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The path to early learning and healthy development YMCA Child Care Parent Information Guide Revised August 2012 YMCAs of Cambridge & Kitchener-Waterloo

Child Care Parent Handbook

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An informative guide for parents interested in the YMCA Child Care Program.

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Page 1: Child Care Parent Handbook

The path toearly learning and

healthy development

YMCA Child CareParent Information Guide

Revised August 2012

YMCAs of Cambridge& Kitchener-Waterloo

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Table of Contents

Philosophy and Program StatementExceeding Your Expectations 3Our Educational Philosophy and Program Statement 4Foundations of Learning in the YMCAPlaying to Learn Curriculum 6

Quality MattersQuality Statement 9Caring Qualified Staff 10Guiding Children’s Behaviour 10Specialized Services 12

Registration DetailsHours of Operation 15Closures 15Enrolment 16Fee Payment and Payment Options 16Fees Relating to Absence Due to Vacation 16Subsidy 17Service Termination 17

Daily RoutineArrival/Departure 19Absence 19Nutrition—Food and Snacks 19Children’s Belongings 20Illness in a Child 20-21Administration of Medication 21Field Trips and Off Site Activities 22Added Value Programs 22

Parent/Family ConnectionsParent Communication 24

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Philosophy and Program StatementEvery morning, parents get ready for work: dressing kids, washing sleepy faces and grabbing a quick bite to eat before they’re out the door to work. Parents can trust that their YMCA Child Care supports their efforts to ensure their child’s healthy development by providing an environment where children will form friendships, grow, develop and thrive.

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Exceeding Your Expectations

Collectively YMCAs are the country’s largest provider of child care and are committed to developing and operating the highest quality child care programs possible. The history and reputation of the YMCAs of Cambridge & Kitchener-Waterloo is evidence of this. The YMCA takes a holistic approach to children, families and communities. This is what sets us apart and makes us unique. Together we are building a healthy community one child, one family at a time. Quality care and education of young children has a lasting impact on their ability to become healthy contributing members of our community.

The YMCA is very proud of its commitment to the children and families that it serves. In all areas of program delivery, YMCA Child Cares exceed the standards set by the different government bodies ensuring your child gets the very best the YMCA has to offer.

The YMCA is a non-profit charitable association of volunteers and professionals. The association operates under the direction of a Board of Directors and Leadership staff.

Our centres are licensed by the Province of Ontario and adhere to all regulations and standards set out by the Day Nurseries Act. All centres have subsidy agreements with the Region of Waterloo Child Care Division. Local Health Units and Fire Departments inspect the facilities regularly.

YMCA Child Care is an active participant in the Waterloo Region Raising the Bar on Quality initiative: a community standards program for licensed child care. This is a voluntary, peer-driven, annual community accreditation program designed to promote healthy child care environments for children and support the professional development of Early Childhood Educators.

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Our Educational Philosophy and Program Statement

YMCA Child Care is an exciting and challenging place, helping children stretch their skills in mind and body. It is also a safe comfortable place where children build positive relationships with caring adults.

Proven experience in child care delivery, along with the latest body of knowledge on how the brain develops and how children learn, are combined within the YMCA Playing to Learn Curriculum.

This curriculum model encourages our educators to build upon and plan for activities that will inspire a child to explore their interests while the concept is still significant and important to them. Fostering a child’s sense of discovery, research and problem solving enables children to explore and learn in new and different ways. Our goal is to ensure a child’s continued enthusiasm and capacity for life long learning.

The curriculum plans are developed through a shared process involving children, families and educators. Curriculum development becomes a dynamic, living process that captures the moments of wondering and transforms them into consequential learning for today and tomorrow. YMCA Child Care fosters a child’s growth and development along with a desire to explore and learn.

What will the children do?

All the things children want to do. There will be story time; time to play with blocks; opportunities to count and compare; to make pictures; to sing; and to make-believe. They will experience the world. They will explore and investigate.

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How will the child learn?

The children will be learning through play. We have known for a very long time that child’s play provides the foundations for language and literacy; for mathematics, science and technology; and for the arts. It is the type of play opportunities provided at the YMCA that enables our children to discover and communicate what they know, understand, wonder about, question, feel and imagine.

What will the educators do?

The educators will carefully observe and actively participate in play experiences; support parents in their role; provide a safe environment; prepare spaces that are conducive to learning; document the milestones and communicate regularly.

What will families do?

Families will share information and ideas that are important to their child.

Creating a Landscape for Learning

The physical environment in group care settings powerfully affects children, educators and their interactions. A well-designed environment is safe and supports emotional well-being, stimulates senses and challenges motor skills. A quality design aims to create a classroom that is highly functional, aesthetically attractive, age-appropriate, child-directed and teacher supported. YMCA Child Care centres use natural, subdued colours that allow the play materials, creative art and imagination of the childrento shine.

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Foundations of Learning in theYMCA Playing to Learn Curriculum

Foundation of Language and Literacy

Children need to be provided with many meaningful opportunities to talk and respond to language. Children recognize language not only as communication directed toward them, but, also between others. Social-dramatic play provides the ideal conditions for language learning.

ReadingIt is never too early to introduce books knowing that children who are read to find it easier to learn to read and write. Reading aloud in small groups invites participation and enables the educator to teach children the concepts of print.

WritingPicture making is considered to be a vital component of early writing. A child’s scribble is a form of communication comparable to the babble of early talk. Children’s early attempts at writing should be met with the same enthusiasm as their earliest talk.

Foundation of Mathematics

The concept of number develops through many opportunities to count and compare. Making use of these opportunities encourages young children to expand their mathematical reasoning and learn the language needed to describe what they understand. Free play with a wide variety of materials and toys is essential.

Physical Development

Gross motor and outdoor play affords many opportunities for large muscle and upper/lower body development; the freedom to run, jump and move about vigorously, a safe place to let off steam and excess energy; a way to connect with nature; a link to the cultural folklore of childhood through games and songs; quiet places for reflection and relaxation. Surrounding children with a wide variety of materials that are readily accessible and easy to use will expand their experiences.

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Foundation of Science and Technology

Children use intuition rather than logic, yet essentially use all of the mental activities used by mature scientists in the process of inquiry. Inquiry is born of play and at any age, exploring materials, ideas and relationships refine the capacity to think.

Technology is an integral part of the everyday life of children. The methods of technology involve inventing or modifying structures, systems, or processes using exploration and experimentation. Block play integrates learning of mathematics, technology and science as children explore.

Personal and Social Development

A positive social environment that reflects the values of the YMCA provides a cohesive, respectful atmosphere that sets the tone for relationships, allowing children to form attachments explore their own identity, value diversity and develop problem solving skills.

Foundation of the Arts

Visual ArtThe visual arts in the early years involve picture making, printmaking, sculpting and two-dimensional artwork. Producing these works of art gives children an understanding of the elements of design.

Dramatic PlayDramatic play is a fundamental activity for all children. It provides a means for children to learn those lessons that “no one could teach them”. The child’s make-believe play is a reworking of bits and pieces of experience to understand people and their actions.

MusicExperiencing music through listening and participating provides a powerful means of expressing feelings, developing humour and supports the learning of language. The child becomes aware of, and appreciates the richness of unfamiliar cultures and traditions.

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Quality MattersFor many children, child care is where they will learn to get along with others. It is where they’ll learn to socialize, share, and play.

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Quality Statement

Quality in all five areas of a YMCA Child Care program leads to an experience for the children and their families that are much more than the sum of its parts.

Human Relationships

• Positive relationships among the children, among the staff team and positive relationships with the families.

Environments

• Plenty of inviting areas to stimulate children’s exploration and involvement.

Activities

• Balance of activities that are all about development, learning and fun.

Safety and Health

• Constant supervision, effective procedures, responsive and understanding staff to attend to the health needs of each child.

• Snacks and food served is nutritious and plentiful.

Effective Administration

• Maintenance of ratios by qualified, caring educators.

• Meaningful collaborations and partnerships with others.

• Regular evaluations of effectiveness, responsiveness and overall quality of program that emphasize the need for continual improvement.

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Caring Qualified Staff

Our dedicated educators are qualified professionals carefully chosen through a selection process designed to determine their ability to meet the needs of children, to support parents and to meet the expectations of the YMCA. Our Educators have either attained their Early Childhood Education diploma or equivalent. All staff complete a Criminal Reference Check, First Aid and CPR as well as an orientation to YMCA Child Care before being placed in the classroom. Continuous evaluation of staff and programming ensures ongoing high quality care for your child.

Volunteers and Students

From time to time, there will be volunteers and studentsat our centres. Their role is to enhance and assist in program activities and at no time will they be counted in our staffing ratios.

Good to Know:Feel free to use this section to make note of details specific to your YMCA Child Care of choice.

Child Care Supervisor/Director:

My child’s teachers are:

Questions/Concerns:

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Guiding Children’s Behaviour

The YMCA feels that children gain necessary security from knowing how their day will unfold and what is expected of them. Our ultimate aim is to help the child achieve self-discipline and a sense of responsibility. A positive approach will be used to guide the children; each situation and child will be dealt with individually. Our educators will explain why the actions of the child are inappropriate and will use language suitable to the child’s developmental level. The child will be encouraged to use verbal skills rather than physical actions, thereby sharing their feelings with the staff and children.

Prevention

• Positive Reinforcement: encouraging children• Anticipating Trouble: planning and preparing the

environment• Modeling: demonstrating appropriate ways of

interacting• Providing Choices: outlining appropriate choices and

encouraging children to make decisions for themselves• Limit Setting: developing boundaries for the children

as a group

Intervention

• Ignoring: some inappropriate behaviour can be ignored with more emphasis given to appropriate behaviour

• Logical and Natural Consequences: striving to make children aware of the results of their actions

• Re-direction: guiding a child into acceptable options when engaged in an unacceptable activity

• Time Away: a short time away from the activity, for the teacher and child to think and then work out problem together

Under NO circumstances will the following be used:corporal punishment, harsh, belittling or degrading responses, depriving a child of basic needs or confining a child.

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Specialized Services

The YMCA strives to provide a welcoming, supportive and safe environment for all children and families. The centre creates experiences for all children to discover similarities and embrace differences within themselves and others.

Our commitment to meet the needs of all our children is realized through:

Policies and Practices

As an inclusive program, accommodations and allowances are made for children with special needs and allergies. Procedures and Day Nursery Act Policies are in place to facilitate management of medication, food sensitivities and life threatening allergies.

It is our practice to work with the parents of the child to ensure the environment is safe and secure. We also work with the other parents and children in the centre to increase their knowledge and understanding of any special circumstances provided parental permission has been obtained.

For example, when a child has a severe allergy, a protocol is developed with each family. This protocol is communicated and posted so that all educators/students/supply and support staff are aware of the child’s situation and can initiate action if required. Should a child have a life threatening allergy, we will request a photo of the child to accompany the protocol. Severe food allergies will result in restrictions of the food served within that centre so as not to put the child at risk.

All educators and other staff working with the child will receive specific orientation to each individual child’s protocol and plan of action.

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Relationships with Community Support Agencies

Collaborating with other community agencies facilitates early identification and intervention as well as a comprehensive support network. The YMCA has established relationships with agencies such as kidsLink for behavioural supports, Kidsability for speech and language services, Cambridge Community Living—Preschool Services, K-W Habilitation Services for resource teacher consultations regarding physical, developmental and behavioural situations.

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Registration DetailsWe want you to feel confident in your choice of a YMCA Child Care. Parents are requested to arrange a visit and interview at the centre. For those who require it, additional visits can be arranged in order to help facilitate an easier start for all.

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Hours of Operation

YMCA Child Cares provide care Monday to Friday, 51 weeks of the year. The centre will be closed for approximately one week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Dates will be posted.

The centre will be closed:New Year’s DayFamily DayGood FridayEaster MondayVictoria DayCanada DayCivic HolidayLabour DayThanksgiving DayChristmas DayBoxing Day

Additional closures will be posted.

Closures

Most centres offer full day care options on Professional Activity Days. Check with your Centre for details.

If a centre will be closed due to inclement weather, the information will be broadcasted on your local radio station.

Should the centre need to close during the day, parents will be notified and staff will remain on site until you can arrive to pick up your child.

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Enrolment

Registration and Orientation

Please complete all forms and return them to the centre PRIOR to your child’s first day. Once all the paperwork is complete, your child may begin. Parents are requested to arrange an appointment for an initial visit and interview at the centre. For those who require it, additional visits can be arranged in order to help facilitate an easier start for all.

If your information should change, we require you to notify us immediately as it is vital that we are able to contact you in an emergency.

Fee Payment and Payment Options

Refer to the Fee Schedule and Financial Policy for further information.

Fees Relating to Absence Due to Illness

Fees are not reduced for absence due to illness, statutory holidays or inclement weather. Fees Relating to Absence Due to Vacation (Infant, Toddler & Preschool Programs only)

Holiday time is based on a calendar year, for Infant Toddler and Preschool programs.

• Children registered in the centre for less than 6 months receive one week (5 days of care or the number of days registered in that week) of holidays in which fees are not required.

• Children registered in the centre for more than 6 months receive two weeks (10 days of care or the number of days registered in those weeks) of holidays per year in which fees are not required.

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For those utilizing pre-authorized payments, you must contact the centre Supervisor 2 weeks in advance. This will allow us to withhold your pre-authorized payment for the holiday time requested.

Subsidy

All YMCA Child Care centres have a Purchase of Service Agreement with the Region of Waterloo Child Care Division enabling them to register families who receive financial assistance. Further information is available from your centre Supervisor.

Service Termination

YMCA Child Care requires one month written notice for permanent withdrawal from care or change in care requirements. Full program fees will be levied if sufficient notice is not given.

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Our Daily RoutineYour child’s health and development, is a high priority in YMCA child care centres. At the YMCA, we know and understand that all children are individuals who have different needs and interests.

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Arrival/Departure

You must sign your child in and out every day. Sign-in includes escorting your child to a staff on duty and placing the time and your initials in the column next to your child’s name.

Thank you for dressing and undressing your child upon arrival and departure.

Release of Children

If you are not picking up your child, please inform the educators. We will not release your child if we have not been told to do so. Individuals picking up your child will be asked to show photo identification before releasing your child to their care.

Absence

Please call the centre before your child’s scheduled arrival if your child will be absent.

Nutrition—Food and Snacks

YMCA Child Care provides morning and afternoon snack and lunch. Children are encouraged to try some of each food available. Children in group settings often eat foods that they would not touch at home, much to their parent’s amazement. Menus are posted and copies are available should you wish to take one home to assist in planning meals at home.

We are conscious of food allergies and have allergy lists posted in the kitchen and eating areas. In the event that there is a severe life threatening allergy within your child’s centre, restrictions in food will apply.

Children experiencing allergies may have substitutions. Speak to the Supervisor if your child has special dietary concerns, needs or allergies.

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Birthdays

Children often wish to celebrate their birthday with friends at the centre. Any special food items brought in for a celebration must be store bought, must have an ingredients label and must be free of nuts and nut products. Parents are welcome to discuss any special plans with the centre.

Children’s Belongings

What will my child need to bring?

Each child is assigned a cubbie or hook to hold their personal belongings. Please label all belongings. We are not responsible for lost articles. Required belongings vary depending upon the age of your child, but in general:

• Children’s clothing for child care should be comfortable, washable and easy for the child to fasten. Extra clothes are also a necessity. We often encourage children to participate in activities that can be messy, so they need clean, dry clothes to change into—especially if your child is learning toileting skills.

• Time is spent outdoors each day, all seasons, weather permitting. Please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for each day’s weather and shoes are available each day.

• A cuddly sleep toy or special blanket is always welcome.

Illness in a Child

Health care is of great importance. Although illness in group settings is inevitable, we try to minimize this by practicing good hygiene, disinfecting toys regularly, and making daily health checks.

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When your child does get sick, we ask that you remember the following:

• Children who are too ill to play, are too ill to come to child care

• Children cannot be kept inside due to illness—all children go outside weather permitting.

• Children who show signs of high fever, vomiting, diarrhea or other contagious illness cannot attend

• Should your child become ill during the day you will be contacted to pick up your child

Your child can return to the centre after he/she is free of diarrhea and/or vomiting for 24 hours. In the case of an outbreak, your child can return to the centre after he/she is free of diarrhea and/or vomiting for 48 hours.

Administration of Medication

Our staff can administer medications if:

• Medications are brought in their original containers

• Medication must be labeled appropriately with child’s name (staff will provide a label for over the counter medications)

• Medication has not expired

• Staff are required to follow the directions on the original container, a Doctor’s note may be required if the dosage is listed by weight or you are requesting a dosage different than the directions on the container.

• Medication form is completed

Very strict medication procedures are in place to ensure that medication is given in the proper manner. Never leave medication, lotions, chapstick etc in your child’s bag or cubbie. Always hand them to a staff member.

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Field Trips and Off Site Activities

From time to time short walking trips or, on occasion, major learning trips may occur to expand the learning the children have begun in their classrooms. When learning trips are planned, parents will be given complete details regarding the purpose of the trip, the transportation method being used, the cost involved and the date/time of the activity.

Walking and Learning trips are a wonderful way to expand experiences and have an adventure. Sometimes we stay put and invite the adventure to come to us! Information regarding special visitors or activities will be provided for parents.

Added Value Programs

The following programs, are incorporated into our YMCA Playing to Learn curriculum.

Small World (Global Education Program)Family MathWings of Discovery (developed by Let’s Talk Science)Second Step Violence Prevention ProgramVirtues ProgramParent ResourcesHome Reading programsPhysical Activity programsHome AloneIntergenerational ProgramsEnvironmental Education

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Parent/Family ConnectionsFor some parents, involvement means that you share a special recipe for the children to prepare as part of a cooking experience. For others who work in professions that lend themselves to classroom visits, you might come in and talk to the children about your job. We even have some parents who volunteer to do sewing, typing or repairs. Whatever your skill, whatever your timeframe, we can help you find a way to become involved.

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Parent Communication

Process for Expressing Concerns

We know it is important to your peace of mind to have regular information about your child’s experiences. This is not always possible in the rush of morning drop offs and evening pick ups. The centre provides the following opportunities:

Family Events

Families are encouraged to participate in special events that are offered throughout the year. Parents are encouraged to visit the centre whenever possible.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Opportunities to talk about your child’s healthy development can be arranged anytime by either parents or centre staff.

Open Communication

The YMCA believes that your child’s child care experience must be shared between parent and child care staff. A variety of opportunities (such as newsletters, calendars, notes, Communication Journals) will be provided to ensure effective communication.

Feedback

Parents will be invited to participate in feedback forums (such as task groups, surveys) focused on particular child care issues.

Program Evaluation

Parents will be requested to fill out a Parent Satisfaction Survey periodically.

Of course, we always welcome your input, ideas and suggestions as to how we can make your child’s experience with us more enjoyable, safe and/or developmental.

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YMCAs of Cambridge& Kitchener-Waterloo

YMCA Mission StatementThe Kitchener-Waterloo YMCA is a charitable association, creating opportunities to develop individuals, families and communities.

YMCA Core ValuesOur values are based on our Christian Heritage.

ACCEPTANCE Welcoming and open to allCARING Acting with compassion and concern for the well being of othersHEALTH Developing people in spirit, mind and bodyRESPECT Treating all people with dignityRESPONSIBILITY Accountable for oneself, others,our environment and the world in which we live

ymcacambridgekw.caykids.ca