Scallywags Childcare

Policies and Procedures

​​Daily Hygiene Practices


  • Proper hand washing techniques will be taught
  • Proper diaper handling techniques will be used
  • The toys and environment will be cleaned on a regular schedule


Nutrition
Parents will provide daily lunches, snacks and formula as needed for their children, unless otherwise stated in the Parent/Provider contract. Scallywags Childcare will provide water for each child.

We are committed to role modeling healthy eating habits. Please send your child with a healthy, nutritious meal. We are able to reheat meals but do not send anything that needs to be cooked. If you choose to send treats in your child’s lunch, they will be offered to the child after they have eaten a good portion of healthier food.

Supplies and Equipment
Scallywags Childcare prides itself on its well-stocked toy, reading and art areas. With the exception of the items listed below, it is a rare occasion when parents are asked to help us keep our supplies up. If, by chance, we require any additional supplies or equipment from the parents, we will put these requests in writing with a date when the items will be required.


  • Appropriate clothing for current weather, including outdoor play in the rain
  • Clear, continuous spray sunscreen
  • One full change of clothing, three full changes of clothing if potty training
  • Diapers, wipes and rash ointment (if used)
  • Emergency supplies for 3 days for each child (food and diapers if needed)
  • Emergency comfort bag to be left at the facility (optional)


Clothing
Please dress your child in durable play clothing that is appropriate for the day’s weather and play. Clothing should be easy for your child to manage in the washroom. It is recommended that you supply a full change of clothing as some of our play can be messy or wet. We will call you to pick up your child if they are wet or very dirty and there are no spare clothes.

We venture outside even on rainy or cold days so please ensure that your child has the appropriate gear required.

Rainy/cold days – raincoat, boots and warm clothing
Snowy days – snowsuit, winter boots, waterproof mittens, hat and warm clothing
Windy/chilly days – warm coat, mittens, hat and warm clothing
Sunny/hot days – sunscreen, shorts, t-shirt and hat

​Confidentiality
It is Scallywags Childcare’s policy that any information or records held regarding your family will be kept confidential. The only release of information of records would be for a legal matter that is requested or required by law. It is also appreciated that any information you become aware of regarding other children in my care also be kept confidential.

Custody and Access
If parents live separately, Scallywags Childcare expects that the information provided by the enrolling parent is accurate. Without a custody agreement or court order on file at the daycare facility, staff cannot deny access to the non-enrolling parent. If a family has a custody agreement or court order, a copy must be provided to be kept in the child’s confidential file.


Emergency Procedures and Preparedness Plan
Pre-planning for an emergency will enable individuals to go directly “into action”. In the event of an emergency that requires evacuation, the daycare will implement the Emergency/Disaster Plan. If we are not here, a note will be posted on the front door indicating where we have gone. Sometimes during a large scale disaster, local phone lines may be jammed or not operational. For this reason, we have provided an out of province contact that will be responsible for communicating information to you. The out of province contact information will be provided to you upon registration.

Fire drills are practiced monthly. In case of fire or other emergency, children will be taken to a nearby safe building and parents, or authorized alternate if necessary, will be contacted. Examples of emergencies requiring the implementation of this plan are: earthquakes, floods, gas leaks, and fire. Our fire equipment and first aid kits are checked regularly by authorities.


​​Emergency Planning if We Have to Leave the Daycare
We want each child to have an emergency comfort kit to be stored at the daycare that would comfort, nourish and refocus them in the event of an emergency when they are away from familiar surroundings.

Please include the following items and return them to the daycare in a large Ziploc bag:

  • a family photo
  • two juice boxes or bottles of water
  • a soother or bottle, if used
  • two granola bars or power bars
  • something sweet to eat
  • a small toy or colouring book with crayons
  • a stuffy or blanket for comfort
  • any necessary medications
  • a thermal emergency blanket


Medical Emergencies
In the event of a sudden or serious accident or illness, staff will make the determination about whether or not an ambulance needs to be called. The parent will be contacted immediately. If we cannot get a hold of a parent, the emergency contact will be called at the number supplied to the daycare upon registration. All emergency costs incurred are the responsibility of the parent. It is the responsibility of the custodial parent to keep the daycare informed of all changes in regards to emergency information. These changes will be kept in the child’s confidential file. Parents must have a Consent for Emergency Treatment form on file, which will allow Scallywags Childcare to seek emergency treatment for their child.

A report of such incidents will be filled out by the staff member in attendance and one copy will go to the parent and the other copy will be placed in the child’s file. When required, the medical health officer will be notified of reportable incidents as outlined in the Child Care Licensing Regulation.

Any child who receives a minor cut or bruise will be tended to by first aid certified personnel.


Medication
Although we prefer that medication be administered by parents, when necessary, we will administer a dose of medicine according to the following guidelines:


  • the parent must fill out, sign and date a Permission to Administer Medication form
  • a separate form must be filled out for each medication and each instance
  • prescription medication must be in the original container and labelled with the prescription number, name of medication, the date the prescription was filled, the prescribing physician’s name and phone number, the child’s name and the dosage instructions.
  • medication will not be administered if it is past the expiration date
  • non-prescription medication must be labeled with the child’s name, it must be in the original container and it will be administered according to the label’s directions unless otherwise directed by a physician in writing.
  • new medications must first be administered at home to observe any reactions or side effects. Scallywags Childcare must be notified of any reactions or side effects.
  • a medication record will be maintained, indicating the date and time and dosage of medication given.


Incident Reporting
If a reportable incident occurs, we will complete a Reportable Incident form. One copy will be kept at the facility in the child’s file and two copies will be sent to the licensing office. If a reportable incident has occurred, the licensing office will also be notified by telephone within 24 hours.

A reportable incident is defined as any of the following:


  • aggressive or unusual behaviour
  • attempted suicide
  • death
  • disease outbreak or occurrence
  • emergency restraint
  • emotional abuse
  • a fall requiring medical attention
  • medication error
  • missing person
  • motor vehicle injury
  • neglect
  • other injury requiring medical attention
  • physical abuse
  • poisoning
  • sexual abuse

    
Minor incidents, illnesses and unusual occurrences are recorded in a log book. All entries will be dated and signed.


Releasing a Child From Care
Unless we are instructed in writing to do otherwise, Scallywags Childcare will only release a child to the following persons:
   

  • the child’s parents
  • the child’s custodial parent (where applicable)
  • the emergency contact person (picture ID required)
  • any other guardian to whom the parent, by way of written authorization, has been allowed to pick up the child.


Scallywags Childcare will verify the identification of the person who has come to pick up the child to ensure they are authorized to do so. We reserve the right to keep a child at the centre if we are not completely certain about any person who has come to pick up the child. The parents will be contacted immediately if this happens. For the safety of the child, we also will not release a child to a person who appears to be unable to provide safe care to the child or who does not have the proper child restraints in their vehicle.

If a child is not picked up from daycare, we will contact all available contact persons, including emergency contacts until we locate someone who is able to pick up the child. If a parent or emergency contact cannot be reached, we will then notify the Ministry of Children and Families and/or police.
 
Child Abuse
All care givers are required by law to report any suspected or disclosed cases of physical, sexual or emotional abuse or neglect. In the event that we suspect abuse or neglect has occurred when the child is NOT at Scallywags Childcare an intake social worker at the Child Protection Division of the Ministry of Children and Families will be notified immediately. We are not permitted to contact the parent or guardian regarding any report. Our responsibility is to disclose any suspicions or disclosures; it is NOT to determine if abuse has occurred.

If the alleged abuse has occurred while the child is in the care of Scallywags Childcare, we must report this immediately to the licensing officer. Licensing staff will then conduct an investigation under the Community Care Facilities Act and Child Care Licensing Regulations. If parents have any concerns about abuse at Scallywags Childcare, they may also contact the Ministry of Children and Families or the Licensing Office.

Forms Required

​

  • parent/provider contract
  • permission forms for travel, photographs, sunscreen, bug spray, ointment, etc
  • emergency contacts
  • consent for emergency treatment      
  • all about me
  • medication administration (only required when medication is needed)


If parents choose to partner with Scallywags Childcare these forms must be completed, dated and signed by the parents prior to your child first day of attendance. 


Behaviour Management
At Scallywags Childcare we believe that children need guidance, understanding and a few easy-to-follow rules in order to learn appropriate behaviour. It is our policy to help children learn appropriate behaviour by establishing clear limits, explaining those limits in a positive way when it is necessary for a child to understand why the limit is there and by using redirection and the time out method to calm a child when needed. We believe one minute per year of the child’s age is a sufficient time out period.

Strategies and techniques used to guide children’s behaviours:

Prevention:


  • clear and simple limits are in place to protect self, others and the environment
  • you may not hurt yourself
  • you may not hurt others
  • you may not hurt things (furniture, toys, walls, etc)
  • you may not take toys from others
  • limits are explained to children in a positive way
  • the focus is on the behaviour, not the child
  • expectations will be stated, not posed as questions
  • choices will be offered
  • children will be given time to respond
  • appropriate behaviour will be acknowledged
  • minor incidents will be ignored
  • children can ask adults for help
  • adults will be alert and close by


Intervention:


  • gain the child’s attention in a respectful way
  • proximity and touch will be used
  • reminders of expectations
  • feelings will be acknowledged before setting limits
  • redirection or diverting may be used
  • adults will model problem solving skills
  • appropriate choices will be offered
  • natural and logical consequences may be used
  • limiting the use of equipment may be used
  • opportunities for children to make amends will be provided


Challenging Behaviour Interventions:


  • redirection
  • time out – when a child loses self control a quiet place in the room will be selected
  • when the child has regained control they may choose to return to the group
  • one minute per year of age will be used as a guideline for time outs


Prohibited Discipline
Children will never be subjected to, including as a form of punishment:


  • shoving, hitting, shaking, spanking or any other form of corporal punishment
  • harsh, belittling or degrading treatment, whether verbal, emotional or physical, that would humiliate or undermine a child’s self respect
  • confinement or physical restrainment (unless to keep a child from injuring themselves)
  • deprivation of meals, snacks, rest or necessary use of the toilet


Parents will be informed if a time out is used (when, where and why will be discussed with the parent). If the child’s behaviour escalates the child may require an individual behaviour management plan. In this instance, a behaviour management plan will be developed collaboratively with parents, community professionals and the child care provider. Children who cannot be managed using these measures and are consistently presenting a discipline problem for the caregiver will be dismissed from care.

Children are never punished for lapses in toilet training or for accidents like spilled food. When appropriate, the child will help with the clean up, not as punishment but to help teach responsibility.

We ask that parents respect these rules while at the daycare.


Active Play Policy

Introduction
Physical Activity can include any active play. To improve children’s health, Government guidelines recommend that children should aim to be physically active for one hour every day; this one hour target doesn’t have to be done all at once but can be built up over the day.

Definition
We make a commitment to being a physically active daycare and will work towards offering all children many opportunities to take part in a variety of physical activity.

Values

  • To promote positive attitudes towards participation in physical activity  
  • Increase children’s knowledge and understanding of the importance of physical activity
  • To improve mental health and well being
  • To develop social skills


Aims and Objectives
We aim to raise the physical activity levels of the whole daycare by doing the following:  

  • Go for walks to the local park
  • Get outdoors as much as possible and let the children explore the natural environment
  • Provide ‘active’ toys such as balls, bats, hula hoops, skipping ropes, etc
  • Include active games for indoor and outdoor play
  • Encourage children to get out of the stroller and walk
  • Dance to music for a variety of occasions
  • Provide action songs and nursery rhymes for all ages
  • Encouraging all staff and parents to participate in activity
  • Provision of safe and stimulating areas in which children can be active


Implementation
Through effective preparation, planning and assessing we will provide regular opportunities for both structured and spontaneous active play throughout the day.

Screen Time
As a standard practice, the daycare does not offer daily screen time for the children.