Policies

Administration of Medication

It is the policy of Cook’s School Day Care Inc that medication will be administered in accordance with the requirements of the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014.

Please see attached Policy for full details.

Criminal Reference Check

It is the commitment of Cook’s School Day Care Inc to ensure the safety of all children under our care. Criminal reference checking and requesting offence declarations are a precautionary measure designed to ascertain whether potential employees, contract workers and other persons who have recurring interactions with the children in care are suitable to do so.

Please see attached Policy for full details.

Emergency Management

It is the policy of Cook’s School Day Care Inc to ensure the safety of the children, staff and parents in the event of emergency situations. Emergency management is the responsibility of all staff.

Cook’s currently has the following emergency management policies and procedures:

  • Fire & Emergency
  • Health & Safety
  • Medical Needs, including Anaphylaxis
  • Safety & Security
  • Serious Occurrences

Please see attached Policy & Procedure for full details.

Extreme Weather and Situations Can Affect Our Service

Please read attached pdf for full details

Feedback, Grievances, Issues & Complaints

It is the policy of Cook’s School Day Care Inc that all feedback, grievances, issues and concerns pertaining to the operation of the organization, made by staff or families be addressed in a prudent and efficient manner and in good faith in what is believed the best interest of the organization.

Please read attached document for full details

Head Lice Policy

Cook’s School Day Care Inc is committed to making every effort to control the spread of head lice.

Head Lice always causes concern and frustration for some parents, staff and children. Head lice is not considered a communicable disease and head lice infestation does not spread disease, but it can be transmitted through head to head contact with a person who has and infestation or through contact with personal objects (for example: combs, hats, etc.).

Please see attached Policy for full details.

Immunization

It is the policy of Cook’s School Day Care Inc to maintain an up-to-date copy of each child’s and adult’s immunization record on file in the:

  • Head office for all staff, students and volunteers.

The local Health Unit’s routine immunization schedule must be followed.

Please see attached Immunization Policy for full details.

Implementation & Monitoring

It is the intention of Cook’s School Day Care Inc to use the How Does Learning Happen? document for the purpose of guiding all educators (including part-time, full time employees, students, volunteers, and contract workers) in developing our programs. Cook’s continues to strive to ensure high quality experiences that lead to positive outcomes for children’s learning, development, health and well-being.

Please see attached Implementation & Monitoring Policy for full details.

Joint Statement on Safe Sleep: Preventing Sudden Infant Deaths in Canada

The Public Health Agency of Canada recognizes Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other infant deaths that occur during sleep as major public health concerns. The Joint Statement on Safe Sleep: Preventing Sudden Infant Deaths in Canada is part of the Government of Canada’s continuing commitment to raise awareness of sudden infant deaths and safe sleeping environments. The purpose of this statement is to provide health practitioners with current evidence-based information so they may offer parents and caregivers information and support to prevent deaths due to SIDS and unsafe sleeping practices, in Canada.

Please see attached Joint Statement on Safe Sleep for full details.

Medical Needs, including Anaphylaxis

It is the policy of Cook’s School Day Care Inc to support the medical needs of any child and employee, student, volunteer, contract worker and to reduce the risk of exposure to any causative agents or situations that may exacerbate the medical condition or cause a reaction (e.g. anaphylactic reaction).

For this policy any reference to:

  • Staff will mean paid employee, students, volunteers, and enhanced staff.
  • Supervisor will include the Centre Supervisor, Assistant Centre Supervisor, and Executive Director.

Please see attached Medical Needs, including Anaphylaxis Policy for full details.

Download the INDIVIDUAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN

Photography

Cook’s School Day Care Inc makes every attempt to maintain every child’s safety at all times. To follow are the guidelines put in place for the safe display, use and distribution of children’s photos when permission is granted by the family.

Please see attached Photography Policy for full details.

Prohibited Practices

REGARDING ONTARIO REGULATION 137/15

Cook’s School Day Care Inc does not permit:

  • Corporal punishment of the child.
  • Physical restraint of the child, such as confining the child to a high chair, car seat, stroller or other device for the purposes of discipline or in lieu of supervision, unless the physical restraint is for the purpose of preventing a child from hurting himself, herself or someone else, and is used only as a last resort and only until the risk of injury is no longer imminent.
  • Locking the exits of the child care centre for the purpose of confining the child, or confining the child in an area or room without adult supervision, unless such confinement occurs during an emergency and is required as part of the licensee’s emergency management policies and procedures.
  • Use of harsh or degrading measures or threats or use of derogatory language directed at or used in the presence of a child that would humiliate, shame or frighten the child or undermine his or her self-respect, dignity or self-worth;
  • Depriving the child of basic needs including food, drink, shelter, sleep, toilet use, clothing or bedding.
  • Inflicting any bodily harm on children including making children eat or drink against their will.

INTENT

This provision forbids corporal punishment and other harmful disciplinary practices to protect the emotional and physical well-being of children. These practices are never permitted in a child care centre. Young children benefit from an affirming approach that encourages positive interactions with other children and with adults, rather than from a negative or punitive approach to managing unwanted behaviour.

Please see attached Prohibited Practices Policy for full details.

Reserving a Child Care Space

Cook’s School Day Care Inc accepts payment to:

  • Guarantee a pending placement.
  • Hold a space in our program for a limited time if a break in service is needed by the family.

Please see attached Reserving a Child Care Space Policy for full details.

Safe Arrival & Dismissal

Under Ontario Regulation 137/15 it is the policy of Cook’s School Day Care Inc. to ensure the safe arrival and dismissal of children receiving care.

Please see attached Safe Arrival & Dismissal Policy for full details.

Safe Drinking Water

It is the policy of Cook’s School Day Care Inc to comply with the lead flushing and water sample testing requirements under the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change amended Ontario Regulation 243/07: Schools, Private Schools and Day Nurseries. (Note: as of July 1, 2017, the title will change to Schools, Private Schools and Child Care Centres.) The regulatory changes come into effect July 1, 2017.

Please see attached Safe Drinking Water Policy for full details.

View Safe Drinking Water Fact Sheet for Parents

Safe Drinking Water Act (O. Reg. 243/07: SCHOOLS, PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND CHILD CARE CENTRES)

Self-Regulation

Rather than managing children’s behaviour, we support positive interactions between children, families, staff and the community.

Research from diverse fields of study shows that children who attend programs where they experience warm, supportive relationships are happier, less anxious and more motivated to learn than those who do not. Experiencing positive relationships in early childhood also has significant long term impacts on physical and mental health, and success in school and beyond.

How Does Learning Happen provides information on ways adults can engage in positive, responsive interactions and why this is critical for children’s overall learning, development, health and well-being.

Please see attached Self-Regulation Policy for full details.

Serious Occurrence

It is the policy of Cook’s School Day Care Inc to ensure the safety of the children and staff. In the event that a serious situation occurs, the following details outlines how to identify, respond and report a serious occurrence, as required by the Child Care & Early Years Act (CCEYA) and the County of Northumberland Service Provider Guidelines.

Please see attached Serious Occurrence Policy for full details.

Sleep & Rest Policies

It is the policy of Cook’s School Day Care Inc to ensure that each child enrolled in our toddler or preschool groups is permitted to sleep, rest or engage in quiet activities based on the child’s needs.

This policy and its procedures meet the mandatory Ministry of Education requirements regarding sleep and supervision of sleep.

The Sleep & Rest policy will be:

  • Implemented and monitored at all times for compliance and contraventions.
  • Reviewed with staff annually and any time changes are made.

Please see attached Sleep & Rest Policy

Volunteer & Student Supervision

It is the policy of Cook’s School Day Care Inc to help support the safety and well-being of children enrolled at the centre.

Cook’s School Day Care Inc abides by Ministry of Education, Child Care & Early Years Act regulations which indicate that every operator shall ensure that every child who is in attendance in a day nursery is supervised by a person authorized by Cook’s at all times (e.g staff). Every volunteer or student at the child care centre is supervised by an employee at all times and is not permitted to be alone with any child.

Please see attached Volunteer & Student Supervision Policy

Waitlist Policy

Cook’s School Day Care Inc is committed to developing and maintaining waitlist policy and practices that are transparent, fair and consistent.

Please see attached Waitlist Policy

Water Safety

It is the policy of Cook’s School Day Care Inc to make every attempt to ensure the safety of the children enrolled in our programs at all times.

LOCATIONS

This policy pertains to the following location:

  • Victoria Park Child Care Centre, 172 Queen Street, Cobourg

Please see attached Water Safety Policy

Workplace Bullying, Harassment & Violence

Cook’s School Day Care Inc is committed to providing a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, free from any form of bullying, harassment or violence. To that end, workplace violence and harassment, including bullying, will not be tolerated from any person in the workplace. Cook’s School Day Care Inc will take all reasonable measures to prevent incidents and protect workers.

Please see attached poster: Respectful Workplace