Please ensure your child has the following:

• Family Photo
• Pair of indoor shoes (labelled with your child’s name) which will be kept in the
  classroom (velcro or slip-on)
• Backpack (large enough to fit a book-sized 8.5X11 inches
• Change of clothes in the backpack
• Water Bottle (can be water or juice but in a bottle)
• Snack (snack recommendations below)
• Face mask (optional)

Make sure your child is wearing comfortable, washable play clothes. The children take part in daily activities that may involve paint, dirt, sand, glue, crayons, felts etc. While we use non-toxic, water-based arts and craft supplies, we cannot guarantee that everything that ends up on your child’s clothes will come out in the wash. If you don’t want a certain outfit to get dirty and possibly not come clean, do not send your child to class in that outfit.

Please keep a complete change of clothing for your child in their Back Packs (underpants, socks, T-shirt, and pants). Accidents happen!

Please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for the outside weather as we may go outside weather permitting.

Bring a pair of indoor runners for your child which will be kept in the classroom. Children wear these shoes in school. No laces please. Velcro or zippers are preferred.

Leave all toys and other games at home (except for items we have asked to bring from home for instances such as show and share which must be labeled clearly with the child’s name), as these often get misplaced by the child and may be difficult to find after the fact. JumpStart Learning Centre cannot be held responsible for lost or stolen items.

Please label all clothing and belongings so that we can make sure things get back into the proper backpacks.

Encourage your child to walk into school. Avoid carrying your child. This will help give them a sense of independence and confidence. Have them carry their own lunch or backpack, which will help foster a sense of ownership and responsibility which children cherish. We strongly recommend a quick drop-off. This can be difficult at times. However, we find the longer a parent lingers, the harder the separation becomes. Lingering can create anxiety for both children and adults alike, and this is never a good start to a day. Instead, children need reassurance that you have confidence in them and their day. That said, make sure you do say good-bye to them and let them know you are going. Sneaking away while they are busy or their attention is elsewhere may seem like an easy way to avoid tears, but it may cause them to mistrust you and become more apprehensive in the long run. A quick, positive and happy good-bye is always best.

Children benefit from consistency and routine. Try to ensure they have a good sleep the night before school. If there is going to be a change in their day, inform your child, or send us a note so that we can do the same. The more we can do to help prepare them for what to expect, the more secure they will feel.

Arriving on time. It is extremely important to arrive on time for a number of reasons. Tardiness is very disruptive to the teacher and to the class, as well as to the child’s routine. A child who is late often will miss a great deal. Children greet each other as they transition from leaving their parents to begin their school day. This transition is easier when they can prepare themselves with others.

Parents are responsible for the transportation of their children to the classroom each day unless arrangements have been made regarding transportation. Please be on time as late arrivals disrupt the class. If you are late and the door is closed, please lightly knock on the door or ring the doorbell and wait until a JumpStart staff member opens the door.

Classroom doors will open 15 minutes prior to the start of class (5 minutes at our Callaghan location). However, during this time the teacher will be busy preparing for the class so it is not the time to talk about your child. Please set an appointment to discuss your child’s progress.

Children must be picked up promptly at the end of class. Children will only be released to an adult who is listed on the Authorized Pick-up List. Advance notice in writing must be given if someone other than those listed will be picking up your child up. Photo ID will be required for those who are not familiar faces to the Teachers.

A late charge will be charged for late pick-ups as outlined in the Fee Schedule. If there is an emergency and you are going to be late, we ask that you message us through our classroom app to notify us. Frequent late pick-ups may result in increased late fees and may lead to termination from the program.

We believe that communication between home and school is an important element for a positive school experience. Monthly newsletters will be sent home explaining the activities completed that month, as well as notice of upcoming important dates. Our Classroom App will be used for daily updates and pictures as well as messaging directly with the staff. Please be sure to sign up and setup your account upon registration. You will be able to schedule one-on-one consultations (virtual or in-person) with teachers from the Parent Portal.

We will also send home 4 progress reports throughout the school year which will highlight your child’s progress. This will keep parents informed on how their child is progressing throughout the year. If at anytime during the year the teacher or parent/guardian has concerns regarding the child’s progress, a formal meeting can be arranged.

JumpStart staff will use child guidance strategies that encourage self‐control, self‐respect and respect for others. Our goal is to help children develop the behaviour necessary for successful living via teaching and setting limits in a caring environment. Please note that JumpStart Learning Centre holds a zero-tolerance policy with respect to behaviour that we deem violent or disruptive. For example: Kicking, hitting, biting, pinching, etc. is not allowed, and may result in immediate removal from the group or activity. Continued violent behaviour will result in termination from JumpStart Learning Centre, after discussion with the child’s parents. We will work with Parents to develop a plan and try different strategies if possible prior to removal from the program.

Please inform the teacher of any changes or upsets in your child’s life. Factors such as lack of sleep, a new baby in the house, or parents being away are reasons to consider as potential causes of negative behaviour. Should a change in classroom behaviour be observed by the teacher, it will be brought to the parent’s attention.

While we appreciate that you want to spend time interacting with your child in the classroom environment, too many adults in a room can often be distressing for children. This is especially true at the beginning of the school year when children are trying to adapt to the new environment. We suggest that you take 5-10 minutes and settle your child into an activity, say good-bye and then leave. If you would like to volunteer in the classroom, please speak to a JumpStart staff member as this would have to be scheduled. We also have events throughout the year which parents are encouraged to participate by volunteering.

Although we require children to be toilet trained prior to starting with us, we understand there may be an accident from time to time, particularly for our 3 year olds. Our staff will assist your child with toilet time if needed, especially during the first month or so as they transition into the classroom environment. After this initial time period, most children are independent (you would be surprised how independent children become without their parents around). If a child is just not quite ready for independent toileting, we would recommend a pull-up to avoid accidents all together. We ask that you ensure your child wears clothing that is easy for them to get in and out of. A few minutes at home practicing with buttons, zippers and snaps is helpful.

There are different levels of readiness, but it all starts with the child being able to communicate when they must go to the washroom (Educators will be constantly reminding students as well).

If a child has an accident while class is in session, the parent will be notified and be required to come themselves or send someone on their behalf to the classroom as soon as possible to help the child and take them home or change them. Repeated accidents may result in fees and/or a family being asked to temporarily withdraw their child until toilet training is completed.

We will set aside 10-15 minutes at the beginning of centre time for your child to eat their snack. If you do not want your child to participate, simply do not provide a snack. Students not participating in snack time will be participating in extra centre time and will be kept away from students eating snacks.

Snack Guidelines:

• Snacks must be nut free / stay away from liquid foods that can spill like juice boxes or yogurt tubes/pouches
• Students can access snacks independently without assistance
• Please unpackage foods and put them in a Tupperware that your child can open without assistance. This guideline is in place to eliminate the risk of staff members potentially transmitting anything by touching the food and/or packaging of multiple children especially after they have already had a bite of something.
• Snack must be small so they can finish it in less than 10 minutes

Snack Suggestions
Dairy: Yogurt in container, Cottage Cheese, Cheese Strings, Yogurt Tubes, Cream Cheese on Crackers, Cheese Sandwiches, Babybel Cheese

Baked Goods: Cookies, Bagels, Squares, Muffins, Granola Bars, Cheese Buns, Popcorn, Rice Cakes, Pretzels, Nut Free, Banana Bread

Vegetables: Carrot Sticks, Cucumber Slices, Cherry Tomatoes, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Celery, Peppers, Avocado

Fruits: Apple Slices, Bananas, Grapes, Mandarin Oranges, Pineapple, Kiwi, Strawberries, Fruit Cocktail, Applesauce, Dried Fruit, Watermelon

Birthdays are an important part of a child’s life. If you choose to bring in a snack, we find cut up fruit, small cookies, Dixie Cup ice cream, Jell-O Jigglers and/or Rice Krispies squares a perfect birthday treat. We encourage you to read all labels to ensure the snack does not include nuts. We do ask that if you need to hand out birthday invitations at school, that you do so discreetly to avoid hurt feelings.

Allergies and Medical
Allergies can be very severe. If a child has a serious allergy we require an EPIPEN to be kept on site. We will have you sign a medical form allowing us to administer medication. In case of a medical emergency the teacher will contact 911 and then the parents. Parents shall be responsible for any cost incurred.

Illness Policy
Parents are responsible for informing the Teacher of any health problems, chronic or otherwise. A child who cannot play outside or exhibits any of the following symptoms is too sick to attend school:

• Persistent cough, sneezing or runny nose
• Fever of 38 C or higher
• Inflamed or infected eyes
• Infected nasal discharge (thick or coloured)
• Diarrhea or vomiting
• Communicable condition or disease (e.g.,
• Untreated lice or scabies; chicken pox, mumps, whooping cough, etc.)
• Fatigue / significant low energy
• Open Sores/Blisters

Parents/caregivers who bring a child to school exhibiting any of the above will be required to take their child home and/or make alternate arrangements. The teacher has the final say over whether a child is healthy enough to attend school. Please keep your child at home for 24 hours after symptoms end. If your child has been in contact with someone with a communicable disease, please inform the teacher. If your child has been diagnosed by your physician for anything more than a cold e.g. strep throat, Covid, etc, then please let the teacher know. Where there are 2 or more children diagnosed with a similar “unusual” communicable health condition, JumpStart is responsible for informing Alberta Health Services. Failure to comply with the above may result in an official warning and/or, where the problem is chronic, review of the child’s registration in the program. If a child becomes sick while at school, but does not require medical treatment, the child will be isolated from the other children until the parent(s) arrives.

In a medical emergency:
If an accident or medical emergency occurs at school that requires a child to be rushed to the hospital. The parents will be contacted immediately. If unable to contact parents, the emergency contact will be notified. Parents will be responsible for bearing the cost associated with transporting their child by ambulance in an emergency situation where the teacher deems ambulance transportation to be appropriate.

• There is always a staff member with up-to-date Child Care First Aid & CPR Certificate.
• A fully equipped first aid kit is kept in the classroom

Please be aware that our facilities are equipped with security cameras capable of sound and video. The video and sound feed are not constantly monitored but are referenced for training purposes and/or in case of any incidents that may require investigation. By registering in the program, you are giving us your consent for your child to be under video surveillance at our facility. Video history may be stored for up to 90 days using a 3rd party service provider

JumpStart follows the “Edmonton PUBLIC SCHOOL” holiday schedule, including the
Professional Development days. However, we may continue with classes on Edmonton
Public School PD Days, if scheduling allows for it.
We will notify parents, via the monthly newsletter and email notification, of any upcoming
holidays and/or Professional Development Days.
In the event of a sudden and harsh winter storm, it may be necessary to cancel class.
In addition, classes may be cancelled if the temperature is -35°C or below with windchill as per
Environment Canada weather reports. In the event of a cancellation due to circumstances
outside of our control, Tuition will not be reimbursed, and classes will not be made up.
In the event of extreme weather where classes are not cancelled, it is up to you to decide
whether or not to send your child to school. Requirements would be to have your child
dressed appropriately to withstand the weather in case an event occurs which forces staff and
students to be outside.
If we are providing transportation for your child, this service also may be cancelled or denied if
it is deemed the child is not equipped with the appropriate gear to withstand the weather.
Unplanned closures will be communicated to parents via email and/or message on the
classroom app either the night before or the morning of.
Other missed classes including sickness or isolation/quarantine requirements outside our control
will not eligible for refund. However, if your child will be home, we are more than happy to
provide a lesson plan to keep the child learning and engaged at home. Available upon request.

Please be advised that if you are taking a vacation/holiday, monthly tuition must be paid in
order to hold your spot. Please try to plan vacations during our winter and spring breaks and
other holidays that occur during the year.

Keep in mind that the fees essentially reserve that spot in the class whether the child attends any specific day or not.  If your child does miss class due to illness and/or vacation we usually send activities/worksheets that can be completed while away from class.  We also spend extra time with the child when he/she returns to class to catch them up.  While away, parents still have access to the teachers via our classroom app.

Date: All Dates in the registered school year

Duration: 30 Min to 1 Hour

Ratio: Minimum 1 Adult to every 6-7 Students

Supervision

Staff attending have their current first aid and will have a first aid kit with them at all times. There will also be parent volunteers on this trip (contact your child’s teacher via Brightwheel). The minimum adult to student ratio we will be maintaining will be 1 Adult for every 6 students. If this ratio cannot be maintained, the trip will be cancelled.

Planned Activity

During the school year, our classes will be walking off School grounds for curriculum related activities such as seasonal nature walks, neighbouring businesses, or visits to other public venues and nearby activities.

Learning objectives from science, social studies, art, physical education, health, math and option classes may be addressed by leaving the school grounds to observe, inquire, and experience at different locations within walking distance. The specific learning objectives are different for different activities and will be communicated to students and parents prior to the activity.

The procedures we use to ensure appropriateness and safety on all field trips are applied when a teacher plans to take a class off the school grounds.

Parents will be notified by the classroom teacher of the exact date and time of each walking field trip before the trip takes place.

Parents will complete consent forms prior to any field trips which require motorized transportation off site