Health and Safety Policies
It’s important for children to stay home when they are ill to:
- Avoid spreading germs to others.
- Rest and recover faster in a comfortable environment.
- Prevent their illness from getting worse by avoiding contact with other germs.
- Keep everyone in the daycare healthy and safe. By following this policy, we can all help keep our daycare environment clean and healthy for everyone.
Sick Child Criteria
Any child exhibiting the following symptoms will not be permitted to attend daycare:
-Fever of 100°F (37.8°C) or higher
-Vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours
-Persistent cough or difficulty breathing
-Rash with fever
-Severe sore throat
-Yellowish eyes or skin
-Unexplained lethargy or irritability
-Contagious conditions such as chickenpox, measles, or strep throat or other contagious illnesses such as influenza, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, or pink eye (conjunctivitis).
Medication Use and Attendance: Any child who is taking medication to manage symptoms of illness, such as fever-reducing or symptom-relieving medication, should not attend daycare. This applies whether or not symptoms are currently visible. Administering medication does not make it safe for a child to be at daycare, as the child is still considered unwell.
Exclusion Period
Children who exhibit any of the above symptoms will be excluded from daycare for a minimum period of 24 hours after the symptoms have subsided, without the aid of fever-reducing medication.
In the case of contagious conditions, children may be required to provide a doctor’s note confirming they are no longer contagious before returning to daycare.
Notification and Communication
Parents are required to notify daycare staff immediately if their child is experiencing any symptoms of illness or has been diagnosed with a contagious condition. Daycare staff will communicate any instances of illness to other parents while maintaining confidentiality.
Medication Administration
If a child requires medication during daycare hours, parents must provide written consent and instructions for administration.
All medication must be labeled with the child’s name and stored securely out of reach of children.
Return to Daycare
Children must be symptom-free for a minimum of 24 hours before returning to daycare. We reserve the right to refuse entry to any child who appears unwell upon arrival.
We understand that illness can be unpredictable, and we strive to work with parents to accommodate their child’s needs while maintaining a safe environment for all.
By adhering to this sick/illness policy, we aim to promote the health and well-being of all children in our care. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Injuries and Emergency Procedures:
In the event of accidents or injuries at our daycare center, the following procedures will be followed
First Aid and Medical Attention: Trained staff will provide immediate first aid to injured children. Parents will be notified immediately if the injury requires professional medical attention. If necessary, 911 will be called, and the child will be taken to the nearest medical facility.
Incident/Accident Report
Any accidents or injuries will be documented in an Incident/Accident Report. Parents will be promptly informed and required to sign the report. A copy will be kept in the child’s file.
Contacting Parents
If a child requires medical attention and we cannot reach the parent/guardian, we will ensure the child receives necessary care. Parents will be contacted to pick up the child if required.
An Emergency Consent Form is provided in the registration package, granting permission for first aid and medical treatment.
Emergency Consent Form
An Emergency Consent Form is provided in the appendix, granting permission for first aid and medical treatment.
Reporting to Licensing Authorities
If an incident requires reporting according to regulations, parents will be informed immediately. Immediate notification will be made for incidents such as bleeding, injuries requiring medical attention, biting, or impaled objects.
Emergency and Evacuation Procedures
We prioritize the safety and well-being of all children in our care and are committed to following these procedures in case of accidents or emergencies.
At Tanpopo Child Care, safety is our top priority. In the event of emergencies like earthquakes or fires, children and educators will proceed to a safe place designated by the government. A notice will be posted on Tanpopo Child Care’s entrance door indicating our safe location.
Educators will try to contact parents/guardians to inform them of the situation andwill stay with the children until they are safely reunited with their parents or guardian.
In addition to theseprocedures, we conduct fire drills every month and earthquake drills twice a year to ensure that children and staff are well-prepared for emergencies.
The emergency pick-up place: Bobolink Park Playground – 2510 Hoylake Ave
(Refer to CCALA-CCR)
In Tanpopo Child Care, we prioritize creating a safe and respectful environment where children learn through play. We believe that mistakes and misbehavior are natural parts of learning and growth, for both children and adults. Our approach focuses on guiding children towards positive behavior and helping them understand how to correct mistakes.
We emphasize the importance of kindness and positive behavior, and our staff actively reinforce these values through praise and encouragement. Clear and simple rules are established to provide structure and consistency, ensuring that children understand what is expected of them.
When challenging behavior arises, we view it as an opportunity for learning. Our staff engage with the child in discussions about the behavior, exploring the reasons behind it, and guiding them towards more appropriate alternatives. We emphasize problem-solving and conflict resolution skills, encouraging children to learn from their experiences.
Open communication with parents is integral to our approach. When instances of challenging behavior occur, we involve parents in the discussion and resolution process, keeping them informed and seeking their input. We maintain a care plan to provide ongoing support for the child’s development, ensuring that they receive the guidance and encouragement they need.
Overall, our goal is to create a nurturing environment where children feel valued, respected, and supported in their learning and development journey.
At Tanpopo Childcare, we follow the Canadian Food Guide to ensure a well-balanced diet that includes protein foods, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. We encourage parents to pack a nutritious and balanced lunch for their children.
In line with our commitment to safety, we maintain a nut-aware environment.
Please refrain from sending any nut products (including peanuts and tree nuts) with your child.
This policy helps us ensure a safe environment for all children.
Snacks are available daily for children whose parents have opted to pay the additional snack fee. These snacks may include a variety of fruits, vegetables, cheese & crackers, and cereal with milk.
Our staff actively model healthy eating habits by sharing meals and snacks with the children. While we encourage children to eat, we respect their pace and never force them. Food will not be used as a reward or withheld as a form of punishment, and children are always supervised during mealtime to ensure their safety.
If a child has a food allergy, we may implement a food restriction policy to maintain a safe environment. Parents will be notified of any necessary restrictions, and families are expected to comply. A note will be displayed near the eating area for all staff to see.
To prevent choking, please ensure that grapes, carrots, grape tomatoes, and hot dogs are cut lengthwise (not widthwise).
To support healthy eating habits and dental health, we ask that no treats, including sugary snacks like cupcakes, candy, or chocolate, be brought in for sharing (e.g., for birthdays).
Instead, we celebrate together with a special pretend cake made of felt! It’s a fun, creative, and inclusive way to make each child feel special.
(Refer to CCALA-CCR)
Child Abuse policies
As caring and concerned educators, we take our responsibilities very seriously. Abuse and neglect, whether physical or emotional, can happen in all types of families, from all walks of life, and in varying degrees. When abuse occurs, both children and parents/guardians are victims and need support, understanding and help.
EMOTIONAL ABUSE
Any act, or lack of action, which may diminish the sense of wellbeing of a person in care, perpetrated by a person not in care, such as verbal harassment, yelling, confinement.
PHYSICAL ABUSE
Any physical force that is excessive force, or is inappropriate to, a situation involving a person in care and perpetrated by a person not in care.
SEXUAL ABUSE
Any sexual behavior directed towards a person in care by an employee of the licensee, a volunteer or any other person in a position of trust, power or authority and includes:
- Any sexual exploitation, whether consensual or not, and Sexual activity between persons in care if the difference in age or power between them is so significant that the older or more powerful person in care is clearly taking sexual advantage of the younger or less powerful person in care but does not include consenting sexual behavior between adult persons in care.
NEGLECT
The failure of a care provider to meet the needs of a person in care including food, shelter, care, or supervision.
Provincial regulations
“The Child, Family and Community Service Act (CFCSA) requires that anyone who has reason to believe that a child or youth has been or is likely to be abused or neglected, and that the parent is unwilling or unable to protect the child or youth, must report the suspected abuse or neglect to a child welfare worker.”
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/public-safety/protecting-children/reporting-child-Abuse
Duty to Report
1. Start a confidential entry in the campus logbook recording their observations, the disclosure (if applicable) and/or allegation. This entry must contain the child’s name, date and time of entry, as as well as any other applicable details or names.
2. If the abuse is alleged to have occurred in the licensed facility (classroom or outdoor play area) the Licensing Officer must be contacted immediately, and a Reportable Incident Form must be submitted within 24 hours.
3. Consult the Program Director, who will assist with the appropriate action. Depending on the scenario and concerns, the Program Director may advise any combination of the following:
- Continued observation for further concerns and thorough documentation.
- Contact the Ministry of Children and Family Development for consultation outlining concerns and recommendations (these must be recorded in the classroom Log Book).
- Contact the Ministry of Children and Family Development and file a report. MINISTRY OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT (MCFD)
Child Protection Services: Call 1-800-663-9122 24 hours / 7 days per week
Reporting suspected child abuse policy
Abuse may be suspected based on disclosure, observation, or allegation. If we suspects that child abuse could be occurring, we must report it.
At Tanpopo Child Care, ensuring children’s safety is our priority. Here’s what you need to know about custody matters:
- Please provide any custody agreements or court orders and keep us updated on any changes.
- We follow valid court-issued custody orders and prioritize the child’s well-being.
- Communication is key – please keep us informed about custody matters.
- We keep all custody information confidential to protect the child’s privacy.
- Ensure emergency contacts are up-to-date for the child’s safety.
Screen time will be limited to a maximum of 30 minutes per day and will not be part of the daily routine.
This includes the use of television during care.
We believe that electronic media and devices can interfere with exploration, play, and social interactions, which are essential for learning and promoting healthy physical and social development.
Active play is essential for children’s physical, social, and cognitive development. It helps build strong muscles and bones, improves coordination, and supports overall well-being. Engaging in active play also encourages problem-solving skills, teamwork, and confidence.
Active play includes physical activities that increase a child’s energy and heart rate, such as running, jumping, and exploring the environment. For infants and toddlers, it involves movements like reaching for a toy, rolling over, balancing in a sitting position, crawling, or walking.
We provide a minimum of 60 minutes of outdoor active play each day, rain or shine, including neighbourhood walks and outdoor exploration.
At Tanpopo Child Care, we understand that every child is unique, especially when it comes to rest and sleep needs. Our goal is to provide a calm and comforting environment where children can relax and recharge.
We offer a daily rest period in the early afternoon for all children. During this time, educators help children settle down for a nap. If a child does not fall asleep within 30 minutes, they will be gently guided back to quiet play activities, ensuring they continue to feel safe, relaxed, and included in the group.
Our approach respects each child’s individual needs and rhythms, while supporting healthy routines and a balanced day.
At Tanpopo Child Care, we recognize that every child develops at their own pace—especially when it comes to toileting. Some children are in diapers, others are toilet trained, and many are somewhere in between. We support each child’s needs on an individual basis.
Whether it’s diapering, toilet training, or independent toileting, our educators ensure a respectful, hygienic, and encouraging environment. Families are encouraged to share their child’s routines with us so we can maintain consistency and comfort.
Visitor Policy
Tanpopo Child Care may accept work experience students from Early Childhood Education programs to assist in our programs. We value the contribution that these individuals make to our programs. Students are screened to assess suitability prior to working in our programs. All students must provide Criminal Record Check, First Aid Certification,
and a doctor's certification of good health. Also, we may accept community volunteers and observers. All volunteers and observers must provide Criminal Record Check.
Students and observers are supervised at ALL TIMES and are never left alone with children.
Communication Policy
At Tanpopo Child Care, 
we prioritize clear and open communication:
- Parents can communicate via in-person discussions, emails, or notes.
- Regular updates are provided through email.
- We maintain confidentiality and welcome feedback for continuous improvement.
- Conflict resolution is approached through open dialogue and mediation.
- Emergency communication is immediate and direct.
- Parental involvement is valued in our community.
Confidentiality Policy
Personal information is highly valued in our center and we are committed to keeping all the information confidential and exceeding the privacy standards setting by the BC Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).