Parent_handbook 2013 - Ridge Kids Daycare

Parent_handbook 2013 - Ridge Kids Daycare RIDGE K.I.D.S. (KIDS INCORPORATED DAYCARE SERVICE) Parent Handbook 20 Victoria Street, Ridgetown, Ontario N0P 2C0 519-674-2800 Naahii Ridge Public School Campus 519-784-7974 St Michael Catholic School Campus 519-784-7978 St Vincent Catholic School Campus (Chatham) -784-1253 519 Ridge Kids Incorporated Daycare Services is a non-profit registered charitable organization that provides childcare services for the families in Ridgetown and surrounding areas. Ridge K.I.D.S. is licensed annually by the Ministry of Education (MEDU). Standards are guaranteed by the adherence to the Day Nurseries Act, which are regulations set out by the Province of Ontario. Ridge K.I.D.S. is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of eligible members of the Corporation Ridge K.I.D.S. offers programs for children from 3 months of age to eleven years. Parents of children who turn 11 during the current school year may request that their child remain in a Ridge K.I.D.S. program until the end of the current school year. The request will be approved providing the child’s behaviour is in keeping with Ridge K.I.D.S. policies Ridge K.I.D.S. is committed to the integration of all children in our child care program, regardless of their diverse strengths and needs. The strengths and needs of children differ and the amount of support needed by the childcare center may vary. Our goal is to meet all of the children’s needs’ therefore we ensure that all of the necessary supports are in place before a child begins. As in all situations, the best interest of all the children will be paramount. Ridge K.I.D.S. provides a nurturing learning environment for children that enhance their level of development. Through an emergent based curriculum and the guidance of the specially trained staff, children are exposed to situations that will stimulate their curiosity, initiative, independence, self-esteem, decision making skills, interpersonal skills, physical activity, communication skills and fine motor development. 1 Ridge K.I.D.S. program is re-evaluated regularly to reflect changes within the Day Nurseries Act and ideologies on early childhood education. STAFF QUALIFICATIONS All staff holds an Early Childhood Education Diploma or equivalent and is registered with the Ontario College of ECE. Staff is trained in First Aid and CPR and is required to participate in professional development. Consistent with the Ministry requirements, all-new employees and volunteers must provide Ridge K.I.D.S. with a satisfactory criminal reference check. DAYS OF OPERATION Ridge K.I.D.S. is open Monday through Friday with the exception of the following holidays: New Year’s Day Family Day Good Friday Victoria Day Canada Day Labour Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day Boxing Day thChristmas Eve Day- The center will close at 3:00 PM when December 24 falls on a workday. Centres are subject to closure at other times of the year based on the needs of the clients REGISTRATION When you register your child, you register as either: Full time (4-5 days per week) Part time (2-4 regular days per week) Flex time (varied schedule) Preference is given to children registered as full time. For Part time & Flex care clients Ridge K.I.D.S. will attempt to accommodate for varied schedules by sharing spaces. Ridge K.I.D.S. will inform Part time or Flex parents if there is the need to request a change in schedules to accommodate as many part time parents as possible. BOOKING YOUR CHILD Booking calendars are mandatory. If you do not submit a booking calendar by the due date you will not be guaranteed a space. Calendars that are submitted after the due date will be subject to availability of space in the programs. Parents that cannot submit a calendar due to work schedules must contact the office no later than noon on Wednesdays to request space for the following week. Requests made after Wednesday will be granted as long as the request does not require an adjustment to 2 staffing requirements as the staff schedules are posted on Wednesdays. There is no charge for stat holidays and for days Ridge K.I.D.S. closes (i.e. Christmas holidays, snow days, civic holidays, etc.) ENROLLMENT The decision to register your child in our program is the beginning of a partnership between parents and staff. Your involvement is essential to maintaining a high quality program. You are encouraged to talk with staff whenever you have questions or comments. Adjusting to the environment, routines and staff of the daycare takes time and patience. Your child will accept the new changes with a feeling of security and confidence if it is done gradually. Once registration forms are complete, the child and parent schedule a minimum of one 30-minute visit, two visits are required for infants and toddlers, during programming so the family may familiarize themselves with their new surroundings. During the visits, the Executive Director or delegate will orient the family to the centre and set up an attendance and payment schedule and review policies. Applications for registration is taken on first come, first serve basis with priority given to full-time children. When the centre is full, new applications will be held on the Municipal electronic waiting list. www.chatham-kentchildcare.ca MEDICAL, IMMUNIZATIONS, REGISTRATION AND CONSENT FORMS MUST BE RETURNED COMPLETE TO RIDGE K.I.D.S. 5 DAYS PRIOR TO YOUR CHILD’S FIRST DAY. Incomplete registration papers may delay your child’s start date. It is essential that we have up to date and accurate telephone numbers where parents and emergency contacts may be reached during the daytime. It is the parent’s responsibility to notify Ridge K.I.D.S. of any changes in the following information: **Parent/guardian home and work numbers and addresses **Daily class schedule (students) **Emergency names, addresses and phone numbers **People to whom your child may be released & court orders **Medical/immunization information **Doctor’s name address and phone number BILLING You will be invoiced for the dates that are indicated on your booking calendars or verbally booked with the office/program. There will not be any credits given for missed or absent days. The only credits that will be given are for illnesses which require an exclusionary period according to our Illness Policy. Parents will not be charged for the number of days recommended for exclusion once they present a Doctor’s note upon their return stating the 3 illness and that the child is no longer contagious and is fit to return to the program. PAYMENT POLICY PAYMENTS ARE DUE IN ADVANCE OF THE CARE REQUIRED OR THE DAY OF CARE FOR LAST MINUTE BOOKINGS. Ridge K.I.D.S. accepts payments in the following forms; Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Debit, Online (RBC only), Cash and Cheque. Payment Options , Monthly Payments must accompany booking calendars. One cheque stdated for the 1 of the month on the booking calendar. stth, Semi-monthly Cheques are to be dated for 1 and 15 of the month. Booking calendars will have the payment due dates on them. , Weekly Due every Wednesday for the next week’s fees. Post dated cheques with the appropriate date may be handed in with the booking calendar. Parents, who do not pay monthly, will receive an invoice indicating the fees for the rdmonth no later than the 3 of the month. Accounts that have not received any thpayment, or a partial payment have been made, will receive a statement on the 15 of the month. ALL ACCOUNTS, REGARDLESS OF THE PAYMENT OPTION CHOSEN, ARE TO BE PAID IN FULL BY THE END OF THE CURRENT MONTH. Payments are to be given to regular Ridge K.I.D.S. staff. Ridge K.I.D.S. cannot assume responsibility for payments not given directly to regular staff. Do not leave payments on the office desk, clipboards or in your child’s bag. Families qualifying for subsidized childcare are expected to observe the payment plan options above. FAMILY DISCOUNT When three children are attending on the same days, a family discount of 10% will be deducted from your fees on the full day rates only. Purchase of Service Agreement prohibits Ridge K.I.D.S. from offering a discount to subsidized families. WITHDRAWAL Two weeks written notification to the Executive Director is required prior to the final date of 4 the child’s attendance. If notice is not given, fees will be required in lieu of notice. OVERDUE ACCOUNTS Overdue accounts in excess of one week past the end of a month will result in a written notice from the Executive Director. Overdue accounts in excess of two weeks past the end of the month will result in a second notice from the Board of Directors. Overdue accounts in excess of three weeks past the end of the month will result in suspension or termination of childcare services until outstanding balances are paid, and will be sent to a collection agency for further action. 5% interest charges will be applied to all outstanding balances on a weekly basis starting after the initial notice sent by the Executive Director. TAX RECEIPT Receipts will be issued once payment has been received. Receipts will be distributed annually for income tax purposes. A $20 service charge will be billed to families requesting a copy of receipts. NSF PAYMENTS A service charge of $25 will be added to all cheques turned to Ridge K.I.D.S. by the bank. Payments replacing NSF cheques and service charges must be paid in cash certified cheque or money order. Your fees may be requested in cash on a regular basis if 2 consecutive NSF cheques are returned. LATE FEES If your are late picking up your child/children after 6 PM, the late fee charge of $10 per child for every 15 minutes or part there of will be added to your account. After 3 occasions of late pick-up, a flat rate fee of $50 will be applied to your account at the discretion of the Ridge K.I.D.S. Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will determine if services will be continued after 3 instances of late pickup SUBSIDY DOES NOT COVER LATE FEES. ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES To ensure the safety of the children, we ask that during pick-up and drop off times parents keep their children within their sight at all times. We request that you take your child directly to the staff member on duty each morning to ensure safe arrival of children at Ridge K.I.D.S. At this time, please pass on any messages regarding medication, illness or information regarding pick-up of your child. Our staff is required to supervise the children at all times and Ridge K.I.D.S. does not permit them to leave the room to undress children as they arrive. Please ensure that you indicate the time of arrival and departure and initial your 5 child’s sign in/sign out sheet. Upon departure, please ensure the staff on duty is aware you are leaving. Staff is responsible for the care of the child until the parent/designate is presented with the child by the staff. Your child will be released from the centre only to the person(s) previously designated by you. If there is a legal custody arrangement prohibiting a parent from contact with your child, copies of any court orders are required. Parents are required to inform the centre as to who is picking up their child if it is not the parent or someone designated on the registration form. Ridge K.I.D.S. requires that this person be an adult (18 years of age). We will NOT release a child from the centre to anyone under the age of 16. In an emergency situation only; a person, 16 years to 18 years may be permitted to pick up a child from the centre. In this situation Parents must speak directly with a supervisor authorizing Ridge K.I.D.S. to release their child to this person. If the staff is not familiar with any individual sent to pick up a child, they will ask for photo identification from this person. Parents are responsible for the transportation of their child to and from the centre and assume responsibility for any expenses incurred in the centre because of emergency, accident or illness of their child (cost of ambulance). In the event that a staff member perceives a parent or guardian to be impaired, the staff may speak to the parent and suggest an alternative method of transportation. If you, as a parent insist on taking the child, the staff may call the police. If staff witness children arriving and departing without proper child restraints in vehicles, it is the staff’s right to report the car license number to the authorities as endangering a child’s life. When a child has not arrived within one hour of their anticipated drop off time, and the centre has not been notified by the parent to indicate a later arrival, it will be determined that the child is absent for that day. If a child is going to be arriving later than anticipated it is the parent’s responsibility to call the centre to notify them of the situation. Failure to notify the centre will result in the child’s place being lost for the day. This will allow staff arrangements to be made or to fill the space with a child on the waiting list for that day to be contacted. LATE DEPARTURES For parents who are late picking up their child after 6 PM, the following steps will be taken by the staff on duty: 1. At 6:05 PM, staff will attempt to contact parents at home and work. If parents cannot be reached, staff will call emergency contact to pick up your child. 2. In the event that no contact has been made with parents or emergency contact by 6:30 PM, staff will contact police for assistance (to check accidents, hospitals, arrests, etc.) 3. By 7:00 PM if parents or emergency contacts have not been reached, Chatham Kent 6 Integrated Children’s Service, Children’s Aid may be contacted and asked to provide care for your child. Ridge K.I.D.S. will close earlier than 6:00 if all children have been picked up. Please ensure that you take all of your child’s belongings when you leave as the doors may be locked early and the staff may have gone home. No parent will be admitted to the buildings after the regular teaching staff has left. MEDICATION Designated staff will administer prescription and non-prescription medication only when provided in its original container, which shall be clearly labeled with your child’s name, the name of the drug and instruction for dosage. Medication will only be administered according to the instructions on the label or by doctor’s note. Medication that has expired will not be administered and will be sent home with the parent to be disposed of. New medication should be administered at home for the first few days to watch for any reactions. A medication administration form must be completed and signed by the parent/guardian. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to inform the program staff of their child’s medication to be administered. All drugs are to be placed by the parent in the locked containers either in the classroom or in the fridge located in the kitchen, infant or staff room. Failure to sign in medication will result in the medication not being administered on that day. ILLNESS & HEALTH Illness The Chatham – Kent Public Health Unit provides daycare with recommendations for exclusion for certain illnesses. If your child is diagnosed with any of the following illnesses, you will be credited the number of days recommended for exclusion. Any days exceeding that will count towards the number of days off allowed. , Strep throat – excluded for 24 hours after antibiotics start , Whooping cough – exclude for 5 days after antibiotics start , Gastrointestinal infection – (for E.coli, giardia, salmonella, shigella, and yersinia exclude until symptom free for 24 hours), (for Norwalk virus, Rotavirus, exclude until symptom free for 48 hours), and (for Hepatitis A exclude for 1 week) , Head Lice – exclude until treated and all nits are removed (minimum of 24 hours) A Ridge K.I.D.S. staff must check the child before readmitted to the centre. The client will be credited for a maximum of 5 days per calendar year. After that the client will be expected to pay all fees for any further days missed. , Herpes Simplex – exclude for severe illnesses , Impetigo – exclude until antibiotic treatment has been taken for 1 full day , Scabies – exclude until one treatment completed , Chicken Pox – exclude for 5-7 days (until all blisters are crusted over) 7 , Measles – exclude until at least 4 days after onset of rash, for those not immunized there is a recommendation of 2 weeks if measles occurs in the centre , Mumps – exclude for 9 days , Pink eye (conjunctivitis) – exclude only if discharge is pus(yellow) and then until the antibiotic has been taken for 1 full day , Rubella – exclude for 7 days after onset of rash Any illnesses present in the daycare will be posted. The postings will include transmission, signs and symptoms, infectious period and recommended action. Parents must call the centres each day their child is not coming in. Health For everyone’s well being, sick children will not be admitted to the program. If the staff considers a child too sick to be exposed to the other children or unable to participate in the program, the child will be isolated and the parents will be called to pick up their child or make arrangements. If a child exhibits any of the following symptoms the parent will be notified and asked to pick up their child: , Elevated temperature, flushed, pallor, listlessness , Acute cold, nasal discharge or coughing , Vomiting , Diarrhea (3 or more time) , Eyes or ears have a purulent discharge or show signs of redness or inflammation , Undiagnosed skin rashes or infections , Unusual irritability, fussiness or restlessness In accordance with the Chatham-Kent Health Unit guidelines for exclusion from daycare children who have vomited or have diarrhea are to be excluded from their program until they have been symptom free for 24 hours. If upon the child’s return to daycare the child has diarrhea or vomits they will be sent home after the first incident. When your child has a fever, a call will be made at 100.5 as a convenience call. If your child has a temperature of 101F and is having a difficult time participating in the program a call will be made for your child to go home. At 101.7F your child will be required to go home regardless of his or her spirits. A fever, diarrhea, vomiting and sickness are not usual signs of teething. This may be a sign of illness or infection elsewhere in the body. If these symptoms occur consult your doctor. Generally, if children are too sick to be outside, they are too sick to be away from home. Parents are to make alternate arrangements and have the child picked up within one hour of notification. DAILY OBSERVATIONS 8 In compliance with the Day Nurseries Act, Ridge K.I.D.S. staff makes daily observations of each child in order to detect possible symptoms of illness or abuse (DNA 0811-05) Ridge K.I.D.S. staff are obligated to report to Chatham-Kent Integrated Children’s Service any risk of or physical harm a child has suffered, failure to adequately care for, provide for, supervise a child, patterns of neglect, continuous lack of medical attention, evidence of emotional harm or sexual exploitation. Any of the above information disclosed by a child to a staff will result in an immediate call to Chatham-Kent Integrated Children’s Service. (CFSA S.72 (1)) IDENTIFICATION OF ANAPHYLACTIC CHILDREN TO OUR CHILDCARE UPON ENROLMENT It is the responsibility of parents with anaphylactic children to identify their children to the supervisor upon enrolment and provide: , Information regarding foods which trigger an anaphylactic reaction , A treatment plan, signed by the child’s parent/physician , Consent for Administration of an Auto-Injector (EpiPen) to be completed by the parent, and forwarded to the supervisor annually. This includes a note from the parent confirming when administration of the medication is to end. , Permission to post photograph and medical information in key locations like classrooms and kitchen area. , Medication labeled with the child’s name and the expiry date (renew medication before the expiry date) , Guidance to their child in developing coping skills in the management of their medical condition (e.g. never share food, eat only off your lunch tray, wash hands regularly, etc.) STARTING YOUR CHILD AT DAYCARE Starting your child at daycare can be a very intimidating experience, adjusting to the environment and people. Establishing routines takes time and patience. Your child will accept the change with a good feeling of security and confidence if it is done gradually. Here are a few suggestions: 1. Talk about Ridge K.I.D.S. with your child at home (crafts, playing, new toys, and new friends). 2. Visit the centre a few times before the first day. This will help your child feel comfortable in his or her new environment remembering the time he or she spent here with you. 3. Say “good-bye” to your child, keeping it casual. Once you have said good-bye, leave immediately and try not to linger in the room. Tears or anger may appear but are short lived. A few minutes after you leave, your child will most likely be playing happily with the other children. Feel free to call and check up on your child’s progress throughout the day! 9 COMMUNICATION Parents are encouraged to maintain open and on-going communication with the teachers. The Day Nurseries Act requires staff to keep daily written records of children up to age 2.5. Please take the time to read these daily reports. If at any time you have questions or concerns, please speak directly to your child’s teacher. It can be arranged for you to speak with a staff member during the day. Newsletters are published monthly with information about fundraisers, upcoming events and other information relating to your child’s activities or program. The Parent communication board in each classroom contains the daily schedule, weekly menu, planning sheets as well as any other notices that require your attention. Parents are welcome to visit the program anytime throughout the day. NUTRITION Morning and afternoon snacks are provided for the children according to the Canada Food Guide for Preschoolers. Breakfast is served at all centers. If your child participates in a Breakfast program at school, parents must fill out a permission to attend Breakfast Program form. Ridge K.I.D.S. uses a four week rotating menu that is posted in every room. Parents of children under 18 months are required to supply food and drink for each day if their child is unable to consume what is indicated on the menu. If your child has an allergy, our cook works with the family to adapt menus. If requirements are beyond our menu, the family may be asked to provide some foods. Children that attend the Victoria Street location will receive a hot meal at the lunch hour as per the Day Nurseries Act. Children that attend a school based full day program are required to bring a labeled nutritional bagged lunch if they are in attendance during the lunchtime. Should healthy, nutritional lunches not be consistently brought to the centre, this will be addressed with the parents. A nutritional logbook will be kept to address any concerns regarding the quality of lunches being provided from home. We ask that no pop, candy or chocolate be sent for lunch. Gum is not permitted in any centre RIDGE K.I.D.S. strives to provide an allergen safe environment; therefore no nuts, peanuts nut products or peanut products are to be brought into any center (regardless of the schools policies if the center is located in a school). Food that has not been purchased and prepared by Ridge K.I.D.S. staff will not be allowed to be brought into any Ridge K.I.D.S. facility for consumption by any child with the following exceptions o Bagged lunches for children in the approved locations, all bagged lunches will be monitored by daycare staff o Treats for special occasions will be allowed with the following guidelines 10 , Food is to be peanut/ nut free and must state that it was produced in a nut free facility , No homemade treats will be allowed , All treats will be sent home with the children for the parents to determine if their child can have them , No treats will be consumed at Ridge K.I.D.S. unless purchased and prepared by Ridge K.I.D.S. staff BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT Ridge K.I.D.S. has adopted the Behaviour Management Guidelines as recommended by the Kent County Supervisors Support Committee. These guidelines promote positive reinforcement, redirection natural & logical consequences and foster independence by allowing the child to make choices. Guidelines for Children with Extreme Behaviours In order to provide a safe environment for everyone, all children are expected to behave in a safe and age appropriate manner. The guidelines below set out extreme unacceptable behaviour. The child with extreme behaviours beyond control of our staff will be removed from the class, while being supervised by a staff or supervisor, to regain stature. Group 1 , Use of profanity with intent , Disruption of program due to outbursts If a child exhibits any of the above behaviours in Group 1 the following procedure will be followed. 1. First time will render a time out. The parents will be informed in writing using first stage extreme behaviour report. 2. Second time will render a loss of privilege and a second stage extreme behaviour report will be sent home. A meeting between the parents, staff and Executive Director may be required based on the behaviour to address the situation and formulate a plan of action. 3. Once a plan of action has been established and if the behaviour persists the parent will be contacted to pick up their child when such behaviour occurs. At this point external behavioural consultation is recommended. 4. If the child has been sent home twice this will result in suspension of service for 3 days. 5. If upon return the behaviour continues this will result in the discharge of the child from the program. 11 Group 2 , Throwing of objects with willful intent , Intentional hitting, biting and/or kicking of another child or staff If a child exhibits any of the behaviours in Group 2 the following procedures will be followed 1. The first time will result in a loss of privileges and a first stage extreme behaviour report will be written. 2. The second incident will result in the parent being called to pick up their child from the program immediately. A second stage extreme behaviour report will be completed. 3. The third incident will result in a three day suspension. 4. If upon return the behavior continues this will result in the discharge of the child from the program. The Board will review the child’s behaviour periodically and determine the stage of extreme behaviour. Ridge K.I.D.S. Board of Directors reserves the right to withdraw services totally if any behaviour endangers a child or staff of the center regardless of the above procedures. CLOTHING Please dress your child in clothing that will allow them to participate fully in the program. Parents can also help by ensuring that children’s clothes and belongings (including bottles) are labeled with his or her name. An extra set of clothing should also be at the centre at all times. Ridge K.I.D.S. is not responsible for lost or stolen items. If Ridge K.I.D.S. clothing is borrowed, it should be laundered and returned promptly. Provincial regulations require that all children (including infants) spend up to two hours outside daily, weather permitting. Please ensure that your child has appropriate clothing for outside time on a daily basis. Fall: splash pants, lightweight coat, rubber boots, sunscreen and hat. Winter: snowsuit, several pairs of mittens, winter boots and a winter hat. Spring: lightweight coat, splash pants, rubber boots, and a hat. Summer: lightweight jacket, sunscreen, shoes, hat and swimsuit. Sandals are permitted providing that they secure to your child’s foot with a strap around the back of the foot. Shoes that slide on and off (flip-flops, mules) or shoes with heels or platforms are not permitted due to safety concerns. FIELD TRIPS All Ridge K.I.D.S. programs are highlighted with field trips, participation in community events, Chatham Kent resources and any opportunity to enhance your child’s learning 12 experience. A consent form is given for parents to sign and a written note is sent home advising them as to the destination, date, time and method of transportation at least one week prior. WEATHER POLICY The following guidelines and procedures will be used for outside times in extreme cold weather or extreme heat. Temperatures will include wind chill or humidex readings. Temperatures including wind chill readings or humidex will provide the baseline to determine the length of outdoor time for play time. Staff is to verify the temperature 30 minutes prior to going outside to determine the length of time outside and ensure that current temperatures are being used. Listening to weather reports, phoning the radio station, or checking the weather site on the computer will accomplish this. The Executive Director or designated staff is to give approval for the children to go outside along with the length of time. COLD WEATHER -5 to – 10 degrees Celsius Time limit 45-60 minutes with sunshine 30-45 minutes if overcast -10 to – 15 degrees Celsius Time Limit 30-45 minutes with sunshine 20-30 minutes if overcast -15 to –24 degrees Celsius Time Limit 20-30 minutes with sunshine 15 -20 minutes if overcast HUMID WEATHER 28 to 30 degrees Celsius Time Limit 45-60 minutes if overcast 30-45 minutes with sunshine 30 to 40 degrees Celsius Time limit 30-45 minutes if overcast 20-30 minutes with sunshine Staff Responsibilities To ensure that all children are dressed appropriately for the weather. To dress themselves appropriately. To observe the children to determine the comfort levels of the children and shorten outdoor time if necessary. INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURE (snow days) Daycare closures due to inclement weather (snow days) The following procedure will occur when the weather is so severe that the local schools close. 13 , Upon hearing the announcement that the schools have closed for the day the opening staff will contact the Executive Director. , The Executive Director or designated staff will make the decision to close all centres. , The opening staff will contact the other centres to confirm closing. , The staff at Victoria St. campus will contact the local radio stations to give the announcement that Ridge K.I.D.S. will be closed for the day. , The staff currently on duty will call all staff scheduled for the day to cancel them for their shift. , The staff will post signs on the main doors of the centres and will contact all parents scheduled to attend for the day starting with the parents of any children already in attendance. , The staff will remain at the centre until all children have been picked up. If the buses have been cancelled but the schools remain open Ridge K.I.D.S. will remain open. CLOSURES In case of emergencies resulting in the closure of Ridge K.I.D.S., parents will be notified and staff will remain on the premises until all children are picked up. Announcements about closures are made on the local radio stations in Chatham- Kent. If all elementary schools are closed, Ridge K.I.D.S. will be closed as well. If evacuation is necessary, parents will be called from the evacuation site to pick up their children. Ridge K.I.D.S. evacuation sites are: Victoria Ave will use Erie Street United Church. Naahii Ridge campus will use the Ridgetown Arena, 180 Main St. E. St Michael campus will use St. Michael Parish Hall, 26 George St. St Vincent campus will use McGrail farm Equipment, RR7 Chatham GRIEVANCE POLICY Every person has the right to address organizational or service issues and to seek remedy through an established internal procedure. The following are the steps to be followed should you have a complaint or concern with regards to the operation of Ridge K.I.D.S.: 1. If you feel that you have a valid reason to make a complaint about the services that have or have not been delivered to you and your child, you are requested to speak to the staff or teacher directly involved with the complaint or concern to try to resolve the issue. 2. If you are not satisfied with the result of those discussions, you can contact the Executive Director of Ridge K.I.D.S. to arrange a meeting to try and resolve the issues. Within one week following that meeting, the Executive Director will respond to you in writing. A copy of 14 his or her response is to be forwarded to the President of the Board of Directors. 3. If you are not satisfied with the response of the Executive Director, request from the Director a grievance form attached to the response and mail it to: The President of the Board of Directors Personal and Confidential Ridge K.I.D.S. P.O. Box 1373 Ridgetown, Ontario, N0P 2C0 Within one week, the President will contact you to discuss your concern. Following this, the President will respond to you in writing. 4. If you are not satisfied with the response of the Board, please contact the Ministry of Education *Note: the above time frames are subject to availability of staff and president. EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN FOR ADVERSE WATER QUALITY SITUATIONS The following procedures will be followed when an Adverse Water Quality Advisory has been issued for any region that Ridge K.I.D.S. facilities are located. Upon hearing of either a Boil Water Advisory or a Do Not Use Advisory the staff will contact the Executive Director. Signs will be posted on all doors informing the parents of the Advisory and our plan of action The Executive Director or designate will contact the Chatham – Kent Health Unit for any additional information and to receive advice on the use of the dishwasher, washing machine and any other precautions that should be taken. The Municipality of Chatham - Kent Childcare Services will also be contacted. The Executive Director or designate will purchase any water or supplies that are required for all effected Ridge K.I.D.S. facilities. All staff will be informed of the advisory and the plan of action. Any juice or food that contains tap water that was prepared the day previous to the advisory will not be used. There will be no cooking, drinking, brushing of teeth, or washing of hands with tap water unless the Health Unit advises differently. The Executive Director or designate will call in the Advisory to the Ministry of Education as a Serious Occurrence under the category of Complaint about Service Standard – Water Advisory within 24 hours of the Advisory being issued. A written Serious Occurrence report will be filed within 7 days of the advisory. Should the Adverse Water Quality Advisory last for more than one day the Health Unit will 15 be contacted again to see if there are any additional precautions or if there is cause to close the centres. All Ridge K.I.D.S. sites flush for lead in compliance with regulations set out by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of the Environment. Ridge K.I.D.S. also tests the water in accordance with regulations. Revised September 17, 2016 16