Our Mission

At Seafield Day Nursery we believe your child should feel safe and secure with us.  We provide a happy and nurturing atmosphere where your child can learn and grow. We offer a learning program that is consistent with Ministry of Education policies, pedagogy and curriculum.  Some of the Ministry documents we reference in our program include: How does Learning Happen? Ontario Pedagogy for the Early Years and Early learning for Every Child Today.  We believe that our program should be organized on four foundations that are fundamental to a child’s learning and growth:  belonging, well-being, engagement and expression.

Seafield Day Nursery offers a child centered Early Childhood Education program in a warm and nurturing home-like environment.  Thus an integral part of our success is in building positive and responsive relationships with our families and engaging them by valuing their strengths, contributions and unique perspectives. This gives the child a sense of belonging.

We feel that a child’s initiative comes from within themselves and that they like to learn things in which they have invested an interest.   We also feel that children have individual styles and different levels of learning.  Therefore, one of our strongest commitments is to provide an individualized and challenging program that will accommodate the many different interests, levels and learning styles.  Our program cultivates a child’s healthy development and supports their growing sense of self.  This develops the child’s well-being.

We are here to provide support and understanding at every developmental stage of your child by focusing on their social, emotional, physical, creative and cognitive development in a holistic way.  Our environment is designed to help children learn through exploration, play and inquiry allowing them to experiment, imagine while learning and using their problem solving skills.  This gives the child engagement.

At Seafield, children will be encouraged to develop self-discipline and independence through our daily routines, leading to good habits in their future at school.  By fostering a child’s capability to communicate and articulate him or herself in many different ways we give the child the skill of expression.  He or she will become a capable communicator leading to successes in the real world.

At Seafield Day Nursery we see children as competent, capable, curious and rich in potential.  We recognize that amongst the uniqueness of each child, there are varying levels of abilities, personal interests and goals.  Thus the program is designed to encourage children to be inquisitive, try new things, explore new ideas and broaden their horizons.   Implementing the ELECT (Early Learning for Every Child Today) allows the teachers, the children and their families to be directly involved in the programming.  The children’s interests are very valuable when it comes to learning as we know that children learn best when they are engaged and focused on something that is of significance to them.  We offer a rich variety of learning experiences and activities daily that include:

• Drama, music, dance, yoga
  
• Creative arts/visual arts
  
• Language and literacy
  
• Nature, Science and Technology
  
• Construction and Design
  
• Active outdoor play
  
• School readiness skills
  

All of our programming allows for the children to interact, communicate in a positive manner and gives them a sense of competency, where they will say “I can do better”.   We believe that connecting with children and building a trusting relationship with them will take away the need to correct negative behaviours.  Our programming will also allow the child to initiate the experiences while having the teachers there as support and as respondents. 

Our playing to learn curriculum has had us rethinking approaches to planning.  We prepare the environment to foster and be conducive to learning.  We build on children’s questions, ideas, theories observed in play.  We make decisions based on discussions amongst our team about possibility for deeper exploration while inviting others perspectives in planning our programming, ie. Children, parents and outside agencies.

Seafield Day Nursery’s programs strive to create a rich learning environment for children to reach their full potential by aligning our goals with those set out in the Ministry of Education’s How does Learning Happen? , a resource developed by the Ministry of Education to promote a shared understanding of what children need and what can be done to help them develop and thrive.

Health, Safety and Nutrition

As a licensed child care establishment, Seafield Day Nursery meets and exceeds all health and safety requirements of the CCEYA (Child Care Early Years Act), Public Health and City of Toronto Quality Assurance.  Information with respect to our program, policies and menus are posted in each and every classroom.  Parents are encouraged to inquire at the office for copies, while all are accessible through our website www. seafielddaynursery.com .  Our menus have been reviewed by a qualified registered dietician and contain all the necessary Canada Food Guide portions.  Our menus are both nutritious and appealing to the children.  Our exceptional standards of food preparation are apparent in the freshness of our food, which is prepared on premises daily by our Executive Chef who has met all the necessary standards of quality and food safety.  We accommodate for allergies, dietary and religious food requirements for all the children in our programs and continue to be a pork free and nut free environment.

Building Relationships with Children, Families and Community Partners

Our success as a child care center over the past 45 years has been in building a positive and cooperative relationship with our working partners.   Our teachers work together with parents in exchange of information about the children’s language, culture, interests and development thus making the children’s experiences at daycare much greater than what the teachers and parents alone could provide.  We value parent engagement in the area of child development as well as program development.  Opportunities such as open daily communication, quarterly evaluations, family events and newsletters allow for sharing of ideas and information.  Promoting a sense of belonging for both the children and their families within our program is a vital component to building positive relationships.  By creating positive interactions and collaborating with families it enables us to build confidence, allow for cooperation and partnership.  We are committed to working together with all of the community partners and agencies in order to provide the best care possible for our children and families. 

Positive Communication

Children are entitled to be given the opportunities to develop social skills which include positive communication, self expression and self regulation.  As competent individuals, children need to be participants in conflict resolution.  They need to have the skills to learn to problem solve on their own by coming up with ideas and solutions for any problem that arises. 

Self-regulation is an important part of positive communication.  It focuses on a child’s ability to deal with stress, remain calm and alert; an essential component to successful problem solving.  When children are focused, they can amend their emotions, pay attention to the situation at hand, ignore any other distractions, inhibit impulses and make the right decisions.  Understanding and realizing that there are consequences to actions, can assist in coming up with the right solution for the problem. 

We believe that each and every child should be permitted to develop a sense of responsibility, learn social skills, learn to problem solve for themselves and to learn about the importance of diversity and inclusion. We try to continuously improve our learning environment to help support children’s self regulation, and instil positive communication.

Diversity

Our learning environments are all inclusive and children of all abilities are welcome and accepted. While working with children with special needs teamwork is essential, and thus working closely with parents, other staff members, outside agencies and school enables us to ensure that the necessary support systems are in place and all resources are available to ensure that each child is successful in achieving their goal.

We strive to create an environment where everyone feels included by respecting the unique abilities of each child, by recognizing that each child has the same rights to learn, play and participate, strategize with our partners on how to make the best learning environment for each child, embrace the diversity of the children and their families within our program plans, respect the qualities of each child and family which include but not limited to culture, ethnicity, language, gender, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, family environment.

Child Guidance

Seafield Day Nursery is dedicated to creating a rich and safe learning environment for the children, however at times, it is necessary to set limits and standards of what we believe is appropriate behaviour.  Our staff  members adhere to our Guidance Policies and Procedures while interaction with the children in our programs.  In addition, we prohibit certain practices which can put at risk the child’s safety and well being. Disciplinary actions will be taken including termination of employment.

Prohibited Practices

• Corporal Punishment;
  
• Physical restraint of a child, such as confining the child to a high chair, car seat, stroller or other device for the purposes of discipline or in lieu of supervision, unless the physical restraint is for the purpose of preventing a child from hurting himself, herself or someone else and is used only as a last resort and only until the risk of injury is no longer imminent;
  
• Depriving a child of his/her basic needs, including food, shelter, clothing, bedding
  
• Locking the exits of the child care center premises for the purpose of confining the child or confining the child in an area or room without adult supervision, unless such confinement occurs during an emergency and is required as part of the licensee's emergency management policies and procedures;
  
• Using harsh or degrading measure or threats or use of derogatory language directed at or used in the presence of a child that can humiliate, shame or frighten the child or undermine his/her self-respect, dignity or self-worth;
  
• Inflicting any bodily harm on children including making children eat or drink against their will.
  

Professional Learning

Seafield Day Nursery prides itself in hiring committed and highly qualified staff.  We look for qualities that lead to positive and empathetic attitudes towards children.  We value ourselves in our non discriminatory hiring practices and allow for opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds.  Staff members observe children and plan learning activities accordingly to allow for children’s development, creatively, intellectually, socially and physically.  Part of planning the learning activities involves creating a positive environment and experience and providing materials with which these activities can lead to deeper investigation and extend learning.

Staff members who are all Registered Early Childhood Educators, must participate in the ECE College Continuous Learning Program.  In addition, all staff have annual performance evaluations in which they set out goals for themselves and participate in formal professional learning throughout the year to attain those goals. We believe that professional growth occurs daily while our staff works hand in hand with the children, their families, the community, other staff members and most importantly through self reflection. 

Responsive and Knowledgeable Educators should possess the following attributes:

• Have a nurturing and positive approach when supporting children’s ability to express their emotions and empathy.
  
• Responding in an appropriate manner to meet every child’s and families individual needs, abilities.
  
• Engaging children as educators of their own environment and guiding them within that environment
  
• Invoking children’s creativity and thinking outside the box
  
• Observe children at play and extend their play in a meaningful way
  

Child Care

Our Early Childhood Educators strive to include and promote the following in the daily programming of the classrooms:

• Cultivate children’s sense of exploration, play and inquiry
  
• Offer child-initiated (made through observations and documentation of children’s interests) and adult-supported or guided experiences
  
• Give confidence to children in order to interact and communicate with peers in a positive manner and provide them with the skills to self-regulate
  

Our programs endeavour to deliver stimulating learning experiences, in a safe and nurturing environment.  Enhancing children’s social, intellectual, physical and emotional development transpires daily through the children’s routine and programming which includes indoor and outdoor play, active play, rest and quiet time.  Child initiated and adult supported approach to learning allows the child to take the lead and focus on his or her own interests through play, which is the foundation to our curriculum.  Quality child care allows children to thrive in all areas of development in supportive, caring and responsive relationships with their educators who make the effort to focus on their health, safety, nutrition and well being.

We believe that quality child care is a shared responsibility between, parents, educators, and the community. 

Documentation, Observation and Reviewing our Programming

As mentioned before, our staff document observations of children in their program and utilize this valuable information for the purpose of developing a stimulating and child interest oriented program plan.  When children are engaged in activities that are interesting to them, there is a noticeable reduction in negative or unwanted behaviour.  This form of positive stimulation has led us from documenting a child’s behaviour towards documenting their experiences instead.

We also have discovered that documenting can allow us to reflect on the experiences the children have had and what they have learned in a more concrete way.  Allow the children to be active partners in planning what they learn and in turn involving parents to include their own input on their children’s experiences.  Children’s interests may not change day to day and so staff members may simply extend learning of children’s interests by adding various items to the program plan or presenting the same interest in a new and exciting way for the children to learn and play.

The combination of continued professional learning for our Registered Early Childhood Educators, and attending workshops of their choosing to meet the goals they have set for themselves in their annual evaluations allow the opportunity for self reflection, improvement and expansion of ideas and strategies.

Quality

45 years of providing childcare services to this community has assisted us in developing a record of quality which includes:

• Happy, excited to learn and involved children
  
• Staff who are nurturing, supportive, experienced and highly qualified
  
• Clean and safe environment
  
• Equipment and toys in good repair
  
• Nutritionally balanced menu and fresh food preparation on site
  
• Sufficient play and creative materials
  
• Age appropriate playgrounds that meet and exceed safety standards
  
• Parents feel welcome and open communication is encouraged

Infant Program

Relationships don’t just come into fruition, they grow.  At Seafield we have several principles in which the teachers in the infant room follow: Involve the infants in everything you do, learn about each infant’s individual needs and unique attributes, respect and love them, model the behaviour you want them to learn, allow infants to problem solve as a way to learn, build trust and most importantly have fun!  The infant room is a happy room with music playing and with young children involved in all types of play.  We incorporate art, sensory, gross motor and reading in almost every part of the day.  Each infant is individually taken care of and their needs met.  The room, although always busy, follows the infant’s schedule of when they want to eat, sleep or play.   We have an outdoor playground dedicated for their use with age appropriate equipment.  The infant room caters to newborns until 18 months of age.

Toddler Program

A Toddlers motto is “What’s mine is mine and what’s yours is mine”.  In a room full of 18 month old to 30 month old children, there is never a dull moment.  Weekly age appropriate activities are always implemented and are based on the Emergent Curriculum.  At this age, skill building is essential to the success of the child and programming is done to reflect that need.  Independence is an attribute that is emphasized in this room.  From feeding to dressing and toilet training, the children in this age group grow and learn very quickly.

Preschool Program

Children in this program range from 30 months to 5 years of age.  At this stage the children are well versed in their language skills, can identify feelings and have their own attitudes and opinions about almost everything.  Programming in this age group is mostly based on the children’s interests and school readiness.  Registered Early Childhood Educators spend countless hours observing and recognizing the children’s interests and incorporate them into their weekly programming, such as cooking, science experiments, drama/plays, and much more.  We have an outdoor playground dedicated to this age group with use of age appropriate bikes, scooters and other equipment.  During the summer months, children in this age group participate in many outdoor activities including water play.

Before & After School Program

Junior and Senior Kindergarten children who now attend Full Day Kindergarten in our neighbouring schools are offered a Before & After School Program during the school year.  The children are escorted to and from school and participate in programming when at Seafield.  A morning snack and an afternoon snack is provided.  On P.A days and school Holidays, such as March Break and Christmas Break the children are at Seafield full time and participate in full day programming where a hot lunch and snacks are served daily.

Summer Camp

As an extension of our year round program for the Junior and Senior Kindergarten, children in the Summer Camp will take part in all sorts of activities, including field trips and Martial Arts.  The Summer Camp will begin from the last day of the school year until the first day of the new school year.

School Age Program

The School Age program caters to children aged 6-9 years.  Throughout the academic year, the children have a before, lunch and after school program.  During their time at the center, the children participate in creative activities, have access to the computers in the room, have teachers available to help with their homework, and have free time to play.  With a higher level of thinking the children embark on many challenging projects that spark the imagination.   In the summer, the program concentrates on physical activities, field trips and much more.

These few pages have been  prepared to enable you to have a better understanding of our settings.   We hope that by reading this handbook, you can familiarize yourself with  your child’s daily routines and the rules in his or her classroom.

History

Seafield  Day Nursery is located at 100 York Gate Blvd., Downsview, Ontario, M3N  2C4.  This center was established in 1971 and since then we have tried  very hard to serve this community.

Late Fees

There is a non-base late fee of $10.00 from 6:00 pm - 6:01pm
and $2.00 a minute per child thereafter.

Fees
We are participating in the CWELCC Program.

Effective January 2023 are daily base fees by age category are as follows:

                        Infants             $ 42.52

                        Toddlers           $ 33.08

                        Preschool         $ 22.21

                        Kindergarten*

                        Am/Pm             $ 14.65

                        Am                   $ 7.56

                        Pm                   $ 9.45

                        Camp               $ 20.79

*Only children under the age of 6 year are eligible for the CWELCC program when in a Full Day Kindergarten program.  

Non base fees are as follows:

                                     Hot Lunch         $   4.30                                   

  School Age       $ 32.00

   Summer Camp $ 42.00

Security

Our  premises are under 24 hour surveillance and security access is required  to enter the premises.  You must register for a security pass (fob) for  which a $20 deposit is required. Entry to the premises is through the  playground of the child care center located west of the building  entrance.

****You are not to use the Entrance to the building****

Hours

Seafield opens its doors everyday (except weekends and statutory holidays) at 7:00 am and closes at 6:00 pm.

Program

Weekly  programming sheets and daily schedules are posted on the bulletin  boards in each room.  Please check the program sheet.  If you have any  comments or concerns, please let us know.  Our goal is to aid in your  child’s development by providing a program that is varied, appropriate  and stimulating while focusing on your child’s interests.  The  curriculum is one that helps children develop socially, emotionally,  physically, linguistically and cognitively, along with the development  of positive attitudes.  Opportunities for cooperative play and social  interaction are an integral part of our program.  The display of  emotions will be encouraged and staff will help children become  comfortable with their emotions.  Physical experiences through gross  motor activities are part of our daily program. We encourage your  participation throughout the planning and implementation of all of our  programs.

Arrival

In order for  your child to benefit from the full program, we ask that you bring your  child in by 9:30 am at the latest.  If your child is sick, late or will  not be in that day, the centre should be notified by telephone at  416-663-0596 by 9:00 am.
Arrival shall be only from the main entrance of Seafield Day Nursery, through the gates and playground.

Departure

Children  should be picked up no later than 6:00 pm.  Please notify us if your  child is to be picked up earlier or later than usual.  In view of the  serious inconvenience to staff members caused by late pick ups, Parents  who are late picking up their children (After 6:00 pm), will be subject  to a non-base late fee (Please refer to late fees section). The late fee should be  paid directly to the staff member on duty.  If the child is not picked  up and the program staff not contacted by 6:00 pm the parent is called.   If there is no answer, all emergency numbers supplied will be called.  If the child is not picked up by 7:00 pm, both the Children’s Aid  Society and the Police will be contacted.  After two offences of pick-up  occurring after 7 pm or after repeated offences of a less serious  nature, the daycare management will consider terminating the parent’s  enrolment.

 No child shall be allowed to come to or to leave the centre without an accompanying adult or sibling 16 years of older.

Payment of Fees

Daycare  fees need to be paid the First day of each month and can be paid by e-transfer or cash.  Please refer to our Financial Policy for  details.  Late payment of fees may result in a late fee charge and/or refusal of care.

Payment of Late Fees

Parents  will be informed and asked to initial the amount of their late fee upon  pick up of their child(ren).  Payment is required on the spot.  If that  is not possible, then as soon as possible payment should be made.  If  payment is not made during a reasonable amount of time, a bill for late  fee will be issued.  If payment is again not paid, the daycare may  refuse care.  The Staff are compelled by daycare management to implement  this policy consistently.  Your cooperation would be appreciated.

Unauthorized Pick-up

Center  staff cannot allow a child to leave Seafield with a person whom they do  not know unless authorized by the parent to do so.  Only those people  listed on the admissions form by the parents are allowed to pick up the  child.  Therefore, if someone other than a parent or authorized  individuals is to pick up the child, the office must be notified in  advance.  Please call and advise the office in this case.  If an  unauthorized person should arrive to pick up your child, they will be  asked to wait until a parent or guardian can be reached by telephone.   Under no circumstances, will this person be allowed to leave with the  child, until a parent or guardian has given permission. 

Absences of Child

Please  notify Seafield Day Nursery, 416-663-0596, by 9:00 am if your child is  sick or is to be absent for one or more days.  This will facilitate  planning for snacks and lunches.  If your child is not coming due to an  illness, it is also important to telephone the center to advice about  the sort of illness your child has contracted.  This will help staff to  identify symptoms in other children with whom your child has come in  contact. 

Parent Involvement

Parents  are encouraged to take part in ongoing activities in their child’s  classroom throughout the year.  There are many areas where parents can  assist at the center.  These include accompanying the class on outings,  special program events, etc. 

One  very important way in which parents can be involved is communication  with the staff about their child.  It helps the staff if parents take a  few minutes at the beginning or the end of the day to let them know of  any special or unusual events that may have an impact on the child and  the way in which she or he will approach the programs.  Likewise, the  staff will want to let parents know of any highlights or upsets that  have occurred during the child’s day. 

Program

Weekly  programming sheets and daily schedules are posted on the bulletin  boards in each room.  Please check the program sheet.  If you have any  comments or concerns, please let us know.  Our goal is to aid in your  child’s development by providing a program that is varied, appropriate  and stimulating while focusing on your child’s interests.  The  curriculum is one that helps children develop socially, emotionally,  physically, linguistically and cognitively, along with the development  of positive attitudes.  Opportunities for cooperative play and social  interaction are an integral part of our program.  The display of  emotions will be encouraged and staff will help children become  comfortable with their emotions.  Physical experiences through gross  motor activities are part of our daily program. We encourage your  participation throughout the planning and implementation of all of our  programs.

Escorting to and from School (Gosford, Driftwood & St. Charles Garnier Catholic)

As part of our programming, we provide pick up and drop off service for the children to and from the following schools: Gosford Public School, St. Charles Garnier Catholic School, and Driftwood Public School 

This service includes Full Day Kindergarten and both before/after school and lunchtime for the School Age only.

Under the following circumstances, parents are responsible for picking up their child from school:

In instances where the child is feeling ill, due to public health issues, the parents are

responsible for picking up the child directly from school.

In instances where the child has had behaviour issues at school or refuses to walk back to the child care center, the parents are also responsible for picking up the child directly from school.

In instances where the child is not ready on time for daycare pick up from school or is kept behind by the school teacher/principal.

In instances where the child has been either expelled or suspended from school for any given amount of time, the child may not attend daycare for that said period of time and thus parents responsibility to find alternative care.

In instances where any child remains at school for extra curricular activities, or tutoring, should it fall outside the pick up time, the parents are also responsible for picking up the child directly from school. If  your child is registered for a program offered by school, either before  or after school, you are responsible for their drop off and pick up.   

In instances where the child does not have extra clothes, parents are responsible for providing the extra clothes to school.

Under the following circumstances, parents are responsible for dropping off their child at school:

- The child is late to school/daycare. The children must be signed in at daycare to be escorted to school. We will not accept children dropped off to the daycare teacher during escort to school. 

-The child refuses to walk to school from the child care center

- The child has extra curricular activities, or tutoring before school.

Your children will be met by us at a meeting spot (School Age) or picked up from the playground or directly from their classrooms (FDK)  depending on the school’s policy (We are not permitted inside the school).  Your children will be dressed with  their appropriate outdoor clothing by their school teachers.  Should you  have any concerns with respect to their attire, you need to contact  your child’s school teachers and speak to them directly regarding your  concerns.

Volunteer Policy

All  volunteers/students are supervised at all times when around the  children and a Police Reference Check is also administered before they  are permitted in the classrooms.

Income tax statements

If  requested, an official tax letter will be provided to you based on a  record of the previous year’s fees paid to the center.  Tax receipts are  to be picked up at the daycare office.  Fee receipts and tax letters  will not be issued until all outstanding fees and penalties are paid.

Emergencies

It  is important that the center be able to get in touch with a parent or  an alternate in case of an emergency.  To ensure that parents are  immediately accessible in the case of an emergency, it is essential that  the centre be notified of any change in home address, employment, and  other phone numbers, etc. 

Health Policy

We  realize that health is a complex issue in a daycare center and in  formulating our health policy we have been cognizant of the following  factors:

Illness: Our basic guideline is that a child should not be in the Centre if s/he has any of the following:

• A  temperature of 100F or more. If a child has been away from the Centre  (or sent home) with a fever, s/he may not return until his/her  temperature has been normal for 24 hours.
  
• Serious  Diarrhea. If a child has serious, unexplained diarrhea (foul smelling,  unusual coloration, mucous-like liquid or burning) the child should not  be in the centre, and if the child has two or more such movements during  the day, the parents will be asked to take him/her home.
  
• Serious, unexplained vomiting
  
• Extensive and unexplained rashes.
  
• Paleness, flushed face or constant crying
  
• Yellow discharge from the eyes, crustiness around the eyes, puffy or red eyes.
  

These  signs and symptoms are fairly obvious and indicate that the child is  ill.  Unfortunately, there are other times that it is difficult to  determine if the child should be at school.  A slight cold or the end of  an illness, are two examples.  In such instances please use reasonable  judgement.

There are other times when a child is not showing  signs of a definite illness, but yet is unable to handle the stress of  the day.  In these instances, it will be the decision of the supervisor  and the staff as to whether the child should be taken home.

Contagious  Disease:If a child is suspected of having any contagious disease, the  child must not be in the Center, and if symptoms develop during the day,  the parents will be asked to take the child home immediately.The child  may not return to daycare until there is a note from the doctor saying  the child’s condition is no longer contagious.

Medicine

The  staff can administer medicine that has been prescribed by a doctor, but  only if authorized to do so by the child’s parent.  If a child is on  such medication, his/her parents will be asked to fill out and sign a  medicine form at the center.  The staff will following the  administration amounts and times provided on the original label of the  medicine.  Medication must be in the original container with a  prescribed label intact.  The center will only administer medicine where  dosage is more than twice daily.

The staff will not administer any non-prescription medication to any child without the consent of the child’s doctor in writing.

Food

For  the children, food is prepared fresh daily on the premises.  We do not  limit their food intake, unless directed to do so by the parents.   Please indicate on your child’s application form any allergies or  special diets he or she may have so that special arrangements can be  made.  Please note that this center is a nut-free and pork free  environment.

Toilet Training

Toilet  Training is achieved when the child has control over urination and  bowel movements.  This happens at very different ages.  When the child  shows some signs of interest, the staff encourages him/her to sit on the  toilet at routine times.  The staff works closely with the parents on  the training of the child.  Please bring plenty of training pants and  several complete changes of clothing, when you feel your child is  ready.  Be prepared for lots of laundry the first few weeks.  It is  important that the child receive positive reinforcements when deserved  and acceptance when accidents occur.

When  parents arrive with their children in the morning, they are asked to  toilet and or change their child in to whatever kind of diaper that they  have made arrangements for their children to wear.  This is important  as an indication of the last time your child was toileted.  Seafield  does not provide diapers or “bottom care” products (eg. Cream,  powder).   If your child requires these items, you must supply them.   They will be kept in a cubby for the child (labelled with their names)  and will not be shared with other children.

Clothing

All  children require a complete change of clothing.  In order to minimize  the number of items getting lost, parents are asked to fully label all  items of clothing.  For any reason, should your child require daycare  clothing, they need to be returned to the centre washed, the following  day.  The center is NOT responsible for lost items.

Toys

Please  do not send toys to the center with your child with the exception of  Show and Tell days.  The center is NOT responsible for the loss or  damage of any property brought to the center.

Outdoor Time/Off Premise

The  Toddlers and Infants have their own playground.  Gross Motor activities  are a very important part of our outdoor time.  Weather permitting the  children have outdoor activities twice per day.  The children also go on  walks to various places around the neighbourhood, ex. Parks, malls,  library, etc.

Field Trips

FDK and  School Age groups do participate in several field trips during the march  break and summer holidays.  We encourage parental involvement both at  the planning stages as well as escorting the children on the field  trips.  Some of our trips in the past have included, Movies, Center  Island, Lego land, etc.

Accident and Sickness Reports

During  your child’s time at daycare, he or she may have experience an accident  while playing, either indoors and out. If the accident is of a less  than serious nature, necessary steps will be taken to ensure that the  child’s injuries are tended to.  A report will be written by the  supervising teacher and witnessed by the supervisor of the center.  Upon  departure from the daycare, the parents/guardian will be informed of  any incidents concerning their child and asked to sign the report.  This  report is documented into the child’s file for future reference. 

Should  a child come to daycare with any visible scars or injuries, parents or  siblings will be asked about their cause.  Again, a report will be  filled out by the supervising teacher and presented to parents upon pick  up.  According to the CCEY Act, you are required to receive a copy of  the accident and sickness reports.

Anaphylactic Policy

Since  there are many factors and degrees of allergic reactions within each  individual, there is a strategy to reduce their risk of exposure to  causing agents. An overall strategy to reduce the risk is taken upon by  the daycare, by either, eliminating the use of the agent, and/or  preventing exposure to the agent by limiting food brought on site from  outside sources.

Seafield is a Nut Free, Pork Free and Smoke Free environment.

Communication Plan/Rules for Parents to bring in food from home

Allergy  lists are posted in the main cooking area and in every classroom.   However, any child with an Anaphylactic allergy will be highlighted and  posted. A list of symptoms will also accompany the allergy list for  those specific children.  Parents will be notified of any changes to  allergic agents not permitted on the daycare premises.  Labels of food  coming on to the premises must be attached and reviewed prior to being  permitted on the premises.  Due to Covid, we are currently limiting food  that is made and brought from home.

Withdrawal from Daycare

Parents  are required to give the supervisor two weeks written notice of  withdrawal.  Parents are responsible for paying fees for that period.   Parents are charged for all days regardless of whether the child is in  attendance or not.  If for whatever reason Seafield Day Nursery does not  receive notice or payment in lieu of notice, legal action may be  taken.  Please refer to your application form for details of policies  regarding withdrawal from daycare.

Helpful Hints

Each day please:

• Toilet and /or change your child at the time of arrival
  
• Help your child become engaged in an activity that he enjoys
  
• Check to make sure that your child has a change of clothes and available diapers
  
• Always  say goodbye to your child. If you leave without he or she being aware  of it, he or she will begin to feel mistrust about the daycare  experience.
  
• If you are worried about your child, give us a call anytime.
  
• Before  you leave, please check your child’s cubby for dirty clothing and  please check the daily charts (for Toddlers and Infants)
  
• Talk to us and communicate with the staff; we like to hear your comments.
  

Access & Equity Policy

This  Access and Equity Policy reflects Seafield Day Nursery’s commitment to  providing a high level of service and facilities, which are accessible  to the whole community. We recognize the richness of the community we  serve. Please refer to full policy in the daycare office.

Inclusion Policy

An  inclusive early learning program strives to find ways to include all  children and remove all barriers that may prevent children from actively  participating.  We believe that a program will benefit from accepting  and appreciating diversity. Please refer to full policy in the daycare  office.

Child Abuse Policy

The  Child and Family Act states, that every suspected incident of child  abuse must be reported immediately.  We have a duty under this act to  report to Child’s Aid Society or the Catholic Children’s Aid Society.   Please refer to full policy in the daycare office.

Parental Code of Conduct

These  rules are written to encourage Parent/Guardians and Adults to model  appropriate behaviour towards our staff, other parents, students,  volunteers and other children while on child care premises.  Please  refer to your application form for more details on our expectations of  parents.

Serious Occurrences

An  Occurrence is deemed serious and is to be reported by Seafield Day  Nursery to the Ministry of Education and posted on our parent  information board in all of our rooms.

Admission/Discharge Policy

Seafield  Day Nursery will, through an interview process, determine whether or  not, as an early learning institution, it will be able to provide the  quality of care and learning the child requires based on the child’s  abilities.  The interview process may include the Head Teacher of the  child’s classroom, the Supervisor and/or the centers Special needs  Resource Staff as participants.  No child is refused, unless, all  parties determine that this setting will not benefit the child’s  development.  Reasonable care will be taken in assessing the child’s  needs.  The admittance of the child will be on a trial basis.  For the  first 3 months, the child’s development is observed and a gradual  admission plan is implemented to ensure a stable transition to the  program.  At the end of the trial basis period, the group will reconvene  and reassess.

Parents and Seafield Day Nursery both have equal  right for notice of withdrawal.  Written notice provided at least two  weeks in advance is required by each party.  A daycare notice of  withdrawal will occur if:

• A child does not seem to be able to adjust to the program
  
• Is disruptive to the daily routine
  
• Puts other children and staff’s safety and security in danger
  
• The parents or guardians breach any of the terms of enrolment agreement or daycare regulations
  
• Your child is absent from care for up to 5 days without any contact made to the center
  
• Your child is in the School age room and accommodation for younger children moving into that program needs to be made.
  

Before such a discharge, the following steps will first occur:

• In  instances where a child’s special needs cannot be met by the center,  documentation by staff of behaviour management tactics and strategies  used will be explained and the situation discussed with the Supervisor  and explained to Parents.The center will endeavour to work with the  parents and with the child to develop positive behaviour and eliminate  the issues.
  
• If  the behaviour management strategies and tactics employed by the staff  and the center plus any initiatives used by parents at home fail to  resolve the problem, or if the center cannot manage to meet the needs of  the child in question, the Supervisor will meet with the child’s  parents to determine a mutually agreed upon course of action.This may  include counseling from an outside agency or third parties; example:
  
• Establishing a Service Agreement with the Special Needs Resourcing Staff
  
• Discussing all issues with the centers Program Coordinator and Director while implementing strategies
  
• The  Supervisor will keep the Toronto Children’s Services Program Consultant  abreast of all cases which could result in either a Serious Occurrence  or Withdrawal from the program.
  
•  All meetings will be documented.
  
• Should  the steps above be employed and the problems have not been resolved,  the center will give written notice of two weeks to the parents and will  attempt to arrange appropriate and available client supports.
  
• In  exceptional cases when any child is deemed by the Supervisor and staff  to either be endangering themselves or others in the center, children  and staff, and the center is not able to manage this behaviour in order  to reasonably ensure the safety of all concerned, the center may decide  that the child be withdrawn immediately. In such cases, parents will be  given written notice of the immediate discharge of the child.(example if  child runs off of childcare premises)
  
• In all cases, Toronto Children’s Services Program Consultants will be informed in writing.
  

Child Guidance

Seafield  Day Nursery is dedicated to creating a rich and safe learning  environment for the children, however at times, it is necessary to set  limits and standards of what we believe is appropriate behaviour.  Our  staff  members adhere to our Guidance Policies and Procedures while  interaction with the children in our programs.  In addition, we prohibit  certain practices which can put at risk the child’s safety and well  being. Disciplinary actions will be taken including termination of  employment.

Prohibited Practices

*Corporal Punishment;

*Physical  restraint of a child, such as confining the child to a high chair, car  seat, stroller or other device for the purposes of discipline or in lieu  of supervision, unless the physical restraint is for the purpose of  preventing a child from hurting himself, herself or someone else and is  used only as a last resort and only until the risk of injury is no  longer imminent;

*Depriving a child of his/her basic needs, including food, shelter, clothing, bedding

*Locking  the exits of the child care center premises for the purpose of  confining the child or confining the child in an area or room without  adult supervision, unless such confinement occurs during an emergency  and is required as part of the licensee's emergency management policies  and procedures;

*Using harsh or degrading measure or threats or  use of derogatory language directed at or used in the presence of a  child that can humiliate, shame or frighten the child or undermine  his/her self-respect, dignity or self-worth;

*Inflicting any bodily harm on children including making children eat or drink against their will.

Child Care Centre 

Safe Arrival and Dismissal Policy and Procedures

Date Policy and Procedures Established: January 1,  2024

Date Policy and Procedures Updated: January 1,  2024

Purpose 

This policy and the procedures within help support the safe arrival and dismissal of children receiving care. 

This policy will provide staff, students and volunteers with a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities for ensuring the safe arrival and dismissal of children receiving care, including what steps are to be taken when a child does not arrive at the child care centre as expected, as well as steps to follow to ensure the safe dismissal of children. 

This policy is intended to fulfill the obligations set out under Ontario Regulation 137/15 for policies and procedures regarding the safe arrival and dismissal of children in care.

Note: definitions for terms used throughout this policy are provided in a Glossary at the end of the document.

Policy

General

· Seafield Day Nursery  will ensure that any child receiving child care at the child care centre is only released to the child’s parent/guardian or an individual that the parent/guardian has provided written authorization the child care centre may release the child to.

· Seafield  Day Nursery  will only dismiss children into the care of their parent/guardian or another authorized individual. The centre will not release any children from care without supervision. 

· A parent/guardian may request that a child who is 13years old or older be released from child care without supervision. Parents/Guardians must provide written and signed authorization and instructions for the release of the child including the time of dismissal. 

· Where a parent/guardian provides written instructions for the release of their child from care without supervision, the parent/guardian is aware that the child care is no longer responsible for that child upon their dismissal. 

· Where a child does not arrive in care as expected or is not picked up as expected, staff must follow the safe arrival and dismissal procedures set out below.

Additional Policy Statements

Children    will only be released to persons over the age of 16 years, unless written permission is received from the parent authorizing the release. Parent is aware the child care center is    no longer responsible for the child.

Procedures

Accepting a child into care 

1. When accepting a child into care at the time of drop-off, program staff in the room must:

- greet the parent/guardian and child.

- ask the parent/guardian how the child’s evening/morning has been and if there are any changes to the child’s pick-up procedure (i.e., someone other than the parent/guardian picking up). Where the parent/guardian has indicated that someone other than the child’s parent/guardians will be picking up, the staff must confirm that the person is listed on [emergency card or where the individual is not listed, ask the parent/guardian to provide authorization for pick-up in writing (e.g., note or email).

- document the change in pick-up procedure in the daily written record.

- sign the child in on the classroom attendance record.

Where a child has not arrived in care as expected

1. Where a child does not arrive at the child care centre and the parent/guardian has not communicated a change in drop-off (e.g., left a voice message or advised the closing staff at pick-up), the staff in the classroom must:

- inform the the  Supervisor, Assistant Supervisor or Program Coordinator  and they must commence contacting the child’s parent/guardian no later than 10:30 am Staff shall contact parent through the Lillio (formally Hi Mama), Office staff will contact the parent via email or phone call. Messages will be left on voicemail if any. 

- All communication attempts will be documented in the Office  log. If parent is unreachable, then  staff will attempt to contact emergency contacts listed on the child’s  application form.

2. Once the child’s absence has been confirmed, program staff shall document the child’s absence on the attendance record and any additional information about the child’s absence in the daily written record.

Releasing a child from care

1. The staff who is supervising the child at the time of pick-up shall only release the child to the child’s parent/guardian or individual that the parent/guardian has provided written authorization that the child care may release the child to. Where the staff does not know the individual picking up the child (i.e., parent/guardian or authorized individual),

- confirm with another staff member that the individual picking up is the child’s parent/guardian/authorized individual.

- where the above is not possible, ask the parent/guardian/authorized individual for photo identification and confirm the individual’s information against the parent/guardian/authorized individual’s name on the child’s file or written authorization.

Where a child has not been picked up as expected (before centre closes)

1. Where a parent/guardian has previously communicated with the staff a specific time or timeframe that their child is to be picked up from care and the child has not been picked up 5:50 pm the Staff on  duty shall contact the parent/guardian via phone call or Lillio (formally Hi Mama)  and advise that the child is still in care and has not been picked up. 

- Where the staff is unable to reach the parent/guardian, staff must [advise the child care office of the delay in pick up . Where the individual picking up the child is an authorized individual and their contact information is available, the staff shall proceed with contacting the individual to confirm pick-up as per the parent/guardian’s instructions or leave a voice message to contact the centre.

Where the staff has not heard back from the parent/guardian or authorized individual who was to pick up the child the staff shall Staff will contact emergency persons on the child’s file. If unable to reach anyone by 7 pm. Toronto Children’s Aid Society will be contacted, as well as the local police. Staff will follow their guidance as to next steps.

Where a child has not been picked up and the centre is closed

1. Where a parent/guardian or authorized individual who was supposed to pick up a child from care and has not arrived by 6:01 pm , staff shall ensure that the child is given a snack and activity, while they await their pick-up. 

2. One staff shall stay with the child, while a second staff proceeds with calling the parent/guardian to advise that the child is still in care and inquire their pick-up time. In the case where the person picking up the child is an authorized individual the staff shall contact the parent first to advise of the late pick up by the authorized individual.

3. If the staff is unable to reach the parent/guardian or authorized individual who was responsible for picking up the child, the staff shall continue to  reach out to emergency contacts on the child’s file.

4. Where the staff is unable to reach the parent/guardian or any other authorized individual listed on the child’s file (e.g., the emergency contacts) by 7:00 pm the staff shall proceed with contacting the local Children’s Aid Society (CAS) by dialing (416) 924-4646  Staff shall follow the CAS’s direction with respect to next steps. 

Dismissing a child from care without supervision procedures

Note: Please select from the below which option fits your program and delete all other options.

Option 1: Staff will only release children from care to the parent/guardian or other authorized adult. Under no circumstances will children be released from care to walk home alone.

Option 2: Where a parent/guardian has provided written authorization for their child to be released from care without supervision, one staff in the program must be responsible for dismissing the child from care. Prior to dismissing the child from care, the staff shall review the written instructions for release provided by the parent/guardian and release the child at the time set out in the instructions. The staff shall document the time of departure from care and as well as their initials on the attendance record.

Additional Procedures

Written warning will be given to the parent. Should the child remain at the child care    center after 6:00 pm, an additional time, then a withdrawal notice will be    given. Parent will be charged late    pick up fees as indicated in our policy.

Glossary

Individual authorized to pick-up/authorized individual: a person that the parent/guardian has advised the child care program staff in writing can pick-up their child from care.

Licensee: The individual or corporation named on the licence issued by the Ministry of Education responsible for the operation and management of the child care centre and home child agency. 

Parent/guardian: A person having lawful custody of a child or a person who has demonstrated a settled intention to treat a child as a child of his or her family.

Regulatory Requirements: Ontario Regulation 137/15

Safe arrival and dismissal policy

50. Every licensee shall ensure that each child care centre it operates and each premises where it oversees the provision of home child care has a policy respecting the safe arrival and dismissal of children that,

(a) provides that a child may only be released from the child care centre or home child care premises,

(i) to individuals indicated by a child’s parent, or

(ii) in accordance with written permission from a child’s parent to release the child from the program at a specified time without supervision; and

(b) sets out the steps that must be taken if,

(i) a child does not arrive as expected at the centre or home child care premises, or

(ii) a child is not picked up as expected from the centre or home child care premises.