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We’re excited to have your little one join us at
We’re excited to have your little one join us at
Birchwood Academy!
Birchwood Academy!
Each child that joins us quickly becomes an important part of our daycare “family”. We look forward to getting to know our new friend!
Our Parent Handbook contains all of the important things you need to know about attending Birchwood. Keep it bookmarked for easy reference.
Daily Routines & Procedures
Daily Routines & Procedures
What To Bring From Home
What To Bring From Home
Required
Required
Disposable Diapers OR Cloth Diapers with Wet Bag
Change of clothes
Weather-appropriate clothing
Footwear
Formula/breast milk or baby food, if needed
Each of these items may be stored in the child's assigned cubby.
Every item must be labeled with the child's name.
Optional
Optional
Sunscreen (preferred brand)
Swimwear
Blanket or comfort item for use at naptime only
Each of these items may be stored in the child's assigned cubby.
Every item must be labeled with the child's name.
Provided
Provided
All meals, snacks, water, juice and 2% milk
Dishes & utensils
Sippy cups
Diaper Wipes
Pillow, Sheet, Blanket
Cot or Play Pen
Sunscreen
Communication
Communication
Each day you'll receive updates through our Birchwood Academy Parents app.
Daily Log
Daily Log
Your child's daily log will include:
any food or eating issues
diapers & toileting details
naptime(s)
favourite activities
needed supplies
any behavior challenges
The Daily Log will be sent to one or both parents via private message in the Parent App.
Daily Updates
Daily Updates
Learning activities, fun photos, reminders and other news will be posted in the Community Board section of the Parent App.
Weekly Themes & Curriculum
Weekly Themes & Curriculum
Our weekly themes, Circle Time activities, learning outcomes, Applied Concepts and more are listed on the calendar under the Events tab in the Parent App.
Sign In / Sign Out
Sign In / Sign Out
Birchwood Academy requires that parents and Guardians sign their child in and out each day.
Questions? Concerns?
Questions? Concerns?
Contact Megan at info@birchwood-academy.com with any questions.
Late Drop Off or Absence
Late Drop Off or Absence
Please email or text for any late drop offs or absences.
Meals & Snacks
Meals & Snacks
All food and drinks for meals and snacktimes are provided.
Healthy Options
Healthy Options
Breakfast, Morning Snack, Lunch, and Afternoon Snack are offered to each child present during the regularly scheduled meal times.
Our menu is based on seasonal fruits & veggies, healthy grains and proteins, with minimal sugar and sweets.
Mealtime Learning
Mealtime Learning
Children are required to sit at the table or in a high chair for meal times, and food is kept at the table. Children are offered food, but are not required to eat. We allow children to listen to their own bodies in determining how much they eat.
At mealtimes, we prioritize manners, conversation, and self-feeding. Children are taught to wash their hands before each meal, and their hands and faces after each meal.
Menu substitutions may be made for allergy or dietary requirements after consultation with parents.
Please notify us if your child has a food allergy.
Quiet Time
Quiet Time
At Birchwood Academy, we use lots of energy to learn, move, play, create and socialize. Quiet Time provides an opportunity for each child to rest and recharge for a busy afternoon ahead.
Each child is given a dedicated cot or play pen to spend their Quiet Time on, along with a pillow, sheet and blanket.
Children will not be forced to sleep, but will be required to lie quietly for the duration of Quiet Time, in order to allow the other children to get the rest they need.
If a child is disturbing the other children by making noise or moving around, they will be moved to a separate area for the rest of Quiet Time. Other activities will not be offered during Quiet Time.
Sickness & Medication
Sickness & Medication
Medication will only be given with written permission and instructions.
Sick Children will not be admitted for care, in the best interests of everyone.
Any child exhibiting the following symptoms will be sent home with the parent:
vomiting
diarrhea
fever above 101F (38.3C)
contagious rash
excessive coughing that produces phlegm or a nose that is running greenish or yellowish mucus.
If a child develops any questionable symptoms while in care, a parent will be notified immediately.
Behaviour & Discipline
Behaviour & Discipline
Discipline will consist of distraction and diversion techniques (infants to 18 months of age), or time-outs (18 months and up).
If necessary, a child will be given a safe place to play away from the other children. Physical punishment will not be used.
Aggression (biting, hitting, etc.) will be followed by an immediate time out.
Time Outs
Time Outs are only used for children 18 months and older
Children sit on a child-sized chair or on the floor away from others
Time Out length is based on age: 1 minute per year of age
All time outs are documented in the Communication Log
Toilet Learning
Toilet Learning
Toilet Learning times are listed on the Daily Routine schedule.
At Potty Time/Diaper Check times, all children that can walk will be encouraged to sit on the potty or toilet. If they are successful, they will be praised, but rewards will not be given.
All other times, children will be assisted (if needed) and/or allowed to use the toilet whenever they need to. As well, dirty diapers will be changed as needed and as soon as possible.
Diapers must be provided by parents. Diaper wipes and potties are provided by Birchwood Academy.
When your child is toilet training both at home and at daycare, please dress them in a Pull-Up or training pants with a waterproof cover.
Emergencies & Evacuation Procedure
Emergencies & Evacuation Procedure
Evacuation Drills will be practiced weekly. An emergency card is kept for each child in our Evacuation Pack so that parents can be contacted if there is an emergency that requires immediate pick-up (fire, etc.).
At the sound of the smoke detector, or when they hear "Evacuation!" or "Fire!", children will be taught to:
go to the main door and walk out if it is open (or wait for a grown up if it is closed)
walk to the green "Meeting Place" sign
If a child requires emergency medical care:
An ambulance will be called (911).
As soon as it is safe to do so, parents will be called and updated on the situation and where they can meet the ambulance.
An incident report will be completed as soon as possible.
If needed, all other parents will be called to pick up their children (if children witnessed a trauma or distressing situation).
Other parents will be updated on a need-to-know basis privately through the Parent App, while carefully protecting the privacy of the injured child.
Payment & Receipts
Payment & Receipts
Payment is invoiced each Friday for the upcoming week, and is payable by etransfer to info@birchwood-academy.com.
This payment schedule may be adjusted depending on parents' preference, but must always be in advance of care provided.
NOTE: Children will not be received into care until current invoice is paid.
Receipts will be sent for each payment, and are available by visiting My Account.
Two Weeks Notice, or two weeks’ payment in lieu of notice, is required if your child will no longer be attending our daycare. Birchwood Academy reserves the right to discontinue care for a child without notice for issues such as (but not limited to) behaviour problems or nonpayment of fees.
Late Pick Up
Late Pick Up
Children must be picked up by 5:30pm each day.
A late fee of $10 will be charged for every 10 minutes, or portion thereof, that pickup is delayed.
Holidays
Holidays
Birchwood Academy will be closed for the following holidays:
Family Day
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Victoria Day
Canada Day
Civic Holiday
Labour Day
Thanksgiving Monday
Full daycare fees for all of these holidays, except Easter Monday, are required.
In addition, Birchwood Academy will be closed for two weeks in either July or August, and for one week over Christmas each year.
Payment is not required for these closures, and exact dates will be handed out in January of each year.
Sick Days & Days Off
Sick Days & Days Off
Families are entitled to 5 (five) days each year of “days off” at half-rate. These days can be taken for any reason (because a child is sick, family vacation, doctor’s appointments, etc.).
Unless notified in advance, half the daily rate will be credited on the next invoice for any absent days until the 5 days are used up.
After that, all days, even if absent due to sickness, will be charged
at full rate.
Provider’s Sick Day
Provider’s Sick Day
Invoices will be credited a full day for any unscheduled closure days.
If Birchwood Academy is forced to close during a regular day because of sickness, emergency, or other concern, parents will be contacted to pick up as soon as possible.
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