Q. What is the daily fee?
A. The Learning Academy fees are set according to the ongoing cost of operation. Fees are reviewed annually or on an “as needed” basis and are due on a regular schedule. Fees are charged for all days that a child is enrolled, including vacation, regardless of child’s attendance. Fees are not adjusted, refunded, or credited for statutory holidays, absence due to illness, withdrawal without proper notice or for any other reasons. Receipts for tax purposes for all fees are completed and distributed by the end of February each year. The Learning Academy has opted out of the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Childcare Program.
Q. Do you have a waiting list and how do we register our child?
A. Parents are required to complete the interview and admissions process, including a tour of the facility prior to their name being added to the waiting list. A child's position on the waiting list will be maintained until they reach the top of the list and a space in the appropriate age group becomes available. Once the child reaches the top of the list, the Program Supervisor will contact the parent to offer them the available spot. The parent has 48 hours to accept or decline the spot. Should they not accept the space at the time, they could request their name remain on the list. A subsequent refusal will result in their name losing priority on the list. Every reasonable effort will be made to contact the parent to offer the spot. No response will indicate that the spot has been declined. Names will be added to the list once a child has been born and will remain on the list for one year, after which time the family must reapply to the waiting list.
Q. What is the drop-off and pick-up window?
A. The drop-off time is between 7:30 - 9:30 am. The door will be locked after 9:30. Parents must notify the director in advance if a child will arrive late. The pick-up time is 5:30 pm. Please note that we will be charging extra fees for late pick-up.
Q. Is there an outdoor space? Do they go on outings to the park or library?
A. There are two large outdoor spaces with a sandbox, mud kitchen, dramatic play, painting, water play, sensory area, and gross motor movement. Outings are scheduled by lead classroom teachers and encouraged by the director.
Q. What should we bring to the daycare?
A. For the comfort of all children attending any of The Learning Academy’s programs, it is mandatory that at least two sets of clothing remain in your child’s cubby or in their backpack at all times. This should include clothing that is appropriate for the weather and the season and should be monitored for size and changed if necessary. Certain items as snow pants, hats, boots, and two pairs of mittens should be brought everyday during the cool and cold seasons, splash pants and rubber boots in the spring, and sun hats brought each day in the spring and summer.
Q. What are the expectations for toilet training?
A. Children begin to use the toilet at different ages and stages of their development. Language skills are vital to this process to communicate needs to the staff and parents. The washroom routine is a fun, non-threatening and non-stressful time. Staff will consider the individuality of each child and actively communicate observations, suggestions and questions to parents on a daily basis.
Parents and families should have choice with regards to how they diaper their children. The Learning Academy aims to work with families to support them and their use and care of cloth diapers.
Q. What is the illness policy? Will the staff give medicines like Tylenol and Advil?
A. Please note that if your child requires medication (Tylenol or Advil) to attend they are likely too ill to be in group care. Sending them to childcare with Tylenol or Advil makes it difficult to determine how sick they are or allow us to accurately take their temperature. This practice is discouraged as we are not able to attend to the individual needs of a sick child in group care.
If your child becomes sick while in our care (vomiting, diarrhea, fever, too lethargic to participate in daily activities, inconsolable crying), we will call and/or email you to come and pick them up. Your child will need to be kept home for a 24-48 hour time period, or until they are symptom free before they may return. Under some circumstances, a doctor’s note may be required to ensure children are not contagious and are able to fully participate in the daily activities of the center.
Q. How many staff members does the Learning Academy have? What is the ratio in each room?
A. We require 12 staff in total including one supervisor for a licensed space for 58 children. We also employ a full time culinary manager.
Ratios
Infants 3:9
Toddler (Room 1) 2:10
Toddler (Room 2) 3:15
Preschool 3:24
Q. What would the schedule for a day be like?
A. As per ministry guidelines, children must spend minimum of 2 hours outside everyday. Each child enrolled in for 6 hours or more is required to have a rest time of at least two hours after lunch. Those children who do not sleep after the first hour will have an opportunity to engage in quiet activities. We provide a rest cot and sheet for every toddler and preschooler. Infants nap in a separate room with cribs.
Schedule Example:
7:30 am : Center Opens
7:30 - 9:00 am : Arrival, Free Play Outside & Snack
9:00 - 9:30 am : Welcome and Morning Gathering
9:30 - 10:00 am : Small Group Time
10:00 - 12:00 pm : Outdoor Play
12:00 - 12:30 pm : Lunch Time
12:30 - 2:30 pm : Rest Time
2:30 - 3:30 pm : Snack time and Free Play
3:30 - 4:15 pm : Small Group Time
4:15 - 5:00 pm : Outdoor Play
5:00 - 5:30 pm : Songs, Stories, and Clean up
5:30 pm : Center Closes
Q. What meals are provided throughout the day? Do you accommodate allergies?
A. Morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack are provided. All meals and snacks are provided by The Learning Academy and are prepared fresh daily. The menus are based on a regular rotation and contain fully nutritionally balanced diets as suggested by the Canada Food Guide. Children with a food allergy, sensitivity, or restrictions are provided with alternatives, when possible. We do not alter our menus for food preferences.
The Learning Academy believes strongly that offering children healthy, fresh, seasonal and home-made meals and snacks helps to lay the foundation for a happy and healthy day. Given the severity and potential risks for food allergies, we do not allow any outside food into our center, unless arrangements have been approved by the director. When medical, religious, or cultural beliefs require a child to bring food from home, foods must be labeled with the child’s name and refrigerated if necessary.
We are a meat, egg and dairy free facility.
Other allergies may be accommodated as needed.
Sample Menu Items:
Morning Snack
Vanilla Coconut Yogurt and Fruit
Bagels and Nut Butter with Fresh Fruit Salad
Breakfast Cookies and Fruit Smoothies
Lunch
Mushroom and Spinach Spaghetti with Lentil ‘Meatballs’
Curry Vegetables and Rice
Maple Baked Lentils with Rye Toast, and Steamed Vegetables
“Cheesy” Broccoli Pasta Bake
Afternoon Snack
Bananas, Yogurt, and Homemade Waffles
Peanut Butter and Jam Roll Ups with Fruit
Lentil Dip, Pita Chips and Veggies