Frequently Asked Questions
(Questions you need to ask before you commit)
What is not for profit?
Typically, Child Care facilities are incorporated as commercial or Non-Profit corporations. A Commercial facility is operated by the owner operator and expects to make a profit. A Non-Profit facility is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors with an Executive Director or Supervisor who manages the day-to-day operation. All income in Non-Profit facility is used for the operation of the program and any surplus stays within the center.
Our center is a Non-Profit program, which means all the income stays “in house” for the benefit of the children. Our center has a Board of Directors who meet monthly with the Executive Director to oversee the management of the school.
A benefit of being a Non-Profit facility is that the program can access government grants for salaries in order to keep the fees to parents reasonable. Subsidy is available for those who qualify via City of Windsor Social Services. UNIFOR subsidy is also accepted by Non-Profit preschools.
What type of programs do you offer?
There are many types of programs to choose from: inquiry play-based learning, structured or unstructured programs, Montessori, and Reggio to name a few. Each Child Care facility should have a philosophy indicating what type of program is offered.
We offer enriched early education with a quality program. Our Early Education programs include a purposeful play-based learning curriculum delivered through the children’s interests, as well as staff-initiated interests. We have some structure within our program, each classroom has their own daily schedule and their own outside time. Activities are planned and designed to meet the needs of each age group. We have guarantees in place for each age group to ensure the quality of our program. We offer a money back guarantee if you are not satisfied.
Do you have qualified staff?
The Ministry of Education assumes responsibility for all licensing of Early Education and Child Care programs. The Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 specifies staff qualifications, number of children per room, and the ratio of staff to child. (e.g. 1 staff for 3 infants)
We have R.E.C.E. teachers in each room as well as experienced assistants. We do strictly adhere to ratio requirements. Each teacher is certified with First Aid, Infant/ Child C.P.R and retains a Police Vulnerable Sector Check. The staff participates voluntarily in professional development throughout the year.
Our turnover rate is very low. Consistent staff provides consistency and stability for the children.
What kind of meals are provided?
The Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 requires that meals be pre-planned and that nutritional needs are met. The Health Unit also checks sanitary practices. We have a pre-planned menu based around the four food groups. We provide a hot, nutritious lunch with emphasis on child friendly foods, (e.g. pasta). We also provide an AM and PM snack, offering 2 choices. Staff eat with the children and model good eating habits. Infants and toddlers are given whole milk to encourage brain and bone development.
What if my child has an allergy?
There are guidelines in place from the Ministry of Education for Allergy Management.
Allergies are taken very seriously. Major allergies are posted at the entrance of the school. All allergies are clearly posted in the appropriate classroom and the kitchen. If the allergy is life threatening an individual plan for that child will be developed with the parent. This will include warning symptoms, specific instructions, and a procedure to follow. All staff, volunteers, and students read and sign each allergy plan. Children with food allergies will receive a “safe” alternative prepared by the cook.
How do you manage behaviour?
There are guidelines for behaviour management in the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014. Each program plans behaviour management based on their philosophy and the guidelines.
Behaviour management is an ongoing process. We use redirection to manage a problem or behaviour preferably anticipating it before it happens. Logical consequences and consistency really help the children. We expect to manage behaviour with positive verbal direction, (e.g. “Inside we walk”). Positive reinforcement is used to encourage appropriate behaviour.
For aggressive behaviour we will restrict where the child will play, possibly next to a teacher.
How are fees calculated/paid?
Fees are paid in advance the first of the month. Cheques should be made payable to Story Book Early Learning Centre and brought to school on the first day each month your child attends. To avoid misunderstanding, fees are payable for the days your child is registered, whether the child attends or not, including extra days scheduled. There are no fees charged for statutory holidays or vacation days booked out two weeks in advance.
Fee Payments:
Option 1: Full fee payment in advance on the first day of the month.
Option 2: Half fee payment on the first of the month with the balance of the fees on a postdated cheque for the 15th of the month.
Fee Calculation: Please calculate fees as follows – The number of days your child is registered multiplied by the daily fee (e.g. attending days 20 x $33.00 = $660.00)
What happens if my child is sick?
Our program follows the regulations from our local Health Unit and the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014.
We expect common colds and runny noses, however we trust parents to know if their child is too sick to attend. If a child spikes a fever, has diarrhea or vomiting, we will call you to pick them up. Our policy is that they are fever free without medication for 24 hours before returning and that diarrhea or vomiting has subsided for 24 hours. A specific illness will have its own criteria, (e.g. Hand, Foot and Mouth). Unfortunately, sick days cannot be reimbursed or traded for another day.