Enhanced School and Child Care Screening
Please read the Enhanced School and Child Care Screening memo from the Ministry of Health.
Scholastic Bonus Bank
Happy New Year! Cook’s School Day Care Inc would like to thank all families for your contributions to our Scholastic Bonus Bank. Thanks to your book orders, we now have earned $67.99.
Reading to your child is the best way to build interest in reading and books. The Scholastic Digital Reading Club is the easiest and most affordable way to introduce the world to your child.
The Digi-Flyers offer a variety of books for every reading level and interest straight to the Parent’s inboxes. It’s so easy. Parents place orders using the Class Code (see below), those orders are shipped to your home and you earn rewards for your child care program.
The Cook’s class code is RC241403
Cook’s Remains Open During the Shutdown
The restrictions are in effect from Saturday, December 26, 2020 to Saturday, January 23, 2021 for the HKPR District Health Unit region.
Child care will remain open for the duration of the Provincewide Shutdown period. This includes child care offered in licensed centres and in home-based settings.
What You Need To Know
Approaching the Entrance & Screening
To approach the entrance ALL family members and visitors MUST:
- maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from other families and visitors.
- wear a mask or face covering that covers their mouth, nose and chin.
Families are NOT permitted inside for daily active in-person screening effective immediately. The screener will greet you as quickly as possible – please do NOT open the entrance door.
Child Care Needs
It is important that you confirm your child care needs with the office as soon as possible to allow us to schedule staff and providers accordingly. We understand that some families may be facing reduced or cancelled work hours because of the shutdown. Please communicate your needs and changes to us today.
Centre Before & After School Program
The centre before & after school program is being paused for the remainder of the school year. The situation will continue to be monitored and the feasibility to offer the centre school-age summer program in 2021 will be given consideration in the coming months.
Important Resources
Province
The information contained in the document, Provincewide Shutdown, December 21, 2020, is intended to communicate a summary of information about measures proposed to come into effect in Ontario or in areas of Ontario at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, December 26. The material is not legal advice and does not purport to be or to provide an interpretation of the law. In the event of any conflict or difference between this summary information and any applicable legislation or regulation, the legislation or regulation prevails.
Ministry of Education
- Child Care Impacts of Time-Limited Public Health Actions – Memo
- Appendix A – Addendum to Child Care and Before-and After School Program Guidelines
- Appendix B – Complete List of Eligible Workers
Thank-you for your continued support and understanding. Cook’s wishes you a very merry Christmas & happy holiday season!
Updated Centre Holiday Hours – Closed December 24 & 31
The number of requests for centre care on December 24 & 31 has dipped below 10 children on both days.
Unfortunately, the cost to operate would not be covered by the fees collected for these days.
The difficult decision to close the centre on December 24 & 31 has been made. If you require care on these days, please connect with Heather at 905-372-2143 or cooks.home@cooksdaycare.ca for a possible home child care option.
New Fee Guide and Payment Option
The bulk of expenses are covered by the fees we collect for our services and some funding from the Province. To assist with covering the increased costs not supported by fees and funding, it is necessary to raise some of the fees effective January 1, 2021.
Please review the new fee guides:
Payment Options Changes – Important
The option for paying once per month will no longer be available effective January 1, 2021. All families will be switched to payment transactions on the 1st and 15th of each month beginning January 1.
Those currently paying once per month will be asked to sign a new payment agreement form.
Annual Administration Fee Due January 1
Please note that the annual administration fee will be due from all families on the January 1st pre-authorized debit transaction. Exception: new families who paid the fee in October, November, or December 2020 are exempt.
Thank you for your continued support!
Christmas Hours – Please Confirm with the Office!
Please verify your child’s schedule with the office for the days noted in the above Christmas Hours calendar (December 21 to January 1).
Deadline: December 10. The information is essential to allow us to confirm staffing. Thank-you!
2021 Parent Handbooks
Cook’s provides an updated Parent Handbook at the beginning of each calendar year.
The 2021 version includes information relating to Covid-19, the change to the preauthorized payment options, the fee guide, and so much more.
Please take some time to become familiar with the information provided and use your handbook as a helpful reference.
In the near future, hard copies will be supplied to home child care families through your provider and centre families may receive a copy during screening if you wish.
Here are the links to the 2021 handbooks:
Annual Information Review
At the beginning of each calendar year, we ask all families to confirm that the information we have on file for your child remains current.
Please take a moment to complete the Annual Information Form at the link provided. The pdf can be filled in and submitted when opened.
If you wish to view your child’s current application, please let us know and arrangements will be made to allow that to happen.
Books Kids Love, Delivered to Your Home – Scholastic
This year Cook’s will be participating in the Scholastic Reading Club program. Reading every day is the best way for children to become independent readers.
New this year: your order will now ship to your home and you can order online whenever you want at scholastic.ca/clubshop
When you checkout, please enter the class code RC241403. When you use the class code, Cook’s earns 20% of the value of the order in rewards and you get free shipping on your order of $35 or more*. The rewards earned can be put towards books, digital teacher resources, and more!
Here’s to a great year of reading!
Screening During Colder Weather
We are allowing each individual family to step inside and close the door while being screened. This offers a little warmth for you during screening and helps to keep it warm inside. We still must maintain the physically distanced waiting line until further notice. Cook’s continues to receive and follow the direction of health officials.
We are all waiting for the day when we can welcome families back inside to experience the programs and strengthen your connections with your child’s educators.