Safety and Emergency Procedures

The safety of your children will be our first priority at all times.

We carefully monitor the program and follow the guidelines suggested in the Ministry Handbook 'Guidance & Discipline with Young Children', which can be made available to you at your request.

A number of guidelines have been set for the facility and its equipment,in regard to safe play. These guidelines will be carefully explained to the children, and continuously reinforced by the staff.

Fire and Earthquake Procedures

All staff are trained in the emergency procedures that have been established in the case of a fire orearthquake, and have current First Aid and CPR certification.

We have drills on a regular basis,so the children will be prepared for an emergency situation.In the case of an emergency, such that building is unsafe to use, your children will betransferred to the grounds of Waverly Elementary School where they will stay with staff until a recognized guardian comes to pick them up.

First Point

Waverley Elementary School
6111 Elliot Street at E 49th Avenue
If Waverley is unsafe we will proceed to second point

Second Point

Killarney Community Centre
6260 Killarney Street at E 49th Avenue

Our "Out of City" contact is

Lorraine Lively at Kamloops Christian School
750 Cottonwood Ave
Kamloops, BC
Lorrainel@kamcs.org
1 250 376 6900 Ext 242

If your child has experienced any of the following symptoms within the past 24 hours, we request that parents keep sick children at home:

• A fever 99 degrees Fahrenheit (37.2 degrees Celsius) auxiliary (under arm) for 24 hours.
• Signs of a severe cold orcoughing/wheezing/difficulty breathing.
• Diarrhea or vomiting (your childis to be kept at home until all the symptoms have stopped for 24 hours).
• Infected skin or eyes, or an undiagnosed rash.
• Any discharge or drainage from eyes, nose, ears, or open sores.
• Headaches and stiff neck (see a physician).
• Children who become ill with any of these symptoms will be sent home.
• If you have any questions about whether your child should attend Group Care that day, please call the center before bringing in your child.

The administrator may allow a child to return to care after being ill provided that:

• The exclusion period has been observed and the child is not contagious.
• The child appears capable of participating fully in the program.

Note : In the case of a disease not listed on the Reference Charts, the administrator may consult with the Community Health Nurse before the child returns to the program.

Medication

• All prescription and non-prescription medications will be kept in a container labeled for medication that can be refrigerated if required.
• Staff will only accept non-prescription medications from a family when accompanied by a written note from the child’s physician authorizing the administration of the medication.
• Does administration time must be indicated? All medications must be in their original containers withdirections printed clearly.
• Please remember to sign the “medication permission Form” before you leave the center.
• No medication is kept on site except for those items necessaryin a standard first aid kit. Two complete first aid kits are kept at the center.
• A more portable kit is available to be taken on our fieldtrips.

Daily Health

• To minimize the spread of illness staff, will institute good hygiene practices in the center.
• The children will wash their hands before eating and the center will be cleaned regularly.

Notification of Injuries

• If your child becomes injured while under our care, we will begin first aid procedures, call an ambulance,if needed,contact the parent and the family doctor.
• For this reason, we have attached an emergency consent card, which must be completed and signed before your child can be admitted to the center.

Allergies

• All allergies should be listed on the registration form. If there are changes, please inform the staff with a written letter.
• If your child has asthma, please inform the staff so that they can be prepared to help your child when needed.
• For many children, seasonal changes bring sneezes, itchy eyes and other allergy symptoms.
• . It may be necessaryto keep your child at home if his/her symptoms will be intensified by outdoor play.

Changes in Information

• Please inform the staff of changes to your current information. If your address, telephone number or authorized person changes, please let us know.

Custody and Restraining Orders

• If a custody agreement or marital status changes, we need to be notified.
• It is also very important toprovide copies of any restraining orders or specific custody orders to the staff at the day care center.

Child Abuse

• Teachers are required by law to report suspected or,disclosed abuse to the Ministry of Child and Family Development.
• This is something we always hope will not be necessary, but the procedures are designed to protect the child.
• It is the responsibility of the Ministry of Child and Family Development to investigate and decide if abuse has occurred.
• Teachers are not permitted to contact the parent(s) unless specifically directed to do so by the Ministry of Child and Family Development or the Police.

Guidance and Discipline Policy (Summary)

Our program promotes a positive approach to managing the behavior of all children

• Children need to be supervised at all times.
• Children need to respect the rights of other children and be safe from physical harm or injury by other children.
• Children need to respect the property of the program, building and playground.
• We believe that children need to be empowered in dealing with any conflict-resolution and develop internal self-control. Once these basic skills are mastered, the children can lead productive lives.
• Children have the right to interaction with staff throughout their day.

Late Pick Up Procedure

• New Hope Childcare closes promptly at 6 pm.
• Parents are required to notify the Centre before 6 pm if they are unable to arrive by closing time.
• If a child remains in the Centre past 6 pm, a late fee of $10.00 is to be paid to the staffon duty.
• After 6:15 pm, there is a $1.00 per minute chargepaid to the staff.
• If a city-wide transport issue occurs and the parent has contacted staff before 6 pm and the parent arrives before6:15 pm there will be no charge.
• If the parent arrives after6:15 pm the parent will pay $10.
• Repeated violation of the late fee policy may, at the absolute discretion of the Centre, result in termination of childcare services.
• If a child is left past 6 pm without notification from parents, all attempts will be made to contact the parents and emergency contacts for immediate pick up.
• If no contact can be made by 6:30 pm, Ministry of Children and Families will be contacted.