Image Alt

Policy

Safety Deposit Credit Reminder

Dear parents and guardians,

Please note that your Deposit is non-refundable; and has been credited to your account (the “Deposit”). Once the proper Notice to Terminate our Services is given by you, then, the Deposit will be used towards your child’s last month’s fee.

As a reminder, our services have been open and available throughout the Pandemic; and will be available indefinitely.  So, please arrange to bring your children to use the Deposit’s credit in a timely manner.  Failure to do so, will forfeit the Deposit.

Discovery Castle Childcare

Pick-up by Unauthorized or Unexpected Persons

If an unauthorized/unexpected person arrives to pick up a chiId, the child will remain under the supervision of the staff until the enrolling parent/guardian has been contacted. The Manager or the staff member will speak to the enrolling parent/guardian and explain the situation. Every possible steps will be taken to ensure that a child is not released to anyone without a written permission from the enrolling parent(s). In emergency situations, verbal permissions by telephone will be allowed if approved by the manager. Management will require a physical description of the person, name, telephone, address, and relationship to the child. The pick-up person must provide photo identification to verify enrolling parents’ information before the child will be released. The pick-up person must sign the child out with their full signature. All efforts will be made to ensure safety of all children and staff. If necessary, the management or staff will contact the police for assistance.

Arrival and Departure Procedures

Arrivals:

Every child is to be personally dropped-off by a parent/guardian or an authorized person stated in the registration package and on the emergency consent card. The child must be signed-in daily on the sign-in sheet and an estimated time of pick-up given at this time. A staff member will greet every child and parent/guardian on daily basis.

Departures:

Every child is to be released only to the parent/guardian or an authorized person stated on the registration and emergency consent card. An authorized adult must sign the child out daily. When a parent/guardian comes to pick-up their child, a staff member will communicate information about their child’s day. $15 per half hour will be charged on late pick-ups starting at 6:00 p.m. We ask that you only leave your child in our care for no longer than 10 hours in any day.

Holidays and Closures

The center will be closed on all statutory holidays including (New Year’s,
Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, B.C. Civic Day,
Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, Christmas and Boxing
Day) Family Day.

* The Center also closes down for the week between “Christmas and New Year”.

** Remember that monthly fees remain the same regardless of the center’s closures and stats.

Absentee Parent

The following steps will be followed:

  1. If a parent/guardian does not arrive by 6:00 p.m. to pick up their child. A call to the parent/guardian will be made and management will be contacted.
  2. At 6:30 p.m. If the parent/guardian has not arrived and cannot be reached, calls to persons listed on the emergency contact list will be made.
  3. At 7:30 p.m. If the parent/guardian does not make contact, and emergency contacts be reached, management will be called and a call to the Ministry of children and family Development will be made.
    **(A member from the ministry will pick up the child and ensure their safety overnight.)

Prescription Medications

The staff will administer medications only from the original container and accompanied with a Medication Consent Form signed by the parent. Please make sure that staff is aware of any reactions, side effects or limitations this medication may cause the child while taking the medication.

Open Door Policy

Over the Discovery castle childcare respects and understands that parents/guardians from time to time may want to drop in to visit unannounced. We welcome anyone listed on the child’s enrolment forms to visit the center. We do recommend that a call be made first to ensure that we are at the centre and not out for a walk or at a local park or school. We will only allow other fami­ly/friend visitors on a scheduled appointment basis to minimize disruption to the children’s programs.

Illness Policy

You will need to keep your child at home, or make alternate arrangements  for the following conditions:

• Fever over 38.3° C (101°F).

  • Infected eyes or skin.
  • Any type of contagious or communicable disease such as flu, measles, mumps, rubella, or chicken pox.
  • Immediately report to staff any contagious or communicable disease.
  • Unexplained diarrhea or loose stool combined with nausea, vomiting or abdominal cramps.
  • An acute cold with fever, runny nose and eyes, a “croupy” cough or congested to the point that he/she has heavy breathing.

If a child becomes sick at daycare, the parent or if parent is unable to be reached the person authorized to pick up in the case of an emergency will be called and asked to pick up the child. The staff will isolate the child from the other children and make him/her as comfortable as possible,  but will not administer medication.

Please keep the child at home until he/she is well enough to attend.

Any medicine required to treat above symptoms will mean the child is too ill to attend daycare. Example of medicine: Gravol, Tempera, Tylenol.

Calling Emergency Pick-up List

If your child has any of the above-mentioned symptoms or any illness in the “Sneezes and Diseases” booklet, a parent or emergency pick-up as stated on your enrolment form will be contacted to come and get the child immediately. If no one can be reached, and your child needs medical care, then an ambulance will be called. A staff member will keep trying until someone is reached and given the information regarding your child. It is also the center’s responsibility to call the Coastal Health Authority Licensing Office and report any communicable diseases. A doctor’s note is required.

Steps to Follow if a Child Discloses abuse of a Staff Member

  1. Assure the child that you will help him/her. Give medical attention.
  2. Write down exactly what the child has told-word for word as much as you can remember and put it a sealed en­velope.
  3. Inform the Center management or senior staff member immediately.
  4. If the allegations are against the management inform senior staff member.
  5. Report incident directly on the same day to the our Licensing Officer.
  6. The Management or senior staff member will call the Licensing Officer and to clarify information and give needed information.
  7. Confidentiality is to be kept at all times.
  8. Remember to be professional and helpful.

If a Member of the Staff Witnesses abuse of a child by another Staff Member

  1. Document the incident in a bound and confidential book.
  2. Inform Management Immediately.
  3. If the allegations are against the management then senior staff must be informed immediately.
  4. Report incident directly on the same day to the Our Licensing Officer.
  5. The Management or senior staff m1ember will call the Licensing Officer and RCMP to clarify inforn1ation and give needed information and discuss how to inform the child’s parent‘s).
  6. Confidentiality is to be kept at all times.
  7. Remember to be professional and helpful.

Child Attendance

From time to time your child may not be able to attend the centre for various reasons: Illness, vacations, home days with parents for quality time and personal reasons.

We ask that you call the center and confirm the child’s absence and days on which they may be  away.

Field Trips

Attendance will be taken and all children accounted for during the field trip by doing head counts throughout the field trip.
Permissions slips from parents will be packed into the field trip bag with the emergency consent cards, first aid kit and the at­tendance sheet.

Health of Staff

If a staff member has an illness mentioned in the ”Sneezes and Diseases” booklet it is mandatory for the staff member to stay home and away from the center.

Injuries or Unexpected Occurrences

If a child is seriously injured or there is an unexpected occurrence in the care of The Discovery castle childcare it is our obligation that the parent/guardian be notified immediately. Documentation of the injury is also mandatory to be written in the communication book, along with filling out an incident report that will be for­warded to Coastal Health Vancouver Region, Licensing Office.

Examples:

  • Seizures
  • Asthma attack.
  • Broken Bones
  • Deep Cuts
  • Any other incident that requires doctor’s care or hospitalization

Alleged Impaired Authorized pick-ups

The Discovery Castle Childcare as defined in the Child Care Licensing Regulation has a responsibility to take every rea­sonable step to prohibit release of a child to a person who seems to be unable to properly care for the child. If the staff or management believes that this person is impaired, the man­agement or staff will offer to call a relative or friend to pick up both the adult and child for safe transportation home. If the suspected impaired person is driving a vehicle, management or a staff member will explain that it is against the law and The Discovery Castle Childcare is require to take every step to ensure that safety of the child and adult.

If the impaired person proceeds to get into the vehicle with or without the child a staff member will notify the police immediately, giving the license plate number and other detailed information needed. IF the staffs feel the child is at risk, management will be contacted and a decision on contacting the Ministry of Children and Family Development will then be made.

If Allegations are Made by a Parent

  1. Document the incident in a bound and confidential book.
  2. The parent will be asked to report the allegation to the Simony Framer Health Region, Licensing officer.
  3. It is also management’s ethical duty to ensure that a report is made and advise the parent we will also make a report.
  4. If the allegations are against the management then senior staff must be informed immediately.
  5. Documentation by Management must be written it a book.
  6. Confidentiality is to be kept at all times.
  7. Remember to be professional and helpful.

Guidance

We believe that children learn best by experience. We also believe that the teachers must lovingly guide and redirect the children to work through this process. We believe that we can best accomplish this by:

  1. Introducing and explanation of daycare rules and expected behavior. We have found consistency and following through the most effective form of behavior management.
  2. Providing a stimulating environment for them to learn through play.
  3. Monitoring the various centers for appropriate space and activity level.
  4. By giving children choices and/or redirecting if necessary.
  5. By speaking quietly in the most positive way with child if their behavior is inappropriate for particular area.
  6. If a child continues to show inappropriate behavior (e.g. at circle time) he/she will be moved sit with the teacher.
  7. There are times when a child just needs a time away when they are frustrated, angry or feeling like they want some quite time. The child will be redirected to a quiet area where they may sit and play quietly or read a book by himself/herself or with the support of a teacher to regain themselves. The child may return to their activities at their own pace when they feel ready.

No child at our center will be subject to corporal punishment

Including:
– Shoving, hitting, shaking or any other form of corporal punishment..
– Belittling or degrading treatment verbal, emotional or physical that would undermine or humiliate the child.
– Confinement, physical restraint or seclusion from the children or adult supervision.
– Depriving of meals, water, rest or use of toilet. No child is to stay in soiled clothing as a punishment or otherwise.

Child Abuse, Child Abuse Policy, and Procedures

Child Abuse: Means physical, sexual or emotional abuse.

Physical Abuse: Means any physical force or action. which result in or may result in a non-accidental injury to the child. which cannot be considered reasonable discipline. This may include shaking arm–twisting, systematic beat­ing, deliberate burns, severe spanking and/or other injuries.

Emotional Abuse: Means neglect or acts by people caring for the child. which likely produce long-term and serious emotional problems, which may include failure to thrive, developmental retardation, severe/serious anxiety, depression, withdrawal and serious behavior disturbances.

**Emotional Abuse includes: rejecting. isolating, name calling, ignoring, gender insults, terrorizing, expecting adult behavior from a child. Emotional abuse is extremely damaging to a child.

Neglect: Means the failure to meet basic physical, emotional and/or medical needs to the extent the child’s well-being, safety and health is endangered.

Sexual Abuse: Means any sexual exploitation of a child with or without the child’s“consent“.  Including sexual touching or intercourse. This also includes showing a child sexual behavior but does not include normal affection or hygiene care. Sexual activity between children may be child abuse if there is significant age or power difference be­tween the involved children.

Reporting Child Abuse

**The Children, Family and Community Service Act states that all children in the Province of British Columbia are entitled to be protected from abuse, Neglect, Harm or threat of Harm. The Act also includes that any “Person who has reason to believe that a child needs protection must promptly report the matter” to the ministry of Children and Family Development. It is not our responsibly to determine if the abuse has happened it is the responsibility of the ministry of Children and Family Development to investigate and determine the allegations of abuse. The guidelines and procedures are designed to protect your child. We commit to these procedures for the safety and protection of your children. It is mandatory that anyone who suspect’s child abuse or neglect makes a report. We will not wait until a child has been harmed to report.

Guidelines for Staff Procedure on Reporting Abuse

When contacting the ministry of children and Family Development have all the following important information to the best of your knowledge:

  • Date, your name, center’s name, address and phone number
  • Child’s name, birth date and address
  • Names of Parent/Guardian, home and work numbers 
  • Time child usually arrives and departs
  • A brief statement of your observations and concerns.

If the child discloses (tells) information write down word for word as much as you can remember what the child has said.

Infant Toddler Policies

Health, Safety, and Nutrition

Centre staff will provide:

  • Offer a clean, well-maintained, safe environment  with nutritious food for snacks and lunch
  • Opportunities for learning how to take care of their bodies and develop self-help skills
  • Opportunities  for both rest and exercise with indoor and outdoor activities daily
  • Welcome mothers to breast-feed their child and provide support for breast-feeding.
  • Provide a comfortable and relaxed environment for the children & parents
  • Formula must be provided by the parent
  • Encourage children to eat a variety of foods but be sensitive to indivisual food preferences and cultural preferences.
  • Post children’s allergies in the kitchen. (Parents must make staff aware of any food allergies)
  • Inform parents of any significant changes in the eating habits of their child.
  • Model healthy attitudes towards food and meal times.
  • Model healthy attitudes towards washing hands before and after meals and brushing teeth after eating.
  • Discourage candy, gum, pop or other “junk food”.
  • All babies will be held during bottle feeding.
  • Toddlers are required to lie down or sit on the couch when they have a bottle.
  • Staff will discard any unused liquid in bottles or cups to prevent the spread of germs.
  • Staff will allow children time to eat and drink at their own pace.
  • Staff will respect the parent’s decision as to when and what solid foods will be introduced, while working within the guidelines of the BC Ministry of Health “Baby’s First Foods”.

Illness Policy

You will need to keep your child at home, or make alternate arrangements  for the following conditions:

• Fever over 38.3° C (101°F).

  • Infected eyes or skin.
  • Any type of contagious or communicable disease such as flu, measles, mumps, rubella, or chicken pox.
  • Immediately report to staff any contagious or communicable disease.
  • Unexplained diarrhea or loose stool combined with nausea, vomiting or abdominal cramps.
  • An acute cold with fever, runny nose and eyes, a “croupy” cough or congested to the point that he/she has heavy breathing.

If a child becomes sick at daycare, the parent or if parent is unable to be reached the person authorized to pick up in the case of an emergency will be called and asked to pick up the child. The staff will isolate the child from the other children and make him/her as comfortable as possible,  but will not administer medication.

Please keep the child at home until he/she is well enough to attend.

Any medicine required to treat above symptoms will mean the child is too ill to attend daycare. Example of medicine: Gravol, Tempera, Tylenol.

Program of Activities

Centre staff will provide:

  • A clean,  well-maintained and safe environment
  • Nutritious food for snacks and lunch
  • Opportunities for learning how to take care of their bodies and develop self-help skills
  • Opportunities for both rest and exercise
  • Opportunities for indoor and outdoor activities

Bottle Feeding:

  • All babies will be held during bottle feeding.
  • Toddlers are required to lie down or sit on the couch when they have a bottle.
  • Staff will discard any unused liquid in bottles or cups to prevent the spread of germs.
  • Staff will allow children time to eat and drink at their own pace. Bottle feeding should be an enjoyable interaction between child and care provider.

Semi-Solid Foods:

Staff will respect the parent’s decision as to when and what solid foods will be introduced, while working within the guidelines of the BC Ministry of Health “Baby’s First   Foods”.

Diapering and Toileting Policy

DIAPERING AND TOILETING POLICY

As the diapering of infants and the toileting of toddlers involves close adult-child contact, the care providers will (whenever possible) be responsible for changing diapers and assisting with toileting. As this is an opportunity for one-to-one time with the child, the care providers will involve the child by explaining what is being done and encouraging the child to interact/help as much as possible.

Centre staff will:

  • Follow Ministry of Health recommendations for diapering and toileting procedures posted in the washrooms.
  • Record diaper changes and toileting activities on the diapering/toileting chart.
  • Encourage independence for dressing and toileting. Assistance and support will be given to the children to encourage these new skills.
  • Encourage the development of healthy personal habits by ensuring that children wash their hands after using the bathroom.
  • Decide with the family when a child is physically and emotionally ready to start to learn to use the toilet.
  • Be patient, supportive and understanding during this learning process.
  • Be respectful of the child‘s needs.
  • Sanitized the changing station after each use.

Allergies

Parents/guardians need to inform the daycare staff in writing if their child has any allergies.

Procedure:

  1. Required forms will be provided by staff as soon as an allergy is reported.
  2. Allergies will be posted in the kitchen for all staff to see.
  3. A Care Plan card will be written up on the steps to take if the child has an allergy attack.
  4. Extra training will be provided by Interior Health or parent if deemed necessary.
  5. Parents will be informed immediately of any allergy attack and the steps taken.

Non-Prescribtion & Prescription Medication Policy

  • All medications are kept in a locked container in the kitchen out of children’s reach.
  • Parents must inform staff of any side effects or reaction that medication may cause in a child. (ie: hives, drowsiness, diarrhea)
  • Authorization for the Administration of Prescription Medication form must be completed by parent.
  • Doctor authorization must be provided before staff can administer non-prescription and over

the counter medications such as Tylenol, Gravol, teething gel etc… “Authorization for the Administration of Non-Prescription Medication” form must be completed by parent and physician.

  • A “medical consent” form will be filled out by a parent for each prescription required
  • Medication must be brought to the centre in its original container with instructions from your doctor on how to administer it.
  • Label must clearly show the following information:

./ Child’s name

./ Name of medication

./ Dosage

./ Route (oral, nasal, rectal, eye, ear, or  injection)

./ Physician’s name

./ Care of medication (shake well, refrigerate)

./ Date to end administration of medication

  • Any baby bottles containing medicine will not be given to the child at the daycare.
  • If the child comes in with a baby bottle containing medicine, it will be locked up and returned to the parent at the end of the day.

Napping Policy

  • Each day after lunch will be rest time. The length of naps depends on the individual child. Other naps are on a as needed basis.
  • During the nap, infants will sleep on their backs until they can reposition themselves during sleep.
  • The monitors in the nap rooms will be turned on when these areas are in use.
  • Blankets, Teddy Bears and other comfort items may be brought from home to be used at nap time to help a child adjust to the centre.
  • Naps are not mandatory. Children who have outgrown naps will have quiet time, read books, do puzzles or other appropriate activities.

Clothing and Possessions Policy

For infants, please provide:

  • One change of clothes
  • An adequate supply of diapers and wipes
  • Warm outdoor clothes (mittens, hat, boots) in the Fall and Winter
  • Sun hats, boots and rain gear in the Spring and  Summer

For toddlers, please provide:

  • One change of clothes
  • An adequate supply of diapers & wipes, pull-ups, or  underpants
  • Skid-proof, non-marking  indoor shoes
  • Warm outdoor clothing (mittens, hat, boots) in the Fall and Winter
  • Sun hats, boots and rain gear in the Spring and  Summer

If needed, the Centre has a supply of extra clothing. If your child wears an item home, please return it.

Do You Have Any Questions For Us?