardian will be picking up the child later than 5:30pm. If the parent/guardian is not able to pick up the child by 5:30pm, alternate arrangements must be made.

If the parent/guardian has failed to pick up the child by 5:45pm, has not contacted 5 Little Owls Family Child Care and is unreachable, we will call an emergency contact to pick up the child. If the parent/guardian and the authorized alternate contacts are all unreachable, we consider the child abandoned and will contact the appropriate Ministry.

A late fee of $10.00 for every 15 minutes per child will be applied if a child remains in care after 5:45pm unless there have been prior arrangements made between the parent/guardian and 5 Little Owls Family Child Care. This late fee is due and payable upon picking up the child or prior to the next day’s care.

If the individual picking up the child appears to be incapable of providing safe care, the child will not be released and the parents/guardian/alternate contact will be called to pick up the child. If the individual insists on taking the child, 5 Little Owls Family Child Care will release the child and call the local police.

Daily Activities

5 Little Owls Family Child Care believes in providing high quality child care. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, we encourage child-centered learning, creativity, collaboration, environments, documentation and working in partnership with parents. Our curriculum is emergent and it is initiated from the children’s interests and ideas. Once the children have shown interest in a topic, we will work together to determine the direction of the project, the materials that will be needed for the project and if possible parent/community participation.

Our projects can be short or long term, as it is the children that determine how interested they are in the project. Throughout the project, we will question and observe the interests of the children. After gauging the children’s responses, we will introduce further questions, materials and opportunities to explore the interest. Our provocations are anticipated but the projects often move in unanticipated directions because of the children leading it. Therefore, curriculum planning and implementation is open-ended and generally long term as it is teacher-directed but child-initiated activity. The children provide the topics of interest. Children are encouraged and provided with the opportunity to make connections between new and prior knowledge.

We provide daily activities that are appropriate for each child’s age, interests and abilities. Routines and a balance of activities will incorporate active and quiet play; where parallel play and group based learning occurs indoors and outdoors.Below is an example of what a typical day is like at 5 Little Owls Family Child Care:

Outdoor Play

5 Little Owls Family Child Care will occasionally be using the sandbox that is located in the townhouse complex (14433 60 avenue), the sandbox is directly across from the Clubhouse. Each day we will go to the playground facilities at Goldstone Park. We will walk to the park (weather permitting), westbound on 60 avenue then southbound on 146 street. The children’s safety is priority and will be ensured by implementing the following safety measures:

The children will only be allowed to use the equipment that is suitable for their age and development.
The equipment will be checked before use to ensure it is safely constructed, free from hazards and in good repair.
If one child has to use the washroom, we will all accompany the child to the washroom building.
If a child is tired, feels ill, and/or hurts him/herself we will all leave the playground and go back to the family child care.
If a child wanders off, we will all go looking for the child. 5 Little Owls Family Child Care will follow the procedure outlined in the Missing Child policy.
A First Aid kit and the children’s contact cards will be brought on all outings.

Guiding Children’s Behaviour

5 Little Owls Family Child Care’s goal for guiding children’s behaviour is to assist them in developing self confidence, self control, respect and sensitivity in their contact with others. Guiding children ‘s behaviour is ongoing; it occurs when appropriate behaviour is happening and when socially unacceptable behaviour is shown.

To encourage appropriate behaviour we use positive guidance techniques. The following techniques are applied:

Establishing clear, consistent, and simple limits.
Limits are stated in a positive way, rather than a negative way.
Focus on the behaviour, rather than on the child.
State our expectations rather than posing questions.
Children are provided with real choices.
Children are provided with adequate time to respond to our expectations.
Appropriate behaviour is responded to in a positive way with both words and gestures.
Children are encouraged to ask for help if they cannot resolve an issue on their own.

There will be times when inappropriate behaviour occurs and intervention is required. 5 Little Owls Family Child Care will use the following techniques to support a child’s guidance if an intervention is required:

Gain a child’s attention in a respectful way
Remind child(ren) of appropriate behaviour
Acknowledge a child’s feelings before setting limits.
Redirect or divert a child’s attention if necessary.
Be a role model in problem solving.
Provide appropriate choices.
Use natural and logical consequences.
Provide the child with the opportunity to restore their relationships with other individuals. We do not demand a superficial apology; rather we encourage a genuine approach.

Under no circumstances will the children be humiliated, neglected, isolated, spoken to in a harsh manner, deprived of food or other basic needs, slapped or spanked. Young children do not develop well when they are pressured, frightened, threatened or punished. 5 Little Owls Family Child Care believes in working with our families to encourage appropriate behaviour. Any serious issues will be discussed with the family.

Our policy is based on the strategies provided from the BC Health Planning “Guiding Children’s Behaviour Handbook’ available at http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/library/publications/year/2003/com015.pdf

Children Requiring Extra Support

Any child that requires extra support (Child Care Licensing Regulations defines a “child requiring extra support as a child who, for physical, intellectual, emotional, communicative or behavioural reasons, requires support or services that are additional to, or distinct from, those provided to other children”) will be provided with a care plan. The child’s parents/guardians, other caregivers, medical practitioner(s), early childhood intervention services or other health care professionals will contribute the information for the child’s care plan. The plan will describe what the child’s needs are and how these needs will be met in 5 Little Owls Family Child Care.

Child Supervision

Supervision is key to preventing accidents and injury, that is why 5 Little Owls Family Child Care will provide adequate supervision of children at all times. Supervision includes:

Be close enough to children to intervene in the event of an issue.
Have a clear sight line to all children at all times.
Baby monitor will only be used during nap times.
Children will by in view at all times while outside of the home.
Do regular head counts of children when going to the playground or on field trips.
Supervision is active and interactive with children.

Food and Drink

5 Little Owls Family Child Care will provide 2 snacks each day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. We follow the nutritional guidelines in Canada’s Food Guide when meal planning. Children are offered water throughout the day, with their snacks and their lunch. Parents/guardians are to provide their child(ren) lunches. Parents/guardians will be informed of the Canada’s Food Guide nutritional requirements.

Children will decide how much to eat or whether not to eat at all. 5 Little Owls Family Child Care will not beg, threaten, play games, bribe or force a child to eat.

Articles Provided by Parents/Guardians

Diapers, two changes of clothes, rain suit/rain boots (on rainy days), sunscreen, formula or breast milk with bottles and a lunch must be provided by the parent/guardian.

Emergency Evacuation Plan

Our emergency evacuation policy is reviewed, practiced and recorded regularly. Our emergency plan includes:

Smoke alarms are tested monthly.
A first aid kit, a pen/pencil, an attendance record and an emergency information card for each child and staff are easily accessible in case of emergency.
Emergency supplies of water and food is kept in an accessible place. The supplies are rotated regularly.
We are knowledgeable on how to work the fire extinguisher, shut off hydro, water and the furnace.
Children are taught what to do in case of an earthquake, fire and any other emergency. Earthquake drills are practiced yearly. Fire evacuation drills are practiced monthly.
In the event of an earthquake the children will be taught to drop to the ground, get covered by a table and hold on until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table near the child, they will be taught to drop to the ground in an inside corner of the house/building and cover their head/neck with their hands and arms. If the environment is safe for us then we will remain in the house. If it is unsafe, we will vacate the premises and go to Goldstone Park Elementary. 5 Little Owls Family Child Care will contact the parent/guardians/alternate contact as soon as possible to come retrieve the child(ren). If the parent/guardian/alternate contact is unable to get the child(ren) or cannot be reached we will take care of the child(ren) for up to 72 hours. At that point we will contact the appropriate Ministry.
In the event of a fire the children will be evacuated from the premises immediately. We will wait in a safe space in front of the house on 144th street until the fire truck has arrived. Parents/guardians will be contacted immediately to come pick up their child(ren).
In the event of any other disaster, if the house is safe we will remain in the house and the parents/guardians/alternate contact will be contacted immediately. If the house is unsafe, we will vacate the premises and go to Goldstone Park Elementary. 5 Little Owls Family Child Care will contact the parent/guardians/alternate contact as soon as possible to come retrieve the child(ren). If the parent/guardian/alternate contact is unable to get the child(ren) or cannot be reached we will take care of the child(ren) for up to 72 hours. At that point we will contact the appropriate Ministry.
A diagram of exit paths and emergency phone numbers are visibly posted.

Health and Safety

Illness/Wellness

5 Little Owls Family Child Care’s primary concern is the health and well being of the children. To promote a healthy environment the following policies are implemented:

Both children and adults use proper hygiene and hand washing techniques.
Universal precautions are used for handling all bodily fluids.
Families are informed of any outbreak of a contagious disease.

Parents/guardians are advised to keep their child at home or use alternative care arrangements if the child experiences:

Pain: if the child complains of unexplained or undiagnosed pain.
If the child has a fever.
A common cold with a runny nose and eyes, listlessness, sore throat and coughing. Once the child’s temperature and energy has returned to normal, the child may no longer be contagious and can return to child care even if the runny nose and coughing are present. If the child suffers from allergies (hay fever, asthma) which gives them symptoms (runny nose and eyes, coughing) they are not contagious and can continue with child care.
Wheezing, persistent cough and difficulty breathing.
Trouble swallowing and/or sore throat.
Undiagnosed rash, infected skin or eyes.
Stiff neck and headache (the child should see a physician).
Unexplained diarrhea or loose stool (may or may not be accompanied with vomiting, nausea or stomach cramps). The child cannot return to child care until all symptoms have subsided.
Nausea and vomiting.
A child with a suspected or known communicable disease. A doctor’s note may be required in order for the child to return to child care.
Severe itching, dry skin of either scalp or body if caused by body or head lice or scabies.

Therefore, a child must be kept at home or picked up from child care if they exhibit one or more of the symptoms above or is not well enough to partake in regular activities. An ill child is the parent’s/guardian’s responsibility and if the child falls ill at 5 Little Owls Family Child Care the parent/guardian or the alternate contact will need to pick up the child. If the child is ill in our care, we will provide care for the child until someone arrives to pick them up. If it seems to be an emergency situation, we will call an ambulance for the child and contact the parent/guardian or the alternate contact immediately.

If I am too ill to care for the children, or if my child is contagious, 5 Little Owls Family Child Care will be closed unless a substitute caregiver can be used. We will try to provide the parent/guardian with as much notice as possible and if the child care has to be closed due to illness, then the parent/guardian will not be charged for day(s) where care is not provided. It is the parent/guardians responsibility to make alternate care arrangements.

Medications

Medication will only be administered to a child if a qualified medical practitioner has prescribed it, it is in its labeled original container and the Medication Authorization Form has been signed by the parent/guardian.

Potty Training

We will collaboratively work with parents during potty training. Please inform 5 Little Owls Family Child Care of any methods that work for the child and we will adopt it. We will assist in potty training but the parents/guardians must be the primary trainer. Should potty training be discontinued at home please advise us so we can discontinue.

Cloth Diapering

If the child uses cloth diapers at home, 5 Little Owls Family Child Care is open to changing cloth diapers. Parents/guardians must supply the cloth diapers and the wet/dry bag to house the dirty diapers. Parents/guardians are required to take home the dirty diapers daily.

Biting

Biting is a natural development stage for children between the ages of 13 and 24 months. 5 Little Owls Family Child Care takes the following stance on biting:

We will act without emotion, acknowledging the bite by stating “Biting hurts. Biting is not okay.”
Console and give first aid to the child that was bitten.
The child that has bitten will not return to the group, rather we will try and identify with the child what their feelings are which lead to the frustration to bite.
We will provide the child with a teething toy if teething is the reason for the bite.
The biter will never be provided with a time out, isolated or bitten back.
The incident will be recorded in the Reportable Incident Form.

Both the parents/guardians of the child that was bitten and did the biting will be informed and provided with the severity or mildness of the incident. If it is a reoccurring problem, 5 Little Owls Family Child Care will work with the biting child and parents/guardians to create a plan of action that will be reinforced both at the child care and at their household. If the biting continues and the plan of action is not working, it is deemed in the best interest of the child, 5 Little Owls Family Child Care and the other children that the bitter should be placed in alternate care.

Injury Prevention

Below is a summery of 5 Little Owls Family Child Care injury prevention policy.

5 Little Owls Family Child Care has a First Aid kit that is kept on the shelf out of the reach of the children.
Crystal Challoner, owner and child care provider holds a valid Emergency Child Care First Aid and CPR certificate.
Any time a child requires first aid it is recorded in the Reportable Incident Form and the parents/guardians are informed. If necessary it will be submitted to the licensing officer at the Fraser Health Authority.
Completed and updated emergency information consent cards are in the first aid kit and taken on all field trips.
All cleaning supplies are locked in a safe cabinet.
Medications are in a lock box.
5 Little Owls Family Child Care is inspected daily to ensure there are no safety hazards (ex. Broken toys).
Toys are cleaned and sanitized according to schedule.
All equipment (ex. Strollers) will be checked prior to the children using it.
All park equipment will be checked prior to the children using it.
Smoking is not allowed on the child care premises.

Missing Child

5 Little Owls Family Child Care takes every precaution in ensuring that all children under our care are accounted for, but a policy must be instituted in case the unforeseen happens. If a child becomes missing, the following procedure will be implemented:

As soon as a child is found to be missing from the group, the remaining children will be secured with another responsible adult (if available) while the search for the child starts in the immediate area. If there are no other responsible adults available to watch the children, then they will take part in the search. Those that can be in the stroller will be in the stroller, while others will walk beside the stroller.
After 2 minutes the search area will expand. If the group is in a public building, the child will be paged if possible. We will recruit as many people as possible to help search for the child.
After 10 minutes the police will be called and provided with the child’s information (name, age, gender, weight, height, clothing and footwear). The file number that the police provide will be recorded.
Once the police are contacted the parents/guardian will be informed. They will be provided with as much information as possible and will get updates every few minutes.
When the child is located the parents/guardians, police and everyone else that is involved will be alerted. A debriefing session will be held as soon as possible.
It will be recorded in the Reportable Incident Form and submitted to the Fraser Health Authority.
As a follow-up: the problem leading to the disappearance would be assessed and there would be changes made, if necessary, to avoid the risk of a reoccurrence. The children in care would be further educated on the importance of staying with the group.

Child Care Subsidy

Child care subsidy is administered by the Ministry of Children and Family Development BC Provincial Government. Child care can not start until 5 Little Owls Family Child Care receives the authorization and billing forms from the government unless the parent/guardian agrees to pay the regular fee.

The parent is responsible for fees that are over and above what the subsidy pays, this portion is due on the first of the month.

It is the parent’s responsibility to inform 5 Little Owls Family Child Care if the child is away because of illness or vacation. If we are not informed, the parent/guardian is responsible for the regular fee, as the subsidy will not pay for missed days. The fee for missed days that are not covered by the subsidy are to by paid before month’s end.

Requirement to Report Suspected Abuse or Neglect

As a citizen of British Columbia, 5 Little Owls Family Child Care is required to report any suspicion of child abuse or neglect to the Ministry of Children and Family Development. Any information provided to us from a child or a third party, or if abuse is suspected it will be reported. It is not the responsibility of 5 Little Owls Family Child Care to investigate or question the suspected abuse. The suspected abuse will be held in confidence and will only be reported to the Ministry. It is the Ministry’s responsibility to investigate any suspected abuse reports and to inform all those involved. 5 Little Owls Family Child Care’s primary concern is the health, safety and overall well being of the children.

Child’s Files and Confidentiality

What is included in a child’s file?

Information that is collected on children and their families is confidential. The child’s file will include:

Child’s full name
Child’s birth date
Child’s BC Care Card Number
Child’s family doctor and phone number
Child’s home address and phone numbers
Picture of the child
Parent/guardian’s phone numbers (work, cell, home)
Emergency contacts (names, relation and phone number)
Allergies and Medications
Immunization Records
Parent & Care Provider Agreement
Registration Form
Infant Intake Form (if child is under 18 months of age)
Copies of all permission forms (medication, photos, field trips etc)
Custody information if applicable
Copies of dated notes/letters that have been provided to the family*

*Notes/observations that are dated do not contain any information on other children and families.

How long do we keep records and who has access?

A child’s records will be kept for at least 2 years after the child discontinues care with 5 Little Owls Family Child Care. Accidents or actual insurance claim records are kept until the child involved is 2 years past the age of majority (18). When a child’s records are disposed, they will be shredded. Financial records are kept for 7 years.

Who has access to files?

Community Care Facility Licensing Officers have access to all child files. Files related to a specific child are only accessibly by the custodial parent/guardian. If a therapist, social worker or lawyer wants access to a child’s file, they will need permission from the custodial parent/guardian or a court order.

It is also appreciated that any information that a parent/guardian becomes aware of regarding other families at 5 Little Owls Family Child Care be kept confidential.

Damages

5 Little Owls Family Child Care is child proofed to the best of our ability but there are times when accidents can occur. Any damage to the home or personal belongings that is caused by the child on purpose will need to be replaced or repaired at the parents/guardian’s expense.

We understand that wear and tear is natural for equipment and toys; however, if the child purposely breaks or damages toys or equipment it will be repaired or replaced at the parents/guardian’s expense.

Insurance for Assistive Devices

5 Little Owls Family Child Care is not responsible for any lost, damaged or broken assistive devices (hearing aids, glasses etc).

Children’s Personal Belongings

Children are allowed to bring any special toy/blanket etc to 5 Little Owls Family Child Care. The following rules do apply when bringing outside belongings:

All toys must be labeled.
All toys must be shared with all the children. If the child refuses to share then the toy will be placed in their cubby until they go home.
It is the child’s responsibility to keep track of where their toy is.
5 Little Owls Family Child Care is not responsible for lost or broken toys.
No toy weapons of any type are allowed.

Addressing Parent Concerns

To address any concerns that you may have towards us, 5 Little Owls Family Child Care have:

We have put in place a guidance policy and other policies which we follow through.
We have an open door policy and parents are allowed to come any time to observe.
Everybody living in the household that is over 12 years of age and anybody working with the children has a clear criminal record.
We have a physicians statement confirming of our ability mentally and physically to work with children.
References are readily available to you to review.