Sunflower Dayhome

Sunflower Dayhome: 

Sunflower Dayhome

Welcome: 

Welcome Welcome to Sunflower Dayhome. My name is Vina Chen. I am a Mother of two and child care provider.

My Child Care Philosophy: 

My Child Care Philosophy As a child care provider, my goal is to provide a safe and happy place where children can learn and grow physically, emotionally, intellectually and socially at their own pace. I give the children in my care opportunities to learn in a family-like setting with a mixed age groups, where they can feel safe and loved, and can begin to build a positive self image. Your child will receive quality personal and individualized care in a warm and loving home. Your child will have the opportunity to gain practice in language, fine motor, large motor and self-help skills. I understand the needs of parents, being a parent myself, and I try to provide a dayhome situation that I would want my own children to be apart of if I were still working outside the home.

Hours Of Operation : 

Hours Of Operation Basic hours are Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm but please mention if you need a bit of flexibility around these hours. The Dayhome is closed on statutory holidays including: New Year's Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Heritage Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas and Boxing Day.

Hours Of Operation Note:: 

Hours Of Operation Note: I offer both full-time and part-time care. Full time positions will generally be preferred over part-time positions. I reserve the right to terminate a part- time position, if the position can be filled with a full time family. You may opt to pay for a full -time slot in order to keep your part-time position.

Fees: 

Fees My fee is based on providing a monthly service and includes lunch and two snacks each day. The fee does not include supplies such as diapers, wipes, sunscreen or medication.

Payment: 

Payment Fees are due on the first day of each month and you have the option of paying by cash or cheque. A receipt will be provided at the time of payment.

Over Time Fees: 

Over Time Fees An overtime fee of $5.00 per 30-minute increment past 6:00 p.m. will be charged. I have a very busy family schedule after 6:00pm, hence the fee is in place to discourage late pick up.

Late / NSF Charges: 

Late / NSF Charges If a cheque is returned to me as NSF, I ask for payment of the monthly fee plus any banking charges to cover the NSF fee. After two returned cheques, I can only accept cash. If payment is not received by the 8th of the month, childcare services may be suspended.

Daily Schedule: 

Daily Schedule

Activities: 

Activities I believe children learn through playing, observing, exploring and experimenting. My goal is to meet each child’s social, emotional, intellectual and physical needs. The children will take part in various activities such as crafts, songs, games, show and tell, story time and more. Reading is very important and the children will always have plenty of books to look at and listen to. We will also have parties to celebrate special occasions such as Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and birthdays.

Outdoor Play: 

Outdoor Play Please dress your child appropriately for the weather, and in play clothes (with shoes that adequately protect the feet and are not slick-soled – runners are a good choice). When the weather cooperates we will spend time outdoors, ranging from a walk when it is fairly cool to more time spent outside as the weather warms up. During spring and fall our outdoor play will increase, and in the summer we will spend a lot of time outdoors. When it is extremely hot the children will spend short periods of time outside. Periodically I will take them downstairs to cool off. I will also always give the children plenty of water or other fluids to keep them well hydrated.

Indoor Play: 

Indoor Play We will be spending most of our playtime in the living room and playroom downstairs. In the summer, the children will be outside enjoying the warm weather and fresh air. If your child wishes to bring a toy to play with for the day, please make sure it has no little parts that could come off and cause a child to choke. All toys should be safe for children under three years of age. I can not be responsible for toys from home that get broken or lost at the day home.

TV Viewing: 

TV Viewing I allow limited TV viewing consisting of Channel 17- Treehouse (selected shows). On occasion I let the children pick a child appropriate video to watch.

Skype On Line: 

Skype On Line From 12:30 – 14:30 we’ll have story time and turn on the Skype internet connection so parents can communicate with their kids over the camera phone!

Lunch & Snacks: 

Lunch & Snacks I serve lunch and two snacks per day and feel that proper nutrition is very important. Please take a look at my menu but note that it will change from time to time, because I like to provide variation. I also believe that drinking a lot of water is important since keeping hydrated is very important to our health. I do not provide breakfast but you are welcome to provide something simple for me to serve them such as a muffin or cereal and/or fruit if you wish. If your child has an allergy to a specific food, please let me know so I can plan substitutions. If a child has so many allergies that he cannot eat from the menu, I may ask that parents provide his lunch and/or snacks. I never force a child to finish what is on his plate, but I do encourage each child to try one or two bites of everything.

Menu : 

Menu

Menu Note: 

Menu Note I change the menu from time to time to provide variation. If your children are like my boy they like a lot of the same things over and over. Also don't be afraid to mention anything your little one favors. A happy tummy makes a happy child!

Behavior Management: 

Behavior Management I try to stress two main patterns of behavior: respect for other people, and respect for property. As a result I don't allow children to hit or shove other children or verbally abuse them. I also stress that they treat material possessions (mine or theirs) with respect. My policy is: "Punishment that is humiliating or frightening to a child, such as hitting, spanking, shaking, verbal or sexual abuse, withholding or forcing food or punishment for lapses in toilet training and other forms of physical punishment are prohibited. These forms of punishment will never be used." If a child continues to behave inappropriately, I will talk to you about it. Children are never punished for lapses in toilet training or for accidents (spilled milk, for example). In the case of the latter, I will have the child help me clean up, if possible, not for punishment, but to help teach responsibility.

“Warm Up” Visits: 

“Warm Up” Visits Before you leave your child the first day, you are welcome to make a visit with him or her during my regular day home hours .This will give your child the opportunity to see what happens in my day home and gives him or her a chance to meet the other children and me. You may also bring any items you wish to leave here such as diapers or extra clothing. You may also bring your child when my day home is closed so I can give your child my undivided attention and he or she can check everything out when it is quiet.

Alternate Pick-Ups: 

Alternate Pick-Ups You, or people you designate, are the only people I can allow to pick up your child. If someone other than a parent is to pick the child up, please notify me ahead of time. A verbal notice is fine if the person is on the list of those authorized to pick up your child. One of the forms you are required to complete designates who may pick the child up if there is an emergency and you cannot contact me. Those on the list should also be people I could call in the event something happened and you did not show up to pick up your child. Please inform your emergency contacts that if I do not know them and the child is too young to recognize them ("Hi, Grandma!") I will ask for identification. I do not mean to offend them. This is simply a measure taken for the child's protection.

Health Matters: 

Health Matters Children with mild colds are welcome but please do not bring them to the day home if they have any of the following conditions: Fever Pink eye or eye colds The flu Unusual rashes Severe cough Rapid or labored breathing Severe colds Vomiting Yellowish skin or eyes Diarrhea Head lice Contagious viruses (chicken pox, mumps etc.) To protect the health of other children in the day home, I can not accept a child for care if any of the above symptoms are present or have been present within the last 24 hours. If the child shows any of the symptoms listed above while in my care, I will phone you to discuss whether they should be taken home. The child may return 24 hours after a temperature has returned to normal, 24 hours after a child has stopped vomiting, or 24 to 48 hours (depending on the illness) after the first dose of an antibiotic. If a child receives an antibiotic for an ear infection he may return immediately if he has been free of other symptoms mentioned above for at least 24 hours.

My Vacations: 

My Vacations I usually take three to four weeks vacation during the year; Two to three weeks spread out over the spring, summer and fall and one week during Christmas. You will not be charged for this time. I will let you know the dates as far in advance as possible.

Your Vacations: 

Your Vacations Parents may take 2 weeks per year vacation where payment of fees will not be expected provided two weeks advance notice is given.

COMMUNICATION: 

COMMUNICATION Communication is very important to me. When I accept a new family into my business, I like to be sure that we can share openly any concerns or questions that may arise. It is important that there is a similar child care philosophy between us. I welcome questions, feedback, or discussions of any kind that are oriented towards a positive outcome for the child(ren). It is only through parent/provider interaction that a goal of quality, nurturing care can be achieved. You are encouraged to call me at any time. If you call during the day, please be aware that I may be busy with the children and may not be able to answer the phone. If you would leave a message on my voice mail, I will call you back as soon as possible. The best time to call during the day is early afternoon. I am looking forward to a terrific relationship with you and your child!

Ending Our Partnership: 

Ending Our Partnership If you decide to stop bringing your child to my day home, I would appreciate two to four weeks notice to give me some time to fill your child’s spot. If I can no longer provide care for your child, I will give you at least two to four weeks notice but, if possible, I will try to give you more because I understand it is not easy to find childcare.

Closing Remarks: 

Closing Remarks Our children are SO precious and they deserve the best care. They should be in a warm, loving, fun, clean and safe environment and that is what I want for your children. I look forward to talking to you about your children.

Paperwork: 

Paperwork Once you decide to put your child in my care, I will ask you to complete some paperwork with me so that we understand what is expected of each other, and to help me better care for your child. I request the following be completed prior to your child coming to the day home: 1. Child Care Agreement 2. Emergency Contact and Medical Information for a Child. 3. Permission and consent form