Our Casual Child Care Services offer licensed child care at an affordable hourly fee for parents who need a few hours of casual child care now and then. We provide a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment in which the children can be introduced to various learning experiences and develop socialization skills through peer play.

We care for children aged birth to six years of age. Our services are offered Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Child Care Contract

Prior to participating in our Casual Child Care Services, a Child Care Contract must be filled out and signed by the parent.  No child can be left in our care until this contract has been completed. After signing the Child Care Contract, it is the responsibility of the parent to notify our staff of any changes (i.e. phone number, address, medical information, legal guardians, etc.)

Parental Involvement: Helping Hands

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to participate in our Casual Child Care Service as duty parents. However, there is no mandatory requirement for parents/caregivers to actively participate in this service.

Arrival and Pick Up

Children will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. However, reservations can be made and will be held for one hour. Parents/caregivers are required to provide a valid emergency contact number after dropping off their child/ren.

Children must be picked up by 4:30 p.m. Unless otherwise arranged, children will not be released to any persons other than the individual who dropped them off. Alternate arrangements for pick-up must be made in writing, in person, or by telephoning the Child Care staff. Any alternate person will be required to show I.D. and sign for the child/ren being released into their care.

Failure to pick up children by 4:30 p.m. will result in a monetary charge of one dollar per child for the first five minutes, and an additional dollar per child for each minute thereafter.

Service Capacity

Our Casual Child Care Service can provide care for a maximum of 15 children at a time.

Hours of Operation

The Casual Child Care Service is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

The following closures will take place throughout the year:

• A four-week closure during the summer months;
• A one-week closure during the March break;
• A three-week closure during the Christmas block leave period; and
• Statutory holidays.

Medication and Immunization

A copy of every child’s immunization record is required prior to admission into the Casual Child Care Service. Our staff is not permitted to administer any type of medication other than medications required for life-threatening conditions (i.e., Inhalers or Epi-pens).

Clothing and Possession Policy

All clothing and personal effects should be labelled. Diaper bags should be labelled with your child’s name and instructions for care. Diapers and wipes are to be supplied by parents. Disposable and non-disposable diapers are accepted. Children must wear shoes at all times.

A change of clothing is recommended for all children in case of spills or accidents.  Please ensure proper clothing for the weather. During warm weather, children will not participate in outside play without a suitable hat. Sunscreen should be applied at home prior to visit.

We do not take responsibility for personal toys brought into the service. Toys having aggressive overtones (i.e., guns and swords) are not permitted. Toys having small pieces are not permitted.

Lost and Found Items

A lost and found box is available. Items remaining in the lost and found box will be donated or disposed of bi-annually in June and December.

Health Policy

Children who are ill should not come to the Child Care Service. It is at the discretion of the child care staff whether a child should be refused entry or sent home due to illness.

Should a child become ill while at the service, the attendant will contact the emergency contact number to arrange for the child to be picked up. Children who have come into direct contact with a communicable disease (i.e., measles, chicken pox, mumps, etc.) or are on fever-masking medication will not be accepted. 

Behaviour Management - Discipline Policy

Age-appropriate forms of discipline are practiced, keeping in mind to the unique needs of the child and the behavioural incident. Forms of discipline used are:

• younger children are disciplined by redirecting negative behaviour into a positive activity;
• older children are told in a positive manner why his/her behaviour is unacceptable. A quiet, reflecting time may become necessary if the behaviour becomes repetitive.

Nutrition Policy

The Child Care Service will provide healthy mid-morning and afternoon snacks and juice. Snack menus will be posted daily. Parents may supply their own snacks if desired.
Parents are responsible for providing a lunch and beverage for children staying over the lunch period. Infant foods and bottles, which require heating, will be accommodated, as will spoon feeding requirements.

The Child Care Service is a reduced-risk peanut environment. Parents will be asked to remove any items containing peanuts from snacks or lunches.