Carousel Child Care Centre Inc. guidelines to make a happy and safe environment for parents, staff, and children.
Program and Philosophy:
• Carousel Child Care Centre Inc. supports and encourages positive relationships among children, parents and staff.
• The centre provides a complement to parental care within a warm and caring learning environment that both nurtures the individual child and supports the families & needs.
• Our program is rich in discovery, fun and learning activities
that are designed to help enhance each child’s self-esteem and sense of self-worth.
• Children are introduced to activities and opportunities that support their emotional, social, creative, cognitive and physical growth.
• The children participate in an environment that promotes active learning, autonomy, freedom, and a sense of responsibility and order.
• Our staff strive to stimulate each child's natural curiosity and encourage personal expression through real experience and play.
• The centre has a commitment to foster the values of co-operation, kindness, empathy, respect and responsibility In order to achieve these objectives, a daily schedule of activities has been developed which includes both active and quiet play, indoors and outdoors.
• Free play and structured learning periods, large and small group activities and walks around the neighbourhood.
Daily Schedule:
The centre is open form 7:30-5:00
7:30-9:30 Free play
9:00-9:30 Arts and Crafts
9:30-9:45 Clean up and Books and Puzzles (bathroom break)
9:45-10:15 Snack
10:15 -11:25 Outside time rain or shine (backyard, walk, park or beach)
11:30- 12:15 Bathroom and Lunch
Nappers have a quiet time from 12:30-2:00
Non Nappers have outside time play from 12:30-2 or inside play
2:00-3 Circle (pick up not available)
3:00 (bathroom break)
3:00-3:15 Snack
3:15- Free play
Active Play Policy:
• At Carousel Child Care Centre, we appreciate and encourage children to experience many various forms of physical activity throughout the day.
• Carousel has a large indoor gross motor activity room where children are free to play games, dance, jump, build and move within that space that is appropriate and safe.
• Obstacle courses and dances that use large full body movements to encourage balance, coordination and gross motor skills are encouraged with ECE supervision.
• Everyone goes outside for a minimum of 1.5 hours per day and can be up to 6 hours each day, depending on the weather. In the play yard the children have the opportunity to ride bicycles, run, roll down hills, climb, kick balls, dig, and play with weather appropriate materials.
• Weekly, the children will go on various field trips that will include walking to local parks and playgrounds, exploring beaches in the neighbourhood, and outdoor un-facilitated play.
• These field trips will take place in the mornings and may be in addition to the scheduled time in the play yard.
• In the months that we don’t have access for weather reasons we include a weekly class (dance, music, etc.…).
Guidance Policy:
• Guidance should be handled in such a manner that it leads to a positive learning experience which helps the child learn to control, modify, change and maintain behaviour.
• Acceptable guidance implies age appropriate expectations and natural consequences; praise and encouragement; modeling; consistent limits and effective communication.
• No teacher will use physical, emotional or psychological punishment on any child.
• The staff will set reasonable limits and give age appropriate and logical consequences. It is important for all staff to model appropriate behavior at all times and to encourage the children to use their words to express their feelings rather than acting out.
• The staff try and give more attention to the children when they are behaving appropriately, rather than only when they are acting out; to stress appropriate behavior and build self-esteem.
• There are times when a child will keep pushing the limits a teacher has set, therefore risking himself, others and/or the environment. This may mean the child will be removed from the situation and redirected to another area of play. Then the situation can be discussed and the child may re-enter play activities.
• Typically in a group childcare centre setting you will find that the children will have conflict with one another from time to time and this is normal.
• The conflicts provide opportunities for the children to learn about boundaries, appropriate ways to handle situations, and how to function successfully in a larger group of peers.
Aggressive Behaviour:
• Biting, scratching and hitting are part of normal development but are unacceptable behaviours.
• Parents will be notified when their child exhibits such behaviours. Staff at Carousel will establish an action plan specific to the child and his/her behavior so the staff approach is consistent and appropriate.
• If behavior persists the parent will be advised to seek professional help on behalf of the child. If the child’s behavior cannot be modified and he/she poses a threat to the well-being of other children, then the parent
will be asked to withdraw the child from Carousel Child Care Centre Inc.
VIHA Rules:
• All childcare centres are visited periodically by public health nurses, fire warden, and Vancouver Island Health authority to assess their standards.
• No child will be allowed to leave our care if we have any reason to believe that the person picking them up and or driving them home has been drinking or under the influence of drugs.
• It is our responsibility, to the extent that is possible, not to release a child to an authorized person who is unable to adequately care for the child.
• If the person is driving a vehicle, we will explain that driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is unlawful and we will call you a cab or someone else to come and get you.
• If the presumed impaired person chooses to get into the car, with or without the child, we will immediately call the police and provide a description and geographic vicinity.
• Authorized people change from time to time so please keep staff aware of changes.
• A child will only be allowed to go with someone, other than the parent or guardian, if we have written permission from the parent or guardian on authorization form.
• Photo ID will also be asked for and if no ID is presented the child will not be allowed to leave.
• If the person listed is only to pick up with prior consent from you the parent, please state that clearly on the form. Otherwise those people will be allowed to pick up your child with photo ID; as filling in that section is written permission from, the parent, from those people to do so.
• If an unauthorized person comes to pick up the child, the child will remain under the supervision of the care giver.
• If a custody or court order exists, a copy of the order needs to be placed in the child’s file. The guardian is responsible for providing accurate and up to date info concerning the legal guardianship of the child.
• Without a custody or court order on file, we cannot deny access to the non-enrolling parent. If the non-enrolling parent is not listed on the authorization form, it will be treated as an unauthorized pick up.
• If difficulties arise, all reasonable efforts will be made to insure the safety of the child and other children. If necessary, the police will be called for assistance.
• We are an inclusive child care centre, there may be children with extra needs or developmental differences. Having children with extra needs included in a child care centre is the most effective way for your child to understand and accept others.
• We will have interventionists, one on one staff as well as Dr. and therapists join us periodically to visit the children.
Registration Procedures:
• A non-refundable fee of $100.00 will be charged at time of enrollment to guarantee your child a place at Carousel Child Care Centre Inc.
• The fee goes towards registration, an earthquake kit and extra activities.
Monthly Payment The monthly fee is to be paid the last Friday of the preceding month.
• If we do not receive your fees by the 7th of the month there will be an extra charge of $25 a week, Unless a different arrangement of payment is agreed upon in this parent package.
• Postdated cheques and email money transfers are welcome. If your cheque bounces, there will be a processing fee of $25.00.
• We require payment for your child regardless of the number of days your child attends daycare; sick days and holidays must still be paid for in order to hold the spot for your child.
• If a Child’s fees and/or subsidy are behind by one month your child will not be allowed to attend until they are paid in full. If your spot happens to be filled with another child before you pay, your spot is unfortunately gone.
• We are currently enrolled in the CCFRI inititive, which covers $540/fulltime month for 3-5yo and $900/fulltime month for 30-36mo.
• Each March, we reapply to be part of the following year's intititive.
• If for whatever reason our application is not approved by April 1st, or we are denied, then the parent will be responsible for the full months fees.
• If in the case of a late approval, the parent would pay all of April's fees (and any following months), and would then have the inititive applied to their following months as back pay once its received by Carousel.
RATES FOR September 2025 -August 2026:
2.5-3yrs or in diapers/ pullups Over 3 & Toilet trained
Full Time 4 or more: $1180.00. $1117.00
3 Days: $957.00 $907.00
2 Days: $757.00 $692.00
RATES FOR September 2026 -August 2027:
2.5-3yrs or in diapers/ pullups Over 3 & Toilet trained
Full Time 4 or more: $1215.00. $1150.00
3 Days: $987.00 $937.00
2 Days: $787.00 $722.00
Over 3 and not trained will be the rate of the under 3 less CCFRI
Trial Period:
• Each new child is accepted on a one-month probationary period. Carousel reserves the right to refuse care with immediate dismissal.
• If a child demonstrates an inability to participate in the regular daily program, or has behaviour problems that are beyond our ability to handle and it is affecting other children or staff’s safety, we may have to ask your family to leave.
• Parents also have the right to terminate enrollment during this trial
period.
Withdrawing:
• If you are withdrawing your child from the program you must give one calendar month notice in writing or a month fee in lieu of the notice. The trail period is exempt from this policy.
Hours of operation:
• Our centre is open Monday through Friday 7:30-5:00.. The Centre closes promptly at 5:00pm. so please pick up your child by 4:50 so that if any info needs to be passed on staff can do so and leave when their shift ends at 5:00.
Morning Drop Off:
• Children should arrive at the Centre no later than 9:15am in order to participate in all aspects of the program and have sufficient time to settle into the routine.
• The children often go on excursions off the premises, and the departure time for these activities is usually 9:30am.
• If due to appointments you will be bringing your child in after 9:15, please have them return by 11am and inform the staff.
• We will not be able to accommodate drop off between 9:15 am and 10:15 am or after 11am.
• If your child has an afternoon appointment they will not be able to return that day.
• If you feel that your child needs medicine for whatever reason (other than prescription) before coming to school than they are to stay home.
• Medicine FREE students only please!
Late Pick Up:
• If you are late picking up your child there is a charge of $15.00 every 15 minutes (per child).
• If a guardian has not picked up a child or called by closing, we will try to contact the family and then the alternative persons form the authorization forms.
• If that person is unavailable and the parent has not contacted the caregiver within 30 minutes of closing, we are required to phone Ministry of Children and Families.
Holidays:
• We are closed all statutory holidays. If a statutory holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday we will also be closed on the Monday or Friday. There is no fee reduction for these days.
• The Centre will also be closed for the last week of July and the first week of august, as well as the week between Christmas and New Years. We will also be closed for Truth & Reconciliation Day.
Emergency Center Closure:
• In the event of Carousel Child Care Centre having to close due to reasons beyond our control (including but not limited to snow days, intense heatwave of 32+, earthquakes, fire, flood, health emergencies or teacher’s strike) you will be contacted to pick up your child immediately. There will be no refunds for emergency school closures.
• However, in the event of more than 5 consecutive days of emergency closure, fee credits will be calculated and will be applied to your next invoice.
• Fee credits for the entire closure time cannot be given due to ongoing operating costs (e.g. rent, insurance, staff wages, etc.).
• If SD 61 closes for extraordinary circumstances so will we. This is to ensure the safety of our clients and staff. Thank you for your understanding.
Potty Training Policies:
• We strive to support your efforts of potty training at home right through the day here at Carousel.
• However, there are some key signs to look for before we are able to help you train your child at the centre. The key signs 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, pants that don’t have buttons would be best.
• The child is able to communicate to the staff 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.
• If these signs are not present, your child is not ready to potty train at school. We will always encourage children to use the potty regularly and we begin to introduce sitting on the toilet.
• When your child does potty train, we ask that you provide extra clothing and remove soiled clothing daily.
Preventing Illness’s to spread at Carousel Child Care Centre Inc.
•If a child is not well enough to take part in the regular program at Carousel, we will ask for them not to be at the Centre, as we do not have the staff or the space to separate ill children.
•If Carousel calls your child home with any of the below symptoms please keep them away for 48 Hours after symptoms have subsided.
•Ultimately, the care of a child who is ill is the parents responsibility.
• Symptoms which should exclude a child from attending Carousel
Parents should be advised to keep their child at home or to seek alternate care arrangements for the following:
• Your child should stay home for the first 48hrs of any illness symptoms.
• Pain- any complaints of undiagnosed pain.
•If you feel that your child needs medicine for whatever reason (other than prescription) before coming to school than they are to stay home.
• Medicine FREE students only please!
• A common cold - with listlessness, runny green or yellow discharge from nose or eyes, coughing, a sore throat, and a horse voice. No more than three coughs or nose wipes in an hour.
• Once the child's temperature (48 hours fever and medicine free), well-being and energy have returned to normal, the child may no longer be contagious, and may return to Carousel.
• Generally speaking, a person who catches a cold can spread it to others for one day before symptoms appear, and about 5 days after the cold symptom (above) begin.
• Difficulty in breathing – wheezing or a persistent cough (no more than three times an hour).
• Fever (100 degrees F or 38.3 degrees C or more) is when we will call home and ask for a child to stay home until fever is gone for 48hrs without medicines.
• Pink eye or discharge from the eye - a student may return 4 days after the first application of eyedrops and as long as the eye is no longer oozing any discharge.
• Infected skin – rash, we may need a doctor's note to rule out that it’s not contagious.
• Hand foot and mouth disease - please stay home until open sores are covered, usually 7 days.
• Unexplained Diarrhea, Vomiting or high temperature - these symptoms could indicate a bacterial infection (flu) and could easily be passed from one child to another. Please keep the child away till all symptoms have stopped for 48 hours fever and medicine free.
• Lice - we are a lice and nit free facility (we will check child upon reentry).
• Children with a known or suspected communicable disease.
Photo Disclaimer:
• All photographs and video at Carousel Childcare Centre may be used for pictures on the walls and website, unless otherwise informed.
Screen Time Policy/ Music:
• During regular childcare days, there are no screens (TV) for children to access in the program. Occasionally there may be devices (cell phones) used for circle or preschool.
• The Children listen to jazz or classical music in the nap room, as well as during quiet time. We also use music in circle or preschool, as well as seasonal music for fun and dance.
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