KINDRED | KIDS

 

 

1. What will the children eat?

 

A meal plan has been designed with kid friendly options that follow the current recommendations outlined in Canada's Food Guide. Any specialty items must be provided by the parents (i.e. organic, baby food, soy based)

 

2. What meals and supplies do I need to provide?

 

Kindred Kids provides lunch each day and two snacks. Parents are required to provide the following items:

 

• Formula or milk if required 

• Bottles or sippy cups specific to child 

• Baby food if required

• Two full sets of clothing (weather specific)

• Diapers, wipes & diaper cream

• Comfort items (blanket, pacifier and/or lovie) 

• Sunscreen and seasonal outerwear (hat, coat, mittens, boots, bathing suit etc.)

 

3. How much time do the children get outside each day?

 

Weather permitting children will spend 1-2 hours outside each day. Fresh air and outside play are an important part of the program and the development of the children. We will not go outside when the temperature is below -15 degrees Celsius (this includes wind chill).

 

4. Do you let the children watch television?

 

The children will have limited and caregiver controlled access to television programing. Although, it should be noted that television is not a primary tool/resource at Kindred Kids. Programing may be selected as an added bonus to assist in illustrating a theme, a song or concept. On occasion the caregiver will select a fun children’s movie as a treat, which would typically occur on a day when we were unable to go outside due to poor weather. Children will not be placed in front of the television for extended periods of time in place of play, education or activities. The daycare is not equipped with cable.  

 

5. How are the children’s behaviour managed and what is the discipline policy?

 

Kindred Kids behaviour management centers on respect and responsibility. The expectations for the children are developmentally (age) appropriate and respond to the needs of the child and of the program. Expectations are consistently enforced so that the children know what is or isn’t acceptable. As the caregiver I follow and comply with the requirements of the Day Nurseries Act with respect to Behaviour Management. Each child is expected to be a respectful, responsible member of our group. This ranges from children cleaning up their own “messes” to using manners and politeness when speaking with caregiver, parents, and each other. Kindred Kids utilizes the 1-2-3 time out method. Children are never spanked, humiliated, or embarrassed. For a description of the 1-2-3 time out method please reference the Kindred Kids Handbook. 

 

6. How does the caregiver communicate with me about my child?

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Kindred Kids has a variety of communication tools and resources in place for parents with respect to their children while in care. Each day parents will receive a copy of their child’s daily report that outlines their napping, eating and activities for that day at via Brightwheel.  At the end of each month the caregiver will distribute a newsletter outlining upcoming topics, themes, learning activities and important dates to remember for the upcoming month. At any time parents can request a meeting with the caregiver to discuss any concerns they may have. We request that these meetings occur at the end of the day once all the children have gone home. The caregiver can also be reach by phone, email or on Facebook at anytime with the goal of returning any message within 24hrs. 

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7. How often are toys rotated?

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The daycare is equipped with a variety of toys for the children in care and a toy rotation has been developed to ensure the children remain engaged. Most toys on average will be rotated every 2-3 weeks. Larger items for example like the kitchen set, the train table and open-ended blocks will remain in the primary daycare space as a staple. Additionally items may be added or removed based on seasonality, themes or based on wear. Every week the caregiver will review toys in circulation and remove any toys or equipment that is damaged or no longer safe for the children to use. Lastly, I believe books are vital to a child’s daycare experience. Kindred Kids extensive library will be rotated every two weeks and any book with missing or ripped pages will be placed in our 'book hospital' for repair. 

 

8. Is the daycare licenced?

 

Please note, Kindred Kids is an independent home based child care facility and therefore is not/required to be licensed by the Government of Ontario. 

 

9. Do you ever take children on outings off-site?

 

On occasion the caregiver may take the children in care for walks around the neighbourhood, to the park or to an neighbourhood activity. Any trip away from the daycare that is more than a 20 minutes walk away will require parents to complete a field trip permission slip. As a rule the caregiver will not drive the children anywhere. The majority of outside activities will occur on daycare property. Daily walks to AK Wigg Public School will occur during the school year. 

 

10. Will I be charged if I take a vacation or my child is sick?

 

Kindred Kids charges based on enrolment. Although, children are allotted a number of 'free days' each year based on the type of enrolment. These days can be used at the parent’s discretion for illness or appointments. Please note that once all free days have been used standard daycare fees will apply. It should be noted that the first year a child is in daycare parents can expect the child on average to get sick 6-8 times, especially in the winter months. This is largely due to the immaturity of their immune systems. It is very important that parents have additional support or care in place for when their child gets sick and parents are unable to miss work. Please reference the Kindred Kids Handbook for further information regarding the policy and practices regarding sick children. 

 

11. What happens if the caregiver is ill?

 

If the caregiver is too sick to care for the children the parents will be notified as soon as possible. Parents will be required to find alternative care for the day until the caregiver is well enough to return to work. If the caregiver is unable to attend work due to illness parents will be required to pay for the days their child would have been in care. 

 

12. How do children get to school and home each day when enrolled in before and after care?

 

The daycare is equipped with a 6 seater stroller buggy. School aged children are required to walk home with the daycare provider who will have the other non school aged children in tow. On rainy or snowy days the daycare has arranged/paid for a trusted grade 7-8 student to walk the children the 6 minute walk home from school. This ensure we are not taking the smaller children out in poor weather if possible. The daycare only services A.K. Wigg public school at this time. 

 

13. How is potty training managed?

 

At Kindred Kids I work with you to support your efforts of potty training at home right through the day while in care. However, there are some key signs to look for before I am able to assist you to train your child at daycare. The following are key indicators of readiness for potty training include:

 

• The child is able to pull down and up their pants and underwear/pull-ups on their own with little or no assistance.

 

• The child is able to communicate to you when they need to go to the bathroom.

 

• The child’s diaper is dry after nap times and for long periods during the day.

 

• The child is able to hold their bowels and bladder until they get to the potty once they realize that they need to go.

 

In the event that your child has not reached these milestones, I will make an effort to help your child achieve them through positive reinforcement and encouragement. I will also note key points on your child’s daily report indicating any notable achievements. When your child does potty train, I ask that you provide extra clothing and remove soiled clothing daily. Please note that potty training must be well establish at home with the parents for at least one full week prior to incorporating it as part of the child’s daycare routine. Often the best time to start the process is when both the child and parent are off at home for a week together. 

 

14. How often are the materials cleaned?

 

As a rule Kindred Kids will do a weekly clean of the daycare at the end of each week. In the winter months during cold and flu season this may occur more frequently based on assessing the needs of the centre. Mouthing toys or soiled objects will be removed and cleaned as they occur. As toys are removed from the floor as part of the toy rotation they will be cleaned and stored in a clean and dry space. Parents are responsible for laundering any of the children’s soiled clothing and replenishing them with fresh ones the following day. 

 

15. Is the caregiver first aid and CPR trained?

 

Yes, the caregiver has been certified in first aid, CPR and can provide a police vulnerable sector check upon request. 

 

16. What education, training or experience does the caregiver have?

 

As the  Kindred Kids caregiver I have been vocationally trained in Early Childhood Education and have a Bachelor of Applied Business Degree in Hospitality Operations Management. Additionally I am first aid and CPR trained as well as holds a certification in safe food handling. Lastly I am the mother to 2 young children of my own.  

 

17. Does the caregiver have any pets?

 

Yes, we have one friendly cat named Ruby who is hypoallergenic. You can learn more about her here. 

 

18. What is the age range of the children in care?

 

Primarily children in care will range from 1 -4 years of age. Before and after school care is offered as an additional service where children’s age range can be up to 12 years of age. It should be noted this is not the primary focus or target demographic for this childcare centre. 

 

19. How are the children’s allergies managed and can they be accommodated?

 

Kindred Kids will enrol children with allergies and to the best of their abilities, create an environment that minimizes the risk of exposure to allergens. This policy recognizes that the risk of accidental exposure can be reduced but not eliminated. Each child’s needs will be assessed individually to determine if the daycare can manage the allergy safely. Currently it should be noted that Kindred Kids is a nut and pet friendly environment. 

 

20. What is the nap schedule?

 

It is a requirement that all children attending Kindred Kids have a nap or rest period each day. It is not necessary for your child to sleep, but he/she will be encouraged to rest quietly on his/her cot or playpen during this time of day or engage in a quite activity. Children are encouraged to bring a soft comfort item from home for rest time only. Kindred Kids will follow your current napping or resting schedule from home in the first couple of weeks and acknowledge that not all children will have the same schedule when they start daycare. Especially after the age of about 18 months many children will go down to one nap which will be scheduled after lunch.