DISCIPLINE POLICY

The guidlines for discipline within the Preschool are as follows:

• Set up clear, easy to understand expectations. Repeat them as many times as necessary throughout the year. Avoid saying "no" or "don't".
• Reinforce positively when a child is following an expectation by describing what you see. Example: "I see you remembered to throw the trash in the can. Good for you!"
• When a negative behaviour occurs: First: State the positive expectation ("blocks are for building"); Second: If you see the child is not interested in what he or she is doing or doesn't feel like doing it, help the child find something else to do.
• If the child's behaviour is harmful to others try above step first. If that does't work, stay with the child (children) and model good play techniques. Play with the child or children.
• Speak privately with a child who needs some guidance and attention and explain expectations.
• Help the children problem solve with each other. Facilitate and stay close by as children get back into a play situation. Observe. Time aside with a child may be necessary for a few minutes if behaviour continues.
• If behaviours continue, the child will be accompanied to a quiet area and explained that they are welcome to return to activities when they feel they are ready to play in an appropriate manner.
• If negative behaviours continue and the above steps are not working, call for a parent conference to discuss the child and negative situations that occur frequently. Work with the parents for the benefit of the child. If negative behaviours still continue, the Director will call another conference with the parents to discuss the problems and seek further solutions.
• If the child is harming other children continuously, we may ask that parent attend school with his or her child until we feel the problem has subsided.
• If the general atmosphere of the classroom is continually disrupted by a particular child after all steps are taken; or the Director feels the Preschool is not meeting the needs of a particular child, the Director reserves the right to no longer have the child attend Preschool.

PICK UP POLICY

Children must be picked up ON TIME.  This means if your class ends at 10:30 – parents are expected to be in the coat room at 10:30. Please be respectful of this.  What may only be a ‘couple’ minutes late to you – is a ‘couple’ minutes that teachers lose to have their snack/lunch, go to the bathroom, prep for classes etc. 

We COMPLETELY understand that there are times that situations/roads/emergencies happen and families may be late on the odd occasion – we do appreciate a phone call at the teacher line if something happens. Please understand however that habitual late pickup will be dealt with in the following manner;

1. Your first late pick up, you will be given a verbal reminder from the teachers that you need to be on time.

2. Your second late pick up, you will receive a written warning from the director that children must be picked up on time.

3. Your third late pick up, the school will charge your account $5.00 for every minute late.

4. If late pick ups continue, your child will be withdrawn from the school.  You will not be refunded for the current month fee or the deposit.

If a child has not been picked up within 30 minutes, the Directors may call Alberta Children’s Services to come and retrieve your child.

READINESS/PROBATION POLICY

We want preschool to be a positive experience for children.  Our teachers are fully trained and qualified and have a variety of strategies to help children transition into an unparented preschool program such as ours and we will do everything we can to help this process.  We want to work closely with parents and on occassion may require their assistance in the classroom if a child is struggling with separation issues or behavioural issues.

Due to ratios required by Alberta Children's Services, we are not able to accomodate a child who requires consistant one on one attention.  If a child does require one on one attention, parents will be contacted and offered some suggestions and resources to help the child attend.  If after exploring different strategies and the child is still unable to attend, the administration reserves the right to cancel the child's registration.  The deposit fee will be refunded in this case.

TOILETING GUIDELINES

Toileting is one of the first self help skills children learn. It is also a time in which sanitary procedures and personal hygiene are very important to reduce the opportunity for germs to spread that may cause illness for staff and children. Kaleidoscope Kids Preschool strives to support children and families to develop independence for toileting.

We understand toileting is a new and ongoing process for preschoolers.  If you child is not completely potty trained when school commences, we will allow children to come to school in pull-ups.  We do not allow diapers.

 Children are encouraged:
-to be independent and self-manage undressing / dressing and toileting when possible,
-to wipe themselves and to flush the toilet after use,
-to wash hands properly after toileting.

Families are asked:
-to teach their children how to: pull down/up their own pants; how to wipe their own bottom;
how to flush the toilet, etc
-to ensure their child wears clothes that the child is able to manipulate independently, i.e.
easy buttons, zips, etc
-to provide spare clothing each day in their child’s bag in the event that clothing needs to be
changed.
-to have their child to use the washroom before class.

 Toileting Accidents: We do not check children for toileting accidents.  If we notice for obvious reason a child has had an accident, the child will be changed by a teacher.  We will encourage the child to do as much as they can when getting changed and putting on clean clothes. Children will be changed privately in the washroom, however, the washroom door will remain open so other staff members can be close by, within sight or hearing, to observe and confirm child protection issues have been addressed.  Staff and child will wash hands after changing.

 If the situation leads to high stress for the child, parents will be contacted. If a child has regular soiling issues during the term, parents will be contacted to discuss various strategies/ideas.  If soiling continues on a regular ongoing basis, it may be determined that the child is not ready for the program.

SICKNESS POLICY

It is an Alberta regulation that children with diarrhea, fever, vomiting, unexplained cough/rash and any other symptoms associated with a communicable disease must be kept away from preschool until they are 24 hours free of symptoms.  In order to keep the children and staff healthy, children with obvious signs of illness should not be brought to school.

If a child becomes ill with diarrhea, fever, vomiting, unexplained cough/rash or other signs and symptoms associated with a communicable disease, the teacher must isolate the child from other children within the facility. A sick child can also be defined as a child requiring greater attention than can be provided without compromising the care of other children in the Preschool; or displays any other illness of symptom that a teacher knows or believes may indicate the child poses a health risk to persons on the program’s premises.

In addition, if a child within the Preschool shows signs of illness, then the teacher’s must make a record of the illness and advise the parent/guardian immediately that the child is ill and the parent/guardian must make arrangements to pick-up the child from the facility immediately after notification.

A child may return to a program if the teacher is satisfied that the child does not pose a health risk to other children or caregivers. A parent may provide a physician note or a parent can report to the Preschool that the child has been symptom free for a period of not less than 24 hours.