Greely Montessori
Greely Montessori
Policies and Procedures
Welcome to Greely Montessori. Since this will be your child’s home away from home I will provide a safe, caring, homelike atmosphere for your children while at the same time providing for their physical, intellectual, emotional and social development.
Nondiscrimination:
I will not discriminate in relation to admissions of any child on the basis of race, creed, national origin, religion, sex or disability.
House Rules:
The children are taught by example, to have respect for themselves and each other. The children are taught to respect the classroom, home, property and possessions. Negative behaviour will not be allowed. This includes but is not limited to: hitting, kicking, biting, standing or jumping on the furniture, throwing anything in the house, bad language, etc.
Discipline:
I will strive to offer praise for positive behaviour. If negative behaviour should happen, I will deal with it in one of three ways:
Redirection: Infants and toddlers will simply be told “no” and redirected to another activity or area.
Talking: Once a child reaches the age of two they can be spoken to. They will be told in easy to understand terms why the behaviour should not continue.
Think-out: I prefer this term to the commonly used time-out term. Should the behaviour continue, the child will be asked to sit out and think about the behaviour. After the child
has had a chance to think about the behaviour we discuss together a positive solution.
Should the negative behaviour continue I would discuss a workable solution with the parents.
Drop off/Pick up:
My hours are between 7:00am – 5:00pm. 10 hours is typically a long day for a young child. I strongly encourage you to limit your child’s preschool day to 9 hours. With that in mind, I do understand at times this can not be possible. Please let me know as soon as possible if your hours of drop off or pick up change so that I may adjust my schedule accordingly. Please be prompt when picking up your child at the end of the day. If you are running late, please call or text ahead so that I may hold off on getting your child ready to go. I do charge late fees as follows:
$10 for the first 5 minutes
$1 for each additional minute thereafter.
Example: If you arrive at 5:15pm, your late fee will be $20.
Please note that late fees are rarely imposed. I ask that you respect my hours as I often schedule my appointments in the evening. In inclement weather I suggest leaving early to arrive on time or calling a family member or a friend to come in your place. All children must arrive fully dressed and ready for the day. At drop off time make sure to say goodbye to your child and let them know when you will be returning. Although this may produce tears, rest assured that by the time you are out of the driveway the tears have stopped. This will help make your child feel secure in that, while you may leave them when you have to, you always come back. At the moment you walk in to pick up, you are in charge of your child. At times children will “test” to see who is really in charge. A child who has been well behaved all day will suddenly bounce all over when a parent arrives. The respect you show me, my home and my possessions will speak volumes to your child. When you drop off or pick up do not linger. Ten minutes is typically more than sufficient. During school hours I may be busy with the children. If you need to talk to me you are welcome to write me a note in an email/text, hand write a note or I am always available to talk after hours.
Fees:
Fees are expected in advance. At least 10 post-dated cheques must be dated for the last day of each month prior to a month of childcare. I do accept email money transfers to
greelymontessori@gmail.com . Payment must be made by 6:00PM on the last business day of each month. Tax receipts are distributed upon request, please provide a weeks notice. Should I receive a NSF cheque returned to me, you will be charged a fee of $35.00. This will cover the costs my bank imposes upon me. A second NSF cheque will result in all future payments to be made in cash or e-transfer. Fees are expected to be paid whether or not your child attends.
I require 30 days written notice prior to the 1st of the month if you are terminating childcare. If none is given, the following month tuition must be paid in full, whether or not
your child is present. I will provide 30 days written notice if I must terminate childcare.
Vacations/Holidays:
I take all statutory holidays, Remembrance day, two professional development days, one week in July or August and 2 weeks in December every year. All in which are paid, included in your full or part time tuition fees. You will be given a new calendar every December listing all school closure days for the following year. You are responsible to find alternative childcare. A substitute is available to replace me in times of my unexpected absences.
School will always remain open and you will be notified if someone other than myself will be providing care for your child.
Safety:
Your child’s safety is a paramount. All lower cabinets accessible to the children have safety locks. A first aid cabinet is kept in the classroom and locked at all times. All electrical
outlets have childproof safety covers. I have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on each floor and a fire extinguisher in the classroom. Emergency numbers are posted in the classroom. Fire drills are practiced monthly and logged.
Clothing:
Movable play clothing only. Although I try my best to keep the children clean, even in the best circumstances… accidents happen. Make sure your child has a complete change of clothing here at all times. Do not bring your child in flip-flops. Only shoes and closed toe sandals should be worn.
Crocs are welcome. During the summer months I will on occasion make use of a sprinkler, kiddie pool or water toys. You will be notified in advance as to the proper attire. During the winter months make certain that your child has appropriate clothing. This includes a coat, snow pants, boots, mittens, hat and neck warmer (no scarves). Spares may
be left in your child’s bin. Our classroom floor is cold! Indoor slippers/shoes are mandatory. Robeez type slippers or
velcro closure shoes are recommended as they do not fall off.
Quiet Time:
Everyday between 1:00 – 3:00pm we have a quiet time. All younger children will lay down to rest. Older children that do not sleep will be given quiet time activities on a cot (reading
books, puzzles). I ask that you keep visits and phone calls during this time to a minimum. Please text if you need to pick up during rest time. Our pups love to announce your arrival.
Your child may bring a special blanket, pacifier and/or stuffed animal from home. Please do not allow your child to bring anything else into the childcare setting (toys, candy, snacks, money, etc.). These items are welcome on occasion or for our weekly Show and Tell. Each child will be provided with a safe and comfortable sleeping space with a cot/crib. You must provide a sleep roll/blanket and small pillow.
Meals and Snacks:
All food during the day will include servings from each food group as specified in Canada’s Food Guide. Food is made fresh daily. If applicable, breakfast is served at 7:00am. If you will be arriving later than 7:00am please see that your child has eaten breakfast prior to arriving.
There will be a morning snack served at 10:00am, lunch at 12:00pm, afternoon snack at 3:00pm and available fruit throughout the day and in extended care.
Sick Policy:
I will notify you immediately should your child develop any of the following symptoms:
• Temperature above normal (100F)
• Head Lice
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Any rash other than mild diaper or heat related
• Communicable disease
Should your child develop any of these symptoms you will be expected to pick up your child within one hour of being notified. If this is not possible, you will need to have another
person listed on your emergency contact pick up your child. If we can not reach you within an hour of your child’s development of symptoms your emergency contact will be called to come immediately. You will also be called at my discretion should your child clearly appear to be uncomfortable, regardless of whether other symptoms have appeared. I am not willing to accept a child with any of the above listed symptoms. Symptoms must be gone for 24 hours without the assistance of medication prior to re-admittance. I will not accept a child with confirmed lice unless the hair has been treated with an approved product twice (24 hours apart).
Immunizations:
All children must have up to date immunization.
Medications:
Prior to administrating prescription medication, I must have your written permission and instructions for the medication. Medicine must be in original labeled container prescribed
by a doctor. Medication will be kept in a lockbox and refrigerated if needed. Epipens and Inhalers must be kept in the classroom. A provided form must be filled out. I will administer in an emergency.
Supervision:
I am required to be within sight of an infant, toddler, preschooler and school aged child at all times so that I am capable of intervening if needed.
Authorized Persons:
Occasionally your child may need to be picked up by someone other than a parent. Unless the name is listed as an emergency contact you must consent in writing with the name of the adult that will be picking up. I will ask to see photo identification upon the first visit. Please advise me every time you require someone other than you to pick up. I will not release your child to anyone without prior consent regardless of how many times he/she has picked up in the past. Feel free to list as many emergency contacts to avoid any misunderstandings.
Smoking:
This is a smoke free environment. Smoking is not allowed in my home.