Download policies - Todays Family

POLICIES
NUTRITION POLICY
1.
Meal Schedule of Day Nurseries Act Regulations requires that Caregivers must provide:
a)
lunch, morning snack and afternoon snack for children who attend 6 or more
hours daily;
b)
lunch and one snack for children who attend 3-6 hours daily;
c)
lunch and/or snack for children who attend day care 0-3 hours.
2.
Children under one year shall be fed in accordance with parents’ written instructions.
Infants will not be put to sleep in cribs or playpens with bottles. Propped bottles are not
to be used.
3.
All parent supplied food, milk, and formula must be labelled with the child’s name.
4.
All food and drink is refrigerated and is only taken out prior to feeding to prevent food
poisoning and to retain nutrients.
5.
Daily menus will include servings from each of the food groups. MILK AND MILK
PRODUCTS; THE MEAT GROUP; BREADS AND CEREALS; AND A MINIMUM
OF TWO FROM THE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES GROUP.
6.
A daily or weekly menu must be posted in the Caregiver’s home.
7.
A one week sample menu must be prepared in consultation with the Child Care Coordinator and retained on file.
8.
Children’s food allergies must be posted in the food preparation area.
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INFECTIOUS DISEASE POLICY:
POLICY:
It is Today’s Family policy to use Universal Precautions.
Proper hand washing, hygiene, sanitation, and food safety precautions play a major role in
preventing disease spread.
Specific types of infectious disease:
RESPIRATORY – such as colds and flu are the most frequently encountered infectious
illnesses in a childcare setting.
ENTERIC (of the intestine) – such as Giardia or Salmonella are the most challenging to
Caregivers since if they do not take adequate precautions they could be responsible for disease
spread to many others.
BLOOD BORNE – such as hepatitis B or AIDS.
All Caregivers must use Universal Precautions set out by the Department of Health Services
when caring for children.
UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS POLICY:
Universal precautions stress the importance of hand washing and use of gloves when coming into
contact with blood and other body fluids. Always wash hands with soap and water after
removing gloves.
Body fluids to which universal precautions apply:
1. Blood
2. Semen
3. Vaginal Fluids
Body fluids one need not be concerned about in regards to Aids or Hepatitis B are:
1. Feces
2. Nasal secretions
3. Sputum
4. Tears
5. Urine
6. Vomit
7. Saliva (saliva may be of concern with Hepatitis B in the case of a child who bites)
IF ANY BLOOD IS SEEN IN ANY OF THESE FLUIDS, UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS
MUST BE USED
Universal precautions refer to those precautions used with blood and certain body fluids of all
people. Every child/adult is considered as being possibly infected with the Aids virus, Hepatitis
B virus, or other blood infections. Universal Precautions apply to blood borne infections only,
they do not replace control measures for other infectious diseases.
It is important to stress that the viruses present in the body fluids must have a means of entering
the body (i.e. through a break in the skin or through the eye membrane).
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SANITARY PRACTICES
Young children have immature immune systems and therefore need protection from the spread
of disease. A high standard of housekeeping is essential and the following sanitary practices
should be observed.
INDOOR CLEANLINESS POLICY:
1.
Daily maintenance of floors, bathrooms and kitchen.
2.
A solution of 9 parts water to 1 part chlorine bleach must be used to sanitize toys and
equipment.
3.
Individual bedding must be provided for each child and cleaned weekly or more
frequently as needed.
WASHING POLICY:
1.
Disposable towelling or individual wash cloths and towels shall be used for each child.
2.
Sanitary dishwashing practices must be used, i.e. use of a dishwasher or add a cap full of
bleach to the dishwater.
3.
Toilets must be disinfected daily.
4.
Hands must be washed after toileting and before and after food handling.
CHILDREN’S PERSONAL BELONGINGS POLICIES:
1.
Parents are responsible for providing necessary changes of clothing for each child.
2.
Individual combs, toothbrushes and drinking containers must be used for each child.
3.
A soother shall not be attached to strings.
DIAPERING POLICY:
1.
Hands must be washed before and after diapering each child.
2.
Each child must be diapered on individual washable or disposable changing material.
3.
Use individual cloths and towels on each child.
4.
Parents are responsible for providing diapers, diapering materials and training pants.
5.
Non-disposable diapers are to be rinsed and stored in a container provided by the parent
and sent home daily.
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ILLNESS POLICY:
1.
Parents are responsible for having alternate arrangements in the case of Caregiver illness.
2.
Seriously ill children are to be separated from others, until parent arrives.
3.
Caregivers may care for moderately ill children, but the care of seriously ill children is
the parent’s responsibility.
4.
Caregivers are not permitted to administer non life-sustaining medication to the children
in our program.
5.
Parent authorization forms for life sustaining medication must be completed and retained
by the caregiver and agency.
6.
Caregivers are to inform all parents of any communicable diseases and recommend that
they contact their physician.
7.
Symptoms of ill-health and course of action are to be recorded in a daily journal or in the
child’s file, at the Caregivers.
8.
Caregivers with acute diarrhea should not be preparing food or caring for children until
symptoms have been resolved for 24 hours.
HEALTH AND HOME SAFETY POLICY:
1.
All paint, cleaning materials, medications and hazardous products must remain in secured
places inaccessible to children. Cigarette butts, matches/lighters will be completely
inaccessible to children. All cleaning materials should be properly identified and
labelled. Empty containers with permanent labels and descriptions should not be reused
for other substances or as toys.
2.
Firearms are to be locked up and the key is to be inaccessible to children. Ammunition
must be kept locked and in a separate area from the firearms.
3.
Toys and equipment must be of non-toxic substances and free from lead paint and sharp
edges. Toys and equipment are to be safe, clean and in good repair.
4.
Stairs must be built securely with handrails. They must be free from objects and well lit.
Gates must be used to protect infants and toddlers from stairwells.
5.
All knives, sharp utensils and razors must be inaccessible to children. Small electrical
appliances (e.g. curling iron, irons) must be inaccessible to children.
6.
All cords and plugs of appliances shall be in good condition. Spliced wires, taped wires,
broken or exposed wires are prohibited. The octopus method of overloading extension
cords is prohibited.
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Health and Safety Policies (cont’d)
7.
All outlet boxes and light switches shall be properly covered with plates in good
condition (safety plugs will be used to cover outlets that can be in the sight and reach of
children).
8.
All appliances will be free of hanging cords, which could be a potential danger to
children.
9.
Handles of pots must be turned away from the edge of the stove or table.
10.
Safe individual sleeping accommodations must be provided for each child.
11.
Deep-frying will not occur while the children are on the premises.
12.
Outdoor play areas must be maintained and free of deep holes, ditches, animal stools,
sharp objects and debris.
13.
Each Caregiver’s home must be kept at a minimum of 68 degrees Fahrenheit or 20
degrees Celsius.
14.
First Aid Kit containing a first aid manual, bandages, gauze roll, square pad, adhesive
tape, safety pins, thermometer, and disposable gloves must be in each home.
15.
Caregivers or visitors must not smoke in the presence of children, in areas normally used
for children, or in food preparation areas.
16.
Caregivers should be aware that the following house plants are poisonous and should take
appropriate precautions:
Hyacinth (bulbs)
Daffodil (bulbs)
Narcissus (bulbs)
Oleander
Amica
Philodendron
Dieffenbachia
17.
Calla Lily
Elephant’s Ear
Rosary Pea
Castor Bean
Mistletoe
Poinsettia
Facilities which use well water shall have the water tested a minimum of twice a year, in
the spring and fall. Supplies, which do not meet water quality standards, shall be
chlorinated or their use discontinued.
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FIRE SAFETY POLICY:
1.
Each Caregiver will submit a fire evacuation plan indicating the plan for exit, emergency
shelter, and steps to be taken to contact authorities, Today’s Family, and parents of
children in care. A copy of the approved plan must be posted in the home.
2.
Fire evacuation must be drilled once monthly and recorded on the timesheet.
3.
Each home must be inspected by the local fire department and the certificate issued
should be forwarded to Today’s Family for the caregiver’s file.
BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT POLICY:
Child Care Co-ordinators employed by Today’s Family will encourage home Caregivers to use
positive methods to guide the child/ren’s behaviour. It is important for Caregivers dealing with
children on a daily basis to have an enjoyment of and respect for each child as an individual.
Today’s Family and The Day Nurseries Act never permits:
1.
Corporal punishment of a child (i.e. spanking, shaking, shoving a child).
2.
The use of harsh measures that will undermine a child’s self-respect.
3.
Deprivation of a child’s basic needs, including food, shelter, clothing, and bedding.
4.
Confinement in a lockable room or structure, isolation or physical restraint as a form of
punishment.
Contravention of Behaviour Management results in:
Where a Caregiver does not follow regulations, his/her ability to continue providing child care
will be reassessed. If, in the opinion of Today’s Family, the Caregiver does not meet the
requirement of the Day Nurseries Act, then the Caregiver’s home will be closed and the child/ren
placed in another day care home.
The Positive Approach:
1.
Tell the child what you want him/her to do rather than what you don’t want them to do
(i.e. “I want you to come down from that chair because I don’t want you to fall and get
hurt.”).
2.
Praise the child for successfully following through on a direction (i.e. “I’m really glad
you’re using the chair for sitting on, good for you!”). Catch the child in the act of doing
something right and let them know you’re pleased by their behaviour. We can increase
the amount of appropriate behaviour by giving the child praise for it.
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Behaviour Management Policy - The Positive Approach (cont’d)
3.
Use natural consequences to provide the children with opportunities to learn from the
behaviours they exhibit (i.e. “If you’re going to hit the other children, you’ll need to
spend time playing by yourself where you won’t be able to hurt anyone. When you’re
ready to play with the children in a safe way we’d be glad to have you join us again.”).
4.
Ignore undesired behaviour when possible. (Children often continue to behave
inappropriately in order to obtain additional attention from those around them.)
5.
Make sure that you have an adequate number of toys and equipment for all the children in
your care. This will help to avoid frustration and conflict. Make sure that the toys are
age appropriate for the children using them.
PROGRAM POLICY
Policy:
The program plan must include active, quiet, indoor and outdoor play, and offer
opportunities for growth in physical, social, emotional development and creative development.
1.
A home program plan is an essential part of good home day care. A daily activity plan
must be posted in the home.
2.
The program plan must include active and quiet, indoor and outdoor play, opportunities
for growth in physical, social, emotional and creative development.
3.
Children should be outside at least 2 hours a day.
4.
Limit T.V. to an hour or less per day.
5.
Use community resources.
6.
If you are caring for an infant, provide lots of stimulation, e.g. mobiles, toys, other
children. Never let children stay in playpens for long periods of time. These are for
sleeping only.
REST POLICY
In accordance with the Day Nurseries Act all children up to the age of 5 years must have a 2hour rest period each day. Caregivers will supply safe, individual sleeping accommodation and
bedding for each child.
Children unable to sleep after one hour are to be allowed to play quietly.
** Older children who may not require a mid-day nap should rest quietly.
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OUTDOOR PLAY POLICY
The Day Nurseries Regulations state that, weather permitting; children should play or rest
outdoors for 2 hours daily.
Private Home Day Care Standards state that the supervision of the children while outdoors shall
be agreed upon by the parent, Caregiver and the Agency representative. The level of supervision
needed varies according to the maturity of the individual child and the physical environment.
The policy of Today’s Family is that children who are not yet attending Senior Kindergarten
must be directly supervised at all times.
School-aged children including those attending Senior Kindergarten may play outdoors without
supervision as indicated on the outdoor play supervision form. The Caregiver must know the
whereabouts of the children at all times and must have appropriate contact with the children.
PARENT CONSENT POLICY
All parental consent forms and emergency information must be current and easily accessible in
the Caregiver’s home.
POLICIES REGARDING PETS
1.
All pets must have current rabies tags.
2.
Wild animals are not recommended as pets, i.e. racoons, ferrets, foxes.
3.
Reptiles, particularly turtles, can carry salmonella and are not recommended.
4.
A veterinarian should examine all pets before care of children begins to ensure that they
are not carrying communicable diseases. In addition, stool samples should be checked
for dogs and cats.
5.
Animals should not be allowed to roam freely from the premises, as they will be more
likely to contact transmissible diseases.
6.
The animal’s environment must be kept cleaned. Stools should be scooped and removed
from outdoor play areas daily. Litter boxes should not be kept in the play areas, and
should be emptied frequently. Animal’s equipment should not be cleaned or stored in
food preparation areas.
7.
Sandboxes must be covered at night. They should be uncovered by day as sunlight will
destroy worm eggs.
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Policies regarding Pets (cont’d)
8.
To avoid dust and droppings from birdcages, do not hang cages over the children’s play
areas.
9.
Children should be taught to respect and care for pets properly. Children should always
be supervised when handling pets and should always wash their hands after handling
pets.
10.
All injuries to children involving pets, such as bites and scratches, must be reported
immediately to the agency and to the health unit.
EQUIPMENT LENDING POLICY
Caregivers are responsible for all necessary toys, equipment and materials. Toys and equipment
must be maintained – safe, clean and in good repair. Today’s Family operates a limited
Equipment Lending Program. Caregivers are invited to participate in Today’s Family Toy
Lending Library.
SERIOUS OCCURRENCE POLICY
Any serious occurrence which affects the health and safety of the children in care must be
reported to Today’s Family agency office and serious occurrence procedures must be followed
(form #0072). A Serious Occurrence Report will be filled out by the Caregiver and signed by the
parent.
Today’s Family is then required to notify the Provincial Day Care Advisor and other appropriate
agencies, i.e. C.A.S.
ACCIDENT REPORT POLICY
Any accident which occurs to a child during hours of care must be recorded by the Caregiver and
the Today’s Family accident procedure followed (see form #0070).
I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE ABOVE POLICIES AND I WILL ENDEAVOUR
TO FOLLOW THEM TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.
_________________________________________
Caregiver’s Signature
______________________________
Date
_________________________________________
Child Care Co-ordinator’s Signature
______________________________
Date
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