Gradual Entry

During the two weeks prior to the commencement of the school year, the educational team will invite all families to an open house at Trottin-Trottinette to get acquainted. This is also an opportunity for the child to meet their future teachers and to familiarize themselves with their new environment.

Our objective is to make sure that parents and children feel welcome and are well supported by our service. In order to realize these goals we wish to ensure everyone can:

•  feel comfortable at preschool
•  establish positive relationships with teachers based on trust
•  have a positive first time experience at preschool

A gradual entry is suggested (especially for the 3 yo’s and daycare attendees) during the first week of class. This provides children with the opportunity to familiarize themselves with their new environment and classroom routines in smaller groups and over shorter periods of time. They need time to adjust to the class, new people, and for some, the whole new world of school.

Following is an example gradual entry schedule for a daycare attendee.

Day 1 – Child stays until snack time, around 10:00

Day 2 – Child stays until 11:45

Day 3 – Child stays for nap time until 2:00pm

Day 4 – Child stays entire day

We strongly recommend against remaining at school. Explain to your child that school is a special place for children and it’s not a place for mothers and fathers. If there is really a problem, you can stay until the end of circle time and then tell your child that you will be leaving. Please be consistent. Parents will not be allowed to stay after the first week.

Arrival and departure of children

It is important that you drop off and pick up your child on time. A new policy has been in effect since September 2003. We will tolerate a parent being late once but after that there will be a fine of $5.00 for each 15 minutes after a grace period of 5 minutes which means after 11:50am or 3:05pm. If you think you might be late for whatever reason, please try to make arrangements with another parent while letting us know at the same time.
The classroom door will open at 7:30 am (daycare) and 8:40 am (preschool).  If children arrive earlier than this, they should wait outside.  Please do not let the children bang on the door while waiting outside. Children are expected to enter the room courteously and quietly.

Special arrangements can be made with Trottin-Trottinette for early morning daycare. The appropriate fees will be charged. Parents whose children will be using an Andre Piolat  school bus for transportation will have to sign a special agreement after receiving authorization from Ecole Andre Piolat.

Please do not let your child come to school unaccompanied.  This is a regulation of the North Shore Health Licensing Department.  If someone other than you will be picking up your child (ex. Babysitter, neighbor etc) you must inform us in writing. This person should be on the list (that you will fill out at the time of registration and that can be updated at any time) and must be able to supply proper identification. We will not release your child if we are not sure of the identity of the person or if we have not received confirmation from you, this is for your child’s safety.  In addition, we are not comfortable releasing your child to someone who is under sixteen years of age even if they are a sibling.

There is a note board at the entrance to Trottin-Trottinette where last minute changes can be recorded.

The “Community Care Facilities Act” requires that child care providers have a written child pick-up policy. Following is the policy for Trottin-Trottinette:

1. If the person picking up the child is not on the list of authorized persons (to be filled out at the time of registration), staff members will attempt to contact the parents for verbal authorization. If this is not successful, Trottin-trottinette will not release the child until comfirmation is recieved.

2. Parents must notify the preshool if an alternate person is to pick up their child. Children will not be allowed to leave the preschool without written or verbal (phone) consent.

3.If the parent or alternate person does not appear to be capable of providing safe care to the child(appearing to be under the unfluence of alcohol, other substances or illness), staff members will discuss safe options before releasing the child, offer to call a family member, a taxi or friend to assist and ensure the safety of the child or call the appropriate authorities if necessary.

4. For parents using the daycare, a sign-in/sign-out sheet must be filled in. Parents are expected to inform the teacher present in the classroom (daycare) or in the locker room (preschool) of their child’s arrival.

Communication between home and school

Your child will receive a plastic binder with pockets, ( “cahier de message”) which should always remain in their back packs. (please ensure your child’s back pack is large enough to fit a standard 8 in X 12 in binder). All papers, notes, messages etc exchanged between the school and home will be placed in this binder. Every day at snack time the teachers will check each binder for any messages from home.

Birthdays

If you have photographs of your child since birth, bring them in on their birthday and the teacher can tell their story. This is very personal and special for them. You may wish to  send a snack or treat that day for the class to share.  A platter of fruits or raw vegetables is preferable.  Birthday invitations are a problem as parents cannot invite everybody, and the children get very disappointed if they do not receive an invitation.  Please mail/email invitations for private parties or give them to the parents outside.  You will be provided with a class list including addresses and phone numbers at the beginning of the year.

Field Trips

We try to take advantage of good weather as much as possible and on occasion we may go for a walk in the neighborhood. Some field trips will be planned during the year. Parental consent is required for all field trips and activities outside the school limits . The children wear yellow or orange bibs which identify them as  preschoolers and aids in supervision. Class time may be modified to accomodate a field trip. Some outings will be only for the 4 yr old class based on age appropriateness.

Snacks

Please note that all foods containing nuts of any kind are strickly forbidden.

We encourage you to send your child to school with any suitable fruit or raw vegetable. Please make sure they are peeled,sliced and ready to eat. Your child should also bring a container to pour water.  We have a fountain in each class. Please do not give them fizzy beverages.  They can bring also crackers, bread with cheese for snack.

As stated in the CCL Regulations, Trottin-Trottinette:

(a) ensure that each child has healthy food and drink according to the Canada's Food Guide, and

(b) promote healthy eating and nutritional habits.

(2)  If a child’s record includes, or the child has a care plan that includes, instructions respecting food and drink for the child,

(a) the requirements of subsection

(1) (a) do not apply to the extent that they are inconsistent with those instructions, and

(3)  A licensee must ensure that the food and drink given to a child is sufficient in quantity and quality to meet the developmental needs of the child, having regard to

(a) the child's age,

(b) the number of hours the child is under the care of the licensee, and

(c) the child's food preferences and cultural background.

(4)  A licensee must ensure that children are not

(a) fed by means of a propped bottle,

(b) forced to consume any food or drink, or

(c) left unsupervised while consuming food or drink.

(5)  A licensee must ensure that safe drinking water is available to children.

(6)  A licensee must make available to parents information on the food and drink given to children.

(7)  A licensee must ensure that food and drink are not used as a form of reward or punishment for children.

Class Observation

After the month of October, parents will have an opportunity to observe the classroom if they wish. Please make an appointment with the teacher in order to accommodate both parties.  We will explain to the children that you have come to watch and that they should continue as usual.

We ask that you come by yourself. Please leave younger child(ren) at home. Please avoid engaging in conversation with the teachers as they are occupied with the children.  You may wish to discuss your observations outside the class at a time that is mutually convenient.

Following are a few suggestions to assist in your observations:

1.    Focus on one or two children.  Note how they behave during activity time as well as during group activities, discussion periods, etc.

2.    Follow the sequence of activities rather than the length of time spent at each activity

3.    How do they relate to the teacher?  How do they relate to other children?

4.    Do they require a great deal of attention and direction or are they self-motivated, independent and calm?

N.B.:As you are invited to observe your child and the class in general, please do not comment to other parents about the behaviour and activities of their children while you were in the classroom.  These may not be interpreted correctly.

Parent/Teacher Meetings

At the beginning of the year, a meeting with the teacher is recommended
in order to get mutually acquainted. A second  one will take place in March to report on your child’s progress  in the program.

At any time if you feel the need to discuss any matter with a teacher you may contact them before or after class.

Telephone

Phone calls might not be answered during class time.  It is difficult to take calls and give the children the attention they require. If you have an urgent message, you may leave a voicemail. Messages will be checked before class starts and after it ends in the morning and in the afternoon. If you have something important to discuss, please wait until all the children have left, or a meeting can be arranged for a suitable time with staff.

Photographer

During the year (before Christmas), a professional photographer will take a group picture and one individual portrait.  You will be given advance notice and informed of the cost closer to the date (there is no obligation to purchase). The preschool keeps a percentage of the total sales.

It is a tradition of ours to take pictures of the children in the classroom, during outings, events, etc... while photographs add to the community life of our school, they are not required for educational purposes. Therefore your consent for the use of your child’s name, photograph and related comment is requested. The “Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy” legislation came into effect for school districts in the fall of 1994. Please fill out the consent form at the end of the manual!

Fundraising

Each family is encouraged to actively participate in fundraising events organized during the school year. It allows the preschool to purchase costly items such as a CD player, filing cabinet, art work dryer, furniture, educational games etc. and to offset the cost of field trips and outings.

Scholastic/ L’Ecole des Loisirs

Purchasing  books from Scholastic and/or joining L’Ecole des Loisirs book club enables you to build a nice French librairy for your children. The amount of books you purchase directly helps the preschool recieve free books. You will receive a monthly Scholastic flyer. Parents may join L’Ecole des Loisirs book club in October and receive 8 French books during the course of the school year.

School Equipment

Occasionally a child may take home small items belonging to the school.  Please help us maintain our materials in order by returning these seemingly insignificant objects.  They are often part of a set and cannot be replaced easily.  Gently ask your child to return it to school as missing items result in disappointment for other children wishing to use the activities.

Toys, Gum and Candy

Please explain to your child that their toys belong at home.  There are sufficient activities at school to keep them busy.  No gum or candies are to be brought to school.  If your child insists on leaving home with a toy, explain to him that if he leaves it in the car he will be sure to  to have it after school.

Clothing

Please ensure your child is dressed properly in comfortable clothing. Washable clothes that are easily managed are essential. Aprons and smocks are provided to protect against paint and water. It is recommended that you leave a change of clothes at school in a bag provided for this purpose.  Please mark all  clothing with child’s name.  Please bring a pair of gym shoes to be kept at school .If it rains or snows, your child can wear those shoes inside. You will be informed when gym day is and it is expected that your child come to school dressed appropriately.

Illness

Please phone the school if your child will be absent.  Advise the teacher of any communicable diseases so other parents  may be informed if necessary. According to Health Department regulations,  no medications will be administered without the appropriate consent form filled out and signed.

Contagious Diseases

Suggested Criteria for Excluding a Child from Attending School:

There are three main issues you must consider :

1)    Your responsibility towards your child's health and comfort.

2)    Your responsibility towards the other children and staff, who will be exposed to illness through contact with your child.

3)    The school's ability to accommodate or look after a sick child.

These three issues must be taken seriously.  When children are really sick, they want and need their Mom and Dad.  Nevertheless, for many minor illnesses, you will be uncertain whether your child should or should not attend school.

Below is a list of symptoms to guide you in deciding whether your child should be sent to school.  Do not send your child to school on days when any of the following symptoms are present:

1)    Fever (temperature over 98.6 degrees F)

2)    Vomiting

3)    Diarrhea

4)    Rash

5)    Cough

6)    Discharge of discoloured or profuse amounts of mucous from the nose

7)    Sore throat

8)    Skin and scalp infections

9)    Eye discharge or pink-eye (conjunctivitis)

10)    Fatigue that prevents participation in regular activities.

Children who are sent to school will be expected to participate with the rest of the group, including outside time.  If a child should become ill at school, we will notify parents immediately.

Emergencies & Accidents

If there is an accident at school, the parent will be called immediately following First Aid.  If you cannot be reached, the emergency number you have supplied will be called.  If that person is not available, your child's doctor will be called.  Should it be necessary, the child will be taken to Lions Gate Hospital.

Special Information from Home

In the event that a significant change occurs in your home, please inform the staff as soon as possible.  All information will be regarded as confidential.  We will accept your judgement as to the kinds of changes which may affect your child's behaviour, security and general well-being.  Common causes of distress include either or both parents being away from home for any reason for an extended time, a new person living in the home, illness of either parent or of a sibling, any hospitalization, accident or death in the family, a move, death of a pet and many more.

The teacher will keep you informed of any significant changes in the school environment which may affect your child.

Transportation

Transportation of children to and from school is the responsibility of the parents.  We will give you a class list to enable you to make car pool arrangements. School buses are used for most field trips. Parent participation is often requested. Trottin-Trottinette is not responsible for daily bus transportation to and from school. You will need to inquire at Ecole Andre Piolat as to the availability of bus service for your child and fill out the appropriate forms. A monetary fee will be charged for unattended preschool children arriving before the start of class.

Closure (due to snow)

We will follow the Conseil scolaire francophone's policy. In case of closure, listen to CBC 97.7 FM for more information.

A telephone chain will be given out sometime in October. Please keep close to the phone. We will use it for special events or circumstances.

Evacuation Drills

We regularly do evacuation drills with the children as a safety measure in case of a real emergency or fire. In August you will receive a list for an “earthquake kit” that you will have to bring in on the first day of school.