How can I arrange for someone else to pick up my child?

The parent/legal guardian may grant permission to any person to pick up their child by verbally notifying a staff member and/or by listing a person on the permission pick up form in the child’s file. All persons picking up a child from the Centre must be a minimum of 16 years old. Any authorized persons must present a photo identification that verifies the pick up person’s name and age. A child cannot be released in the event that identification cannot be produced regardless of the person’s history of picking up the child at the Centre. 

What happens if I arrive after 6:00 pm to pick up my child?

Our Centre is open from Monday to Friday from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.  If your child is not picked up by 6:00 PM, a late fee will be charged as follows:

• 1st offense: $5.00 for every 15 minute period or part thereof, per child

• 2nd offense: $5.00 for the first 5 minutes or part thereof, and $1.00 per minute after the first 5 minutes per child

• 3rd offense: $5.00 for the first 5 minutes or part thereof, and $2.00 per minute after the first 5 minutes per child

• 4th offense: $5.00 for the first 5 minutes or part thereof, and $3.00 per minute after the first 5 minutes per child

• 5th offense: $5.00 for the first 5 minutes or part thereof, and $4.00 per minute after the first 5 minutes per child etc…

The fees will continue to rise as late “offences” increase. There is no set limit on the total amount to be paid for late fees.

Late fees are due at the time of pick up and are to be paid to the staff on duty in cash. In the event that there are discrepancies in the time of late arrivals, the Centre’s cock will be considered true and correct. 

What is the “Drop Off” time mentioned in the Child Care excursion notifications?

Earlier “drop off times” on days when trips/special activities are planned for the children. These times are specific to the activity and may be as early as 8:30 AM. Staff will notify families of the specific time ahead of the activity. 

Your child must be present inside the Centre room and accounted for by a staff at the designated “drop off time” (sharp) in order to be admitted for the excursion. There is no flexibility in “drop off times” on excursion days.

Can my child’s older sibling pick my child up from the centre?

All persons picking up a child from the Centre must be a minimum of 16 years old. Any authorized persons must present a photo identification that verifies the pick up person’s name and age. A child cannot be released in the event that identification cannot be produced regardless of the person’s history of picking up the child at the Centre.

Is fee schedule guaranteed to remain the same for the full year ?

No. Every effort will be made to maintain fees at the set rate, however, they are subject to change should unforeseen circumstances arise.

Government subsidies are available. To explore the Child Care Fee Subsidy to help with the costs of care, click here.

Do I have to pay for statutory holidays, vacation time or other absent days ?

Yes, you do pay for statutory holidays. You do not pay for center designated days of closure. Our Centre will be closed on the following statutory holidays:

Civic Holiday, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, Canada Day.  

Do I have to pay for the times that the Child Care Centre is closed such as the summer closure ?

No, you do not pay fees when the Centre is closed for two (2) weeks in the summer. The dates of summer holiday is always 2 weeks prior to the August Civic holiday and will be reconfirmed in June each year.

Other dates of non-statutory holiday closure include Easter Monday + the 3 days between Christimas and New Year.

When and how do I get my deposit back ?

We require two (2) weeks notice in writing, prior to withdrawing your child from the Centre. Deposit refunds will only be used upon you providing two (2) weeks written withdrawal notice and your child being present on the last day listed in your written notice. 

What happens to my subsidized fee if I exceed the number of allowable absent days that Children’s Services will pay for?

Subsidized clients are responsible to monitor the usage of your child’s absent days and be aware of the individual limits on allowable absent days for your child. The fee for subsidized absent day exceedance days is payable immediately. In the event that fees are not paid according to the fee payment plan the Centre cannot admit a child until such time the fees are paid. The fee per day will be equal to one day at the full fee rate.

What things can have an affect on my child care fees?

• A late payment fee of $5.00 per day will be applied to all late payments remitted late. The late payment fee is cumulative. 

• It is the parent/guardian's responsibility to pay fees imposed on the Centre by a bank for any returned cheques. 

• Late fees will be applied when children are not picked up by 6:00 PM. To learn more about late fees, click here. [link to late fees FAQ]

• TDSB labour disruption may generate additional costs IF the centre operates a full day program when the school is closed.

• If your subsidized daily rate is recalculated by Children’s Services.

What happens if I’m unable to pay my child care fee ?

In the event of extenuating circumstances, you are encouraged to communicate this with the Director prior to your fee due date. Late payments can result in the loss of your child’s space in the Centre. 

Government subsidies are available. To explore the Child Care Fee Subsidy to help with the costs of care, click here.

Do you offer part-time care?

Part-time care may be offered at the discretion of the Board of Directors and based on availability.

 If my child doesn’t eat the Child Care food, can I provide my own food for my child ?

All food and drinks will be provided by the Centre. No outside food can be brought into the Centre. 

My child has dietary restrictions what are the menu options?

Allergies and food restrictions can be accommodated with written instructions from the parent within 48 hours. We are a nut-free environment. We provide vegetarian and Halal options. Nutritionally balanced hot lunches based on multicultural menus as well as morning and afternoon snacks are served daily. 

To check out a sample menu, click here.

Can I bring in a birthday cake for my child’s birthday?

Yes, you can bring a store-bought cake with the original manufacturer's ingredient list affixed to the original food product package. The packaging must be original and sealed. All food purchased must be nut-free.

What happens if my child gets sick while attending the centre?

The Centre staff will call home to notify parents/guardians of the situation and the parent may be required to pick the child up so that s/he can be taken to a more suitable environment. The Centre requests a signed doctor’s note confirming that the child is in good health, if a child was sent home due to illness of suspected communicable infection. 

Can the staff give my child medication ?

Yes. Oral, topical, eye drops, ointment medications, and EPI pens will be administered as prescribed by a medical doctor. The parent/guardian is required to complete (in full) and sign the Centre’s medication form (provided by the Centre). All medications must be consistent with the Centre’s medication policy and must also include:

• Child’s correct name

• Current date

• Name of the medication

• Dosage

• Proper storage

• Possible side effects

• Doctor’s Name

Medication not prescribed by a doctor cannot be administered.

Do I have to provide a doctor’s note if my child can’t attend the centre due to illness?

Any child who has been absent for three (3) or more days due to illness or communicable condition, will not be readmitted into the Centre without a doctor’s note stating the child is in good health, the time period that the child has been absent and that the child is no longer contagious to other children and can return to school/day care on the given day.

How does my child get back and forth between their school classes and the Child Care Centre?

As each child has a different classroom location, school age children are released from the Centre door. The school age children walk with another school age child/partner but without staff escort to their classroom or to the school field/gym until the students are admitted to their class by the school.

Can the staff drop off / pick up my child from a school bus ?

The Centre is unable to accommodate clients who require either private or public bussing/transportation needs. Staff escorts from any transportation/bus drop off/pick up points are unavailable.

What is the process if my child wants to attend an extracurricular activity after school?

Parents are required to sign a consent form if they would like the Child Care Centre staff to release their school aged child (Grade 1 and up) from the Centre without supervision in order for them to participate in extracurricular school activities. These school age consent forms are available in the school age room and must be completed. Notes from home will not be accepted.

Can the Child Care staff function as a liaison (e.g., sharing letters, messages) so that school teacher can communicate with me via the Child Care Staff?   

Centre staff are not permitted to relay messages (via any format) or deliver letters or items to school staff.

What happens if my child doesn’t want to sleep during rest time?

Toddler and Preschool programs offer nap times every day. Children who do not wish to nap are encouraged to take a body rest or engage with a member of the daycare staff in quiet activities.

Can my child bring their favourite toy to the centre?

No. Home toys are not permitted at the Centre. Parents will be asked to take such items with them after dropping their child off. Comfort/soothing items such as a special blanket or soother may be offered to assist a child experiencing difficulty upon centre approval.

What type of behaviour guidance strategies do the staff use?

John A. Leslie Child Care believes that behaviour management must be exercised in such a way that the child's rights are respected and the child's self-esteem is enhanced.

The building blocks of cooperation between adults and children are:

• Respecting the child

• Creating an atmosphere of trust and acceptance

• Appropriate programming and environment

• Age and developmentally appropriate expectations

• Respect, understanding and compassion for issues pertaining to varying backgrounds and/or the child’s range of skills, needs and abilities

Taking a proactive approach is key in the de-escalation of negative behaviours and situations. Noticing and appreciating appropriate behaviour, making consistent efforts to convey positive feedback at all times and guiding children through conflicts are just some of the strategies we use. 

Program transfer process – is my child guaranteed a space in the new program when they age out of their existing program?

No guarantees are provided. Unfortunately, sufficient vacancies may not be available to accommodate all children. We will make every effort to accommodate those enrolled, but preference is given to enrolment date seniority.