Kaleidoscope Kids Preschool follows certain policies and procedures to ensure the safety of all children.
DISCIPLINE POLICY
At Kaleidoscope Kids Preschool we respect each child and his or her level of development, individual personality, and their family and cultural influences. We create a positive environment (plenty of toys, activities, space, as well as area boundaries to divide activities) so as to influence behaviour.
The program has a set daily routine but allows for flexibility. Clear guidelines are provided so that children know what is expected of them. Limits that relate to safety and protection of self, others, and the environment are clear and are enforced consistently in a positive way. Children are given time to respond to expectations.
Teachers may use a variety of strategies depending on the child and the situation. These strategies include: gaining a child’s attention, staying in close proximity to the child, reminding, acknowledging feelings before setting limits, redirecting or diverting, age appropriate choices, and natural consequences. Quiet time may be needed.
All children will be treated with respect. Children will not be disciplined in a punitive manner. Our goal is to encourage children to develop respect, self-control, self-confidence, and sensitivity in their social interactions during their time at preschool.
The guidelines for discipline within our preschool are as follows.
The program has a set daily routine but allows for flexibility. Clear guidelines are provided so that children know what is expected of them. Limits that relate to safety and protection of self, others, and the environment are clear and are enforced consistently in a positive way. Children are given time to respond to expectations.
Teachers may use a variety of strategies depending on the child and the situation. These strategies include: gaining a child’s attention, staying in close proximity to the child, reminding, acknowledging feelings before setting limits, redirecting or diverting, age appropriate choices, and natural consequences. Quiet time may be needed.
All children will be treated with respect. Children will not be disciplined in a punitive manner. Our goal is to encourage children to develop respect, self-control, self-confidence, and sensitivity in their social interactions during their time at preschool.
The guidelines for discipline within our 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 doesn’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.
- Quiet time may be needed. Child will be directed 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 behaviour still continues, 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 the 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 the preschool.
HEALTH POLICY
Good health and well-being are essential for the success of the children in our Preschool. With your cooperation, we can provide the healthiest environment possible for our children. Use the following guidelines and your own best judgement about your child's health to help you decide whether or not to send your child to school. Please consult your physician if you have any further questions beyond these general guidelines.
- COLDS: Periods of infectiousness of cold viruses range from 1 to 3 days. The safest course of action is to wait three days after your child has a new cold before bringing him/her to school. For Parents who see children in class with a 'runny nose', it is important to remember that allergies and other non-contagious conditions may cause these symptoms.
- COUGHS: Lingering coughs associated with Cystic Fibrosis following bronchitis are not contagious. Families should be sensitive to the cause of coughing that the child is experiencing in order to decide whether or not attendance is wise.
- FEVER: Following any infection associated with fever over 100 degrees F, a child should remain at home until he/she has been without fever for at least 24 hours. During the early morning hours, a fever will often register as normal, but rise again later in the afternoon. It is extremely important to give the child at least 24 hours where he/she is completely free from elevated temperature before returning to class.
- VOMITING/DIARRHOEA: As is with a fever, it is the best interest of the children who have been suffering from vomiting or diarrhoea to be given 24 hours to regain strength before returning to class.
- BACTERIAL CONJUNCTIVITIS (Pink Eye) is not generally communicable once antibiotic treatment has started. However, a second type of viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious for several days. If your child is diagnosed with Bacterial Conjunctivitis, please consult a physician before bringing him/her to school.
- STREP THROAT: Twenty-four hours after antibiotic treatment has started, the child is no longer considered communicable. However, children often do not feel well enough to participate in class after the 24 hour period. Parents must take into consideration both the child's physical vigour and the infectious possibilities related to strep throat infection before sending him/her to school.
MEDICATION POLICY
We do ask that every effort be taken to administer medications at home. Medications will be administered only when the required "Permission to Administer Medications" form has been filled out and signed, including when the last dosage was given. Medications cannot be administered without the correct information and a signed form. A new form is required for each medication.
The medication must be handed to the teacher who will place it in the medication box kept high up on a shelf above the sink. Do not place any medication in the child’s backpack. All medication will be locked and labelled with the child’s name. Only emergency medications (for allergic reactions) will not be locked, but kept inaccessible to children.
Cold mediations and antibiotics will not be administered at preschool. Please give these to your child before or after preschool.
Medications for allergic reactions can be kept at the preschool. These medications require a separate permission form to be kept with the medication.
The medication must be handed to the teacher who will place it in the medication box kept high up on a shelf above the sink. Do not place any medication in the child’s backpack. All medication will be locked and labelled with the child’s name. Only emergency medications (for allergic reactions) will not be locked, but kept inaccessible to children.
Cold mediations and antibiotics will not be administered at preschool. Please give these to your child before or after preschool.
Medications for allergic reactions can be kept at the preschool. These medications require a separate permission form to be kept with the medication.
CHILD RELEASE POLICY
- Parents must list on the registration form the names of all persons who are permitted to pick up their child. We require parents to notify the Preschool staff in writing if someone else will be picking up the child.
- In a rare emergency situation, arrangements can be made verbally.
- If the person picking up the child is not known to the teacher, information about the person must be provided, including the following: name, phone number, and physical description. This person will be required to show picture ID.
- If an unauthorized person arrives to pick up a child, the child will remain under the supervision of the teacher at the preschool. The teacher will speak to the individual and explain the policy that no child will be released without written authorization from the parent or guardian.
- If difficulties arise, all reasonable efforts will be made by Kaleidoscope Kids Preschool staff to ensure the safety of the child and the other children. If necessary the police will be called for assistance.
