The Mission at SWCNS is to provide an opportunity to enrich a child’s learning in a safe, respectful and inclusive environment, building the foundation for lifelong learning.

Goals and Objectives

To help each child reach his/her full potential:
1. Socially through playing, sharing and cooperating with other children in a supervised learning environment.
2. Physically through activities designed to develop muscle coordination, using developmentally appropriate toys and equipment.
3. Intellectually by solving problems, thinking creatively and expanding language development.
4. Emotionally by learning to channel emotions constructively and increasing independence in meeting and solving problems through the growth of self-esteem.
5. Cognitively by building the foundations for future learning. Providing a proper environment encourages learning and promotes exploration and discovery through hands-on activities.

Our French Exposure Nursery School

In addition to the above goals:

1. Respecting current early childhood studies on second language acquisition in a nursery school environment.
2. Introducing children to the French language in a warm, fun and nurturing environment through songs, games, planned activities, stories and play.
3. Balancing the aspiration of parents who wish to prepare their children for an immersion program with the time-honoured socialization experience.

Inclusion Policy

Small Wonders is an inclusive nursery school, meaning that we believe “all children belong”. Our program is planned to promote a child’s positive self-image. Each child is accepted as a unique individual and is allowed to grow in creativity and expression without being stereotyped by sex, gender, race, religion, economic statutes, needs or level of development. Teachers will provide inclusive and developmentally appropriate experiences for all the children in a safe and nurturing environment. When children feel safe, optimum learning takes place, regardless of their developmental level. Our nursery school is a community of children and adults that foster attitudes and ways of relating that make a better world. We have access to support services from several agencies. Parents should notify the director of the program of any recognized special needs so plans can be made to meet those needs.

Behavior Management Policy

A licensee shall not permit, practice, or inflict any form of punishment or verbal or emotional abuse upon, or the denial of any physical necessities to, any child in attendance at the child care centre.Children will always be treated with respect, allowing choices whenever possible.

A child may not hurt self or any other individual
A child may not destroy property or the working environment.

Staff Will:

Encourage the children to express their emotions verbally.
Clearly outline established limitations.
Use positive reinforcement.
Give alternatives for inappropriate behaviour.
Use behaviour modifiers tailored to the specific situations.
Provide redirection

In helping children gain control to work within the behaviour policy, staff will generally proceed through the following sequences in dealing with infractions. Staff can stop anywhere within the sequence if the child (or children) seem to have solved the problem or have the situation under control.

Remind the child of the rule.
Help the child find a resolution to the problem.
Suggest that the child control his/her behaviour by finding something else to do.
Assist the child to gain control by helping him/her find another activity to do.
Develop a logical consequence for an infraction. (i.e. temporarily banning the child from the area, picking up a mess or fixing a broken toy)
If the child is beyond this sort of control, he/she should sit in another room under supervision of a staff member until some control can be gained and discussion is possible.

Staff

We are staffed with an Early Childhood Educator (E.C.E.) with university/college education, as well as a child care assistant. If we have children in our program with additional support needs, we will have an integration worker on staff as well. Staff has valid standing in First Aid and CPR as well as filled out an investigation Authorization form.

Small Wonders Community Nursery School Staff Shortage Policy

SWCNS aims to provide quality care for the children of the program while also ensuring that we meet licensing requirements. This means that we need to have an adequate number of staff in ratio to properly care for the children attending. While we do our best to manage staff shortages by employing qualified substitutes there may be a day when we do not have enough staff to provide care for your child.

In the case that we do not meet the required number of staff to run the program, a staff will attempt to notify parents as soon as possible of the change. If we are unable to reach you there will be a notice posted at the entrance letting you know of the closure.

Parents and caregivers will not be charged for the class that is cancelled.

I have read and understand Small Wonders Community Nursery School’s policy addressing staff shortages.

Code of Conduct

At Small Wonders Community Nursery School/ Les Petites Merveilles French Exposure Nursery School. We strive to provide a safe, caring, learning environment for children, staff and families. We believe in equality and respect diversity.

The following people are expected to behave in a respectful manner and comply with this code of conduct: board members and staff members, children, parents/guardians of children enrolled, all others involved with our centre.

Guiding Principles for Appropriate Behaviour

Be Respectful
We are respectful of ourselves and other people. We are respectful of the ideas and feelings of others. We are respectful of the environment, equipment and materials.

Be Safe
We work and play safely to help keep ourselves and others from getting hurt.

Be Cooperative
We solve our problems by talking and listening to each other respectfully to find a solution. When we cannot solve a problem ourselves, we ask for help.

Be Supportive of Learning
We learn to the best of our abilities and support the learning of others.

Developmental Capabilities of Children

We understand that it is normal for children to display inappropriate behaviour at times for a variety of reasons. The developmental capabilities of each child will always be considered when determining both expectations for behaviour and consequences of inappropriate behaviour.

Appropriate Use of Technology

When using technology, we expect that children, parents, staff and others involved must use e-mail, electronic devices and the Internet according to our policies. This protects people’s privacy and the confidentiality of information.

Unacceptable Behaviours

The following behaviours by children, staff, parents and others involved in our centre are unacceptable:

all forms of bullying (physical, verbal, emotional, social or cyber bullying), including comments, actions, voice tone, or visual displays that are intentional, hurtful, disrespectful and repetitive
harassment, including behaviour that degrades, demeans, humiliates or embarrasses someone that a reasonable person would know is unwelcome
all forms of abuse (sexual, physical or psychological), including verbally, in writing or otherwise
discrimination against any person or group because of their race, colour, ancestry, nationality or place of origin, ethnic background, religion, age, sex, gender-determined characteristics, sexual orientation, marital and family status, source of income, political belief and physical or mental disability
actions that put another person at risk of harm, including violent physical acts (with or without a weapon) and threatening someone

Proactive Strategies

We actively strive to create an environment that supports the health, safety and well-being of the children by:

having realistic and developmentally appropriate expectations for behaviour
setting up the environment and materials to encourage appropriate behaviour and reduce potential for inappropriate behaviour
planning a program based on children’s interests and developmental needs
establishing consistent yet flexible schedules and routines that help children gain trust, security and self control

We create a positive environment for children, parents, staff and others involved in our centre by:

developing positive relationships, including making time to talk and listen
establishing clear, consistent, simple limits
stating limits in a positive way and periodically reminding people
providing explanations for limits
working together to solve problems
modelling and encouraging appropriate behaviour

Consequences for Inappropriate Behaviour

We will consistently respond to inappropriate behaviour by children, parents, staff and others involved in our centre by:

reminding everyone of expectations and limits
using a respectful approach to explain why a behaviour is inappropriate and what behaviour is expected
talking only about the behaviour, not labelling the person
responding sympathetically and acknowledging feelings
establishing natural, logical consequences

Depending on the severity and frequency of the behaviour, we will consider further steps such as:

using behavioural analysis to learn what may be contributing to a child’s inappropriate behavior and how to help reduce or eliminate the behaviour.
having a formal or informal meeting to discuss concerns and to develop an action plan to encourage appropriate behaviour in the future.
developing a written contract with an adult that outlines specific expectations and consequences
giving a written warning outlines specific concerns and consequences if behaviour continues.
accessing outside resources for help such as:
a behavior specialist or other professionals to help staff understand and reduce a child’s inappropriate behaviour.
child and family services to access parenting supports
the police to assist with threatening behaviour

In extreme cases, we will take additional steps such as:

suspending or dismissing staff member
suspending or withdrawing services because of a child's or family member’s inappropriate behaviour.
in the case of a visitor, not allowing the person to return to the facility.
contacting the police and /or child and family services, if the behaviour includes abuse, assault or threatening another person.

Enrollment

Children who are three and four years old are eligible to enrol in our program that runs from September to June. Our classes run twice weekly for a duration of two and half hours a class. The session options are morning (9:00 AM till 11:30 AM) or afternoons (1:00 PM till 3:30 PM). Dependent upon the number of children enrolled, a Friday morning class may be added. Children attending must be three years old by December 31st of the current year and must be toilet trained.

Fees:

The cost per class is $5.00. This amount is regulated, and subject to change by a grant received by the government. Subsidy applications are available to those parents who qualify.

-There is a non-refundable registration fee of $20.00 per child per school year.

The nursery school budget is very restrictive; therefore, all fees must be paid promptly. The nursery school reserves the right to cancel a child’s spot and may take legal action if fees are not paid. The child will not be allowed to attend the school until payment is brought up to date. Tuition needs to be paid for all absences.

The policy for absence due to illness is the following: if a child's illness keeps him/her out of school for longer than 2 weeks, the first 2 weeks tuition is paid in full. If absence continues for longer than two weeks, please call the director and specific arrangements need to be made if a child's place is to be reserved.

Billing:

Tuition fees are due in advance. Fees are to be paid either in full (due September 30) or bi-annually (due September 30 and January 31). Cash, cheque, and etransfer are accepted. Please email to smallwondersns@gmail.com. If an alternate payment schedule is required, please contact the Executive Director. Failure to pay by the due dates could result in the removal of the child from the program, up to the discretion of the Executive Director and the Board.

Income Tax Receipts

Income Tax receipts will be issued twice a year: December and June.

Statutory Holidays/Vacation:

In accordance with the Education and Early Childhood Learning regulations the school will be closed on statutory holidays and 2 staff professional development days per school year.

Parents are required to pay for the statutory holidays and 2 staff professional development days. Full fees based on registration will be charged for the following holidays: National Day for Truth Reconciliation, Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, Louis Riel Day, Good Friday (unless it is during Spring Break), and Victoria Day. There will be no fees charged for Christmas break or Spring Break.

Should a student be absent from class due to vacation purposes, parents are still required to pay the full fees in order to maintain a spot for their child.

Closures Due to Inclement Weather/ Emergency Evacuation and Closures

The nursery school will close in extreme weather conditions. Parents will not be charged for snow days or weather related closures. Our criteria for closure are consistent with the Western School Division. On the days of questionable weather, please stay tuned to the local radio stations, CFAM and The Eagle 93.5. If the Western School Division reports school is cancelled, please assume the nursery school is also cancelled and do not bring your child to class.

In the case of emergency closures, parents will be notified by phone and will still be charged for the day.

If we need to evacuate the building in case of a fire or any other emergencies, we have arranged to go to Tim Hortons. You will be notified by phone.

Arrival Time/Drop Off Time

Parents:

Please allow enough time at drop off to tend to your child’s needs. This will help to ensure that your child will have a happy time at the nursery school.

It is your responsibility to make sure that your child is not left unattended in the locker room or in the bathroom when washing hands.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your child enters the classroom and the staff who is present in that room is aware of your child’s arrival.

You are required to directly tell a staff member that you are leaving the nursery school with or without your child.

The nursery school assumes responsibility at the time the parents tell a staff member he or she is leaving.

Pick up Time:

If you need to pick up your child early, make sure to inform the staff ahead of time.

If anyone else is picking up your child (please refer to Safety Plan, and Parents Policy Manual), it is very important to let a staff member know.

Make sure to come into the classroom to pick up your child. This will help us ensure that your child is going with the designated person for that day.

Daily Schedule

MORNING

8:50 am Doors open

9:00 am – 9:10 am Arrival

9:10 am – 10:15 am Free Play

10:15 am – 10:20 am Clean-up

10:20 am – 10:40 am Circle Time: Welcome, calendar, story and theme related songs and poems.

10:40 am – 11:00 am Hand washing and snack

11:00 am – 11:20 am Gym Time/ Large motor activities

11:20 am – 11:30 am Singing circle

11:30 am Goodbye song

11:40 am All children must be picked up

AFTERNOON

12:50 pm Doors open

1:00 pm – 1:10 pm Arrival

1:10 pm – 2:15 pm Free Play

2:15pm – 2:20 pm Clean-up

2:20 pm – 2:40 pm Circle Time: Welcome, calendar, story and theme related songs and poems.

2:40 pm – 3:00 pm Hand washing and snack

3:00 pm – 3:20 pm Gym / Large motor activities

3:20 pm – 3:30 pm Singing circle

3:30 pm Goodbye song

3:40 pm All children must be picked up

Late Pick Up Fee:

Parents need to be on time to pick up their child. In the event of repeated late pick up a late fee will be charged. $5.00 will be added to your bill for every 10 minutes.

Waiting List:

A waiting list is maintained and updated on a first come basis. The first age appropriate child from the waiting list will be notified of the opening.

Additional Class Policy:

Should there be any vacancies in the nursery program after regular registration, parents of children who already have a space will be given an opportunity to enroll their child(ren) in additional nursery spaces until the program is filled. No additional spaces will be added.

One space within the nursery program is defined as follows:

Monday and Wednesday AM or
Monday and Wednesday PM or
Tuesday and Thursday AM or
Tuesday and Thursday PM or
Friday AM

Spaces MUST BE ACCEPTED in the combination listed above unless the Executive Director approves otherwise. Small Wonders Community Nursery School is not equipped with staff to monitor students between 11:40 am till 12:50 pm therefore children cannot remain on school property during this time. Should your child(ren) be offered an AM or PM space on the same day they are currently enrolled, it is the parents/guardian’s responsibility to pick the child(ren) up between 11:30am -11:40 am and return them to Small Wonders Community Nursery School between 12:50 pm – 1:00 pm.

Enrollment Procedure

Parents/guardians must indicate their interest in additional nursery spaces on their original registration form at the time of regular registration.
The Executive Director will send an email to the parents/guardians indicating the vacant spaces within the nursery program by end of day on June 15th. Only parents/guardians that have indicated their interest in additional nursery space at the time of regular registration will receive this email.
Parents/guardians are to contact the Executive Director via email indicating which additional spaces they are requesting. The Executive Director will fill each space on a first come first serve basis.
Parents/guardians will be notified via email or phone by the Executive Director or his/her classroom assistant whether their child(ren) have been granted the extra spaces or have been waitlisted.
If a child is coming AM AND PM on the same day, the child cannot be present on the property from 11:40-12:50. The child must be picked up during that hour.

Once all spaces are filled, further requests will be placed on the SWCNS general waitlist. Parents/guardians will be contacted in the order of the waitlist should further spaces become vacant.

The Executive Director reserves the right to make enrollment decisions based on what is best for the dynamic of the center at all times.

Fees

Parents/guardians are responsible for paying the cost associated with each additional spot ($5.00/class) unless otherwise covered by subsidy. Failure to pay in full at the beginning of each month could result in a loss of the spot.

Withdrawal:

If a child withdraws from the program, notice must be given in writing. If a child withdraws prior to January 31st, they will be refunded 50% of their tuition fees. If a child withdraws after January 31st, no refund of tuition fees will be issued. For special circumstances, a pro-rated refund may be issued, up to the discretion of the Executive Director and the Board.

When enrolling your child, you agree to abide by all of our school policies. Any related questions or concerns should be discussed with the Executive Director. All policies are board decisions.

Registration:

Our registration takes place in the month of May for the following year. Parents are invited to come and meet the teachers and learn about the program. Priority will be given to those already in the program and to their siblings. Registration takes place on that day. No registration is taken prior to that day. No person shall register more than one child, unless they are siblings. A child may be registered by an adult appointed by the legal guardian.

Confidentiality Policy:

The nursery school ensures that all written and verbal information regarding your child and family are kept confidential. No information will be passed along without a written parent approval.

Child Abuse Policy

Child Care Staff have a legal obligation to report any suspicions of child abuse or neglect to Child and Family Services. Abuse can be physical, emotional and sexual.

Changes in the Family

Please inform the director if any changes are taking place within your family (i.e. marital status, separation, divorce, death etc.) . Children can react very strongly to change even if they appear calm and indifferent. This will help us to respond more effectively to your child’s needs if we know what is happening.

Legal Orders

If the parents are not together a copy of the most recent custody agreement needs to be given to the director to place in the child’s file. A copy of a restraining order is required to be on file at the nursery school in order for the police to enforce it. At no time will a staff member place your child or themselves in physical danger to enforce such a document.

Illness:

Parents should be attentive that children do not come to school ill or with a contagious illness such as cold or flu. In case of illness, a parent or parent-approved adult needs to be available to pick up the child immediately. A child can not stay at the school if s/he:

Has a fever over 100 taken under the arm or 101 taken orally
Has an infection of the eyes such as conjunctivitis
Has an infection of the upper-respiratory system or severe coughing and /or sore throat or difficulty swallowing
Complains of not feeling well
Vomits or has diarrhea that is not associated with changes of diet and cannot be contained by the child’s ability to use the toilet
Cries inconsolably
Diarrhea
Chicken pox
Scarlet Fever
Strep Throat
Mumps
Impetigo, Ringworm and Scabies
Pink eye
Influenza
Whooping Cough
Head Lice
COVID-19

If your child contracts an infectious illness, you are expected to keep your child home until he/she is24 hours symptom free. Our program follows all Public health guidelines, please see attached document.

Any medical question may be directed to the Public Health Nurse in the Southern Health Unit in Morden (331-8841). Please phone and notify the director of the nursery school if your child contracts any of the above illnesses so the staff can watch for symptoms in other children.

https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/protocol/

Medication:

In accordance with regulation, staff can administer medication to children only when it is accompanied by specific instructions signed by a physician. Non-emergency medication will not be dispensed at Nursery School.

Please DO NOT LEAVE ANY MEDICATION in your child’s backpack..

If your child has a severe allergy or condition, it is imperative to inform the school upon registration of the nature of the allergy or condition of your child so we can appropriately develop a plan. This plan usually uses a team approach which will include the staff, child’s parent/guardians involved medical personnel and such other agencies as are appropriate. PLEASE REFER TO THE INFORMATION RELATING TO CHILDREN WITH SERIOUS ALLERGIES: ANAPHYLAXIS POLICY.

Transportation

Parents or someone authorized by the parent (must be over 12) are responsible for bringing their child to and from the nursery school. Parents are responsible until they notify staff of their child’s arrival and parent’s departure. The nursery school is responsible until parents return.

Controlling and Monitoring Visitor Access

Parents must advise staff clearly if someone else is picking up their child. If the staff don’t know the person, the director will ask for ID.
Parents need to tell the staff when there are any changes to who is allowed to pick up their child. The staff then updates the designated pick up list.
Parents are required to directly tell a staff member when they are leaving the building, with or without their child
Parents must inform the director of any custody arrangements and what to do if a non custodial parent arrives at a time outside of arrangements. The director will share this information with the rest of the staff.
All outside doors are locked throughout the day except for the church’s main entrance
The nursery school outside door (located at the north side) will be open for 20 minutes only for the morning classes (8:50 A.M. till 9:10 A.M.) and the afternoon classes (12:50 P.M. till 1:10 P.M.) for families to drop off their children
The nursery school outside door, located to the north side, will be open for twenty minutes only at the end of each class (11:20 A.M. till 11:40 A.M.) and (3:20 P.M. till 3:40 P.M.) for pick up time
Late parents can call the nursery school so staff can open the door or can use the main church’s door. Parent needs to inform the church’s secretary before proceeding to class.
When children and staff are in the gym, the lock door policy will be implemented as well. All doors to the gym will be locked.

For more information regarding this policy and other safety policies and procedures, please ask the director for a copy of our Safety Charter.

Snack:

Due to severe allergies, each child is required to bring his/her own snack. An “approved snack list” will be provided at the time of registration. Please note that we are a “Nut Safe” school and therefore any food labelled “may contain nuts” will not be permitted in the classroom. Please take the time to read labels carefully when adding ingredients to your snack.

Any child with a life threatening allergy is still required to bring their own snack to class on special days as well.

Please note: No birthday invitations are allowed to be handed out at the nursery school.

Parent Participation:

Small Wonders Nursery School has an open door policy: parents and family are welcome to visit at any time at your convenience and spend some time with us and participate in classroom activities. However, planned visits are also welcome. Each child’s home environment is a vital resource for the children’s learning experiences. We enthusiastically encourage parents, family members and friends to come to the classroom and share their knowledge, abilities, interests and customs with us.

Field Trips

A notice of the field trip will be posted in advance and permission forms will be sent home for the parent/guardian to sign.

Photos, videotaping and observations

Photographs, videotaping and observations take place at the nursery school. Parents can indicate their wishes in regards to this matter on the registration form.

Fire Drills

A monthly fire drill will be done at the nursery school to practice emergency exits in case of a fire. We will be going outside, so children must have their indoor shoes on at all times. The nursery school has a written procedure for fire drills. This procedure is posted in the classroom. Each staff is familiar with the procedure and has a specific job to do:

As soon as the fire alarm goes off:

The class assistant will lead the children out in an orderly manner and wait outside the building.
The class assistant gathers all the children to the designated place which is the area in front of the classroom by the storage shed.
The director will check all areas including washrooms and close all doors upon proceeding out.
The director will do roll call to ensure all children are accounted for.
Proceed to designated place of refuge: Tim Hortons. Parents will be notified by phone.

A weather related indoor drill is practised once a year where the children go to a safe place inside the church which is the basement.

Parents are advised to participate in evacuation or shelter-in-place if a drill procedure occurs while they are at the nursery school.

For more information regarding Safety Procedures / Plans please refer to our Safety Charter.

What To Bring To School:

Please bring the following items.

A backpack
Indoor shoes
An extra set of clothing should be left in your child’s backpack. It should include:
Underpants and socks
A complete change of outer clothing.
Jacket/Coat/Sweater (seasonal): CLEARLY LABELED
Snack in labeled lunch kit
Please take all your child’s belongings home at the end of each class.

Ongoing Communication with Parents

Parents are welcome to talk to the teachers daily to briefly share information about their child or classroom events. If you wish to give the teachers special instructions for the day, please put your request in writing, date it and sign it. Parents are welcome at any time to schedule an appointment to speak with the classroom teacher.

If parents wish to receive written feedback on a daily basis, they may make arrangements with the teacher and decide how this will be carried out.

Suggestions and Feedback

Feel free to contact the director of the program by phone, email or by visiting the classroom, for questions regarding registration, payments, vacation weeks, extra day, health, as well as regarding your child’s adaptation, special visitors, relationships with staff, parents, and children, curriculum and assessment of your child’s progress.

At the end of the year, we will be sending home evaluation forms regarding the program. A report of the annual evaluation findings will be communicated to you via newsletters. The results are used as a basis for further improvements and celebration. We welcome your suggestions as to how to improve any aspect of our program.