FAQ - Glenora Child Care Society

What is a non-profit organization?

A non-profit's goal is to use all the money received in fees within the program. There is not an individual that is profiting off of money received over the course of the year. Parent fees are used to pay wages, plan special events, provide material, pay for the facilities, etc. Fundraising is extremely important at GCCS to continue supporting extracurricular activities and the many materials that we provide.

What are your current fees and what do they include?

INFANT: 12 - 19months - $1,312.00/ month ($677 per month after Government Affordability Grant is applied)

TODDLER: 19 Months- under 3yrs - $1258.00/month ($748 per month after Government Affordability Grant is applied.)

PRESCHOOL: 3yrs- Preschool is $1,258/month ($808 per month after Government Affordability) Grant is applied.

Kindergarten: 1102.00/month ($652 per month after Government Affordability Grant is applied)

Out of school care - 624.00/month

**part-time also available**

Fees include: breakfast, all snacks, lunch (daycare and Kinders only), field trips, special guests, materials used, sunscreen, wipes, bug spray, muddy buddies (daycare only), all programming

Do you accept subsidy?

Yes, we accept subsidy.

Please see more information and if you qualify at https://www.alberta.ca/child-care-subsidy.aspx

families are responsible for the application and renewal of subsidy and are responsible for fees that are not covered by child care subsidy.

How do you program for the children?

We follow Alberta's early learning and care framework, "Flight". Our program is child-led and based off our observations of the children. Their actions and ideas are reflected back into the environment, materials, and activities within the centre. Our image of the child dictates the way we run our programming and set up our environments and routine.

For more information on the flight framework please visit: https://flightframework.ca/

How much outside time will my children be getting?

The children at GCCS are outside for three hours a day weather permitting. In nice weather outside time is not limited to only three hours as long as the same indoor programming is reflected outside. We are outside in all weather conditions and families must provide clothing to prepare the children for this. We provide Muddy Buddies.

We will keep children inside if:
There is poor air quality that will affect the children
The UV is too high
There is thunder or lightning
The temperature with the windchill is under -15 for the infants and -18 for the rest of the centre.

When and how do the children nap?

Children nap in all rooms under 4 years of age.
Cots and sheets are provided by the centre and blankets provided by the families are washed weekly at the centre.

Children generally sleep well in the classrooms. We usually see shorter naps until children adjust to sleeping in a new environment.

Children who do not sleep or do not fall asleep are given activities to do on their beds or at a table.

What kind of meals do you feed the children?

Our cook creates a menu on a 6 week rotation and changes it twice a year. She closely follows Canada's food guide and has included more plant based proteins into her cooking to reflect the changes in the food guide. Different cultural food is throughout the menu and are loved by the children!

What is a typical routine?

Breakfast 8:00 am
Free Play
Morning snack 9:00am
Freeplay and outside time
Lunch 11:00/11:30
Nap 12:30 (Older rooms - free play)
3:00 Afternoon Snack
4:00 Outside time

** Bathrooming/diapering is completed throughout the day based on the room

How do you guide behaviors of the children at GCCS?

The staff at Glenora Child Care Society view themselves as facilitators to child’s learning. We believe that

as adults, we have the necessary tools to be productive members of society therefore we can lend those tools to children until they can learn and use them effectively and independently. Our approach to children’s learning is

guidance before discipline and discipline rather than punishment.

We use many appropriate strategies such as positive verbal guidance, reinforcement of appropriate

behaviour, ignoring inappropriate behaviour, offering choices, facilitating problem solving with children,

natural and logical consequences, reminders, re-direction and compromise as our problem solving techniques

. It is our goal to develop a sense of empathy within each child and to focus on the positive aspects of their behaviors rather than the negative. Any disciplinary action must be reasonable in the circumstances.

We will always approach children at their level and acknowledge their feelings about the particular

situation. As children become more independent our

problem solving techniques become “conversations” and include your child’s understanding of what the natural consequence should be.

Older children will participate in class meetings to discuss safety rules. A child who is endangering himself or herself, another child or the environment will be re-directed within the room to another play area. It is our role to provide a safe environment for every child. Employees are not permitted to use the following forms of discipline with children:

a) Physically hitting a child or hurting a child in any way including pushing, pulling, pinching, or squeezing.

b) Harsh belittling or degrading verbal or non-verbal actions that could humiliate a child or undermine his/herself respect.

c) Denial of usual comforts, including affection, clothing, bedding, food or shelter.

d) Confinement in a lockable room or structure, isolation or physical restraint of any kind of a child

will lead to disciplinary action, including dismissal.

*** Glenora Child Care Society reserves the right to remove a child from our care without notice if

we at any time feel children, families or staff members have reason to fear for their physical or emotional safety. Our goal is to provide an emotionally and physically safe and trusting environment for all children, families and staff members***

What are your qualifications of staff?

All educators have a child development certificate (assistant, worker, or supervisor) and we encourage professional development and further education. Majority of our educators are Child Development Supervisors. All educators have child care first aid and CPR, criminal record checks and child intervention checks.

For more information on certification: https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/5837df5e-0abd-4a77-ae21-466b38a786ec/resource/f7dbcda2-0755-4aa1-bbf0-13fabbfd4d51/download/child-care-staff-certification-guide-2018.pdf

How do educators communicate to families?

Families are communicated with daily in face-to-face conversations and interactions.
Emails and phone calls are also used.

A main way of communicating to families is through a communication app called Hi-Mama. We are able to send messages, provide pictures throughout the day and send a summary of their day at the end of the day that includes feeding, diapering, and activities.

How do you potty train and what if my child isn't potty trained?

Children are required to be potty trained before entering the sunshine room (3 years - 4 years). Exceptions do occur for medical and developmental reasons.
Educators are fully capable and supportive of potty training within the chick (1 - 2 years) and sharks (2 - 3 years). We do not force children to sit on the potty, but naturally choose to as they watch their peers. Educators work with families to potty train and follow the lead of the parents. Being consistent and following routines help the educators and families potty train.

Is it required that parents volunteer?

Yes. We have a play or pay policy. Parents either provide us with a cheque of the required amount or volunteer. Families on the daycare side are required to do 6 volunteer hours and the OSC are required to do 3. This is per family, not by the amount of children.

What is GCCS operating hours?

We are open 7:00 - 5:45. We ask that children are dropped off by 10 AM. Exclusions apply for children that attend community learning opportunities (100 voices or Glenora Preschool).

What family events are held annually?

Stay tuned for an updated list of family events.

What is the best way to transition into a new day care or OSC?

We provide free transitional visits into the program. We always encourage families to spend time within the classroom with their child to allow the child to have a trusting relationship present while building new relationships with the children, educators, and space. The transitional visits usually start with a parent attending and for a short period of time during a free play period. The time spent within the program grows as the child does more visits.

OSC - What schools do you provide service to?

We do a walking program to St. Vincent and Glenora Public School. We currently have busing from Grandin and Holy Cross. Parents are responsible for arranging buses every school year. Parents are also responsible for researching to see if other schools will bus to the OSC location prior to enrolling.

OSC - Where is your OSC located?

Our OSC is located in Faith Community Church. The church allows us to lease a beautiful large space within the Glenora community. The address is 10405 142 street. Please make an appointment prior to entering the space.

OSC - When does OSC go outside?

Our kindergarten children play outside daily in the afternoon anywhere, but not limited to 2PM - 4PM.

Our walking program plays at their school playgrounds after school before returning to the OSC site.

On Thursday, for early dismissal the program goes outside after all children return from school and will have outside time at one of the community parks.

OSC outdoor location is always posted on the outside doors of the church.