Parent Handbook - Child Care Parksville & Qualicum Beach, BC...diapers, wet wipes and diaper cream as needed Paradise Child Care Centres Ltd. [email protected] Parksville

Paradise Child Care Centres Ltd. Licensed Child Care Programs

Infant & Toddler, Kinder Prep and School Age

“The Future is in Our Hands”

Parent Handbook Everything you need to know…

So that together we can help your child grow!

Paradise Child Care Centres Ltd. www.paradisechildcarebc.com ● [email protected]

Parksville 250-586-8688 ● Qualicum Beach 250-619-6384 ● Courtenay 250-871-2424

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Welcome to Paradise……………………………………………………..

The Paradise Philosophy…………………………………………………

Our Philosophy

Our Mission

Our Values

Our Guidance…………………………………………………………………

Steps for Guiding Children

Getting Started………………………………………………………………

Clothing

Snack & Lunch………………………………………………………………..

Toileting………………………………………………………………………...

Quiet Time & Napping

Behaviour Expectations

Toys & Items from Home………………………………………………..

Arrival

Emotional Departure

Pick-Up Times………………………………………………………………...

Parent & Care Provider Communications

Holidays & Closures

Absence Reporting …………………………………………………………

Contact Us

Payment Instructions & Fee Information…………………………

Late Fees & Payment policy

Registration Fee

Late to Pick-Up Charges

School Age Program Requirements…………………………………

Paradise Policies…………………………………………………………….

Weather Policy

Wellness & Illness Policy ……………………………………………….

Food & Drink Policy ……………………………………………………….

Release of Child Policy……………………………………………………

Emergency & Evacuation ……………………………………………...

Holidays & Closures Policy ……..………………………………………

Screen Time

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http://www.paradisechildcarebc.com/



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WELCOME TO PARADISE We are excited to welcome your family to Paradise! We look forward to getting to know you and your child.

Please let us know any additional information about your child that you feel will help us to better support and

understand your child’s specific needs. Our exceptional team of educators are committed to making your child’s

transition in care seamless and enjoyable. Thank you for allowing us this opportunity to get to know and care

for your precious little one.

THE PARADISE PHILOSOPHY Our Philosophy At Paradise Child Care Centres, we believe that each child should be honoured for their unique way of being.

We provide nurturing guidance in a family feel environment that respectfully encourages children to explore,

discover and appreciate the wonders that our world has to offer. We believe in fostering healthy social-

emotional development, rich language, physical growth, cognitive learning and self-help skills through play

based learning. The corner stone of our success is our dedicated and passionate team of educators. Together

we offer an eclectic blend of educational influences rooted in a health conscious, earth aware and kindness

toward all approach.

Our Mission We are committed to being a leader in providing the highest standard of programs for child development at

every stage. We strive to exceed expectations with a collaborative team approach, partnering with families to

meet the needs of each child. As a licensed group child care facility our goal is to provide a safe and nurturing

environment that inspires a lifelong love for learning. We support working families with; full day care, extended

hours of operation and by working in conjunction with the provincial government to support families through

the Affordable Child Care subsidy program.

Our Values Paradise feels like a home away from home, where our team is a family, our educators take pride in their

purpose, where children feel welcome and safe to express and explore who they are and where parents have

complete confidence knowing that their children are in responsible and nurturing hands. We value our

community connections and involvement, our own personal growth and professional development, earth

awareness through gardening and composting initiatives and the opportunity as a group care facility to cultivate

meaningful relationships whether during circle time or through our larger family events.




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Our Guidance At Paradise our philosophy for guidance is to always maintain a respectful, encouraging and positive approach

in guiding children’s development. Our educators model appropriate, positive social behaviors to support

children on their journey toward independence. This approach teaches self-regulation and kindness, for

themselves and all things. Our goal is for your child’s experiences away from home to be positive and enjoyable.

We understand that each and every child is unique, recognizing that children’s needs differ and that each child

needs to be considered individually is a primary focus for providing effective guidance and nurturing care.

Our Steps Guiding Children

We arrange our classroom environments with learning centres that are separate and clearly defined.

We provide a thoughtful variety developmentally appropriate activities and materials.

We follow a predictable schedule, which helps to eliminate anxiety providing children with a sense of

security and confidence knowing what to expect.

We involve the children in making rules and establishing limits so that they will have ownership over

them and feel a part of our community.

Our goal is for children to participate in problem solving, we encourage them to settle differences

amongst themselves with our support if needed.

We set clear behavior expectations and offer choices.

We observe children at play to ensure that the environment is meeting their developmental needs and

will adapt our programming to make changes as necessary.

A quiet space is provided for children when they may be required some time to calm or self-regulate.

Parents are notified if there are any concerns, we encourage working together with parents as a team

to find solutions or to make changes that may better support your child.




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GETTING STARTED

PLEASE ENSURE ALL OF YOUR CHILD’S ITEMS ARE LABELLED

Including: lunch kit, containers, pacifiers, bottles, diapering items, shoes, clothing etc.

1. Clothing:

Here on the west coast our weather changes frequently and often without warning. It is required that

your child be fully prepared for what the day may bring as we often spend the majority of our time

outside.

Please provide the following items for your child to ensure a comfortable day in care;

Muddy Buddy (rain suit) or waterproof pants and coat

Waterproof mittens or gloves, warm toque

Weather appropriate jacket - year round

Wide brim sun hat with chin strap - warmer months

Weather appropriate outdoor shoes, rubber boots - year round, closed toe sandals are

acceptable, no open toe sandals or flip flops

Clean indoor running shoes with rubber soles to be left at the centre (no lace ups please)

Comfortable, non-restrictive clothing that allow children to move, gain greater independence

with toileting as well as making outerwear easier to take on and off over top

An extra full change of clothes packed in a large zip-lock bag labeled with your child's name

to be left at the centre, multiple changes are recommended for Infant & Toddler programs

Please check and replenish your child’s cubby daily, ensuring outdoor gear is clean, dry and ready

for use. Remember to replace extra pants, shirts, socks and underwear and / or disposable

diapers, wet wipes and diaper cream as needed




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2. Snacks & Lunch

At Paradise we value the importance of good nutrition as healthy eating is the key to mental and physical

wellbeing. It is our policy that processed foods and sugary treats are not permitted to be consumed while

in care and these items will be returned home. See Paradise Policies for more details.

Our Parksville and Courtenay location provide two healthy snacks per day (two fresh fruits and

one carbohydrate) at 10am and 3pm, please pack a healthy lunch for your child, we recommend

2-3 small servings of cooked or raw vegetables and a healthy protein.

Our Qualicum Beach families are required to pack to two healthy snacks and a nutritious lunch.

Pack any food to be reheated in a separate container.

Paradise promotes earth awareness and encourages a waste free environment, please use

labeled reusable containers and avoid single use plastics.

We only serve water, please do not pack any juice, milk or yogurt drinks.

Paradise provides a labeled water cup for each child in our Infant & Toddler and Kinder Prep

Programs, a water bottle from home is not necessary.

Nutritious Snacks & Lunch Ideas

Children love small amounts of a variety of food “smorgasbord” style. The items you put into their

lunches do not have to be prepackaged to be fun and nutritious. Make your own packages, using wax

paper or reusable plastic containers with a fun sticker, make or order online fabric snack pouches. Less

waste and it will save you money! Be creative and have fun, it also helps if your child is involved in the

food preparation process.

Cut up fruit (grapes, melon, cantaloupe,

strawberries, banana).

Cut up veg (cuke slices, celery sticks,

carrots sticks)

Healthy cereal

Trail mix, nuts and dried fruit – no sugar

added

Yogurt – sugar free

Small muffin or pancakes

Pizza

Sushi

Rice or corn cakes with peanut or almond

butter

Cheese and crackers

Left over dinner

Sandwiches; meat protein, cheese, peanut

butter/nut butter or alternative protein

Wraps; turkey, egg or tuna salad

Small burritos




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3. Toileting:

Children are encouraged to be independent in toileting starting at two years of age or when they show

signs of potty training readiness and / or if they are nearing a program change (moving to the next age

group). Children may use the washroom as needed and several routine washroom breaks are scheduled

throughout the day. Accidents will happen, please provide extra, loose fitting, easy up/down pants,

underwear and socks. A positive attitude and consistent team effort both at home and while in care will

set children up for success. You are welcome to ask an educator for tips on how to make potty training

engaging and fun.

Infant and Toddler programs please provide:

Wet wipes

Disposable Diapers (no cloth diapers please)

Diaper cream as necessary

4. Quiet Time and Napping:

All children participate in quiet time after eating lunch each day. During this time children may engage

in a yoga practice, a calming art activity or story time and then will lay down for a rest. Some children

will sleep and others will take the time to rejuvenate in preparation for a busy afternoon. Paradise will

provide sheets, blankets and a cozy stuffy. If your child has a very special attachment to a sleeping aid

please pack it for them otherwise we will take care of all the comfort. Children enrolled in the Infant and

Toddler programs, have a scheduled naptime once per day at 12:30/1 to 3pm.

At home please ensure your child is getting to bed early for a full night of restful sleep.

Recommended Sleep by age:

Infants 4-12 months

Toddlers 1-2 years

Preschool 3-5 years

School Age 6-12 years

12-16 hours including naps



9-12 hours

5. Expectations:

Paradise expects all children to practice safety and kindness for self and all things, we will not tolerate:

A child harming another child or care providers

Running in the classroom or hallways

Inappropriate language

Willful destruction of property, toys, furniture. Parent /guardian will be charged replacement

costs




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6. Toys and Items from Home:

Our programs offer plenty of activities that keep children engaged in learning and play for the entire day.

To avoid the disappointment of personal items becoming lost or broken please keep all toys, costumes,

games etc. at home (unless requested otherwise).

7. Arrival:

We request that children start their day:

Clean & with full tummies – breakfast is important

Arrive before 9:00am – before morning activity transitions happen

Sign your child in on the sign/out sheet

Enter quietly to not disrupt the other children immersed in activities

If we are out of the classroom when you arrive, please check the sign posted outside of the

classroom to learn our whereabouts and come find us!

Please do not leave your child alone in the classroom

Upon arrival children will:

Hang up their backpack and coat

Remove outside shoes and put on inside shoes

Wash their hands before they begin their play

Arrival Communications:

Parent/Guardians will sign in and sign out their child each day

Please notify your child’s educator of; planned late arrivals or if you will be picking up early

Limit your child’s day in care to a MAXIMUM of 9 hours, after a long, busy day of play they are

ready for time at home with their families

8. Emotional Departures:

It is normal for children to be hesitant and sometimes even cry when dropping them off, please be very

brief (no more than 5 minutes during drop off times) as prolonged departures can make drop offs more

difficult. A quick, consistent goodbye routine is best; a cheerful goodbye kiss with reassurance that you

will be back is all they need. Our nurturing educators will support your child with positive redirection to

help them feel comfortable and excited about their day. If you need guidance please do not hesitate to

ask our educators how to make arrivals successful.




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9. Pick-Up Time:

It is our priority to keep children safe at all times, please follow these pick up time guidelines to help us

ensure everyone’s well-being:

Please make eye contact with an educator and sign your child out

The Parent/ Guardian assumes responsibility for care once your child is signed out

Check your child’s cubby for items that need to be washed and replenished

Check Art bin regularly for take home creations

Keep pick up times brief to avoid disruption

Play area gates should be opened and closed by adults only

Children in our Kinder Prep and toddler programs must hold an adults hand while entering and

exiting our play areas, front entrance, and through parking lots

Children are not permitted to enter classrooms or access any other area in the building without

adult supervision at any time

10. Parent and Care Provider Communications:

We value working as a team with parents to best support children to reach their full potential. Please

share any information about your child that may affect their time in care such as; sleep at home, nap

routine, behavior patterns, changes at home, food intake, likes and dislikes etc. Educators will share

information about your child’s time in care, as points of interest arise, either; verbally, by email or at

times may request a private meeting.

Parent and care provider communication is vital, however please refrain from in-depth discussions about

your child during drop-off and pick-up times. When parents have requests or need to discuss specific

points of concern please call or email us to address the issue or set up an appropriate time to meet the

educator privately. Please see the Contact Us section of this handbook to reach out to us, we welcome

your discussion.

11. Statutory Holidays & Closures:

Please see the parent board in your child’s classroom to familiarize yourself with the current statutory

holiday schedule. Paradise is closed for all statutory holidays, Easter Monday, two weeks for winter break

following the School District calendar as well as the final week of summer holidays. School Age programs

are closed the first week of summer holidays.




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12. Absence Reporting:

Infant & Toddler and Kinder Prep Programs

Please call the location your child attends to inform us when your child will be absent;

Parksville 250-586-8688 Qualicum 250-619-6384 Courtenay 250-871-2424

Leave a message with the date of absence, your child’s full name and the program they attend.

Advance notice of planned absences is greatly appreciated and can be communicated directly to the

program supervisor by email. Please refer to the Contact Us page of this handbook for addresses.

School Age Programs

Please text or call the School Age Attendance Line for Parksville 250-954-8353 Qualicum 250-619-6384

Courtenay 250-871-2424 prior to 2:00pm or a $20 administration fee will be applied.

CONTACT US

General information can be found on our website at: www.paradisechildcarebc.com

Administration: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Parksville Centre 330 Craig St. Parksville (Craig St. Commons) Ph: 250-586-8688 Absent Line - School Age Program Parksville Text: 250-954-8353

Parksville Programs: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Qualicum Beach Centre 744 Primrose Ave Qualicum Beach (Qualicum Commons) Ph: or Text: 250-619-6384 Email: [email protected]

Qualicum Beach Programs: [email protected] [email protected]

Courtenay Centre Unit A – 2785 Mansfield Drive Courtenay Ph: 250-871-2424 Email: [email protected]



mailto:[email protected]












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PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS & FEE INFORMATION How to Pay:

1. Families will receive an emailed invoice prior to the end of each month

2. E-transfer the amount owing to: [email protected]

3. Please write the INVOICE NUMBER on the E-Transfer notes section to ensure your payment is applied

to your account.

Late Fees & Payment Policies:

Tuition Fees are due on or before the first of each month

Late payments will be charged at the rate of $5.00 per day until fees have been paid in full

The invoices you receive are your tax receipts

If you are not receiving invoices for any reason, please contact us

Additional drop-in days and Pro D Days will be added to the following months invoice

Government subsides are paid directly to us and applied to your account

$20 will be charged for not reporting School Age Program (only) absences, before 2pm on the day of

Registration Fee

One time, non-refundable registration fee $75.00 is due upon receipt of your first invoice

Late Pick-Up Charges:

There will be a late fee of $1.00 per minute charged for every minute past closing that a parent/guardian is late

to pick up their child. Late fees will be added to the next month’s invoice.

At 5:35PM Paradise will begin calling authorized persons on the child’s emergency contact list.

At 6:00 PM if authorized persons cannot be reached to pick up the child, The Ministry of Social Service

will be called, as stated in the Release of a Child Policy.





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SCHOOL AGE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

After school snack: Please pack an extra snack in your child’s lunch to have as an after-school snack. Healthy

snacks only (no juice, chocolate, candy, sugary treats or puddings please).

Water: Each child should have a water bottle labeled with their name on it, we play outside often and do not

always have direct access to the water fountain while outside or off premises.

Pro D Days & Spring/Summer Camps Snacks: Children are required to pack at least two snacks and one large

nutritious lunch as our full day programs are very active, and we like to ensure each child has lots to food to

fuel them through all the activities. We encourage fruits and vegetables for their first snack of the day.

Clothes/Footwear: Children are required to keep a full change of clothes at Paradise. Please send a labeled zip

lock bag with extra socks, underwear, pants and shirt. Expect your child to get dirty and wet, we are outside

all year round. You may bring a pair of inside shoes to leave at Paradise, or your child may wear socks inside.

Gym Days: Depending on what time you are picking up, we may be in the gym. Please check the information

board at the front entrance for our exact location.

Movie Day: During the colder weather we may have a movie day 1-2 times per month, the movie shown will

be limited to “G” rated only and on some occasions we may serve popcorn.

Pro D Day Sign-Up: Pro D days are not included in your monthly fees. *See the fees chart for current day rate*.

The sign-up sheet for each month’s Pro D Day will be posted on the parent board outside of the classroom on

the 15th of each month. Spaces are available on a first come first serve basis, once you have signed-up the fee

is non-refundable and will be added to your following month’s invoice.

Spring/Summer Camp Sign-up: Spring break registration opens in January of each year and summer break

registration opens in April of each year. Families will be notified by email when registration opens, spaces are

limited on a first come first serve basis. *See the fee chart for current camp rates*

Absences: Please do not email, text or call the Paradise Absent Line in Parksville: 250-954-8353 Qualicum: 250-

619-6384 Courtenay 250-871-2424 if your child will be absent or will not arrive to Paradise on the bus from

school, please report this to us no later than 2pm the day of. A charge of $20.00 will be added to your invoice

if you do NOT let us know your child will be absent.

Location: We often go on adventures during after school care, our location may be different each day. Please

watch for signs posted at the entrance to learn our whereabouts and what time we intend to return.

Closures: School Age Programs and summer camps are closed the first week of summer holidays and the last

week of summer holidays before school begins. Please check the parent board for the current dates of closures.




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PARADISE POLICIES

1. WEATHER POLICY All year weather: West coast rain can hit at any time, it is important that children are equipped with the following at all times:

Waterproof rain jacket

Waterproof pants

Rubber boots April – September During the warmer months children must have:

Wide brim sun hat that covers face, ears, neck and shoulders with an under the chin strap.

T-shirt that covers the child’s shoulders (no tank tops or spaghetti straps) UV protective shirts and shorts are ideal.

Closed toe sandals

Sunscreen: During the summer months we request that parents who would like their child to wear sunscreen apply the sunscreen at home before coming to care. If re-application or additional sunscreen is required for afternoon outdoor time, parents must provide Paradise with a natural based sunscreen for staff to apply.

It is important that our bodies are exposed to some level of pure sunshine. Our skin absorbs natural vitamin D from the sun and stores it up, slowly releasing it overtime to keep our bodies healthy throughout darker months. At Paradise we are sun smart and practice sun safety so that we can take in the benefits of the nice weather while continuing our exploration and play outdoors. We are fortunate that our many play spaces provide plenty of shade. The Paradise Team is diligent to ensure all children get adequate time in the shade as well as plenty of water while playing in warm weather.

October – March During the cold months of the year, it is mandatory that children have warm waterproof outer wear including:

Waterproof gloves or mittens.

Toque or hat.

Warm & waterproof coat.

Parent’s responsibility: Please check your child’s cubby daily, ensuring outdoor gear is clean, dry and ready for use. Replace extra pants, shirt, socks and underwear as needed.




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2. WELLNESS & ILLNESS POLICY

Sanitizing: At Paradise we hold a high standard for health and wellness, therefore we use all natural cleaning and sanitizing solutions to ensure children are safe from toxic chemicals and carcinogens. All toys and surfaces in our classrooms are cleaned and sanitized regularly. Hand Washing: It is important that our children and team members take precautionary steps to prevent the spread of germs and thus illness. To practice this we enforce a frequent hand washing routine. For example children will wash their hands: upon arrival, after washroom breaks and outdoor play, before and after meals and before leaving to go home. Hygiene: To ensure a comfortable day in care children should arrive clean, if there are any concerns in this area we will work with parents to implement hygienic practices at home. Head Lice: We take every precaution at Paradise to avoid infestation outbreaks, we ask for your help by checking your child’s scalp once per week, along the hairline at the forehead, behind the ears, and at the nape of the neck. Should your family contract lice please inform Paradise as soon as possible, we will then anonymously notify other families to help prevent a further spread. How to reduce the chance of lice:

Tie back long hair.

Use gel or hairspray to contain fly away hair.

Avoid wearing fake fur lined jackets and clothing that lice can travel easily through.

Don’t share hats.

What to do if your child contracts lice: Please visit Vancouver Island Health for more information or ask your educator for helpful tips. https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/head-lice/head-lice


https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/head-lice/head-lice



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Illness: To prevent the spread of viruses in the child care environment and to allow for adequate rest and thus a speedy recovery, sick children need to stay in the comfort of their home until symptoms are gone.

Your child should not attend Paradise if they suffer from the following symptoms:

Complaints of unexplained or undiagnosed pain

Cold or flu symptoms

Difficulty breathing

High Fever (99.6 F / 37.6 C)

Sore throat or trouble swallowing

Infected skin or eyes

Undiagnosed rash, headache and stiff neck

Unexplained diarrhea, nausea and vomiting

Severe itching of either body or scalp, parasite related conditions (impetigo, scabies, head lice etc.)

If your child has a known or suspected communicable disease

**Please keep your child home until they are completely free of all symptoms**

Illness while in care: If your child becomes ill while in care at Paradise, the parent/guardian(s) will be contacted to pick up the child immediately. Your child will be kept in a comfortable and quiet place until your arrival. In case the parent/guardian is unreachable the alternative persons listed on your child’s emergency contact form will be contacted to pick up your child.

When your child is sent home for an illness or suspected illness they must be free and clear of all symptoms unmedicated (without Advil or Tylenol), for at least 24 hours before returning to Paradise, and have been examined by a doctor and have received medical clearance for an infection or parasite related condition.

Emergency Medical Concern: Should your child require urgent care for a major medical concern, ambulance services will be contacted to transport your child to the hospital for treatment. The parent/guardian will be responsible for all costs associated with emergency response providers.

Administering medications: The Paradise team will not administer any prescribed or over the counter medication to your child unless the parent/guardian has completed and signed a Permission to Administer Medication Form. Prescription medications must be accompanied with doctor’s instructions.

Communicable Illness: Please notify Paradise immediately in the event your child is diagnosed with a serious illness or contagious disease of a communicable nature, so that we may act on the necessary steps to prevent further spread of the disease.




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3. FOOD & DRINK POLICY

***NO JUICE BOXES, CANDY, CHOCOLATE, SUGARY TREATS OR PUDDINGS***

These items will be returned home with a reminder notice.

Families are encouraged to provide nutritious food for their child. Items to be reheated must be packed in a separate container. Our scheduled eating times are at: 10am morning snack, 12pm lunch, 3pm afternoon snack.

Paradise will supply a labeled water bottle for each child in Infant & Toddler and Kinder Prep programs. Water will always be available to children throughout the day and served with snacks and lunch. School Age children must bring a water bottle from home. No juice, pop or yogurt drinks are permitted. At no time will food or drink be used as a form of reward or punishment for the children.

Our Parksville and Courtenay IT and KP programs will provide 2 snacks. Parents must pack a nutritious lunch that consists of 2-3 vegetable servings, cooked or raw and a healthy protein and carbohydrate. On occasion we provide special treats such as popcorn or fruit smoothies. Snack logs are recorded and kept on file for all programs that serve food. Our Qualicum Beach IT and KP programs requires parents to pack 2 healthy snacks and a nutritious lunch that consists of 2-3 vegetable servings, cooked or raw and a healthy protein and carbohydrate. Special Occasions: Treats for special occasions such as; birthday cake, Valentine/Halloween treats are not accepted in any program for a variety of reasons including food allergies, food safety, personal family belief systems/traditions and disruption of regular classroom routine. This policy also demonstrates our commitment to inclusivity. During classroom celebrations Paradise may provide, and/or children may participate in preparing additional food items that complement our programming (examples: end of summer pizza party, holiday cookie decorating, homemade stone soup, friendship fruit salad, baking etc.). Parents will be notified of any upcoming classroom celebrations. Nuts and Peanuts: When there are no children with nut or peanut allergies enrolled at Paradise we allow these nutritious foods into our centres. Paradise practices nut and peanut awareness by; relying on parents to report allergies and ensuring that children who consume nuts or peanut butter in the classroom use their own placemat and wash hands thoroughly after their meal. If your child has an allergy to nuts or peanuts please contact our administration office immediately. Earth Awareness: Please only use reusable containers (labeled with your child’s name) and refrain from using plastic bags and plastic wrap.




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4. RELEASE OF CHILD POLICY

Children will only be released to those persons who are authorized and listed on the child’s registration forms.

Written permission and picture ID must be presented to the educator, for your child to be released.

If no one arrives to pick up a child from Paradise, it is our procedure to:

Call the parent/guardian and or emergency contact persons as listed on the child’s registration forms

If the child has been in care for 10 hours or Paradise is closing and all efforts have been made to reach

the parent/guardian or the child’s emergency contact yet the child still has not been picked up, the RCMP

and the Ministry of Social Services will be contacted

In the event that the parent or person authorized to pick up the child is incapable of providing safe care and or

transportation for the child ex: inadequate car seat, suspicion of intoxication etc. Our procedure is to:

Call an alternative parent or emergency contact to pick up the child

Call a taxi, expenses to be incurred by the parent/guardian

Contact police if they get into a vehicle with the child

Call the Ministry of Social Services if the child is unsafe or needs protection

Record in detail the procession of the event in our communication journal

If an unauthorized person attempts to pick up a child, our procedure is to:

Refuse the release of the child to the unauthorized person

Contact the parent/guardian to request written consent or to pick the child themselves

Contact an emergency contact person who is authorized to pick up the child

Contact the RCMP 911, if the parent/guardian or emergency contacts are unable to be reached




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5. EMERGENCY & EVACUATION POLICY

Preparedness is everyone’s responsibility. We strongly advise you to have two back-up plans for child care in

the event that we experience a disruption to our operations or that your child suffers from an infectious illness

or fever and cannot attend for safety reasons.

In case of an emergency it is important that your child has:

Adequate indoor footwear (recommend Velcro, no lace-up)

Seasonally suitable clothing

Sufficient food for the entire day

Power Outage:

In the case of power failure that lasts longer than:

60 minutes (1 hour) during the colder months of October - March

120 minutes (2 hours) during the warmer months of April - September

Paradise will call parents/guardians and then emergency contacts to pick your child as soon as possible.

Resumed Power:

Should the power resume before parents have collected their child, the child must still be picked up as the

centre will carry out the intention to close for the remainder of the day.

Weather closures:

Should a power failure occur overnight, a weather warning has be put in to affect or a strong weather system

prevents students from attending school, please contact Paradise to ensure “business is as usual”. Do not bring

your child to Paradise until you have confirmed that the facility is open and able to continue with regular

programming.

Disaster:

In the event of a formally declared emergency or disaster please pick up your child as soon as possible.

If a parent/guardian cannot pick up the child, you must contact one of your alternative emergency

persons listed on your child’s registration form, to do so.

In the event that Paradise must evacuate to a safe location, we will relocate to the Civic Centre in

Parksville at 132 Jensen Avenue, City Hall in Qualicum Beach at 660 Primrose street and Rotary Skypark

at 2479 Mansfield Drive in Courtenay.




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Pandemic:

In the event of an influenza pandemic, the facility will be closed until notified by Vancouver Island Health

Authority that the facility can re-open.

If for any reason Paradise is required to close due to a localized outbreak, the parent/guardian will be

contacted by phone or email and given specific information.

Emergency Schools Closure - District 69 & 71

School closures affect Paradise school age before and after school care programs. Schools are rarely

closed due to power outages or weather conditions. Most power failures are of short duration. During

inclement weather some bus routes may be cancelled, therefore our afterschool program will be closed.

During very severe conditions, schools may be closed. When schools are closed Paradise will be closed.

There may also be occasions when morning bus runs are limited or cancelled due to hazardous road

conditions. Paradise will inform parent/guardians of closures by email, school closures are announced on

local radio stations 88.5 FM The Beach, 97.3 FM The Eagle and 98.9 Jet FM as well as on School District

69 & 71 websites www.sd69.bc.ca www.sd71.bc.ca

6. HOLIDAYS & CLOSURES POLICY

Please note that annual program fees are divided to offer an equal monthly payment plan and will not

be affected by closures. Paradise will be closed for:

All statuary holidays

Two weeks winter holiday in December in alignment with the School District winter break schedule

School Age programs are closed the first week of summer holidays

All programs are closed the final week of summer holidays

7. SCREEN TIME POLICY

At Paradise we do not allow children to use personal electronic devices. Mobile phones, tablets and

other devices are not permitted at our centres.

On occasion, our Kinder Prep and School Age programs may present an age appropriate G rated movie.

For more information on health Canada’s recommended screen time limits please visit;

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/screen-time-nobodys-

perfect.html


http://www.sd69.bc.ca/

http://www.sd71.bc.ca/

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/screen-time-nobodys-perfect.html

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/screen-time-nobodys-perfect.html

Parent Handbook - Child Care Parksville & Qualicum Beach, BC...diapers, wet wipes and diaper cream as needed Paradise Child Care Centres Ltd. [email protected] Parksville

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