844 Park Street South, Peterborough, Ontario, K9J 3T8 Fax: (705) 743-9967   Emergency Cell: (705) 927-8375 Phone: (705) 743-0965 Toddler, Preschool & Summer Programs  -  Full and Half Day  -  1-1/2 to 6 Years  -  7:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday

                       

Parent Handbook Welcome to Discovery Child Care of Peterborough       The director and staff look forward to welcoming you and your child to our centre. In anticipation of your arrival, the following handbook was designed to give you all the information you need about Discovery Child Care of Peterborough. If you have any questions or concerns, please call us and we will be glad to help. See you soon! Facilities       Discovery Child Care of Peterborough is located on the grounds of the Peterborough Memorial Centre, in what was known as the Morrow Park Lounge. We rent this building from the City of Peterborough. Our renovations included windows, a custom kitchen, plumbing and fixtures, a new extended workstation and storage area, a furnace and central air, an outdoor shed, plus an ultraviolet light air filtration system.       Outside, the oversized playground is fully fenced, with a shade tree and tent, climbing apparatus with slides, tricycles and other riding toys, a sandbox, and a garden. The Philosophy       At Discovery Child Care, we believe that by providing a safe and happy environment for early childhood learning, we are enabling each child to maximize his or her potential. We believe that when children feel secure and happy, there is no limit to their learning. We are a close, caring group. Our staff has the utmost respect for children and the amazing way they absorb information. A very special kind of learning occurs before six years of age, and we want to embrace that opportunity to build a strong foundation. We want a bright future for each and every child. The Programs       The Toddler Program for children eighteen to thirty months of age, developed and run by Early Childhood Educators, offers a gentle, safe environment for fun learning. The daily timetable includes music, sensory exploration, crafts, and gross motor activities. As well, language and social development of the individual child is emphasized. Program Chart - Toddler Program Type Hours Daily Rate Catering Full Day More than 6 hours $36.50 1 lunch, 3 snacks Day 6 or fewer hours $31.00 1 lunch, 2 snacks Half Day - Morning 9:00 - 12:00 $23.00 1 lunch, 1 snack Half Day - Afternoon 12:00 - 3:30 $23.00 1 snack Program Chart - Preschooler Program Type Hours Daily Rate Catering Full Day More than 6 hours $35.00 1 lunch, 3 snacks Day 6 or fewer hours $29.50 1 lunch, 2 snacks Half Day - Morning 9:00 - 12:00 $21.00 1 lunch, 1 snack Half Day - Afternoon 12:00 - 3:30 $21.00 1 snack       Fees are due monthly, on the first day of the month. Post-dated cheques are required for the year. Monthly rates are calculated as follows: Five days per week: the daily rate multiplied by twenty-two days. Kindergarten schedule: the daily rate multiplied by eleven days. Three days per week: the daily rate multiplied by thirteen days. Two days per week: the daily rate multiplied by nine days. NSF Cheques       If a Parent or Guardian tenders a cheque to Discovery Child Care of Peterborough for which there are insufficient funds in his or her bank account (NSF cheque), Discovery Child Care of Peterborough will present or send an Invoice for the NSF Cheque to the Parent or Guardian in the amount of $20.00. The invoice is payable within five (5) calendar days from the date of the invoice.       At the discretion of the Director of Discovery Child Care of Peterborough, the Parent or Guardian may be required to give the amount of the NSF cheque in the form of another cheque, certified cheque, cash, or money order.       Due to fluctuations in bank charges and other factors, Discovery Child Care of Peterborough reserves the right to increase the amount charged for an NSF cheque without notice. Late Care Fee       If a child has not been picked up by his or her scheduled Pick Up time, according to the Program, the Parent or Guardian will be charged $3.00 per minute for the first ten minutes. Any five-minute intervals after that cost $5.00 each. The Parent or Guardian will be presented with or sent an invoice for Late Fees of a calendar month. The Parent or Guardian has seven days to pay the invoice in full. If a child is often picked up late, a staff member will contact the Parent or Guardian to discuss the child switching to a longer program, or no longer attending Discovery Child Care of Peterborough. Switching from One Program to Another       At some point, it may be necessary for you to switch your child from one Program to another. Discovery Child Care of Peterborough can't guarantee that we will be able to satisfy your requirements. However, we will make every effort to accommodate your scheduling requirements for childcare. Termination of Contract by Parent or Guardian       If a Parent or Guardian decides to terminate the contract with Discovery Child Care of Peterborough, then written or verbal notice must be given to the Director of Discovery Child Care of Peterborough. At the discretion of the Director, the child may be welcome to continue to attend until and not including the Date of Termination of the contract, which is not less than 30 days after Notice of Termination. All remaining post-dated cheques on file will be returned to the Parent or Guardian except the cheque that applies to the month that contains the Date of Termination and any cheques that apply to any preceding month(s). If there are Centre Days remaining in the month containing and after the Date of Termination, a refund will be calculated using the following formula: A = Amount of cheque that applies to the month that contains the Date of Termination B = Number of Centre Days after the Date of Termination remaining in the month that contains the Date of Termination C = Number of Centre Days contained in the month that contains the Date of Termination Refund = A x B / C       If the Parent or Guardian's account is in good standing, the refund will be sent to the Parent or Guardian no more than thirty (30) days after the end of the month that contains the Date of Termination. Termination of Contract by Director of Discovery Child Care of Peterborough       If the Director of Discovery Child Care of Peterborough decides to terminate the contract with a Parent or Guardian, written or verbal notice will be given. The child will be welcome to continue to attend Discovery Child Care of Peterborough until and not including the Date of Termination of the contract. The Date of Termination of the contract is set by the Director of Discovery Child Care of Peterborough at his or her discretion and may be immediate. All remaining post-dated cheques on file will be returned to the Parent or Guardian except the cheque that applies to the month that contains the Date of Termination and any cheques that apply to any preceding month. If there are Centre Days remaining in the month containing and after the Date of Termination, a refund will be calculated using the following formula: A = Amount of cheque that applies to the month that contains the Date of Termination B = Number of Centre Days after the Date of Termination remaining in the month that contains the Date of Termination C = Number of Centre Days contained in the month that contains the Date of Termination Refund = A x B / C       If the Parent or Guardian's account with Discovery Child Care of Peterborough is in good standing, the refund will be sent to the Parent or Guardian no more than thirty (30) days after the end of the month that contains the Date of Termination. Instructions for Daily Routine       The following items are required to be at Discovery Child Care of Peterborough at all times. Please ensure that your child is dropped off with these items, and that they are labeled: Items Required:   - One complete change of clothing including socks and shoes appropriate for the current weather condition (ex. set of summer clothing in the summer season, set of fall clothing for fall)   - Clothing worn by the child that is appropriate for the current weather condition (ex. winter jacket and two pairs of gloves or mittens for cold weather days of fall, winter, and spring)   - If appropriate, prescription medicine (see drug and medication policy)   - Diapers, wipes, cream if needed   - Indoor shoes or slippers Items Not Allowed: The following items are not allowed in the centre:   - Non-prescription drugs or medications (ex. cough syrup, lozenges, Aspirin, Tylenol)   - Candy or gum   - Food   - Beverages   - Electronic items   - Animals   - Coins Toys and Other Items From Home       As a safety precaution against choking and other hazards, toys and other items from home are strongly discouraged. All items brought to the centre must be inspected and approved by a Discovery Child Care of Peterborough staff member prior to showing it to any other child.       Exceptions will be made for items of comfort or security such as teddy bears. Drop-Off Routine   1. Bring a complete change of clothing including socks and shoes appropriate for the current weather condition.   2. Escort your child to the coat area.   3. Help remove any outerwear your child is wearing and hang on a hook or place in the child's basket.   4. Leave any wet or soiled footwear in the coat area.   5. Escort your child to his or her teachers.   6. Give any and all medication to a staff member for lock up.   7. If any information or items need to be given to Discovery Child Care staff, please talk briefly to a staff member. Pick-Up Routine   1. Pick up your child from their group activity.   2. Assist your child in the coat area.   3. Check your child's basket and hooks for schoolwork and parent notes.   4. Pick up any wet or soiled clothing and footwear.   5. Collect any medicine needed at home from a staff member. Important Things to Remember Illness Children are not permitted to attend if they have any of the following:   - Fever (until 24 hours after fever has ended, without medicine)   - Diarrhea (until 48 hours after last episode)   - Vomiting (until 48 hours after last episode)   - Green mucus (until clear or treated and not contagious)   - Contagious conditions and illnesses (until gone or treated and not contagious)       If a child becomes ill at home, a parent or guardian is required to contact the centre by 8:00 a.m., to inform the staff that your child will not be attending. We will request the details of the diagnosed illness or the symptoms manifested by the illness. This information will be used to watch for similar symptoms in other children.       If a child is dropped off and he or she is known to have, or is suspected of having an illness, Discovery Child Care of Peterborough reserves the right to refuse admission of the child that day. Also, Discovery Child Care of Peterborough reserves the right to continue to refuse admission of the child to the centre until presented with a valid note from a medical professional. If required, the medical note must explicitly state that the child is fit to return to day care.       If after a child is dropped off, he or she is known to have, or is suspected of having an illness, Discovery Child Care of Peterborough reserves the right to require the parent or guardian to pick-up the child as soon as possible. Also, Discovery Child Care of Peterborough reserves the right to continue to refuse admission of the child to centre until presented with a valid note from the child's Doctor. If required, the Doctor's note must explicitly state that the child is fit to return to the centre.       Please note that Discovery Child Care of Peterborough will not refund any part of a Program's tuition due to absence. Absence from Discovery Child Care of Peterborough Due to Reason Other than Illness       If a child will be absent from Discovery Child Care of Peterborough, Parents or Guardians of the child are required to contact the centre by 8:00 a.m., to inform the staff that the child will not be in attendance. Please note that Discovery Child Care of Peterborough will not refund any part of tuition due to absence. Drug and Medication Policy       If a child requires prescription medicine, in order for a Discovery Child Care staff member to administer it, the original container with the prescription information is required. Emergency Shelter       The emergency shelter location for Discovery Child Care of Peterborough is the Peterborough Memorial Community Centre, 151 Lansdowne Street West, on the same property as the Discovery Child Care facility. The phone number is 743-3561. The emergency cell phone number for Discovery Child Care of Peterborough is 927-8375.       In the event of a fire or other emergency requiring evacuation of the premises, everyone will be evacuated from the centre to the emergency site. The staff of Discovery Child Care of Peterborough will make every effort to arrange for the advertisement of the evacuation, and any other pertinent information by changing the answering machine message, informing local radio stations, posting a sign, informing emergency personnel at or near Discovery Child Care of Peterborough facility, or by other means. However, due to the unpredictability of the nature, scope, and effects of any emergency, we can not guarantee that Parents or Guardians will be able to receive this information.       Emergency shelter is temporary and children must be picked up as soon as possible. Thank you for reading your Discovery Child Care of Peterborough Parent Handbook. We look forward to providing you with excellent childcare.