Enrolment
Read below for HappyFoot’s industry best enrolment practices.
With over 20 years of experience managing childcare centres of different sizes, our team sets and maintains best practices for daycare enrolment in North Vancouver. Once the family has accepted a spot, an orientation meeting will be arranged between one of the daycare staff and the parents. We think that it is important for you to feel familiar and comfortable with our childcare program. For your child to feel good about her/his experience, s/he must sense that you also feel good about the centre.
As a new parent you will be given an orientation to introduce you to the centre and information about your responsibilities as a parent. Please ask any questions that you may have at that time or at any time following throughout your child’s time with us.
Enrolment Forms Required
Consent form
Emergency Contact Card
Physical form
Immunization form
Medication permission form
The enrolment package will be available in the office or you can request to have an electronic version emailed to you.
Orientation for a New Child
Even for children who have been in group care, being in a new centre can be frightening or unfamiliar. All children are expected to have a gradual entry into the centre, which usually lasts one week. This is arranged with us before bringing your child to the centre. Gradual entry gives your child a chance to become familiar with us, with other children and with the routines of the centre while still having the security of your nearby. It also gives you the chance to become comfortable and familiar with the centre for a portion of the day, beginning with one hour and working up to a full day.
Absences
Childcare fees are based on enrolment (a reserved space), not on attendance. To maintain a reserved space, fees must be paid during the absence of a child due to illness, holidays, vacation, or for any other reason.
Terminating Care
One month written notice is to be given for termination of care. This gives another family time to enrol and orientate their child and provide the same opportunities for each family and child.
We appreciate as much notice as possible when terminating and will give the same courtesy in return.
Arrival
When you arrive at the daycare, please:
Help your child hang her/his coat in her/his cubby
Wash their hands with soap and water
Put the lunch in the lunch cupboard
Sign the sign-in sheet. We use this sheet during an emergency evacuation.
Look around the sign in table – we often post notices, information, etc.
Help your child become involved in an activity.
When you are leaving please let a staff person know and say goodbye to your child. Sometimes it might seem easier to sneak out, but your child will miss you later and will become concerned about where you are. If your child is having a hard time saying goodbye, it is easier to make the goodbye shorter, so your child can begin to recover from the departure. While a parent is “leaving”, it is all the child can think about.
Departure
Sign your child out on the sign-in sheet and be sure to tell us when you are leaving. Please arrive to pick up your child on time by 5:30 for toddlers, 6:00 for children over three. We will be available for short discussions about your child’s day with you between 5:00 – 6:00pm. If you would like to have a longer discussion with us, we would be happy to arrange a time that is convenient for you and for us.
