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. Our Program is not 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.

Review the Transition to School section in the Registration Package for advice and tips about transitioning to school.

We encourage parents to foster their child’s independence and confidence.  Encourage your child to carry their own lunch or backpack, as this helps instill a sense of responsibility, which children naturally cherish.

Children must be accompanied to the classroom door and checked in before parents leave the facility. This ensures the safety of all children and allows teachers to acknowledge each child’s arrival.

We recommend that drop-offs be kept quick and positive. While it can sometimes be difficult, lingering can make separation harder for both the child and the parent. A quick goodbye helps ease the transition, while lingering can create unnecessary anxiety. Please reassure your child that you have confidence in them and that they will have a great day. Always say goodbye and let them know you are leaving. Sneaking away while they are distracted may seem like an easier way to avoid tears, but it can lead to mistrust and increased apprehension over time.  Leaving while they are distracted may need to occur from time to time and it would be a case by case basis.  A happy, brief farewell is the best approach.

Establishing Routines and Punctuality

Children thrive on consistency and routine. We encourage you to ensure that your child gets a good night’s sleep and arrives at school on time. If there are any changes to your child’s usual day, please let them know in advance, or send us a note so we can prepare them as well. Predictability helps children feel secure, which is important for their emotional well-being.

Timely arrival is essential. Late arrivals can be disruptive to the classroom environment and your child’s routine. When children arrive on time, they can join their peers in the important transition from home to school, which sets a positive tone for the day.

Parents are responsible for transporting their children to the classroom unless alternative transportation arrangements have been made. If you arrive late and the classroom door is closed, please knock lightly or ring the doorbell. A staff member will assist you as soon as possible.

Pick-Up Guidelines

Children must be picked up promptly at the end of class. We will only release children to parents/guardians or adults listed on the Authorized Pick-Up List. If someone else will be picking up your child, please provide written advance notice, and ensure the individual has proper photo identification.

Classroom doors will open 10 minutes before the start of class, but during this time, teachers will be focused on preparing for the session. If you need to discuss your child’s progress or any other matters, please schedule an appointment via the Parent Portal.

Late Pick-Ups

Please be aware that a late fee will be charged for pick-ups that occur after the designated class end time, as outlined in our Fee Schedule. If you are running late due to an emergency, notify us through our classroom app as soon as possible. Frequent late pick-ups may result in increased fees and, in some cases, could lead to dismissal 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.

Our program’s child guidance policy is designed to help children become independent and caring by learning self-control, decision-making skills and responsibility for their own actions.  Since all children are precious, we believe they should be treated with the same respect that we, as adults, wish to be treated. Our goals are to help children develop positive self-esteem, respect for themselves and the rights of others and socially acceptable ways of expressing their needs and feelings.  This is accomplished through positive guidance and love.

All disciplinary actions taken are age appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances; our staff use the following age appropriate guidelines and techniques to help children develop self-discipline:

• A learning environment that promotes consistent routines and well-defined expectations
• We will do one-on-one general interactions to find out the strength and weaknesses of a child
• Use of praise through kind words and actions (hugs, smiles) to reinforce desirable behaviors
• Use of problem solving instead of punishment. Teachers and children will talk through the situation. (Age appropriate communication skills are used by staff)
• Redirection to another activity when a child displays undesirable behaviors. (Redirection is done age appropriately)
• If a child causes physical or emotional harm to him/herself or others, the child will be removed from the situation for a short time to calm down and will be provided time to talk with the teacher about alternative and or appropriate behaviors. (the steps taken will be age appropriate)
• When a child needs to be removed from a group, they will be given a separate area in the same room to calm down, until they are ready to come back to the group (depending on the age of the child)
• We will provide parents with feedback about their children. Parent support is expected for any guidance techniques used by staff to solve undesired behaviors.

Staff are NOT permitted to discipline a child using the following methods even at the request of a parent:

• Inflict or cause to be inflicted any form of physical punishment, verbal or physical degradation or emotional deprivation,
• Deny or threaten to deny any basic necessity, or
• Use or permit the use of any form of physical restraint, confinement or isolation.
• Our Child Guidance Policy is communicated to parents & staff at the time of orientation and also by Parent Handbook.
• Our Child Guidance Policy is communicated to children while they are attending the program through conversations, books, and Educators modeling behaviors.

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

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

Birthdays are a special time for our little friends! We will acknowledge and celebrate all birthdays in our classroom.

Due to the many allergies and dietary restrictions, we will not be serving any food/treats during class time.   If you would like to send a treat to share with the class (optional), it must be individually wrapped and will be sent home with each child at the end of class.

We encourage goody bags, including things such as crayons, fidgets, playdough, etc.

Please remember that this is not mandatory and you do not need to send in something for your child’s birthday as we will be recognizing your child’s special day in class.  They may even bring a special surprise home from their Teacher’s treasure chest!

Purpose

Jumpstart Learning Academy is committed to maintaining a healthy and safe environment for all children, staff, and families. This policy has been developed in accordance with Alberta Health Services (AHS) recommendations outlined in the Guide for Outbreak Prevention & Control in Child Care Facilities

The purpose of this policy is to:

• Reduce the spread of illness within the preschool environment
• Provide clear expectations for families and staff
• Ensure appropriate monitoring and response to symptoms of illness
• Support outbreak prevention and reporting requirements
• Outline procedures for caring for children who become ill while attending the program

Daily Illness Prevention Practices

To reduce the spread of illness, Jumpstart Learning Academy will:

• Encourage regular handwashing with soap and water
• Promote respiratory etiquette (covering coughs and sneezes)
• Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces regularly
• Increase cleaning frequency during periods of increased illness
• Encourage families and staff to stay home when ill
• Monitor children daily for symptoms of illness
• Follow Alberta Health Services outbreak management recommendations

Existing Medical Conditions

Children with pre-existing or chronic medical conditions (such as allergies, asthma, eczema, chronic cough, or other diagnosed conditions) may attend the program provided:

• Symptoms are consistent with the child’s known condition
• The child is well enough to participate in programming
• Parents/guardians have informed the program of the condition
• Appropriate medical documentation and care plans are provided when requested

Symptoms related to a pre-existing medical condition will be assessed individually in consultation with parents/guardians.

Parents are responsible for informing the program of:

• Existing medical conditions
• Changes to health status
• Medications
• New diagnoses
• Exposure to communicable diseases

Children Must Stay Home If They Have:

A child should not attend preschool if they have symptoms that prevent them from comfortably participating in the program or that may place others at risk of illness.

Children must remain home if they have:

Viral Respiratory Symptoms

• Fever of 38°C or higher
• New or worsening cough
• Shortness of breath
• Significant fatigue
• Sore throat
• Loss or altered sense of taste/smell
• Excessive runny nose or nasal congestion
• Persistent sneezing accompanied by other symptoms

Gastrointestinal Symptoms

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Bloody diarrhea
• Abdominal cramping associated with vomiting or diarrhea

Other Symptoms/Conditions

• Unexplained rash
• Eye infection or discharge
• Open sores or draining wounds
• Severe lethargy or inability to participate
• Communicable diseases such as:
  
  • Chickenpox
  • Measles
  • Mumps
  • Pertussis (whooping cough)
  • Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease
  • Scabies
  • Untreated lice
  • Other illnesses identified by Alberta Health Services

Any medication required to suppress symptoms (such as fever reducers, anti-nausea medication, or similar medications) indicates the child is not well enough to attend the program.

Return to Preschool Guidelines

Viral Respiratory Illness

Children may return when:

• Symptoms have improved
• They are well enough to participate in normal activities
• They have been fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication

Gastrointestinal Illness

Children must remain home until:

• 48 hours after the last episode of vomiting and/or diarrhea

Rash or Other Illnesses

Children may return:

• When cleared by a physician or nurse practitioner, if required
• According to Alberta Health Services recommendations
• Once symptoms are no longer contagious

The preschool reserves the right to request medical clearance before a child returns to care.

Procedures if a Child Becomes Ill at Preschool

If a child develops symptoms while attending the program, staff will:

1. Assess the child’s symptoms and overall well-being
2. Move the child to a supervised area away from other children while maintaining appropriate supervision ratios
3. Ensure the child is made comfortable while awaiting pickup
4. Increase hand hygiene and infection prevention measures
5. Use appropriate protective equipment when required
6. Contact the parent/guardian immediately
7. If parents cannot be reached, contact emergency contacts authorized for pickup
8. Document the illness and symptoms in the Illness Tracking Log
9. Clean and disinfect any contaminated surfaces, toys, or materials

Additional Procedures for Gastrointestinal Symptoms

If vomiting or diarrhea occurs:

• Staff will wear gloves and protective equipment as appropriate
• Soiled areas will be cleaned and disinfected immediately
• Contaminated items will be removed or sanitized promptly

Additional Procedures for Respiratory Symptoms

If significant respiratory symptoms occur:

• Staff will encourage respiratory etiquette
• Children over age two may be offered a mask if tolerated
• Staff may wear a mask while caring for the child

Children who are too ill to participate comfortably must be picked up promptly.

Illness Tracking & Monitoring

Jumpstart Learning Academy will maintain an Illness Tracking Log to monitor symptoms and support outbreak prevention efforts.

The log will include:

• Child’s name
• Classroom/group
• Date symptoms began
• Symptoms observed
• Existing medical condition (if applicable)
• Notes regarding physician diagnosis or communicable illness

Illness records will be monitored by administration to identify potential outbreaks or patterns of illness.

Outbreak Reporting

Jumpstart Learning Academy will follow Alberta Health Services outbreak reporting requirements.

The preschool will report illnesses to Alberta Health Services Provincial Public Health Support Team (PPHST) when required, including:

• Multiple children with gastrointestinal illness within a 48-hour period
• Multiple children with respiratory symptoms within a 7-day period
• Similar rash illnesses
• Other communicable diseases of concern

During outbreaks:

• Additional cleaning and disinfecting measures may be implemented
• Families will be notified as directed by Alberta Health Services
• Exclusion periods may be extended
• Group mixing and shared materials may be limited

Parent Responsibilities

Parents/guardians are responsible for:

• Monitoring their child daily for symptoms of illness
• Keeping ill children home
• Informing the preschool of communicable diseases or exposures
• Providing updated emergency contact information
• Picking up ill children promptly when contacted
• Providing accurate medical information regarding existing conditions

Failure to comply with illness policies may result in temporary exclusion from the program in order to protect the health and safety of the preschool community.

Mild Symptoms Guidance

Children with mild, improving symptoms (such as a mild lingering cough or clear runny nose) may attend if:

• They are otherwise well
• Symptoms are manageable within the classroom
• The child can participate comfortably
• Symptoms are not worsening

The final decision regarding attendance rests with Jumpstart administration.

In instances of mild cold symptoms (e.g., stuffy or runny nose, mild cough) where it’s uncertain whether to send your child to school, it’s advised to keep them at home and monitor symptoms for at least 24 Hours and can extend to 48 hours if unsure of possible new symptoms. A child can return to school once symptoms are improving.

Coughs:

Children may return to school with a mild, non-persistent cough if it is the only symptom remaining, provided it can be managed (e.g., covering the mouth when coughing).

Runny Nose:

Children may return to school with a mild, non-persistent runny nose if no other symptoms and has already isolated for 24 hours ensuring no other symptoms are developed.  The runny nose that is permitted in class should be controllable and clear in colour.

This policy was developed in alignment with the Alberta Health Services Guide for Outbreak Prevention & Control in Child Care Facilities

Purpose

Jumpstart Learning Academy is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all children in our care. This policy outlines procedures related to medical emergencies, severe allergies, emergency medications, and staff response procedures to help ensure children receive prompt and appropriate care when needed.

Allergy Management

Parents/guardians are responsible for informing Jumpstart Learning Academy of any allergies, medical conditions, or health concerns their child may have prior to attendance and whenever changes occur.

For children with severe allergies or medical conditions requiring emergency medication, parents/guardians must provide:

• A completed Medical Authorization Form
• A current emergency care plan, when applicable
• All required emergency medication (e.g., EpiPen, inhaler, seizure medication)
• Clear written instructions for administration

Emergency medications must:

• Be clearly labeled with the child’s name
• Remain unexpired
• Be accessible to staff at all times
• Be replaced prior to expiration dates

Examples of emergency medications may include:

• EpiPens
• Asthma inhalers
• Seizure medications
• Diabetic emergency supplies
• Other physician-prescribed emergency medications

Without a completed Medical Authorization Form, staff are unable to administer emergency medication except where permitted by law during a life-threatening emergency.

Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring all medical information remains current and accurate.

Allergy Prevention Measures

Jumpstart Learning Academy will take reasonable precautions to reduce exposure to known allergens within the preschool environment. These precautions may include:

• Communicating allergy information to relevant staff
• Monitoring classroom snacks and food items
• Increasing supervision during meal and snack times
• Cleaning and sanitizing eating surfaces regularly
• Encouraging proper handwashing before and after eating

While every effort is made to minimize risks, Jumpstart Learning Academy cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment.

Staff Training & First Aid

Jumpstart Learning Academy ensures that at all times during program operation, there is at least one staff member on site with current First Aid and CPR certification as required under Alberta child care licensing regulations.

First aid certified staff members will:

• Follow their First Aid training in emergency situations
• Administer authorized emergency medication when proper authorization forms are in place
• Follow the child’s medical care plan and emergency instructions
• Respond appropriately until emergency medical services or parents/guardians arrive
• Document medical incidents and medication administration as required

While staff are trained to respond to emergencies and provide first aid care, Jumpstart Learning Academy is not a medical facility and cannot provide ongoing medical treatment, diagnosis, or specialized medical care beyond the scope of staff training.

Medical Emergency Procedures

In the event of a medical emergency, staff will:

1. Assess the situation immediately
2. Provide appropriate first aid within the scope of staff training
3. Administer authorized emergency medication if required
4. Call 911 when necessary
5. Contact the child’s parent/guardian immediately
6. Contact emergency contacts if parents/guardians cannot be reached
7. Ensure the child remains supervised and supported until emergency responders or parents arrive
8. Complete all required incident documentation

Examples of medical emergencies may include:

• Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)
• Difficulty breathing
• Asthma attacks
• Seizures
• Loss of consciousness
• Serious injuries
• Head injuries
• Severe bleeding
• Any condition requiring urgent medical attention

Emergency Transportation & Hospitalization

If emergency transportation or hospitalization is required:

• Emergency Medical Services (EMS) will be contacted immediately
• Parents/guardians will be notified as soon as possible
• Emergency contacts will be contacted if parents cannot be reached
• A staff member may accompany the child when necessary until a parent/guardian arrives

Parents/guardians are responsible for any costs associated with ambulance transportation, emergency medical treatment, or hospitalization.

Parent Responsibilities

Parents/guardians are responsible for:

• Providing accurate and up-to-date medical information
• Informing the preschool of any allergies or medical conditions
• Completing all required authorization and emergency forms
• Providing all required medications and care plans
• Ensuring medications remain current and unexpired
• Maintaining updated emergency contact information

Failure to provide required medical documentation or emergency medication may impact the preschool’s ability to safely care for the child within the program.

• 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
• By sending your child to our program, you explicitly authorize the staff members, who are trained in first aid, to administer first aid treatment to your child in the event of an emergency while in their care.   
• This includes the application of basic first aid measures to stabilize the child until professional medical assistance is available. Parents will be notified as soon as possible in the event of an emergency requiring first aid.

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 most of 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