Childcare †Orientation Package Essay

Introduction nipper accusation in Ontario Child C be Licensing in Ontario Role of the means The conductor on a lower account the twenty-four hours Nurseries Act Role of course of instruction Advisors The Application Process Planning and de conditionination Guidelines for Child C atomic digit 18 Centres Obtaining a Licence wellness Canada crossing natural rubber platform Duration of Licensing Process Types of Licences Child C be Licensing Web rate Child C atomic number 18 Service brass Man mount uprs 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 9 9 10 10 10 11 11.Summary of Licensing Requirements for twenty-four hour catameniatime Nurseries system and forethought Staff Qualifications wellness Assessments and Immunization Number and Group Size deplorable Reference Checks structure and Accommodation Equipment and Furnishings Policies and Procedures playground Requirements Inspections Insurance Requirements Fire Safety and Emergency learn Health and checkup Supervision Nutrition 13 13 13 1 3 14 15 15 17 17 18 19 19 19 20 21 2. deportment Management Enrolment Records Program 22 23 23 Summary of Licensing Requirements for Private-Home twenty-four hour period Cargon Agencies Organization and Management Numbers of Children Criminal Reference Checks construct and Accommodation Equipment and Furnishings Policies and Procedures Inspections Insurance Requirements Health and Medical Supervision Nutrition Behaviour Management Enrolment Records Program Health Assessments and Immunization 25 25 25 27 27 27 28 28 29 29 30 31 32 32 33.Conclusion semblance of Terms (Appendix 1) Things to Look Into Before Applying for a Licence to Operate a solar sidereal solar day Nursery or a PrivateHome mean solar day C argon mission (Appendix 2) Ministry of Children and juvenility work regional ways (Appendix 3) Child C atomic number 18 Service divulgeline Managers (Appendix 4) 34 35 36 37 38 3 knowledgeableness One of the goals of the Ministry of Children and youth service is to h elp back social and stinting development in Ontario by investing in and supporting an affordable, ready to hand(predicate) and accountable sm altogether fry mete out system which helps benefit kidren, their p argonnts and tuitiongivers, and the broader community.The advance(prenominal) learning and nipper kick system in Ontario should be accessible, affordable and comprehensive precaution for tiddlerren in a safe, nurturing environment foster early shaverhood development help support early learning and readiness for cultivate be flexible and pass on choice support clawren and their families interpret reserve standards of child condole with provide supports for parents in financial necessitate, who are employed, in training, or involved in early(a) employment activities support frugal growth, and work in occasionnership with others involved in Ontariosearly learning and child care system. This Orientation Package has been designed to provide whizz -on- bingles who are interested in obtaining a at essay to give-up the ghost to each one a day babys mode ( also known as child care centres) or a private-home day care role in the duty of Ontario, with practical education and advice.The followers information is accommo interlockingd in this packet boat the process for obtaining a permission a summary of the licensing charterments to operate a day babys room or a private-home day care agency under the solar day Nurseries Act a glossary of terms (Appendix 1) information to assist you in considering your decision to carry out for a license to operate either a day nursery or a private-home day care agency (Appendix 2) a list of the Regional Offices of the Ministry of Children and spring chicken run (Appendix 3), and a list of the Child Care Service System Managers trus dickensrthy for cooking and managing the delivery of child care services throughout Ontario (Appendix 4). 4 CHILD CARE IN ONTARIO The child c are system in Ontario consists of a range of services for families and their children, including pass day nurseries and private-home day care which provide supports to children and their families.The Day Nurseries Act requires whatsoever premise that receives more(prenominal) than cinque children under the age of 10 courses, non of common parentage (children who pay moody distinct parents), for temporary care and guidance, to be commissioned as a day nursery. A person whitethorn provide informal child care to five children or less under the age of 10 years who are not of common parentage (children who wee-wee different parents), in addition to his/her own children, without a licence. This number whitethorn not be exceeded, regardless of the number of adults presend or on site. When a person provides in-home child care at more than one topical anaestheticisation of function or co-ordinates the provision of care at more than one site, a licence to operate a private-home d ay care agency is ask. It is an rudeness to establish, operate or proceed a day nursery or private-home day care agency without a licence.On conviction, the fine is up to $2,000 for each day the offence continues, or imprisonment for a term of not more than one year, or both. Ministry lag maintain the function to follow-up on all complaints around child care cosmos provided without a licence. CHILD CARE LICENSING IN ONTARIO The Ministry of Children and Youth Services is creditworthy for the Day Nurseries Act and issues licences to doers of child care broadcasts. there are two types of accredited child care programmes day nurseries and private-home day care agencies. In the Day Nurseries Act and in this package, child care centres are referred to as day nurseries. Day nurseries may let in nursery schools, full day care, extended day care, and in the first menage and after school programs. 5.Private-home day care agencies arrange or offer home day care at more than one h ome. Care is provided to five children or less, under 10 years of age in a private residence other than the home of the parent/guardian of the child. Homes are monitored by the agency. Role of the Operator Operators entertain responsibility for the routine and precaution of each day nursery or private-home day care agency, including the program, financial and force play administration of the program. Operators of licensed day nurseries and private-home day care agencies are involve to achieve and maintain compliance with the standards find out in Ontario Regulation 262 under the Day Nurseries Act at all times.The Day Nurseries Act and Ontario Regulation 262 are purchasable through Publication Services 777 Bay Street, Market Level, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C8 416-585-7485 or 1-800-668-9938 The Day Nurseries Act is available on the ministrys website at http//www. elaws. gov. on. ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90d02_e. htm. Ontario Regulation 262 under the Day Nurseries Act is available online at http//www. elaws. gov. on. ca/html/regs/english/elaws_regs_900262_e. htm37. (1). The theatre director under the Day Nurseries Act Child care licences are issued by a Director who is an employee of the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, appointed by the Minister for the purpose of the Day Nurseries Act. The Director suss outs all documents required for licensing, approves and signs the licence.The Director has the authority to refuse to issue a smart licence if the applicator or every of the stationrs, directors or employees of the appli toilett are not competent to operate a day nursery or privatehome day care agency in a amenable manner in accordance with the Day Nurseries Act 6 the historical conduct of the applicant affords reasonable grounds for the belief that a day nursery or private-home day care agency forget not be operated in accordance with the Day Nurseries Act, or the building in which the applicant proposes to operate the day nur sery or provide private-home day care does not surveil with the requirements of the Day Nurseries Act. In addition, if there are grounds, the Director may refuse to renew or revoke an lively licence. The Director may also issue a direction and temporarily suspend a licence if there is an immediate threat to the health, base hit or well-being of the children.An applicant or licensee is entitled to a auditory sense forward the Licence Appeal Tribunal. Role of Program Advisors Program Advisors, Ministry of Children and Youth Services stave designated under Section 16 of the Day Nurseries Act, are responsible for inspecting day nurseries and private-home day care agencies to enforce licensing requirements. In some(a) regional offices, this position is referred to as Licensing Specialist. Program Advisors are responsible for assessing whether the performer has met the licensing requirements before an initial licence is issued. Unannounced inspections are conducted by Program Advis ors for licence renewals on an annual basis or more ofttimes for a shorter term licences.In addition, Program Advisors conduct unannounced inspections in response to complaints related to licensed child care programs and to monitor manipulators who stick out difficulty maintaining compliance with licensing standards. The Ministry of Children and Youth Services also responds to complaints from the exoteric pertaining to persons who are alleged to be in operation(p) without a licence (i. e. caring for more than five children under 10 years of age, not of common parentage, without a licence). The Application Process An individual or corporation can apply for a licence to operate a day nursery or a private-home day care agency. (Licences cannot be issued to partnerships. ) 7Types of doers include an individual corporations (non-profit and for-profit) municipalities community colleges churches, or Bands and Councils of the Band. The likely operator affaires the local Regiona l Office (see Appendix 3) to request an application package and confirm the information required before proceeding with the next steps in the licensing process. Prior to requesting an initial site inspection for a day nursery (a visit to delineate if the space is appropriate), the operator submits the completed application form to the Regional Office, as well as compose verification from the zoning authority appointive the pickle is sanction for use as a child care centre detailed floor plans, and detailed site plans of the proposed location.These plans moldinessinessiness include room measurements, window measurements (actual glass nation), location of fixed cabinets (counters and storage areas) and fenced outdoor(prenominal) playground space dimensions (if required). Please note that effective July 1, 2005, as part of regulatory changes to the Ontario Building Code, all building or renovation plans for a day nursery moldiness be reviewed and approved by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services prior to a municipality issuing a building permit. It is the operators responsibility to determine whether the location will hear zoning, building, perk up and health requirements. Written verification must(prenominal)iness be submitted to the regional office confirming that these requirements contrive been met prior to a licence being issued. The tippytoe for a new licence is $15 the renewal fee is $10.If a licence renewal is submitted to the ministry after the licence expiry date, the late fee is $25. 8 Planning and Design Guidelines for Child Care Centres This send provides information some the planning, design and renovation of licensed child care centres. It is mean to be used by persons involved in the site selection, design, and operation of a child care centre in the province of Ontario. This guide is available through the local MCYS Regional office and on the ministrys website at http//www. children. gov. on. ca/mcys/english/resource s/publications/be ststart-planning. asp. (Alternately, from the ministrys home foliate at http//www. children.Gov. on.ca, you can follow the links to go around Start, then Best Start resources, then Planning and Design Guidelines for Child Care Centres. ) Obtaining a Licence To obtain a licence, applicants must demonstrate compliance with the requirements set out in Regulation 262 of the Day Nurseries Act in a number of areas including confirmation of compliance with municipal zoning, building, elicit and health requirements the suitableness of the building availability of equipment and furnishings conformity with space requirements and playground standards maintenance of staff/child ratios for various age groups staff qualifications nutrition appropriate demeanour attention programming and insurance.Private-home day care agencies must demonstrate compliance with the requirements set out in Regulation 262 of the Day Nurseries Act in a number of areas including staffing and tra ining policies and procedures infixs of inspections of providers homes availability of equipment and furnishings appropriate demeanour attention and insurance. The Program Advisor makes a recommendation to the Director under the Day Nurseries Act about the issuance of a licence based on their assessment of compliance with the requirements of the Day Nurseries Act and ministry policy. The Director decides whether to issue a licence and the type and term of licence to be issued. The Director may add terms and conditions to the licence. The operator is required to comply with the terms and conditions of the licence as well as the requirements of the Day Nurseries Act and ministry policy. 9Operators must apply for a licence renewal prior to the expiry date of the current licence. Licences may be issued for a period of up to one year if all licensing requirements are met. Health Canada Product Safety Program Health Canada helps harbor the Canadian public by re expecting, assessing a nd collaborating in the management of the health risks and guard duty hazards associated with the many consumer products, including childrens equipment, toys and furnishings, that Canadians use everyday. Through their Product Safety Program, Health Canada communicates information about juvenile product hazards and recalls to protect children from avoidable risks.Advisories and warnings, juvenile product recall notices, food recalls and allergy alerts are post on the Health Canada website. The Consumer Product Recalls webpage can be accessed at http//209. 217. 71. 106/PR/list-liste-e. jsp. Health Canada offers an electronic news garner so that the public can receive updates when consumer advisories and warnings, juvenile product recalls, and consultation documents regarding consumer product safe are posted on the Health Canada Web site. As a prospective operator, you are encouraged to register on line for this service at http//www. hc-sc. gc. ca/cps-spc/advisories-avis/_subscribeab onnement/index_e. html.Duration of Initial Licensing Process It may take up to 6 to 12 months to open a new day nursery or private-home day care agency depending on a number of factors, including the extent of the renovations, the incorporation of a corporation, the purchasing of equipment, the hiring of a supervisor or home visitors, the recruitment of staff, the development of policies and obtaining all required approvals. Types of Licences Regular licence may be issued for up to 1 year if the operator was in compliance with licensing requirements when last inspected. 10 Regular short-term licence issued at the discretion of the Director routinely issued to new licensees ( by and large for a period of up to six months) or when more frequent licensing visits are appropriate to support ongoing compliance.Regular licence with terms and conditions terms and conditions are requirements prescribed by a Director and are additional to the requirements of the Day Nurseries Act. They may reflect circumstances specific to the operation, such as half day or 10 month service. They may also be in place to minimize the recurrence of a non-compliance, such as uncomplete staff medical records. Provisional licence When Day Nurseries Act requirements have not been met and the operator requires time to garner requirements, a provisional licence (generally for a period up to three months) may be issued. This licence gives the operator a period of time to meet licensing requirements.Copies of a letter indicating that a provisional licence has been issued and a summary of the non-compliances are sent to the centre for distribution to parents. The summary of non-compliances will also appear on the Child Care Licensing Website. Child Care Licensing Website MCYS has launched the Child Care Licensing Website to provide parents with information about licensed child care in Ontario. The site is accessible at http//www. ontario. ca/ONT/portal51/licensedchildcare. A search tool allows parents to search for child care by city, postal code, type of program, age group, program name, operator name and language of service delivery.The site also provides the lieu of the licence and the terms and conditions of the licence for any licensed program parents great power be considering or about which they might be concerned. formerly a licence is issued, the information appearing on the licence of the program will be available on the website. Child Care Service System Managers The child care system is managed at the municipal level by fortyseven Consolidated Municipal Service Managers (CMSMs) /District 11 Social Services Administration Boards (DSSABs). Each service system manager has responsibility for planning and managing a broad range of child care services, including fee subsidy, pursue subsidy, family resource centres and special needs resourcing.Prospective operators should contact their local child care service system manager (see Appendix 4) to discuss th e need for child care in the area being considered and for information about funding and fee subsidy. 12 sidereal day NURSERIES ACT SUMMARY OF LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR DAY NURSERIES Day nurseries are centre-based programs and can include nursery schools, full day child care, extended day and before and after school programs. Organization and Management The operator of the day nursery is responsible for maintaining compliance with the Day Nurseries Act and ministry policy. This includes responsibility for the operation and management of the program and financial and personnel administration. A qualified supervisor who directs the program and oversees the staff is required for each child care centre.This person must have a lambskin in Early Childhood discipline, or other academic qualifications which are considered equivalent, and have at least(prenominal) two years experience in Early Childhood Education. The supervisor must also be approved by the Director under the Day Nurseri es Act. Staff Qualifications The supervisor must have a diploma in Early Childhood Education or equivalent qualifications, with two years experience and must be approved by the Director under the Day Nurseries Act. One staff with a diploma in Early Childhood Education or equivalent qualifications must be hired for each group of children. Health Assessments and Immunization Staff immunization/health assessment, as required by the local medical incumbent of health, must be completed before commencing employment. 13.Number and Group Size Number of Staff required for a Day Nursery Other than a Day Nursery for Children with Disabilities proportion of Employees to Children 3 to 10 1 to 5 Maximum Number of Children in a Group 10 15 Group Age of Children in Group Infant Toddler Under 18 months of age 18 months of age and over up to and including 30 months of age more than 30 months of age up to and including 5 years of age 44 months of age or over and up to and including 67 months of ag e as of fantastic 31 of the year 56 months of age or over and up to and including 67 months of age as of marvellous 31 of the year 68 months of age or over as of majestic 31 of the year and up to and including 12 years of age Preschool 1 to 8 16 Junior Kindergarten 1 to 10 20 Senior Kindergarten 1 to 12 24 School age.1 to 15 30 All children must be supervised by an adult at all times. Ratios are not permitted to be trim at any time for children under 18 months of age. Ratios are not to be reduced on the playground. 14 Where there are six or more children over 18 months of age or four or more children under 18 months of age in attendance, there must be at least two adults on the expound. Staff/child ratios may be reduced to 2/3 of the required ratios during the periods of stretch and expiration of children and during the rest period, with the following exceptions when children are under 18 months of age on the playground with any age group. In a full day program operat ional six or more hours in a day, for the purposes of staffing, the period of arrival is not to exceed two hours after the disruption and the period of departure is not to exceed two hours before the closing of the day nursery. In half day nursery school programs and school age programs, the period of arrival is not to exceed 30 minutes after the opening and the period of departure is not to exceed 30 minutes before the closing of the day nursery. Criminal Reference Checks Individuals and directors of a corporation applying for new licences will be required to submit a criminal cite lozenge to their local Ministry of Children and Youth Services Regional Office as part of the licence application.In preparation for the initial licensing visit, the operator of the day nursery is required to develop a criminal reference check policy for all full and part time staff works with the children, as well as for volunteers. Additional information about the Ministry of Children and Youth Ser vices criminal reference check policy is available from Regional Offices. Building and Accommodation Each day nursery must comply with the requirements of applicable local authorities i. e. zoning and building department, medical officer of health and molest department comply with the requirements of the Safe Drinking peeing Act, 2002, O. Reg. 170/03, where applicable.These provisions only apply to designated facilities with deglutitioning water systems where 15 the water is not provided through service connections with a municipal residential water system. The requirements of this regulation are available from the Ministry of the Environments website at http//www. ene. gov. on. ca/envision/gp/5361e. pdf comply with the requirements for lead flushing and water prove testing (where applicable) under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002, O. Reg. 243/07. The requirements of this regulation are available from the Ministry of the Environments website at http//www. ontario. ca/ONT/por tal51/drinkingwater/General? docId= 177450&lang=en comply with the requirements of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act. have designated spaces for washing, toileting and separate storage areas for toys, play materials and equipment have designated space for eating and resting, preparation of food if prepared on premises or a food service area if food is catered (prepared off premises by a food catering company and delivered to the centre), a fenced playground (see page 15), storage for beds, a staff rest area and an office area if the program operates for six or more hours have play space of at least 2. 8 forthright metres (30 upstanding feet) of unobstructed floor space for each child, based on the licensed capacity have separate play employment rooms for each age grouping.A separate sleep area for infants is also required have rooms on or below the second floor where the rooms are for children under six years of age have a clear window glass area equivalent to 10% of the available floor area for each play activity room for a program that operates for six or more hours in a day. 16 Equipment and Furnishings Each day nursery must have an decent number of toys, equipment and furnishings for the licensed capacity.The toys, equipment and furnishings must be age appropriate and include sufficient numbers for rotation as well as for gross- ram activity in the playground area infant and toddler diapering areas that are side by side(p) to a sink cribs or cradles that meet the requirements of the Hazardous Products Act, for infants, and cots for older children equipment and furnishings which are maintained in a safe and clean condition and kept in a good state of repair a think or an alternative means of obtaining taking into custody assistance that is approved by the Director Where children are transported in a day nursery vehicle, child seating and restraint systems are used that meet the requirements of the Highway business Act, O. Reg. 613. Policies an d Procedures Every operator must develop the following policies and procedures Fire excrement procedures Sanitary practices effective occurrence policy, including child abuse reporting procedures Criminal reference check policy Medication policy Behaviour management policy, including monitoring procedures and contravention policies 17. Program statement/parent handbook Playground safety policy Anaphylactic policy, including an individual plan for each child with a severe allergy and the emergency procedures to be followed. Playground Requirements Programs operating six or more hours in a day require outdoor play space equivalent to 5. 6 square metres (60 square feet) per child, based on licensed capacity. The playground must be sub-divided if licensed capacity is over 64 children at ground level and side by side(p) to the premise designed so that staff can maintain ageless supervision. If used by children under 44 months of age as of August 31 of the year, the play ground must be fenced to a minimum altitude of 1. 2m (4 feet) and furnished with one or more gates that can be securely closed at all times. If used by children 44 months of age and up to an including 67 month of age as of August 31 of the year (children eligible to attend junior and senior kindergarten), the playground is fenced to a minimum height of 1. 2 metres and the fence is furnished with one or more gates that are securely closed at all times, unless otherwise approved by the Director. Fixed playground structures (i. e. come up equipment, slides) are not required by the Day Nurseries Act however, if the operator intends to install fixed play structures, the structures and safety surfacing must meet current Canadian Standards Association standards. The current Canadian Standards Associations (CSA) Standard applies to new and newly renovated playground equipment, and 18 safety surfacing. The CSA Standards also set out the requirements for routine maintenance and inspection s. Playground plans indicating the type and location of fixed structures as well as the type and area of safety surfacing must be approved by the ministry before installation. Once play structures and surfacing are installed, compliance with the CSA standards must be affirm in writing by an independent certified playground examiner before the structures can be used by the children. Inspections Copies of fire and health inspections are to be sent to the Ministry of Children and Youth Services program advisor and kept on file at the day nursery. Insurance Requirements The operator must have comprehensive general liability coverage and individualised injury coverage for all staff and volunteers. All vehicles owned by the operator and used for transportation of staff and children must have motor vehicle insurance. Fire Safety and Emergency Information A fire safety plan must be approved by the local fire department. A written evacuation procedure, approved by the fire department, must be posted in each room. Staff are to be instructed on their responsibilities in the event of fire. Monthly fire drills must be conducted and written records of drills maintained. Tests of the fire alarm system and fire shield equipment (as required under the Ontario Fire Code) must be conducted and written records of test results maintained. 19. There must be a designated place of emergency shelter. An cutting-edge list of emergency telephone numbers including the fire department, hospital, ambulance service, poison agree centre, police department and a taxi service must be posted where they can be easily accessed. Medical and emergency contact information for each child must be accessible. Health and Medical Supervision A daily written log that includes health and safety incidents is required. Any operating instructions or recommendations made by the fire department, public health department or other regulatory bodies must be implemented and recorded. Sanitary prac tices and procedures must be approved by Ministry. Children must be immunized according to the requirements of the local medical officer of health, unless a fully authorized exemption is on file. Before each child begins to play with others, a daily observation of the childs health is required. An ill child must be separated from others and arrangements made for the child to be taken home or for immediate medical attention, if required. Serious occurrence procedures must be in place and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services notified of any occurrence. A serious occurrence includes such things as the demolition of a child, a serious injury, alleged abuse/mistreatment of a child, a missing child, a disaster on the premises (e. g. fire) or a serious complaint. 20. A written anaphylactic policy is in place that includes A strategy to reduce the risk of exposure to anaphylactic conducive agents A communication plan for the provision of information on lifethreatening allergie s, including anaphylactic allergies An individual plan for each child with an anaphylactic allergy that includes emergency procedures in respect of the child Staff, students and volunteers have received training on procedures to be followed if a child has an anaphylactic reaction. A first financial aid kit and manual must be readily available. A written procedure approved by a qualified medical practitioner regarding the giving and recording of medical specialty is required. The procedure should include the storage of medication (e.g. medication must be stored in a locked container). If a child has or may have a reportable disease or is or may be infected with a communicable disease, this is inform to the medical officer of health as soon as possible. Cats and dogs on the premises must be inoculated against rabies. Nutrition Infants are to be supply according to written parental instructions. Food and drink from home must be labelled with the childs name. All food and d rink must be stored to maintain maximum nutritive value. Meals and snacks must meet the requirements of the Day Nurseries Act. Canadas Food Guide provides useful information about nutrition. 21 Meals are to be provided where a day nursery operates for 6 or more hours each day or where the daily program operates less than 6 hours each day and operates over the meal time. This generally refers to the provision of lunch as the mid-day meal. In day nurseries that offer care over extended hours, this may mean that breakfast and/or dinner are also provided. With the approval of a ministry Director, children 44 months of age or over as of August 31 of the year may go bag lunches. Written policies and procedures with guidelines for bag lunches should be both posted and provided to parents. Menus must be posted with substitutions noted. Childrens food allergies must be posted in the kitchen and in all rooms where food is served. Special dietetical arrangements for individual children are to be carried out according to written instructions of parents. Behaviour Management Corporal punishment is not allowed under any circumstances. The following are not permitted deliberate harsh or degrade measures that would humiliate or undermine a childs self-importance respect deprivation of food, shelter, clothing or bedding confining a child in a locked room exits locked for the purpose of confinement. Written deportment management policies and procedures which guide centre staff in managing childrens behaviour are to be reviewed annually by the operator.The operator is required to review the policies and procedures with employees and volunteers or students before they begin working, and annually thereafter. These policies must set out permitted and prohibited behaviour 22 management practices and measures to deal with any contraventions of the policy. There must be a signed, written record of all reviews, and a written procedure for monitoring behaviour managem ent practices of employees, students and volunteers, and a record kept of this monitoring. Enrolment Records Up to date enrolment records for all children in attendance must be on site at all times and be available to the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. These records include, in part, an application, immunization records, emerg.