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.

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.

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!

Allergy Management: 

For children with severe allergies, it is mandatory to keep an EpiPen at the school. Parents will be required to complete a medical authorization form allowing the administration of medication in case of an allergic reaction. In any medical emergency, the teacher will promptly call 911 and then contact the parents. All costs incurred during such emergencies will be the responsibility of the parents.

Illness Policy: 

To ensure the well-being of our school community, parents are obligated to inform the teaching staff of any health issues affecting their child, whether chronic or temporary. A child exhibiting any of the following symptoms should not attend school:

– Persistent cough, sneezing, or runny nose

– Fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher

– Eye inflammation or infection

– Nasal discharge that is thick or colored

– Diarrhea or vomiting

– Communicable diseases (e.g., untreated lice or scabies, chickenpox, mumps, whooping cough)

– Unusual fatigue or low energy

– Open sores or blisters

Attendance Decision: 

Parents/caregivers bringing a child with any symptoms listed above will be asked to take their child home or arrange for alternate care. The decision of the teaching staff, in consultation with the administration, regarding a child’s ability to participate in school activities is final. Children must stay home for at least 24 hours after symptoms have fully subsided. Please inform the staff if your child has been exposed to a communicable disease or diagnosed with an illness more severe than a common cold (e.g., strep throat, COVID-19).

Notification of Illness: 

Should there be two or more cases of a similar communicable illness at JumpStart, we are required to notify Alberta Health Services. Non-compliance with these guidelines may result in an official warning or, in chronic cases, a review of the child’s enrollment in our program.

If a Child Becomes Ill at School: 

Children who become ill at school, without needing immediate medical attention, will be isolated from their peers until a parent or designated guardian arrives.

Guidance for Mild Symptoms: 

In instances of mild cold symptoms (e.g., stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, 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, meaning they are becoming less severe and not worsening.

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.

Medical Emergencies at School: 

In the unfortunate event of a medical emergency requiring hospitalization, parents will be contacted immediately. If parents cannot be reached, the emergency contact will be notified. Parents are responsible for any costs associated with emergency transport to a hospital.

• 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 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