November 08, 2019

Parent Handbook
 Table of Contents
1. Welcome 26. General Information
• Our Promise • Communication, Behaviour
2. Program Statement Management, Child Abuse
• The Child, The Family and the Educator 27. Security
• Expected Behaviour Management Practice • Video Viewing
• The Management, The Physical Environment • Photo taking
• Community Partners, Positive Self Expression • Access Security
• Goals, How do we Reach Our Goals 28. Absences, Holidays, Health Issues
8. Our Programs • When should you keep your child at home?
• Music, French, Sign Language, Alpha-Mania, 29. Medications & Clothing
Mini Masters, Montessori, Munchkinetics 30. Nutrition
11. Ages and Stages 31. Personal Information & Privacy Protocols
• Infant, Toddler, Preschool, Kindergarten 32. If We Are Unable to Meet your Child’s UniqueNeeds
and School Age 33. Centre Closures
14. Back-up Solution, Camp Programs 34. Contact Us
& Outdoor Programs
16. Daily Routines
19. Our Staff
• Teacher Child Ratios
21. What To Bring
• Infants, Todder/Preschool, Kindergarten
and School Age
22. Arrival And Departure Procedures
23. Schedules & Fees
• Full and Part-time Information
& Scheduling
• Full and Part-time Fees
• Back-up Fees
• Reservations, Cancellations & Withdrawals
25. Parent Issues and Concerns
• Policy and Procedure
• Confidentiality
• Conduct
Welcome to Kids & Company
Our Mission
Our mission is to innovate the lives of working families.
Kids & Company does this through high quality, flex-
ible child care, innovative early learning programs and
developing a sense of community and support for our
families.
Are you an employee of one of our corporate partners?
Our child care programs are a wellness benefit that
improves corporate loyalty and morale. We alsocare
deeply about our own staff and offer a dynamic work
environment for our employees.
Our Teaching Philosophy
What makes Kids & Company the right early learning and child
care location for your child?
We provide an innovative, nurturing and stimulating
environment where children develop independence,
confidence and a positive sense of self and the world
around them. In small groups, children receive indi-
vidual attention so a healthy attitude towards learning is
developed.
The curriculum is designed to involve children in experi-
ences to enhance language, literacy, music and move-
ment, art and socialization. Through play, all areas of
development are fostered.
ParentHandbook page 1

Program Statement
Kids & Company’s mission is to develop and foster
the potential in every child through an enriched,
nurturing and safe early learning environment. We
create a partnership with families and our
communities to develop confident children who are
caring, capable and enthusiastic about the world
around them. At Kids & Company, we believe in
learning through play. Children are viewed as
capable and competent and are the leaders in
curriculum design. We augment each day with a
cue-based, child-centered philosophy to create
programming that is responsive to all children in a
group. Educators develop and adapt individual
programs by observing, documenting and listening
to the children. Through the pedagogy learning,
(Pedagogy refers to the theory and practice of
education. It involves the study and practice of how
best for a teacher to teach.) teaching approach and
the use of high-quality materials and resources,
children are given the opportunity to decide what
they would like to learn, which builds a foundation
for success and life-long learning.
Kids & Company is dedicated to providing parents
with reliable, flexible and enriched quality child care
solutions to suit the needs of each individual child
and family. In many cities, we also work with
corporations to help create more harmonious work-
life integration for their employees.
The primary goals of Kids & Company are:
1. To provide a high quality, supportive program
for children in a warm, safe and responsive
environment. Children are actively involved in
a variety of play and experiences designed to:
• promote their physical, social, emotional,
and cognitive development
• encourage co-operation, responsibility,
and consideration of others
2. To work collaboratively in the areas of
teaching, research and observation.
3. To establish the highest standard for our children’s
nutritional and educational needs.
4. To help create more harmonious work-life integ-
ration for families
The Child, the Family and the Educators
The Child
Kids & Company provides a program that is play based
and designed around the four foundational conditions;
Belonging, Well-Being, Engagement, and Expression to
support the care and development of young
children. The provision of a warm, nurturing
environment forms the basis for all interactions that
occur. The ability of the educators and the program
offered are to support:
• A sense of connectedness, feeling of value and
forming of relationships
• Physical needs for health and safety
• Physical and mental health and wellness
• Culture and/or religious needs
The relationship between the educators and the children
becomes the basis upon which these needs are met and
development occurs.
Kids & Company provides for the development of the
whole child through a play-oriented curriculum, which
supports the child socially, cognitively, physically and
emotionally. Through the pedagogy learning and teaching
approach, and the use of high-quality materials and resources,
children are given the opportunity to decide what they would
like to learn, which builds a foundation for success and life-
long learning. Educators recognize the need for children
to:
• Focus on health
• Develop communication skills, by providing opportu
nities for children to listen, talk, draw and write about
events that occur in their lives
• Recognize and express feelings of joy, anger,
frustration, anxiety, sadness and wonder
• Socialize with children and adults
• Explore, experiment, problem solve, ask questions,
pose problems and hypothesize about their world
• Develop a sense of self by participating in physical
and self-help skills, running, climbing, completing
puzzles and complete self-regulation skills by serving
themselves meals, feeding themselves, dressing
themselves, and washing their hands
• Be independent and self-reliant, as they accom-
plish tasks in their own way, at their own pace
ParentHandbook page 2

This unique curriculum is designed to get children
involved with experiences that enhance their learning
in areas such as; language, early literacy, literature,
music, movement, art and socialization. Through play,
all areas of development are enhanced, based on
documented observation of the children’s interests. In
small groups, children receive individual attention in a
nurturing environment, where a healthy attitude
towards learning is developed. Kids & Company also
encourages language development, creativity, group
work, sharing, personal responsibility and self-
regulation, in a safe and child directed environment.
Each classroom has observation books in the
classroom that teachers record observations of the
children, their interests and document goals for the
classroom.
The Family
Parents are viewed as vital to their child’s successful
experience in the child care program and are
encouraged to enter into a unique partnership with the
educators. It is our goal that our curriculum is
reflective of the community in which they live and the
diverse cultures.
By being located in many work place buildings, many
parents may have additional opportunities for parental
involvement on an ongoing basis; we encourage
parents to be co-learners.
Kids & Company believes that learning is a life-long
process. We not only provide high quality care to
children, but also to operate a resource service that
supports parents as they learn about their children.
During the registration process parents are informed of
our many ways of communication with families. Daily
contact through observations on web cameras, daily
reports that are emailed to parents and effective
communication between the centre and the home are
viewed as essential. Educators provide parents with
regular updates on their child’s needs and progress. If
parents have specific questions or concerns, meetings
between educators and parents are arranged at
mutually convenient times.
Parents are also viewed as resources for the child care
educators. Parents have intimate knowledge about
their child and family and can provide essential
information to assist the educators and curriculum so
they can fully meet the needs of their family and
child. Parents also provide insightful understanding of
their child’s behaviour; which educators consider when
curriculum planning.
Parents are encouraged to spend time with their child
at the centre (i.e. lunch time, field trips). Daycare web
cameras provide parents with a unique opportunity to
watch their child interact with others.
Even though it is the educator’s responsibility to plan
and implement a high-quality program, parents are
encouraged to contribute and to comment on quality,
to ensure that the program is being delivered in a way
that meets the needs of their child and family. Parents
see staff as skilled professionals, whose expertise and
experience become a resource for families and for the
program.
ParentHandbook page 3

The Educators
The Educators at Kids & Company are skilled profession-
als, who have chosen to work with children and families,
as their career. Through their education and training,
educators have developed an understanding of the
processes involved in facilitating children’s growth and
development. They possess effective communication
and interpersonal skills for relating to both children and
adults. They have developed skills in observation, plan-
ning and evaluation.
Educators also facilitate specialized learning and pursue
interests which includes pre-literacy and reading, artistic
expression, music, movement, science and exploration,
language, rest and sleep.
Educators are responsible for the development and set
up of their curriculum. This environment includes both
the physical set-up of the program and the delivery of the
activities to the children. The curriculum is be imple-
mented fluently both indoors and outdoors. In addition,
the environment includes the atmosphere which is cre-
ated by the educator’s open, supportive, and responsive
interactions to the needs of the children and families.
Educators provide a secure, safe, nurturing, sensitive
environment in which children spend a large part of
their day. Educators observe the children and develop a
program which fosters both individual and group learning
for the children
Educators form the knowledge basis for the programs.
They know the children and families and are responsible
for keeping the administration informed about issues
that arise. In addition, Educators form the link with other
agencies, such as schools or community resource pro-
grams in order to provide a consistency and continuity of
care for the child and family.
Kids & Company is committed to Professional Develop-
ment for all employees. All Kids & Company staff meet-
ings are geared towards employee professional develop-
ment and training. These meetings occur, at minimum,
five times per year. The Area Director and Centre Direc-
tors will host guest speakers or lead training for the
educators. All professional development meeting ideas
are submitted to the Senior Operations team and preap-
proved to ensure the standard of professional develop-
ment is met.
Expected Behaviour Management Practice
Prohibited Practices:
No licensee shall permit, with respect to a child receiving
child care at a child care centre it operates or at a prem-
ise where it oversees the provision of child care,
(a) corporal punishment of the child;
(b) physical restraint of the child, such as confining
the child to a high chair, car seat, stroller or other
device for the purposes of discipline or in lieu of
supervision, unless the physical restraint is for the
purpose of preventing a child from hurting himself,
herself or someone else, and is used only as a last
resort and only until the risk of injury is no longer
imminent;
(c) locking the exits of the child care centre or home
child care premises for the purpose of confining the
child, or confining the child in an area or room
without adult supervision, unless such confinement
occurs during an emergency and is required as part
of the licensee’s emergency management policies
and procedures;
(d) use of harsh or degrading measures or threats
or use of derogatory language directed at or used in
the presence of a child that would humiliate, shame
or frighten the child or undermine his or her self-
respect, dignity or self-worth;
(e ) depriving the child of basic needs including food,
drink, shelter, sleep, toilet use, clothing or bedding;
or
(f) inflicting any bodily harm on children including
making children eat or drink against their will.
Steps to be taken for behaviour management:
1. Verbal positive re-direction to anotheractivity,
(give gentle reminders)
2. Offer choices
3. Deliberately ignore provocations
4. Provide reinforcement
5. Provide renewal time
6. Give children positive reinforcement in a consistent
manner throughout the day
7. Model attitudes and behaviour patterns asexpected
of the children
***Failing these methods, management will discuss
all major problems with parents.
Always Be Positive!
ParentHandbook page 4

The Management
Kids & Company Directors promote and represent Kids
& Company, oversee all the programs, and know all the
families. Interactions between staff and families are
supported and guided by them.
Centre Directors are examples of professionalism in the
field. Centre Directors are the link to Kids & Company
Operations Management Team
Centre Directors support educators in their
relationships with each other, their parents and Centre
Directors observe, listen, suggest and act as a
resource. They set the standards for the Centre and
provide the sup- port base that allows for the
implementation of these standards into programs
serving the children and their families.
The Physical Environment
Children are eager and capable learners. Children
benefit from a variety of experiences which give them
opportunities to explore their environment, form relation-
ships, develop skills and competence, and discover their
own identity.
At Kids & Company the learning environment attracts
children and encourages them to be actively involved.
The physical environment is not a backdrop to the cur-
riculum but is part of the curriculum.
The Kids & Company learning environment is full of
learning opportunities, and is achieved in a number of
ways. Characteristics of attractive environments are:
• Are full of interesting things to see, touch and
otherwise engage with without being a riot of colour
and pattern, or an overwhelming mass of sights and
sounds. Avoid too many bright primary colours, which
can be overwhelming, especially for very young
children
• Contains a variety of open-ended materials that invite
a variety of uses. This is especially important
because all children’s interests and abilities differ
• Balance orderliness, so that children’s play and
engagement are constructive, with the normal messi-
ness of children exploring, experimenting and
combining materials and equipment in ways edu
cators may not have thought of. Setting up areas for
particular kinds of experiences (for example, art and
craft, books and literacy, blocks) can help children’s
engagement as long as educators are flexible about
what happens where
• Offer choices through making a variety of materials
and equipment accessible.
• Environments that are respectful of children’s
emerging skills and competencies provide many
opportunities for them to make their own decisions
and to act independently of adults.
• Encourage children to make choices, including about
whether to be with others or to be on their own. Big
open spaces that force children to be together in
large (or even small) groups most of the time may
interfere with positive interactions. Arranging
furniture to create areas and using stable screens
can encourage children to disperse and to be
together by choice
• Help children to concentrate by creating areas for
learning experiences and are not overly noisy or busy
• Help children feel secure and to do things for them-
selves as they are interested. Chairs that allow feet
to touch the floor, sinks that are child height (or
stable stools that allow children to safely reach the
sink or get on the toilet themselves), tables and
chairs that support backs while sitting, lockers with
hooks that are accessible all encourage children to
exercise agency
• Have displays of children’s work that are uncluttered
and involve children in making decisions about
whose work is displayed and how these are changed.
Acknowledge and honour the efforts of all children
• Are flexible and responsive. Think carefully about
how much fixed equipment is necessary indoors and
outdoors. Make changes as children’s needs and
interests change
ParentHandbook page 5

Community Partners
We involving local community partners and engaging
partners in supporting the children, and families. We
have many in-kind partnerships with a variety commu-
nity members that offer opportunities for families. Kids
& Company utilizes community partners to expand the
child car experience.
Kids & Company is committed to working in partnership
with members of the community on the mutual goal of
providing the best possible child care service to families.
Kids & Company actively seeks out opportunities to
share our knowledge and to learn from others in the
community through networking opportunities and
conferences.
Positive Self Expression, Communication and
Self Regulation
Kids & Company’s curriculum supports a childs sense of
belonging through a positive, supportive interactions and
learning environment. We encourage childrens commu-
nication, self expression and self regulation.
Kids & Company has an inclusive environment with re-
spect for diversity. Our Inclusive environment is created
by recognizing and respecting the unique qualities of
each child and family in our centre. Value of the culture
and first language of children. We create a curriculum
and learning environment that every child can
participate in.
Kids & Company’s learning environment is created with
the intention to support the child in self regulation. As
the environment is full of discovery and learning oppor-
tunities children are focused and alert to the opportuni-
ties around them. Children are engaged and better able
to control impulses and ignore distractions when fully
engages in learning.
Goals
• Kids & Company teachers promote the health, safety,
nutrition and well-being of each child by providing a
clean and safe environment, nutritious meals based
on the Canada’s Food Guide, provided by Kidco Kitch-
ens. Access to drinking water throughout the day.
A fluid play environment between indoor and outdoor.
Teachers will be familiar with medical conditions,
exceptionalities, allergies, food restrictions, medica
tion requirements, and parental preferences in re
spect to diet, exercise and rest time.
• Kids & Company Teachers will encourage and
support the children’s ability to interact and
communicate in a positive way, and their ability to
self-regulate; Each child is competent, curious and
rich in potential. Teachers will facilitate self-
regulation in children (defined as the child’s ability
to gain control of bodily functions, manage
powerful emotions and maintain focus and
attention) the development of self-regulation in
early childhood is crucial to a successful program.
• Kids & Company Teachers provide child-
initiated and teacher supported experiences.
The Early Childhood Educators will observe the
children, document the findings in the
observation book and use that information to
plan and create a positive learning environment
that is based on the interests of the child, and
facilitated by all the Teachers. Educators will
expand on ideas, interests, facts, concepts,
skills and experiences to widen the child’s
knowledge and life experiences.
• All Kids & Company Teachers are to be reflective
practitioners who learn about children through
listening, observation, documentation, and
discussion with others including families, to
understand children as unique individuals.
Teachers will observe the children’s play and have
meaningful interactions, and engage children on a
daily basis.
• Each child will experience indoor, and two hours
of outdoor play (weather permitting) daily, as well
as a time to rest and sleep if needed, quiet and
active times, always being mindful of each child’s
needs and parental direction.
ParentHandbook page 6

Goals (Continued)
unique individuals. Teachers will observe the chil-
dren’s play and have meaningful interactions, and
engage children on a daily basis.
• Ongoing communication with parents is an important
component of the partnership. Communication may
be in person, by phone, e-mail or daily reports. Com-
munication comes from the Teachers, Centre Direc-
tors, Area Directors, the Vice President of Operations
and the Chief Executive Officer.
• Teachers and Centre Directors act as a resourcefor
Parents. If parents request or require resources
outside of the centre if necessary. Community part-
ners including early year’s services, speech thera-
pists, support services, occupational therapists,
counsellors, work in partnership with the child care
and the families.
• Kids & Company view the community as a valuable
resource and learning opportunities are planned to
engage the community in our programs. We seek out
opportunity to share our knowledge and to learn from
others in the community.
• Kids & Company provides opportunities for teachers
to engage in critical reflection and discussion with
others about pedagogy and practice, to support
continuous professional learning.
How We Reach Our Goals
• All staff, students and volunteers will read the Pro-
gram Statement and sign the policy prior toemploy-
ment or prior to interacting with children, when the
statement has been modified, on an annual basis.
• The Director will review all sign offs by staff, students
and volunteers and sign the review sheet to indicate
that the process has been completed. The Director
must be confident that the staff, volunteer or student
is fully aware, and understands the Program state
ment and its implementation.
• Each classroom will maintain an observation book,
plans and documentation to support their under-
standing of the program statement. Copies of the
documentation, relevant to their child, will be
shared with all parents or guardians of the children
in the program.
• Classrooms will informally communicate/ meet during
the week to review the documentation in the observa-
tion book and create goals. The Director will meet on
a regular basis with each team to establish a clear
understanding of the program statement, to support
staff in their delivery of the Program Statement and to
aid the staff in self-reflection, to be recorded, and
added to the binder on a regular basis. The Director
will view each staff as competent and able, and give
them time to be heard and respected, and to reflect
on their own performance and their contributions to
the environment and the development of each child in
their care. The Director or Supervisor will use all
observations, interactions and conversations to
monitor all staff.
• Staff will reflect on How Does Learning Happen? by
working through the reflection exercises in the docu-
ment, by reviewing their observations and engaging
children in meaningful activities, by maintaining
communication with parents and building trusting
relationships with the families, by working with their
co-workers to create a safe and healthy environment
and by taking the time to engage in self-reflection on
a regular basis.
ParentHandbook page 7

Our Programs
Curriculum
At Kids & Company, we implement a cue-based,
child-centered philosophy to create programming
that is responsive to all children in a group. This
allows them to gain a better understanding of
the world around them by experiencing a curriculum
that is meaningful and relatable.
Teachers develop and adapt individual programs
by observing and listening to the children.
Through this emergent curriculum plan, and the
use of high-quality materials and resources,
children are given the opportunity to decide what
they would like to learn, which builds a foundation
for success and life-long learning.
This unique curriculum is designed to involve
children in experiences that enhance learning in
areas such as language, literature, music and
movement, art and socialization. Through play,
all areas of development are enhanced. In small
groups, children receive individual attention in a
nurturing environment where a healthy attitude
towards learning is developed.
Kids & Company also employs the Core Knowledge
Method which encourages language development,
creativity, group work, sharing and personal
responsibility. By creating a safe, secure and warm
environment, children will develop independence,
confidence and a positive sense of themselves
and the world around them. We encourage
children to develop to their full potential and to do
so with the care, respect and love they deserve.
Music
The early childhood years are the most
important and impressionable when it comes to
musical development. Children who sing or play
music regularly, perform better in reading and in
math when they begin elementary school. These
children also tend to have high self-esteem and
are better at socializing with others.
Kids & Company offers a daily music program.
This program incorporates interactive musical
activities and games with the use of various styles
of music. The music and movement component
offer the children an opportunity to creatively
express themselves while enhancing their
co-ordination, balance and gross motor skills.
French
A daily French Program is implemented in each
classroom and introduces the use of basic
French vocabulary. Some of the learning
outcomes you can expect from this program are
pronunciations and recognition of basic
vocabulary and letters, basic greetings and more songs
and rhymes.
ParentHandbook page 8
ParentHandbook page 9

Sign Language
Sign language is incorporated into our infant, toddler
and preschool program as a means of helping the
children to communicate. The use of signing continues
through the preschool years to enhance all children’s
emerging communication skills.
Parents are also offered the opportunity to learn signing
so that this form of communication can continue with
their children. Visual cue cards of signs that are used
most frequently in class are available on the Kids &
Company website, under the Parents tab.
www.kidsandcompany.com
Alpha-Mania for children ages 2.5-5
Alpha-Mania is a pre-reading literacy program designed
to excite children about the alphabet, while significantly
improving their phonetic awareness. Alpha-Mania is
designed to help children overcome the literacy barrier
in a fun and dynamic environment.
During each class, children explore a new group of letters
by sound, name and shape. Parents are enthusiastic
about Alpha-Mania because of its researched predictors
of reading success: rhyming, blending, segmenting,
recognizing sound-letter combinations and recognizing
sounds within words.
Alpha-Mania is delivered by a certified teacher with
extensive experience in Early Childhood Education. Our
teachers encourage a child’s curiosity while developing a
true love for language.
Mini Masters for children ages 2.5-5
Mini Masters is the exhilarating art program where
children aged 2.5 - 5 delve into the minds and tech-
niques of the world’s great artists. Exploring their
creativity through painting, sculpture and design,
children find inspiration from artists such as Keith
Haring, Vincent VanGogh and Henri Matisse.
Each Mini Masters class centres on a famous visionary
artist. Children are introduced to the master’s unique
imagination and the joy they experience as artists. The
children then begin their own hands-on experience,
creating with the same methods and materials as the
master of the day.
Munchkinetics
Munchkinetics is a physical education program that has
been developed in partnership with LifeSports to
enhance our current Kids & Company programming for
children under five years old.
Through Munchkinetics, it’s our goal to provide
the children at Kids & Company with an enjoyable,
safe and non-competitive environment to develop
physical skills while fostering a life-long love for
active play. Although outdoor activity is typically
seen as an opportunity for physical movement, we
feel it is important to provide kids with a program
that is beneficial both indoors and out.
ParentHandbook page 10
Montessori Program

The Kids & Company Montesssori enriched

kindergarten program is available at select
locations and is a wonderful alternative
to the half-day programs offered in
schools. Montessori encourages your
child’s natural curiosity and provides a
sense of accomplishment by helping them
make choices and continue the learning
curve to reach their personal goals. Key
elements of this program include practical
life, sensory, math, language and culture.
Children participating in the Montessori
Enriched Kindergarten Program benefit
from a full day of enriched learning oppor-
tunities,while parents benefit from having
their child’s kindergarten and child care in
one convenient location. In addition, the
children in our kindergarten program enjoy
a substantially lower teacher to pupil ratio.

ParentHandbook page 11
Ages and Stages
At Kids & Company, we work with families to The emergent curriculum meets the individual
ensure that your transition is a smooth one – needs of each child in a group setting. Infants
from the first day where we provide information become increasingly independent and will gain
on what to expect, to the daily reports that let the skills necessary to successfully transition
you know the details of your child’s day. The Centre into the toddler program.
Director may even email you before the end of
the day if your child has a “wow” moment that
they think you might want to know about.

Infant Program
Infants learn a lot about the world around them
through their senses, which is why exploration is
critical to development. The infant rooms at Kids
& Company are a safe environment full of toys
that make sounds, have textures, can be
mouthed and offer a wide range of sensory
experiences. Nurturing caregivers support the
child while they are exploring, encouraging them
to experience all there is to offer, whether it is
finger painting, playing with blocks, listening to
songs or being read a story.

At Kids & Company, infants are taught sign-

language to help them communicate in advance
of being able to use spoken language. This helps
the child to interact with the world around them
and to continue on the path to independence.
The infant program focuses on and encourages
infants to follow their own established routines
and to participate in experiences on an
individual basis. There is a focus on becoming
comfortable and secure in a new group setting,
while learning how to be independent of primary
family members. As infant development
emerges, additional learning outcomes include
such things as self-feeding skills, labeling body
parts and eye/hand coordination.

ParentHandbook page 12

Toddler Program
Toddlers are mobile and eager to explore their
environment. As they strive for independence, our
teachers create a program that supports each child’s
individuality. As a result, self-directed play is one of the
primary focuses in the program. Some of the most
important learning outcomes of our toddler program
are language development, socialization, self-help
skills, and the development of fine motor and
eye/hand coordination.
Toddlers spend time in small groups to help them learn
to socialize with each other. Language development is
promoted throughout the day in a variety of ways by la-
belling their environment and through repetition of their
emerging vocabulary. All of this contributes to toddlers
becoming confident learners.
Preschool Program
Kids & Company believes in nurturing a child’s learning
process by providing engaging educational experiences.
Our preschool programs offer foundational skills in a fun
and warm environment.
Preschool children are excited to engage with the world
around them and are eager to experiment with their
emerging use of language. Our preschool program
provides a basic foundation for the child and incorpo-
rates concepts such as sharing and mutual respect,
while also learning how to clearly express themselves.
The children’s development is supported through their
involvement both with others and independently. Kids
& Company offers a range of activities to stimulate a
preschooler’s love of learning. Children are involved in
music, art, dramatic centres, pretend play and creative
movement, all of which help them to explore new things
about themselves and their environment.
The preschool program focuses on structure and
developing autonomy, with an emphasis on cognitive
learning such as number and letter recognition intro-
duced through puzzles and games. These are rewarding
experiences, helping children develop greater inde-
pendence and problem solving skills. The preschool
program provides a foundation for learning many new
concepts and incorporates elements to promote sharing
and mutual respect. Teachers help the children to under-
stand routines as well as social norms, which simultane-
ously prepares them for school.
Kids & Company incorporates the Alpha-Mania
and Mini Masters Programs as well as Munchkinetics
and Preschool Field Trips in our
preschool and kindergarten curriculum. The
preschool field trips allow the children to
broaden their learning through the exploration of
external resources.
ParentHandbook page 13
Kindergarten Program
Children in the junior kindergarten and senior
kindergarten programs are getting ready to enter
grade one. With today’s acceleration of a variety
of Provincial Curriculums, we feel it is essential
for our children to have a strong foundation and
a zest for learning that will allow them to confidently
succeed with this next big step…Grade One. The
emergent curriculum used by Kids & Company along
with other activities and creative games focuses on:

• Children gain a strong understanding of the

cognitive dynamics they will need to
possess to begin their school years
• Alphabet Recognition – lower and upper
case, letter sounds and phonetics
• Math Readiness – number recognition,
counting and patterning
• Beginning Reading – knowledge of front
and back of the book, direction of print and
examining picture clues

Alpha-Mania Advanced plays a part in the kindergarten School Age Program

program. Children will be encouraged to identify letters
of the alphabet by name,
shape and sound. The kindergarten children are
involved in thematic creative play activities that
engage them with literacy, early reading
strategies and printing practice.
Alpha-Mania Advanced is perfect for children
who have been through Alpha-Mania before and
are looking for an interesting and fun way to
reach new milestones.
A Before and After School care program is
offered at select Kids & Company locations for
children 6-12 years of age. School Age children
are involved in a variety of on-site activities that
will keep them entertained and stimulated. The
children will use their creative and cognitive
skills to complete and engage in a wide variety
of activities. The children will also spend time
outdoors enjoying activities such as soccer,
baseball, badminton, etc. A designated homework
area is provided in the classroom and the
teachers provide homework assistance as
needed. Many children use this time as an
opportunity to complete homework so they have
free time for extracurricular activities in the evenings.

ParentHandbook page 14
Back up Solution
Choosing between family and work
is not a choice at all.
Emergency back-up child care means you won’t have to Back-up solution can’t be used to supplement full-time
scramble to find care for your infant to 12 year old child or part-time care, except for transitioning a child into
when your regular child care arrangement fails. If you care.
are a corporate linked employee, it will be as simple as
“It used to be that when the phone rang at 7a.m. a feel-
calling your Kids & Company centre and advising them
ing of dread rushed through my body because it meant
that you need a back-up space for the day. The program is
that my caregiver was sick. Kids & Company has relieved
designed to fit into your schedule by supplying your child
that by providing access to reliable, emergency child
with reliable, progressive child care near to your work
care. I drop them off an hour later, they are safe and
place. Simply call your preferred location as soon as you
nurtured and I can get back to work.”
know you need back-up child care and reserve a space.
- Katherine
Upon arrival, your child will be integrated into the program
for that day, fed nutritious food and allowed to explore
through play, while you remain focused on your work.

Corporate - Linked employees can call Kids &

Company when:
• School is suddenly cancelled (weather, labour dispute)
• School is on break (PA days or holidays)
• Regular caregiver is ill or otherwise unavailable
• Reconnecting with colleagues while on maternity leave
• A special arrangement for pick-up is required (family
outing, late meeting)
• Child’s non-contagious health issue requires TLC

Parents can access the back-up solution one day

at a time or consecutively, as with school holidays.
Each centre has a back-up capacity to care for many
registered children on little or no notice. Parents can
call the centre on the morning they need to bring their
child(ren) to let the centre director know that they will be
attending. Availability of back-up care is on a first-come,
first-served basis, but on the rare occasion when a spot
is not available at your desired location, every effort will
be made to accommodate your child at another Kids &
Company site. To be certain of a spot, please reserve a
space as far ahead as possible.

ParentHandbook page 15
 Field Trip Safety Policy
Camp Program Staffing/Ratios
Finding fun activities to fill your child’s vacation can be a
Anytime children leave the child care to participate in a
challenge, for even for the most creative parent. At Kids &
field trip, reduced ratios will be in effect.
Company, our theme based Camp Programs are offered
Toddlers: minimum 1:3 ratio
during Professional Development days, Winter, Spring and
Preschoolers: minimum 1:4 ratio
Summer Break, providing a variety of activities to keep
School Age: minimum 1:10 ratio
children active and happy through arts & crafts, water
play, cooking experiences and field trips. Our centres have All Field Trips will be approved by Head Office and a con-
developed programs that take advantage of the facili- sent form will be signed by parents prior to the Field Trip.
ties in the surrounding community as well as some other Waitlist Policy
popular attractions. Kids and Company does not maintain a waitlist as we offer
Children are encouraged to attend on a weekly basis, or guaranteed corporate child care. Your registration fee and
if you choose, on individual days when the activities are last month deposit guarantee your child care space with
of a specific interest to your child. Similar to our regular your selected start date, finalizing our contract with you.
program, we welcome children from 6 years to age 12.
Our centre directors and staff develop creative programs
to include challenges and adventures on a daily basis.
Children have the opportunity to splash in the water, cook
and dance all on the same day! For more information,
please visit: www.kidsandcompany.com/childcare/camp
schedules
Outdoor Program
Kids & Company believes the outdoor program is
an important part of each day. It is a time for
fresh air and fun in a safe space. Our outdoor
period is geared to not only a time for running
and jumping but also a more structured time for
teacher facilitated activities. We provide a safe
learning environment that allows the children to
explore on their own, activities that will enhance
gross motor skills as well as having the opportunity to
become involved in a teacher planned moment.

The children will use the fenced- in play space and have
the opportunity to engage in the planned teacher facili-
tated activities. The playground will be supervised at
all times to provide a safe, outdoor play environment that
promotes creative and constructive play for children.
Ratios will not be reduced at any time while out on the
playground.

Toddlers and preschoolers do not go offsite except for

planned field trips. When field trips happen, our Field Trip
Policy will be in effect.

ParentHandbook page 16
 Infant Weekly Routine

Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

7:00 Good Morning Good Morning Good Morning Good Morning Good Morning
7:30 Arrival and Family Arrival and Family Arrival and Family Arrival and Family Arrival and Family
Gathering Gathering Gathering Gathering Gathering
7:30 The More We Get The More We Get The More We Get The More We Get The More We Get
8:00 Together Together Together Together Together
Dramatic Play, Puzzles, Dramatic Play, Puzzles, Dramatic Play, Puzzles, Dramatic Play, Puzzles, Dramatic Play, Puzzles,
Table Toys, Socializing, Table Toys, Socializing, Table Toys, Socializing, Table Toys, Socializing, Table Toys, Socializing,
Water Play, Games Water Play, Games Water Play, Games Water Play, Games Water Play, Games
8:00 Morning Snack Morning Snack Morning Snack Morning Snack Morning Snack
8:30 Family Style Family Style Family Style Family Style Family Style
Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu
8:30 News Time News Time News Time News Time News Time
9:00 Calendar, Sign Calendar, Sign Calendar, Sign Calendar, Sign Language, Calendar, Sign
Language, Mystery Language, Mystery Language, Mystery Bag, Mystery Bag, Language, Mystery
Bag, Concept Song Bag, Concept Song Concept Song Concept Song Bag, Concept Song
9:00 Diaper Routine Diaper Routine Diaper Routine Diaper Routine Diaper Routine
9:30 Look at What I Can Look at What I Can Look at What I Can Look at What I Can Look at What I Can
10:00 Do! Do! Do! Do! Do!
Sensory, Art, Fine Sensory, Art, Fine Sensory, Art, Fine Sensory, Art, Fine Sensory, Art, Fine
Motor Skills, Cognitive Motor Skills, Cognitive Motor Skills, Cognitive Motor Skills, Cognitive Motor Skills, Cognitive
Skills, Mathematics Skills, Mathematics Skills, Mathematics Skills, Mathematics Skills, Mathematics
10:00 Hop, Skip & Jump! Hop, Skip & Jump! Hop, Skip &Jump! Hop, Skip & Jump! Hop, Skip & Jump!
11:00 Outdoor Program Outdoor Program Outdoor Program Outdoor Program Outdoor Program
11:00 Diaper Routine Diaper Routine Diaper Routine Diaper Routine Diaper Routine
11:30 Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch
12:00 Family Style Family Style Family Style Family Style Family Style
Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu
12:00 Rhythm & Music Rhythm & Music Rhythm & Music Rhythm & Music Rhythm & Music
12:15 Creative Movement Creative Movement Creative Movement Creative Movement Creative Movement
12:15 Story Cape Story Cape Story Cape Story Cape Story Cape
12:45 Books, Puppets, Props Books, Puppets, Props Books, Puppets, Props Books, Puppets, Props Books, Puppets, Props
12:45 Rest Period Rest Period Rest Period Rest Period Rest Period
2:00 Table Activities for Table Activities for Table Activities for Table Activities for Table Activities for
Non-Sleepers Non-Sleepers Non-Sleepers Non-Sleepers Non-Sleepers
2:00 Diaper Routine Diaper Routine Diaper Routine Diaper Routine Diaper Routine
2:30 Afternoon Snack Afternoon Snack Afternoon Snack Afternoon Snack Afternoon Snack
3:00 Family Style Family Style Family Style Family Style Family Style
Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu
3:00 Hop, Skip & Jump! Hop, Skip & Jump! Hop, Skip & Jump! Hop, Skip & Jump! Hop, Skip & Jump!
4:00 Outdoor Program Outdoor Program Outdoor Program Outdoor Program Outdoor Program
4:00 Diaper Routine Diaper Routine Diaper Routine Diaper Routine Diaper Routine
4:00 Look at What I Can Look at What I Can Look at What I Can Look at What I Can Look at What I Can
5:00 Do! Do! Do! Do! Do!
Sensory, Art, Fine Sensory, Art, Fine Sensory, Art, Fine Sensory, Art, Fine Sensory, Art, Fine
Motor Skills, Cognitive Motor Skills, Cognitive Motor Skills, Cognitive Motor Skills, Cognitive Motor Skills, Cognitive
Skills, Mathematics Skills, Mathematics Skills, Mathematics Skills, Mathematics Skills, Mathematics
5:00 Diaper Routine Diaper Routine Diaper Routine Diaper Routine Diaper Routine
5:15 Rhythm & Music Rhythm & Music Rhythm & Music Rhythm & Music Rhythm & Music
5:30 Creative Movement Creative Movement Creative Movement Creative Movement Creative Movement
530 Recall Round Up! Recall Round Up! Recall Round Up! Recall Round Up! Recall Round Up!
6:00 Songs, Finger plays, Songs, Finger plays, Songs, Finger plays, Songs, Finger plays, Songs, Finger plays,
Co-operative Games Co-operative Games Co-operative Games Co-operative Games Co-operative Games

ParentHandbook page 17
 Toddler Weekly Routine

Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

7:00 Good Morning Good Morning Good Morning Good Morning Good Morning
7:30 Arrival and Family Arrival and Family Arrival and Family Arrival and Family Arrival and Family
Gathering Gathering Gathering Gathering Gathering
7:30 The More We Get The More We Get The More We Get The More We Get The More We Get
8:00 Together Together Together Together Together
Dramatic Play, Puzzles, Dramatic Play, Puzzles, Dramatic Play, Puzzles, Dramatic Play, Puzzles, Dramatic Play, Puzzles,
Table Toys, Socializing, Table Toys, Socializing, Table Toys, Socializing, Table Toys, Socializing, Table Toys, Socializing,
Water Play, Games Water Play, Games Water Play, Games Water Play, Games Water Play, Games
8:00 Morning Snack Morning Snack Morning Snack Morning Snack Morning Snack
8:30 Family Style Family Style Family Style Family Style Family Style
Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu
8:30 Washroom Routine Washroom Routine Washroom Routine Washroom Routine Washroom Routine
9:00 News Time News Time News Time News Time News Time
9:15 Calendar, Sign Calendar, Sign Calendar, Sign Calendar, Sign Language, Calendar, Sign
Language, Mystery Language, Mystery Language, Mystery Bag, Mystery Bag, Language, Mystery
Bag, Concept Song Bag, Concept Song Concept Song Concept Song Bag, Concept Song
9:15 Hop, Skip & Jump! Hop, Skip & Jump! Hop, Skip &Jump! Hop, Skip & Jump! Hop, Skip & Jump!
10:15 Outdoor Program Outdoor Program Outdoor Program Outdoor Program Outdoor Program
10:15 Alpha Mania Music and Mini Masters Enquiring Minds Want All About Me and
11:15 Phonemic Awareness Movement In-depth Study of Artist to Know Others
Program Instruments, and their Works Science Experiments, Anti-Bias Curriculum,
Songs, Role Playing Discovery, Exploring Looking at Different
Cultures
11:15 Washroom Routine Washroom Routine Washroom Routine Washroom Routine Washroom Routine
11:30 Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch
12:15 Family Style Family Style Family Style Family Style Family Style
Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu
12:15 Story Cape Story Cape Story Cape Story Cape Story Cape
12:30 Books, Puppets, Props Books, Puppets, Props Books, Puppets, Props Books, Puppets, Props Books, Puppets, Props
12:30 Rest Period Rest Period Rest Period Rest Period Rest Period
2:30 Table Activities for Table Activities for Table Activities for Table Activities for Table Activities for
Non-Sleepers Non-Sleepers Non-Sleepers Non-Sleepers Non-Sleepers
2:30 Washroom Routine Washroom Routine Washroom Routine Washroom Routine Washroom Routine
2:30 Hop, Skip & Jump! Hop, Skip & Jump! Hop, Skip & Jump! Hop, Skip & Jump! Hop, Skip & Jump!
3:30 Outdoor Program Outdoor Program Outdoor Program Outdoor Program Outdoor Program
3:30 Afternoon Snack Afternoon Snack Afternoon Snack Afternoon Snack Afternoon Snack
4:00 Family Style Family Style Family Style Family Style Family Style
Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu
4:00 Look at What I Can Look at What I Can Look at What I Can Look at What I Can Look at What I Can
5:00 Do! Do! Do! Do! Do!
Sensory, Art, Fine Sensory, Art, Fine Sensory, Art, Fine Sensory, Art, Fine Sensory, Art, Fine
Motor Skills, Cognitive Motor Skills, Cognitive Motor Skills, Cognitive Motor Skills, Cognitive Motor Skills, Cognitive
Skills, Mathematics Skills, Mathematics Skills, Mathematics Skills, Mathematics Skills, Mathematics
5:00 Washroom Routine Washroom Routine Washroom Routine Washroom Routine Washroom Routine
5:15 Rhythm & Music Rhythm & Music Rhythm & Music Rhythm & Music Rhythm & Music
5:30 Creative Movement Creative Movement Creative Movement Creative Movement Creative Movement
5:30 Recall Round Up! Recall Round Up! Recall Round Up! Recall Round Up! Recall Round Up!
6:00 Songs, Finger plays, Songs, Finger plays, Songs, Finger plays, Songs, Finger plays, Songs, Finger plays,
Co-operative Games Co-operative Games Co-operative Games Co-operative Games Co-operative Games

ParentHandbook page 18
 Preschool Weekly Routine

Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

7:00 Good Morning Good Morning Good Morning Good Morning Good Morning
7:30 Arrival and Family Arrival and Family Arrival and Family Arrival and Family Arrival and Family
Gathering Gathering Gathering Gathering Gathering
7:30 The More We Get The More We Get The More We Get The More We Get The More We Get
8:00 Together Together Together Together Together
Drama c Play, Puzzles, Drama c Play, Puzzles, Drama c Play, Puzzles, Drama c Play, Puzzles, Drama c Play, Puzzles,
Table Toys, Socializing, Table Toys, Socializing, Table Toys, Socializing, Table Toys, Socializing, Table Toys, Socializing,
Water Play, Games Water Play, Games Water Play, Games Water Play, Games Water Play, Games
8:00 Washroom Rou ne Washroom Rou ne Washroom Rou ne Washroom Rou ne Washroom Rou ne
8:30 Morning Snack Morning Snack Morning Snack Morning Snack Morning Snack
9:00 Family Style Family Style Family Style Family Style Family Style
Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu
9:00 News Time News Time News Time News Time News Time
9:15 Calendar, Sign Calendar, Sign Calendar, Sign Calendar, Sign Language, Calendar, Sign
Language, Mystery Language, Mystery Language, Mystery Bag, Mystery Bag, Language, Mystery
Bag, Concept Song Bag, Concept Song Concept Song Concept Song Bag, Concept Song
9:15 Alpha Mania Music and Mini Masters Enquiring Minds Want All About Me and
10:00 Phonemic Awareness Movement In-depth Study of Ar st to Know Others
Program Instruments, and their Works Science Experiments, Looking at Di erent
Songs, Role Playing Discovery, Exploring Cultures
10:00 Washroom Rou ne Washroom Rou ne Washroom Rou ne Washroom Rou ne Washroom Rou ne
10:15 Hop, Skip & Jump! Hop, Skip & Jump! Hop, Skip &Jump! Hop, Skip & Jump! Hop, Skip & Jump!
11:15 Munchkine cs Munchkine cs Munchkine cs Munchkine cs Munchkine cs
11:15 Washroom Rou ne Washroom Rou ne Washroom Rou ne Washroom Rou ne Washroom Rou ne
11:30 Rhythm & Music Rhythm & Music Rhythm & Music Rhythm & Music Rhythm & Music
11:45 Creative Movement Creative Movement Creative Movement Creative Movement Creative Movement
11:45 Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch
12:15 Family Style Family Style Family Style Family Style Family Style
Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu
12:15 Washroom Rou ne Washroom Rou ne Washroom Rou ne Washroom Rou ne Washroom Rou ne
12:30 Story Cape Story Cape Story Cape Story Cape Story Cape
12:45 Books, Puppets, Props Books, Puppets, Props Books, Puppets, Props Books, Puppets, Props Books, Puppets, Props
12:45 Rest Period Rest Period Rest Period Rest Period Rest Period
2:30 Table Ac vi es for Table Ac vi es for Table Ac vi es for Table Ac vi es for Table Ac vi es for
Non-Sleepers Non-Sleepers Non-Sleepers Non-Sleepers Non-Sleepers
2:30 Washroom Rou ne Washroom Rou ne Washroom Rou ne Washroom Rou ne Washroom Rou ne
2:45 Afternoon Snack Afternoon Snack Afternoon Snack Afternoon Snack Afternoon Snack
3:15 Family Style Family Style Family Style Family Style Family Style
Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu Peek at Our Menu
3:15 Look at What I Can Look at What I Can Look at What I Can Look at What I Can Look at What I Can
3:30 Do! Do! Do! Do! Do!
Sensory, Art, Fine Sensory, Art, Fine Sensory, Art, Fine Sensory, Art, Fine Sensory, Art, Fine
Motor Skills, Cognitive Motor Skills, Cognitive Motor Skills, Cognitive Motor Skills, Cognitive Motor Skills, Cognitive
Skills, Mathematics Skills, Mathematics Skills, Mathematics Skills, Mathematics Skills, Mathematics
3:30 Hop, Skip & Jump! Hop, Skip & Jump! Hop, Skip & Jump! Hop, Skip & Jump! Hop, Skip & Jump!
4:30 Munchkine cs Munchkine cs Munchkine cs Munchkine cs Munchkine cs
4:30 Washroom Rou ne Washroom Rou ne Washroom Rou ne Washroom Rou ne Washroom Rou ne
4:45 Discover & Explore Discover & Explore Discover & Explore Discover & Explore Discover & Explore
5:45 See Enriched Program See Enriched Program See Enriched Program See Enriched Program See Enriched Program

5:45 Recall Round Up! Recall Round Up! Recall Round Up! Recall Round Up! Recall Round Up!
6:00 Songs, Finger plays, Songs, Finger plays, Songs, Finger plays, Songs, Finger plays, Songs, Finger plays,
Co-operative Games Co-operative Games Co-operative Games Co-operative Games Co-operative Games

ParentHandbook page 19
Our Staff
Kids & Company hires qualified teachers with a Bachelor
of Education Degree or Registered Early Childhood
Education. We also have teachers with a Montessori
affiliation as well as qualified assistant teachers. All
experts and staff have been screened through our
interview process including police reference checks,
personal reference checks, updated medical history,
First Aid, CPR, and thorough in-house training. Once
part of our family, we ensure our staff are certified
annually in safety, first aid and CPR. Our teacher to
child ratios reflect provincial standards.
In Ontario, A police record check/ vulnerable sector
screening is a condition of employment for persons
applying for a position with Kids & Company. This policy
applies to all successful candidates for full and part time
positions and to all volunteers and students who will be
working directly with the children. The police record check
program only helps to ensure that all possible steps are
taken to protect the safety of the children and families
that Kids & Company provides services for. Reference
checks with vulnerable sector screening can be accepted
if dated up to six months prior to employment.
Students or Volunteers that have police reference checks
that are older than six months must sign the Offence
Declaration Form. Checks are not required for employees
making employment moves within the organization.
Please take time to talk with your child’s teachers about
what is new, important or developing for your child. Get
feedback at the end of the day and work with the teachers
on anything you would like to see happen for your child
while in our care. They are the experts and are there to
help you and your child in any way possible.
Kids & Company welcomes the integration of both
students and volunteers into the various programs offered
in our child care settings. Kids & Company believes it is a
valuable part in gaining experience in a child care environ-
ment. It is our policy that children in the care of Kids &
Company will not be supervised by a person under the age
of 18 years. Volunteers and students will not be permitted
to supervise a child without the presence of a Kids &Com-
pany employee. Volunteers and students can never be
included in governed staffing ratios and cannot be used to
maintain set ratios of a classroom. Each volunteer and/ or
student will be assigned by the Director to an R.E.C.E
or lead teacher within the room in which he/she is desig-
nated. The Director will review the Supervision Policy for
Volunteers and Students with staff/students/ volunteers
prior to working/providing care in the program.
Kids & Company provides professional development
opportunities and training during bi–monthly staff
meetings on various topics of related interest.
ParentHandbook page 20
Teacher Child Ratios
Ontario Ratio Quebec Ratio

Infant: Under 18 months of age 1:3 Infant: less than 18 mos 1:5

Toddler/Pre-School: 18 mos to less

Toddler: 18 months of age to 30 mos of age 1:5
than 4 yrs on Sept 30 1:8

Preschool: More than 30 months of age or Kindergarten: 4 yrs or less than 5yrs 1:10
older but younger than 6 years of age 1:8 of age on Sept 30 (*max of 10 children present)

Kindergarten: 44 months of age or over School Age: 5 yrs + as of Sept 30 1:20

But younger than 7 years 1:13 (*max of 20 children present)

Primary/ junior school age: 68 months of 1:15 Nova Scotia Ratio

age and older but younger than 13 years
Infant: Less than 18 mos 1:4
Junior school age: 9 years or older but 1:20
younger than 13 years Toddler: 18 - 36 mos 1:6

British Columbia Ratio Pre-School: 36 mos to 5 yrs 1:8

Infant: Newborn - 18 mos 1:4 School Age: 5 - 12 yrs 1:15

Toddler: 18 mos - 3 yrs 1:4

Alberta Ratio

Pre - School/Kindie: 3 - 4 yrs 1:8 Newborn - 12 mos 1:3

Kindergarten: 4 - 5 yrs 1:10 Infant: 12 mos - 19 mos 1:4

School Age: 6 - 12 yrs 1:15 Toddler: 19 mos - 3 yrs 1:6

Manitoba Ratio Pre - School: 3 - 4.5 yrs 1:8

Infant: 12 weeks - 2 yrs 1:4 Kindergarten: 4.5 - 6 yrs+ 1:10

Toddler/Preschool: 2 - 6 yrs 1:8 School Age: Grade 1 - 6 1:15

School Age: 6 - 12 yrs 1:15

ParentHandbook page 21
What to Bring
Infants:
Pablum or infant cereal
The sites will provide nutritious snacks and a hot
Bag of diapers and wipes catered lunch (Please see Nutrition for more
Diaper cream or cornstarch details or see on-site parent bulletin board for a
Bottle with formula or milk copy of the menus).

Extra clothing
Please talk to the director regarding any special
(at least two (2) changes of clothing) food requirements your child may have. Remember,
Blanket these can change over time so providing
 Soother (if required) updates for the teachers might be required!

Any pureed fruit, meat, vegetables

Nursing mothers are welcome to visit the sites at
(if required) any time. A comfortable quiet place is provided
Toddler and Preschool: for privacy.

Bag of diapers and wipes

Diaper cream
Blanket
Extra clothes

Kindergarten and School Age:

Personal interest toy

Homework

All full and part-time children receive

complimentary labels prior to their
start date! Hooray! Please label all
articles of clothing, bottles, diaper
bags, diapers, wipes, cream, soothers
and any other necessities you bring.
Each child has a cubby on site and we
cannot be responsible for lost articles
if not labelled.

ParentHandbook page 22

Arrival & Departure Procedures
Our centre opens at 6:30 a.m. and closes at
6:30 p.m. *centre hours may vary
We ask parents to notify the centre if a child is going to
be late or absent.
Drop off your child and take a moment to say goodbye
and ensure the day is starting well. Take a minute to tell
the teacher of any new or pertinent information about
the child.
Rest assured your child will be safe with us if you are
running late due to an emergency at the end of the day.
Kids & Company does not apply late fees – we know that
parents are respectful of our operating hours but the un-
expected does happen. If a parent fails to arrive or be in
touch with us an hour after closing time, the centre will
attempt to contact them and/or the emergency contact
person. Children will only be released to the persons
authorized on the registration forms. If this is not suc-
cessful, the centre director will call Kids & Company
management and together they will inform the Children’s
Aid Society or Family and Children’s Services.
Every attempt will be made to contact the parents or the
emergency contacts prior to contacting the Children’s
Aid Society or Family and Children’s Services.
Naptime Safety Policy
In order to ensure the safety of the children in our care,
Kids & Company has instituted the following procedures
that must be followed at all times:
When an infant is put down for a nap, they sometimes
need rocking to fall asleep. In these cases, the teacher
putting the child to sleep must rock the child in his or her
arms (whether standing, walking or sitting in a rocking
chair). A child is never to be rocked to sleep while lying
in a crib. Cribs are to be kept stationary while children
are in them. This is done to protect the child from injury
when a crib is being rocked, shaken or rolled back and
forth. If the infant sleep room has a full wall with half
doors the top portion of the door must remain open if
less than 3 children are sleeping in the sleep room. If
3 or more infants are sleeping in the sleep room there
must be a supervising staff member in the sleep room.
Infants will be monitored every 15 minutes and a record
of monitoring will be kept. Monitoring will include at least
one of the following:
• Gently touching child
• Feeling for breath
• Watching child’s chest rise and fall
• Listening to breathing
• Ill infants will be monitored every 5 -10 minutes
Bumper pads in cribs are not to be used because they
pose an entanglement, entrapment, strangulation, and
suffocation hazard to infants.
Crib side rails must be kept up at all times. Blankets are
not to be placed over a child’s head or over the sides or
ends of cribs for any periods of time to make it darker for
sleeping or to cut down on distractions. This does not al-
low the staff to properly monitor a child’s sleep pattern
or the child’s safety and well-being. Pacifiers are not to
be attached to the children by string or clip.
Children are not to have bottles in bed. A bottle or sippy
cup must be finished before the child is placed in a crib
or on a cot. This is to prevent possible choking and /or
tooth decay. Parents are not allowed to give permission
to over-ride this policy.
This policy is set out to meet Ministry and Health Dept.
requirements. All Kids & Company staff are required to
abide by this policy.
ParentHandbook page 22
 We guarantee a space for full or part-time care in
Schedules & Fees one of our child care centres to employees of our
corporate partners within 6 months of registration.
Flexible Solution: Full or Part-Time
To reserve a space for full or part-time care,
Know that your child is in a progressive, reliable and
you must fill in an on-line form and give one
comfortable environment at a Kids & Company centre by
month’s fee as a deposit within 6 months of your
your workplace. Whether you are currently using another
start date. The deposit will be held and applied to
provider or are returning to work after maternity leave,
your last month of care in the centre.
you may leave your children with us from 6:30 am to
6:30 pm, so you can focus on your work! Children, infant Full and Part-Time Fees
to school age will benefit from our expert staff and stimu- • All fees are determined on a monthly basis
lating programming. • To confirm a space for your child we ask for the last
month’s payment, 6 months in advance of your child’s
Full and Part-Time Information & Scheduling
start date. All efforts will be made to give you a space
• We are happy to accommodate a flexible schedule and
in the centre of choice, however, the guarantee applies
will pro-rate our fee schedule to accommodate you.
to any one of our centres. This deposit is non-interest
Our full and part-time options are reflective of local
bearing.
market rates. For further information please contact
• Post-dated or void cheques should be dated for the
the Centre Director.
first of the month and must be submitted before the
• Changes to your schedule may be made at any time
school year or your start date with us.
during the period your child is in our care. Please pro-
• There is a registration fee of $200.00 per child that is
vide two full calendar months written notice and pro-
non-refundable and payable upon application.
vide new payment information.
• A 10% discount is applied to the older sibling’s 5 days
• Please remember two full calendar months prior writ-
fee if both siblings are attending full-time (5days)
ten notice must be given for withdrawal of a child.
• Fees are posted in the parent fee section of the web
(Note: this does not mean 8 weeks notice, but a full
site.
2 calendar month’s notice. For example, if your start
date was on June 10th and you want to withdraw,
All fees will be increased by 3-5% on September 1st of
notice needs to be provided before April 1st).
each year. Nova Scotia fees will be increased by 1-3% on
• Admission to the centre will be confirmed when all
September 1st of each year.
necessary documents and payments are received.

ParentHandbook page 23
Back-up Child Care Fees Reservations, Cancellations and Withdrawals
(Corporate Linked only)
You can reserve a back-up space for your child as soon
Each corporate member decides what the payment as you know you will need a spot. If your plans change
option will be for its employees: and you no longer require a space, please contact the
centre as soon as possible to cancel. If you do not can-
• Employer pays for any number of visits per year up to a
cel within 24 hours before scheduled care, you will be
maximum per child
charged with a visit to the centre.
• Employee can purchase up to a maximum of 5
passes/per child/per calendar year @ $80/day, pay-
per-use
• Corporate sponsored pass, allowing a parent one-time
access to the service

Fees are per child for the calendar year. Fees can be
paid via cheques, direct debit. Check our website
www.kidsandcompany.com under “My Company Terms”
for specifics.

ParentHandbook page 24
Parent Issues and Concerns:
Procedures Chart
Nature of Issue or
Concern
Program Room-Related
E.g: schedule, sleep arrangements,
toilet training, indoor/outdoor
program activities, feeding
arrangements, etc.
General, Centre or Operations Related
E.g: child care fees, hours of
operation, staffing, waiting lists,
menus, etc.
Staff, Duty parent, Supervisor
and/or Licensee-Related
Student / Volunteer-Related
Steps for Parent and/or Guardian
to Report Issue/Concern
Raise the issue or concern to:
- the classroom staff directly
or
- the supervisor or licensee.
Raise the issue or concern to:
- the supervisor or licensee.
Raise the issue or concern to:
- the individual directly
or
- the supervisor or licensee.
All issues or concerns about the
conduct of staff, duty parents, etc.
that puts a child’s health, safety
and well-being at risk should be
reported to the supervisor as soon
as parents/guardians become
aware of the situation.
Raise the issue or concern to
- the staff responsible for
supervising the volunteer or
student
or
- the supervisor and/or licensee.
All issues or concerns about the
conduct of students and/or vol-
unteers that puts a child’s health,
safety and well-being at risk
should be reported to the super-
visor as soon as parents/guardians
become aware of the situation.
Steps for Staff and/or Licensee in
Responding to Issue/Concern
-address the issue/concern at the
time it is raised
or
- arrange for a meeting with the
parent/guardian within one
business days.
Document the issues/concerns in
detail. Documentation should include:
- the date and time the issue/
concern was received;
- the name of the person who
received the issue/concern;
- the name of the person reporting
the issue/concern;
- the details of the issue/concern;
and
- any steps taken to resolve the
issue/concern and/or infor
mation given to the parent/
guardian regarding next
steps or referral.
Provide contact information for
the appropriate person if the
person being notified is unable to
address the matter.
Ensure the investigation of the is-
sue/concern is initiated by the
appropriate party within 1
business day(s) or as soon as
reasonably possible thereafter.
Document reasons for delays in
writing.
Provide a resolution or outcome to
the parent(s)/guardian(s) who
raised the issue/concern.
ParentHandbook page 25
 Conduct
Policy and Procedures (cont’d)
Our centre maintains high standards for positive inter-
Parents/guardians are encouraged to take an active action, communication and role-modeling for children.
role in our child care centre and regularly discuss what Harassment and discrimination will therefore not be
their child(ren) are experiencing with our program. As tolerated from any party.
supported by our program statement, we support If at any point a parent/guardian, provider or staff feels
positive and responsive interactions among the uncomfortable, threatened, abused or belittled, they may
children, parents/guardians, child care providers and immediately end the conversation and report the situa-
staff, and foster the engagement of and ongoing tion to the supervisor and/or licensee.
communication with parents/guardians about the
Kids & Company has emergency management policies in
program and their children. Our staff are available to
place. Parents will be notified of an emergency using the
engage parents/guardians in conversations and
Daycare Webwatch broadcast system or emails directly
support a positive experience during every interaction.
from the centre.
All issues and concerns raised by parents/guardians are
taken seriously by the Centre Director, the Area Director,
the Director of Enrollment and will be addressed. Every
effort will be made to address and resolve issues and
concerns to the satisfaction of all parties and as quickly
as possible.

Issues/concerns may be brought forward verbally or

in writing. Responses and outcomes will be provided
verbally, or in writing upon request. The level ofdetail
provided to the parent/guardian will respect and main-
tain the confidentiality of all parties involved.
An initial response to an issue or concern will be pro-
vided to parents/guardians within one business day(s).
The person who raised the issue/concern will be kept
informed throughout the resolution process.
Investigations of issues and concerns will be fair, impar-
tial and respectful to parties involved.

Confidentiality
Every issue and concern will be treated confidentially
and every effort will be made to protect the privacy of
parents/guardians, children, staff, students and volun-
teers, except when information must be disclosed for
legal reasons (e.g. to the Ministry of Education, College
of Early Childhood Educators, law enforcement authori-
ties or a Children’s Aid Society).

ParentHandbook page 26
General Information
Communication Child Abuse
Kids & Company encourages parents to discuss their The Provincial Child Care Regulations and Children’s
child’s progress with staff members and voice any Aid Society or Family and Children’s Services prescribe
concerns, suggestions or comments. Internet access is certain regulations that must be followed by all staff em-
available in order to communicate with the supervisor at ployed with Kids & Company. These vary by province.
any time during the day by email.
*If you are interested in learning more about these
Parents will receive a report each day about your child,
procedures, please see your Centre Director.
automatically emailed to your inbox. The report includes
information about food and liquid intake, nap times,
diaper changes and activities. There is even a spot for
the center to provide photos and customized comments
and let you know when your child’s personal supplies are
running low.

Feel free to speak with your centre director to arrange a

scheduled conference. Please let us know of any change
or crisis at home that might affect your child’s well being
or behavior while in our care. If we are kept informed of
your child’s adjustments and experiences, we can work
together to ensure we are meeting your child’s needs.

Behaviour Management
The Provincial Child Care Regulations prescribe stan-
dards of Behaviour Management, which must be
followed by all employees, volunteers or students who
provide guidance at Kids & Company. These guidelines
are outlined in our Behaviour Management Policy, which
is reviewed quarterly, signed and dated by each employ-
ee. The Behaviour Management Policy is posted on
the Parent Board in the entrance of the Child Care
Facility. If anyone should become aware of a contraven-
tion of the agency’s policy by an individual, a report must
be made to a member of the senior management team.
Parents must also abide by Kids & Company Behaviour
Management Policy while on the premises. and preap-
proved to ensure the standard of professional develop-
ment is met.

ParentHandbook page 27
Security
Video Viewing
We have a private, secure video site where parents and
grandparents have the opportunity to view their
children/grandchildren throughout the day. The site
transmits only secure video and is protected by bank-
grade security measures. No video is ever recorded or
retained. Only the centre director at your child’s loca-
tion can make changes to your account. Our provider,
Daycarewebwatch.com, will never provide a password
or room change under any circumstance. Parents are
granted viewing privileges to only the rooms that their
child attends.

Photo Taking
During the year the teachers are often seen snapping
photos of the children. These photos are then displayed
around the room or used to represent Kids & Company.
If you would prefer that your child not be photographed,
please advise your centre director.

Social Media
As our online presence grows, we provide parents with
the opportunity to have images of their children shared
through our Facebook and Twitter accounts as well as
our blog. If you would prefer your child’s photos not be
shared online, please advise your centre director.

Access Security
All of our sites use preventative security me assures
to ensure the safety of the children and our staff. Each
parent of a child who attends Kids & Company regularly
will receive an access pass/code to the site. We ask that
you are diligent about who you let in when opening our
doors, and become familiar with other parents who use
the site. Awareness is our best policy in keeping our
centre secure.

Similarly, if any non-regular contact will be picking

up your child, the parent must email the centre
director to inform them of this and upon arrival at
the centre this person will be asked to present photo
identification.

ParentHandbook page 28

Absences, Holidays & Health Issues
Absence
If you know your child is going to be absent from the
centre for a day, please advise the director as soon as
possible. Children benefit most from regular attendance
where they can be acquainted with the children and pro-
gram routines of the classroom. With regular attendance
they will be able to build their skills through the designed
program. No credit or refunds will be given for any
absenteeism.
Health
Health in any community is of common interest. Kids &
Company strives to maintain a clean, safe environment
for every child and can provide TLC for children who are
feeling under the weather. Please keep the centre direc-
tor up-to-date on your child’s health. We require dates of
immunization for our records.
If your child needs special attention, please give the
teachers information regarding the requirements for
care in writing. Take a minute to make sure the instruc-
tions are clear to the teacher so you can rest assured
that your child will receive proper care.
Kids & Company complies with local public health
recommended sanitary practices/ procedures and
follows their guidelines for exclusion of children.
Contagious illnesses are communicated to parents
through a posting in the child care centre entrance
and an email.
Anaphylaxis is defined as “a serious allergic reaction that
is rapid in onset and may cause death”. It can result in a
number of different symptoms including throat swelling,
an itchy rash, and low blood pressure. Any item that may
trigger an on-site Anaphylactic Reaction will be strictly
prohibited.
When should you keep your child at home?
Children who are ill may not be accepted. Parents are
required to keep their children at home or pick them up
from the centre when any of the following occur:
• Vomiting • Diarrhea
• Fever • Contagious viruses
If there are any discrepancies between the parent’s
opinion and the point of view of the teachers regarding
the state of the child’s health, the parent will be asked to
return with a physician’s letter before the child can be
re-admitted.
If your child becomes ill during the day, temporary care
will be provided in the director’s office until you arrive to
take your child home (within 1 hour if possible). This re-
quirement is necessary for both the interest of your child
and in the interest of the other children in our care.
Please notify Kids & Company immediately if your child
has contracted an infectious illness.
Serious Occurrence Notification for Ontario Centres
All licensed child care programs are responsible for de-
livering services that promote a healthy and safe envi-
ronment for children. Kids & Company is accountable to
the public and the Ministry to demonstrate services are
consistent with legislation, regulations and policies.
Serious Occurrence reporting is one of many tools that
provide licensed child care programs with effective
means of monitoring and appropriateness and quality of
service. Monitoring includes an ongoing review of prac-
tices, procedures and training needs.
Kids & Company has written policies and procedures
with respect to serious occurrences. Serious occurrenc-
es are reported to the centres Program Advisor.
Parents benefit from information regarding incidents that
occur in child care. It is important for parents to see that
we take immediate action in response to incidents and
put measures in place to minimize the recurrence of any
incident. It is a requirement by the Ministry of Education
that each Serious Occurrence notification form will be
posted in close proximity to the child care license for 10
days to promote transparency.
Contact your Centre Director if you have any questions.
ParentHandbook page 29
Medications and Clothing
Medications
It is our policy that only medication authorized by a
physician can be given to a child. There should be a
prescription label on all items, even over the-counter
medications. The only exceptions will be those medica-
tions that are pre-authorized for use by a physician (see
medical form).

For each medication which needs to be administered to

a child, the parents must complete an individual medi-
cation form to give to the Centre Director. We can then
administer the required medication to the child.

The centre director may accept only those medications

in the original container, which are clearly labeled with
the child’s name, name of the medication, dosage, date
of purchase and instructions for storage and administra-
tion. All medication must be current.

The centre director will store all drugs and medications

in a locked box so they are inaccessible to the children.

In Ontario, all medication will be stored in a locked con-

tainer in accordance with the instructions on the medica-
tion with the exception of emergency asthma and allergy
medication. Emergency asthma and allergy medication
will be stored so it is readily available to staff, but inac-
cessible to children.

Clothing
Your child should wear clean, washable, comfortable
and practical clothing. Please label each piece of
clothing. Please leave an extra set of clothing at the
centre in case of accidents (toileting, arts and crafts).

ParentHandbook page 30
 dishes to the table in serving bowls. This allows
Nutrition the children to serve themselves by pouring their own
Kids & Company continually strives to provide the high- milk and scooping their own portions,
est quality of care. We hire chefs that are able to provide improving fine motor skills. Family-style
food that is nutritious and delicious for your child, while dining empowers the children and promotes pride
also exceeding the Canada Food Guide and Provincial and ownership of the food they are eating. It also
Child Care Regulations. Our menus are approved by a encourages the tradition of enjoying conversation
registered dietician and a nutritionist. and healthy nutritious food together. At the end
of the meal the children scrape their own plates
The Kidco Kitchen is founded on a fresh-from scratch
and help with the clean-up.
philosophy helping to build children with healthy bodies
and minds. Our focus is on fresh, whole grown foods that
For further information on the Kidco Kitchen
are free of chemicals, additives, preservatives and
please contact our Chief Food Ambassador
unnecessary refined sugars, salt and fat. The Kidco
directly. The menu, ingredients, recipes and nutritionals
Kitchen menus represent ethnic diversity including a
for each meal and snack are available online for your
variety of textures, colours and flavours allowing our
review.
children to expand their food choices. We provide our
centres with cooked lunches, prepared snacks, milk,
fresh fruits and vegetables. Kids & Company provides
a nutritious lunch, two snacks per day and a grab n’ go
take home snack.

Lisa Ruscica, Kids & Company’s Chief Food Ambassador,

is a Chef and a graduate of the Food & Nutrition Man-
agement Program at George Brown College. She is also a
member of the Canadian Society of Food & Nutrition.
Lisa develops all the Kidco Kitchen recipes and
executes all menu planning with input from our culinary
team. She personally reviews each child’s food restric-
tions and/or allergies and makes accommodations as
necessary with parental consent.

To ensure the highest standards of children’s

safety, outside food is only permitted on site
based on the discretion of the Chief Food
Ambassador after discussions with the family.
Peanut, tree nuts and shell fish are not permitted at
any Kids & Company sites due to the high
number of children with allergic reactions to
these substances. Written information regarding
your child’s food restriction and/or allergies
must be given to the Centre Director.

Kids & Company encourages family-style dining in

each of our sites. Family-style dining is a method
of serving food by bringing the main and side ParentHandbook page 31
Personal Information & Privacy Protocols
Privacy of your personal information is an important
factor in providing you with quality child care. We un-
derstand the importance of protecting your personal
information and are committed to collecting, using and
disclosing this information in a responsible manner.
Jennifer Nashmi, C.A., CFO acts as the Privacy Informa-
tion Officer for Kids & Company Ltd. All staff members
who come in contact with your personal information are
aware of its sensitive nature and are trained in the ap-
propriate uses and protection of this information.

Kids & Company will ensure that:

• Only necessary information is collected about you and
your child
• We only share information about you with your consent
• Storage, retention and destruction of your personal
information complies with existing legislation and
privacy protection protocols
• Our privacy protocols comply with privacy legislation,
the Provincial Child Care Regulations and the law

Why We Collect, And How We Use and Disclose

Personal Information:
We will collect, use and disclose personal information
about you and your child for the following purposes:

• To deliver safe and effective child care

• To assess your health needs
• To enable us to contact you
• To establish and maintain communication with you
• To communicate with other child care agencies
including regulatory agencies
• To allow us to effectively follow up any concerns or
questions
• To comply with legal and regulatory requirements
including the Provincial Child Care Regulations
• To invoice for services
• To collect unpaid accounts
• To comply generally with the law

ParentHandbook page 32
 If We Are Unable to Meet your Child’s Unique Needs
Kids & Company has developed a “withdrawal” policy for the safety of all children enrolled in our programs. The
withdrawal of a child by Kids & Company will be a last resource for any situation that may arise. Teachers and staff
work daily with parents to ensure clear communications, that expectations are met and a warm, safe environment is
created for each child. If there are serious issues involving the child, a meeting will be held with the child’s parents,
teacher, centre director and member of the management team (as required).

Every effort will be made to resolve the issues at hand before withdrawal from the centre will be considered. If any
outside resources are needed, the centre director or management representative will research the possibilities. If an
outside agency needs to become involved, the parents will be asked to fill out the appropriate forms and/or make an
initial call.

After an initial meeting, parents will be informed daily of the situation either verbally or in writing. If after all the
steps agreed upon have been taken and if no change is made and/or parental involvement is not forthcoming, Kids
& Company will ask for the child to be withdrawn from the centre.

ParentHandbook page 33
 Centre Closures
Holiday Day Observed BC AB MB ON QC NS

New Year’s Day January 1 √ √ √ √ √ √

Family Day Second or Third √ √ √ √

Monday in Feb *
Louis Riel Day Third Monday in Feb √

Good Friday Friday before √ √ √ √ √ √

Easter
Sunday

Easter Monday Monday after Easter

Sunday

Victoria Day
Monday preceding √ √ √ √ √
May 25th √
Fete Nationale June 24th √
Canada Day July 1 √ √ √ √ √ √
Civic Holiday First Monday in Aug √ √ √ √ √
Labour Day First Monday of Sept √ √ √ √ √ √
Thanksgiving Second Monday in Oct √ √ √ √ √ √
Remembrance Day November 11 √
Christmas Eve December 24 √ √ √ √ √ √
(closed at noon)
Christmas Day December 25 √ √ √ √ √ √
Boxing Day December 26 √ √ √ √ √ √

*Refer to Provincial Guideline

ParentHandbook page 34
 Contact Us

Kids & Company

30 Leek Crescent, Suite 103
Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 4N4
Phone: 1-866-MY KIDCO
(1-866-695-4326)
Phone: 905-771-1153
Fax: 905-771-1173
www.kidsandcompany.com
*Additional information found via:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
kidsandcompany
Twitter/Instagram: @kidcochildcare

* Disclaimer: Please note that the various provincial Child Care Ministries throughout Canada have different
requirements. This handbook provides a reference of the Kids & Company generic services – kindly check with
your location of choice for verification of specifics. January 2019.
ParentHandbook page 35