GENERAL INFORMATION
Child Development Centre Philosophy The YWCA Child Development Centre is designed to provide a safe, healthy, and enjoyable place for children. The goal of the Centre is to complement a child’s home experiences, not to replace them, by providing a warm, caring program which concentrates on the needs of young children, and which involves parents in their child’s experiences at the Child Care Centre.

Following the Early Learning and Child Care Department’s “Play and Exploration Guide,” child directed activities are the focus of the program. Each child’s individuality and importance is respected and recognized. The Centre provides a secure and stimulating environment that promotes and enhances the child’s emotional, social, creative, physical, and intellectual development. Non-sexist, cooperative attitudes are encouraged in the children as they explore the world while experiencing the joy of childhood.

The Child Development Centre is committed to providing services to children from all cultural, ethnic, religious and socio-economic backgrounds. Children learn the beauty and value of each individual and develop tolerance and mutual respect for the differences in people.

Contacting the Centre The Child Development Centre’s telephone number is 664-1005 or 244-7034 ext.158 for the office, ext. 127 for the Inclusion Coordinator or ext.125 to reach the Child Care Manager. Parents will need to use these numbers to relay information about illness, alternate pick-up person, or if the child is not attending that day. A message can be left 24 hours per day. Email: cdc@ywcasaskatoon.com

Hours of Operation / Signing In and Out Hours of operation: Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 5:50 pm, except on statutory holidays. The centre is also closed on Boxing Day, Family Day and Easter Monday.

Upon arriving, settle your child before leaving and sign him/her in. A note may be left for the staff in the sign-in book if there is information the staff need to be aware of that day. When the child is picked up the parent must sign out. At the end of the month, parents are requested to sign a monthly attendance sheet. This is drawn up by staff from daily records, and is forwarded to The Department of Early Learning and Child Care.

Parent Involvement Parents are welcome at all times to come and observe, share ideas and see how their child is doing. Parents will have opportunities to use their individual talents, at times appropriate to their own circumstances, to benefit the Centre and to enrich the children’s daily experiences.

Parent involvement is encouraged as an important source of personal growth, for the children’s well being and as an avenue to strengthen family ties. Parent involvement is particularly beneficial on the Parent Advisory Committee, fundraising, special events and on field trips. In addition, parents can be a valuable resource in generating respect for, and understanding of, different cultures. Underlying this commitment of time is the belief that quality care requires the dedication of parents as well as staff and that close links between both are the foundation to develop a happy environment based on mutual trust. Parents are welcome to drop in or telephone to speak to staff members.

Parent Advisory Committee The non-profit Child Development Centre is operated by, and subject to, the policies of the YWCA Board of Directors but responds to Child Care Regulations set up by the Department of Early Learning and Child Care. The Parent Advisory Committee is an operational committee of YWCA Saskatoon and works under the leadership of the Manager, Child Development Centre. The Committee has the responsibility of making recommendations and providing information and feedback that will by used by the YWCA when making decisions related to, or impacting the Child Development Centre and the families who utilize the Centre. Parent Advisory Committee meetings are open to all parents and parents are encouraged to attend. Committee involvement is essential to the functioning of the Centre. The Annual General Meeting is held in the fall each year, at which time parent members will be selected. Operation of the Centre requires that parents attend this meeting, participate in the election of the Parent Advisory Committee members, and provide assistance of various kinds when requested.

Parent’s Responsibilities In order for the Child Care Centre to run efficiently and safely, parents have a few important responsibilities. When a parent drops their child off in the morning, they must make sure that she/he is ready to play (outdoor clothes put away in the cubby, indoor shoes on, or dressed for the weather if their group is outside playing. Make sure the child is signed in and that the staff in the room knows she/he has arrived.

At the beginning and end of each day all children will be in the Koala Room and your child’s sign in book will be there. It is the same procedure when you sign your child out. Make sure the staff know that you are leaving. At 5:30 the main door is locked and the Koala door is unlocked –at that time all children will be in the Koala room.    Children need to be signed in and out with the time of arrival and departure recorded.

The monthly attendance sheet that is submitted to the Department of Early Learning and Child Care must be signed each month. If you have any questions talk to the Child Care Manager or the staff in your child’s room.

FEE PAYMENT
Deposit A deposit equal to one month’s fees is required and will be used to pay the final month’s fees. To hold a spot $100.00 must be paid immediately with the remaining amount to be paid once the child starts in the child care centre. If needed a payment plan can be set up until the full month’s deposit is paid.

Date of Payment Fees are due on the first day of the month. Non-payment of fees and/or the deposit is cause for termination of service, and one weeks written notice may be given. Child Care fees must be paid before the 10th of the month. After that date there is a $20.00 late fee payment.

Payment Methods Parents may pay with cash, cheques, post-dated cheques, major credit cards or debit. If paying with a debit card payment must be made at the Front Desk of the YWCA. If paying by credit card one of the office staff can take the payment. Please note, due to difficulties with our computer system pre-authorized credit card and automatic bank withdrawl will not longer be accepted.

Notice Required One calendar month’s written notice is required to withdraw a child from the Centre, and it must be presented on or before the 1st day of the month. Fees must be paid to the end of that month. The Child Development Centre may also give parent’s one month written notice to remove their child from the centre if parents fail to comply with child care policies. In extreme circumstances one week notice may be given.

Fee Payment When Absent Fees must be paid in order to hold a space during periods of absence from the Centre due to vacation or illness.
NSF Cheques / Outstanding Fees There will be a charge for NSF cheques. Monthly fees are due in advance on the first day of each month. If a payment will be late due to circumstances beyond the control of the parent/guardian, the Centre must be notified immediately, to advise as to the reason for the delay, and the date by which payment will be made.

Parents with outstanding fees may be provided with one week written notice to pay the outstanding amount. If the payment is not made the parent/guardian may be required to withdraw from the Child Care Centre Subsidy The provincial government provides subsidy for some parents using government-licensed child care services. The subsidy is based on the parent’s income, number of children and the Centre’s fee. For information regarding subsidy, you may check with the Child Care Manager or call Child Care Subsidy Unit of Saskatchewan toll free number: 1-800-667-7155.

Whenever there is a change to the parent’s income or circumstances (ie. finishing school) a new subsidy application must be submitted. It is the parent’s responsibility to supply information required to the Child Care Subsidy Division. Subsidy application forms are available in the office and can be faxed if given to office staff, however due to the Privacy Act subsidy will not give information about subsidy to the centre. Parents receiving subsidy are responsible for ensuring full payment of fees to the Centre, either by them, or by the Child Care Subsidy Unit. If a subsidy is not received within two months, the parent is required to pay full fees until the subsidy is approved. Subsidy is paid to the centre at the end of the month following the qualifying month, ie. January subsidy is paid the end of February. Income Tax Receipts Income tax receipts will be given to parents once a year at the end of January.

PICK UP POLICY

Regular Pick Up Children will only be released to their legal guardian or alternate persons who are listed on the emergency card. If another person is going to pick up a child, the parent must inform the Centre. Failure to do this will result in delay releasing the child, as the Centre must check with the parent. A person unfamiliar to staff members will be asked to produce identification.

-Children will not be released to minors, without written permission from the parents.
-Should the parent show signs of being under the influence of alcohol, the staff on duty will offer to call a taxi as a safety precaution. If the parent refuses the offer, the staff will proceed to notify the police. Late Pick Up Policy Hours of operation are Monday to Friday, from 7:30 am to 5:50 pm.
-Parents who are late in picking up their child after 5:50 pm, will be assessed a fine of $ 20.00. An additional $1.00 will be charged for each minute after 6:05 p.m.
-Subsequent to a third late pick up, the parent will be given a written warning regarding the child’s space in the Child Care Centre.
-Should there be a fourth late pick up, the parent will be given a one month written notice to withdraw the child from the Centre
-In the event of a child being left in the Centre after 6:00 pm, and if the parent/guardian has not reached the Centre to let staff know about the reason for the delay, the staff will: -Try to contact the parent or alternate designate.
-If contact has not been established, at 6:30 pm, the staff in charge will transport the child by taxi to the Crisis Nursery. Any expenses incurred during transportation or stay at the Crisis Nursery will be the parents’ responsibility.

COMMUNICATION
Communication that is open, constructive, and positive is essential to establishing and maintaining mutual trust and respect between staff and parents. Parent Communications with Staff Staff members encourage suggestions and information about the child. Staff members are always interested in finding out what they do well for your child, and what they could do better. If parents have a complaint, it is appropriate to discuss it with staff in a discrete and private manner. If parent and staff cannot reach agreement, the staff or parent may refer the concern to the Child Care Manager.

Parents should also notify staff of anything significant, that is occurring in the family (such as death, separation, moving, illness, upsets in schedules) so staff can better understand and deal with the child’s needs. It is not necessary to give details. “We are busier than usual” or “our schedule is upset” is enough. If the child is not attending, please call to let staff know. This helps with planning and reduces food waste. A voice mail message can be left anytime (24 hours a day). Staff Communication with Parents Staff will notify parents of: any planned staffing changes, outings that are coming up, and anything the children need for the outings, such as footwear.

When possible, staff also try to tell parents about their child’s day. However they are often quite busy at peak arrival and (especially) pick up times, and communication is difficult; if parents wish to discuss a problem at greater length, they may call to arrange a mutually convenient time. Daily activities are posted in the rooms. Menus are also posted. Occasionally, there are important notices placed by the entrances.

Newsletters and memos will help keep parents informed about Centre activities. Please read them! They are now being sent electronically to all parents who have provided us with email addresses and will be posted on the website. Those who do not have email are getting paper copies on their child’s cubbies. Confidentiality The protection of confidential issues is essential to the interest and well being of everybody. Parents must respect the staff responsibilities in this area and refrain from commenting on other children.

PROGRAM INFORMATION
Structure
The children are divided into five groups: Pandas: 18 – 30 months, 10 children to 2 staff (Ratio: 1 to 5) Bunnies: 2 – 4 years, 16 children to 2 staff (Ratio: 1 to Chipmunks: 3-6 years, 18 children to 2 staff (Ratio: 1 to 9) Koalas: 2 to 6 years, 18 children to 2 staff (Ratio: 1 to 9) Raccoons: Children over 3 years who do activities with staff members, while the other children are napping. Children are accommodated in this program as space allows, and often there is a waiting list.

Program
The staff implement and evaluate educational programming based on the children’s developmental interests and abilities. The programs in each room aim to provide the children with experiences conducive to the development of their social, emotional, physical and cognitive skills. Swimming lessons are offered three times per year to a limited number of children on a first come basis at an additional cost. There will be ample opportunities for development of language and problem solving, quiet and active play, child