Nursery School
Helen Robinson, Nursery Teacher
Lorna Sampson, Teacher’s Aide
Monica Simms, Education Coordinator
250-842-6282
OUR PHILOSOPHY
We believe that:
CHILDREN are entitled to environments and opportunities that foster positive emotional, social, cognitive, and physical development that value multiculturalism and inclusion.
FAMILIES are entitled to be involved in their child’s Nursery School experience and they deserve assurance of quality care for their child.
STAFF are entitled to a work environment which recognizes and respects their experience, training, skills and commitment to children. This being demonstrated through respectful communication and policies.
The Nursery School enhances the lives of children and their families by providing a caring and supportive, service.
It is our goal to:
Provide quality child care and learning experiences for children
Model and encourage appropriate guiding and caring for children and their families
Work with community agencies, support workers, individuals, and organizations that support the child and family
Increase awareness and utilization of community resources and services that are available to families.
OUR PROGRAM
The Nursery School is for preschool age children who turn 4 before December 31st. Children must be fully potty trained and able to use the bathroom facilities on their own. No diapers/pullups without a medical reason and doctor’s note.
The Nursery School days of operation are Monday to Friday
With the exception of Professional Development days and staff training days which parents will be informed of in advance.
The Nursery School is also closed on holidays: Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, Christmas, New Years, Spring Break, Easter, Victoria Day,
The hours of operation are 9:00 am – 11:30 am Morning Class
1:00 pm – 3:30 pm Afternoon ClassWHAT DOES YOUR CHILD NEED TO BRING?
Your child will need to bring a nutritionally and dentally sound snack each day including a drink. Children may bring snacks such as cheese and crackers, sandwiches, yogurt, fruit, pudding, vegetables, and juice. Children are not permitted to bring pop, chips, candy, chocolate bars, gum.
Please inform the staff of any allergies and/or special conditions your child has.
Your child will need to bring a spare set of clothes to keep at the Nursery School in case of an accident, and/or spills. Please label all your child’s spare clothing.
Indoor shoes or runners that are comfortable and skid proof with a soft or rubber sole. Velcro or other slip on shoes they can put on themselves.
Outside shoes should also be comfortable arid appropriate for running and playing. We strongly discourage footwear that makes outside playtime arid walks difficult. High heel shoes, thongs, slip on shoes with no backs are not recommended.
We recommend play and outdoor clothes at the Nursery School as dress clothes may become damaged and may limit play and participation in activities.
Please send your child dressed appropriately for the weather and changing seasons.
Fall – warm layers outdoor clothes.
Winter – Winter coat, snow pants, winter boots, hat, scarf and mittens. Also please dress children in long sleeves and warm clothes for indoors.
Spring – Rain coat and rubber boots.
Summer – sunscreen, skin hat, and extra water and drinks.
To avoid confusion please print your child’s name on his/her belongings. Your child should have a large backpack to carry snacks and belongings to and from school.
THE NURSERY SCHOOL BUS SERVICE
Parents must sign a permission slip allowing your child to use the bus service. Please draw a map and indicate your physical address.
The Nursery School offers a bus service of one pick up location and one drop off location per Nursery School child. For safety purposes it is very important that your child have a consistent and regular bus stop. Please do not request alternate pick up or drop off locations for your child as it can create confusion and disrupt the bus route.
Please make sure that someone is home to greet your child. Keep in mind that the bus may be earlier or later than the arranged time.
The bus schedule and route will be determined by the Bus Driver and it may take a couple of weeks before the schedule is consistent.
Please make sure your child is dressed and ready for the bus. The bus does not wait for more than two minutes per stop. If your child is not ready, you will need to arrange your child’s transportation.
Bus children are required to listen to the bus driver and stay in their seats. Children who do not listen to the bus driver and have difficulty following the bus rules may be suspended from the bus for up to 3 days at the Driver’s discretion.
Bus service may be cancelled in extreme weather conditions, if the bus is in the shop for repairs or work, during bridge closures, or driver unavailability.
Please talk to the driver if you have any questions or concerns.
EMERGENCY CONTACT PERSONS
Please ensure that we are able to contact you in case of emergency or illness. Please leave names and telephone numbers of people that we can contact if you are not available. Please request permission from your emergency contacts before adding them to your list Let them know that we may be calling them in case of emergency illness, or if we need to close the school on short notice.
PERMISSION TO PICK UP A CHILD
Please also leave a list of people who have your permission to pick up your child from the Nursery School. Also please contact Nursery Staff in advance if other arrangements are made or if someone new is picking up your child.
If an authorized person or an intoxicated parent arrives to pick up your child, the child will remain under the supervision of the staff. The staff will explain the policy required to release the child. If difficulties arise, efforts will be made to ensure the safety of the child, other children and the staff. If necessary the staff may need to call the police for assistance.
CUSTODY AND ACCESS
If parents live separately, the Nursery School expects that the information provided by the enrolling parent to be accurate. Without a custody agreement or court order on file, staff cannot deny access to the non-enrolling parent: If one of the parents is not authorized, the policy on unauthorized persons will be followed.
If custody has not been legally determined and conflict between and the parents and/or families is evident, the Nursery School may not be able to care for the child. Both parents and/or family members must sign a written agreement confirming details regarding authorization for pick up and access to information about the child.
If a family has a custody agreement or court order, a copy must be provided and placed in the child’s file.
SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE
The Child, Family and Community Service Act states that all children in the Province of British Columbia “are entitled to be protected from abuse, neglect and harm or threat of harm.” The Act also states that any “person who has reason to believe that a child needs protection must promptly report the matter to the Ministry for Children and Families.” If you have any questions or would like more information, please talk to the Staff.
IMMUNIZATION
As immunizations are one of the most effective ways of preventing the spread of communicable diseases, we recommend that all families have their child’s immunizations brought up to date prior to starting at the Gitanmaax Nursery School. Please provide the updated immunization information as necessary.
ILLNESS
Please keep your child at home or make alternative arrangements for your child if they are ill. We are sensitive to the stress that illness may cause for families, we are not able to care for children who are ill.
If your child becomes ill during the day, we will attempt to contact you. If we cannot reach you we will try to reach your emergency contacts. We will keep your child comfortable until he/she is picked up. If the situation becomes urgent, we will follow the emergency procedures.
You will need to keep your child home if your child:
Has a communicable disease
Has a contagious infection, including pink eye
Has a fever over 38 degrees Celsius
Is vomiting or has diarrhea
Has a runny nose or thick discharge from the nose
Is not well enough to participate in all program activities including outdoor play.
Please notify the Nursery School if your child has a communicable disease so that other families can be notified. Please follow the doctor’s instructions on when your child is no longer infectious and can return to school.
ADMINISTERING MEDICATION
If you would like the Nursery Staff to administer prescription medication to your child, it is required that we have certain information and follow specific procedure. We require that the medication be provided in the original container and a Medication Consent form be completed with Instructions on administering the medication. All medication will be stored in a locked container.
If you plan to give prescription medication to your child at the Nursery School during the day, please ensure that it is given to the staff as all medication must be stored in a locked container.
Parents are to notify the staff in writing of any medications given to the child outside of Nursery hours. Written notification should include the name of the medication, the dosage, and possible side effects. This information will help the staff recognize changes in the child’s well-being.
HEAD LICE
We request that if you know or suspect that your child has head lice please do not send him/her to school. If an active case of head lice is found at the Nursery School, parents will be notified and required to pick up their child. The child’s hair must be treated and free of lice and nits prior to their return to the Nursery School.
MEDICAL EMERGENCY
If your child is injured or becomes ill while at the Nursery School, staff will quickly assess the situation and decide what action/attention is required. Outlined below are three procedures that may be followed.
If First Aid Treatment is required, Staff will:
Provide First Aid Treatment
Acknowledge the child’s feelings
Provide close supervision to ensure that child does not require further first aid or medical attention
Inform the family
If medical attention is required attend to the needs of the child while the other staff:
Contact the family. Contact the emergency contact if the family is not available. Contact the hospital
Access child’s file for medical information and permission
Access transportation to take the child and family to the hospital
Provide information to the doctor and family/contact person
If emergency medical attention is required, staff will attend to the child while other staff:
Call and request an ambulance
Contact family or emergency contact and arrange to meet at the hospital.
Access medical information
Accompany child to the hospital
Provide information to the doctor and the family Support the child and family
SHORT NOTICE CLOSURE
In the case of extreme weather conditions, power or heat failure, fire or evacuation, the Nursery may be forced to close on short notice. The staff will care for the children until they have been picked up by family or emergency contacts.
FIRE DRILL/EVACUATION PROCESS
As safety is an ongoing part of the Nursery Program, we will practice and review fire drill and evacuation procedures at regular intervals.
WITHDRAWAL
Families are requested to provide advance notice if they plan for their child to withdraw their child from Nursery School. If your child is withdrawn without notice or on negative terms your child will lose his/her spot in the program and a meeting will need to take place before re-enrollment can occur.
COMMUNICATION
The Nursery School issues a monthly calendar and newsletter to share information and update parents on any special events. Parents please notify staff of any absences, sicknesses, or other information that we should be aware of that may affect your child.
Please feel free to contact the staff if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions.
BIRTHDAYS
Parents are welcome to bring cupcakes or cake, (juice and goody bags) to the Nursery School to celebrate your child’s special day. Please let the staff know of your intentions in advance and we can confirm the time for snack. Please do not send balloons or harmful toys.
TOYS OR SPECIAL PERSONAL BELONGINGS
We discourage children from bringing their special toys and belongings to the Nursery School. The special toys may be lost, damaged, or create arguments.
Children may bring in personal belongings for the purpose of show and tell if they have parents and staff permission.
CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT
Authorized visitors to the Nursery School are required to abide by the confidentiality practices and respect confidentiality of children programs, projects and staff.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Our goal is to promote good health, safety and nutrition by providing children with a clean and safe environment that allows children opportunity to learn how to take care of their bodies and develop self help skills.
GUIDANCE
Each child will be encouraged and supported to develop positive relationships and learn social skills. Our goal is to provide a safe and healthy learning and living environment in which each child can feel secure. The staff strive to:
Supervise the children at all times
Establish clear, consistent, and simple expectations
Acknowledge children’s feelings
Offer choices that are developmentally appropriate
Demonstrate respectful caring to each child
Give verbal direction and redirection as the main way of guiding children.
Promote the development of positive social skills including self-esteem arid self-control
Encourage children to understand and follow simple rules
Model appropriate and respectful behaviour
A printable version of this manual can be found in Forms & Applications.
