Allergy Policy

At Newleaf Learning & Childcare Centre, the health and safety of children with allergies is taken very seriously. Parents or guardians must inform the centre in writing if their child has any known allergies.

A required allergy information form/Care Plan will be provided by the centre. In consultation with the parents, a care plan will be developed outlining the child’s allergies, symptoms, and the steps to be taken in case of an allergic reaction.

To ensure staff awareness, allergy information will be posted in the kitchen and other appropriate areas of the centre where staff can easily access and review it.

If a child requires an EpiPen, the parents must provide an EpiPen to be kept at the centre at all times. It is the responsibility of the parents or guardians to ensure that the EpiPen provided is current and not expired.

In the event of an allergic reaction, educators will follow the child’s Emergency Care Plan. Emergency services will be contacted immediately if necessary, and parents or guardians will be notified right away. Staff will provide appropriate first aid and follow all required emergency procedures.

Please note that Newleaf Learning & Childcare Centre is not a nut-free facility. However, we take reasonable precautions to support children with allergies and maintain a safe environment.

Positive Behaviour Guidance

At Newleaf Learning & Childcare Centre, we believe that children learn appropriate behaviour through positive relationships, respectful communication, and consistent guidance. Our educators provide developmentally appropriate explanations and support to help children build confidence, self-regulation, and social problem-solving skills.

Children are always treated with courtesy, respect, patience, and understanding. Our program environment and daily activities are thoughtfully planned and adjusted to support children’s developmental needs and encourage positive behaviour.

Positive Guidance Practices

Educators use a variety of positive guidance techniques to support children in learning appropriate behaviour. These include:

• Establishing clear, consistent, and simple limits
• Communicating expectations in a positive and respectful way
• Focusing on the behaviour rather than labeling the child
• Clearly stating expectations rather than asking questions that may confuse the child
• Providing children with appropriate choices when possible
• Allowing children sufficient time to understand and respond to expectations
• Reinforcing positive behaviour through encouraging words and gestures
• Encouraging children to seek support from educators when they are unable to resolve conflicts independently

Supporting Children During Challenging Behaviour

Occasionally, children may demonstrate behaviour that requires additional guidance. During these moments, educators respond in a supportive and developmentally appropriate manner to help children understand their actions and learn more appropriate ways to respond.

Educators may:

• Gain the child’s attention respectfully
• Remind children of appropriate behaviour and expectations
• Acknowledge children’s feelings before setting limits
• Redirect children toward more appropriate activities
• Model problem-solving and conflict resolution skills
• Offer appropriate choices
• Use natural and logical consequences when appropriate
• Encourage children to repair relationships by making amends when someone has been hurt.

In rare situations where a child’s behaviour may pose an immediate risk to themselves or others, an educator may gently hold or assist the child in order to ensure safety.

Partnership with Families

If serious concerns arise regarding a child’s behaviour, educators will communicate with the family to discuss strategies and work collaboratively to support the child’s development and well-being.

In situations where a child’s behaviour continues to pose a risk to themselves or others despite collaborative efforts, the centre may determine that it is unable to continue providing care. In such cases, parents may be asked to withdraw their child from the program.

Diapering and Toileting Procedures

Educators at the centre will:

1. Follow Ministry of Health guidelines for diapering and toileting procedures as posted in the washrooms.
2. Record diaper changes and toileting activities on the child’s daily report or communication app.
3. Encourage independence in dressing and toileting while providing assistance and support as children develop these skills.
4. Promote healthy personal hygiene habits by ensuring children wash their hands after using the bathroom.
5. Communicate with families when a child shows signs of readiness to begin toilet learning.
6. Provide patience, encouragement, and understanding throughout the toileting process.
7. Respect each child’s individual needs and developmental pace.

Children who wear diapers are checked regularly and changed every 2 to 2½ hours, or sooner if necessary. If a child has a bowel movement, the diaper will be changed immediately.

Parents are responsible for providing diapers, wipes, and diaper cream (if required). Diaper cream must be clearly labeled with the child’s name and accompanied by written consent from the parent or guardian. Families will be notified through the centre communication app when their child’s supplies are running low.

Potty Training

Toilet learning is an important developmental milestone. At Newleaf, educators work in partnership with families to support children as they learn this new skill.

Children are generally considered fully toilet trained when they are able to independently recognize and communicate their need to use the bathroom without prompting. Before transitioning to underwear at the centre, children should typically remain accident-free for approximately one week while wearing pull-ups or leak-proof training pants.

During the toilet learning process, educators will:

• Provide regular opportunities for children to use the toilet
• Offer gentle reminders and encouragement
• Support children with dressing and personal hygiene
• Celebrate children’s progress in a positive and supportive manner

Children may continue to wear pull-ups or training pants until they are consistently successful using the toilet. For health and hygiene reasons, children should not attend the centre in regular underwear until they are fully toilet trained, as accidents in shared play spaces can present a health concern for other children.

At Newleaf Learning & Childcare Centre, we support children through the toileting process with patience, encouragement, and respect, helping them develop confidence and independence at their own pace.

Health and Illness Policy

At Newleaf Learning & Childcare Centre, the health and well-being of the children and staff are a top priority. Healthy children and educators are essential for maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment. When children attend the centre while ill, there is a significant risk of spreading illness to other children and staff.

While we understand that families have work and school commitments, we must enforce our health and illness policies to minimize the spread of communicable diseases within the centre.

Our policies follow the guidelines set by Fraser Health Authority and the Child Care Licensing Regulations (CCLR).

Children must remain at home or make alternate arrangements if they display any of the following symptoms:

• Fever of 38.3°C (100.4°F) or higher
• Infected, red, or discharge from eyes or skin
• Any contagious or communicable disease such as COVID-19, influenza, Hand Foot and Mouth Disease, measles, chickenpox, etc.
• Unexplained diarrhea or loose stools
• Vomiting that is not caused by choking
• A cold accompanied by fever and excessive runny nose
• A persistent cough, croup-like cough, or congestion that causes heavy or laboured breathing

Exclusion Periods

To protect the health of all children and staff, the following exclusion periods apply:

• Fever: Children must remain home until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without medication.
• Vomiting or diarrhea: Children must remain home for 48 hours after symptoms have stopped without medication.
• If a child becomes ill while at the centre, parents will be contacted and asked to pick up their child promptly.

If a child is unable to participate comfortably in daily activities due to illness, they may be sent home.

Children with a mild runny nose may attend the centre as long as the discharge is clear and not accompanied by other symptoms.

The centre reserves the right to refuse care if a child appears too ill to participate in the program or poses a risk to other children or staff.