Children attending Adventure Preschool are expected to be toilet trained before they come to preschool. We understand that this can be difficult for some children to master, and are prepared to deal with an occasional bathroom “accident” should this occur. We request that you provide one full change of clothing in their backpack or bag each time they come to preschool.

We encourage children to be able to pull up and down their own pants and be able to wipe themselves properly.  We help children to have an understanding of how much toilet paper is appropriate to use. Handwashing is a must after each time using the toilet.

Please Note: Exceptions may be made for those children with special needs as identified through the Supported Child Care Program.

The teachers are always available to discuss any concerns you may have regarding your child. Appointments can be made for a parent/teacher interview, to be held either in person or by telephone for parents to ask questions and discuss their child’s progress, problems and/or their development. Please feel free to talk to the teachers if you have any questions, concerns or suggestions. Your feedback is important to us. Your comments/suggestions to our programming help us develop childcare that meets family and community needs.

Please check our private Facebook group page, and the bulletin board outside the preschool for information concerning ongoing preschool news, community notices, health information and other items of interest. We also send home a monthly newsletter to keep families updated. Families are encouraged to  use the Facebook group as a means to communicate with each other and ask questions. Any families that do not use Facebook will have important information delivered to them via emails.

Snacks are not provided, please send a nutritious snack with your child each session. (Unless requested otherwise).  For 4 hour programs there will be two snack times; morning and noonish.

Please provide a water bottle daily with only water.

Please note: NO NUTS (OR NUT BUTTERS or ANYTHING CONTAINING TRACES OF NUTS) OF ANY KIND PLEASE! Due to their high choking hazard, marshmallows are NOT permitted and popcorn is not recommended.

In relation to special occasions, you may occasionally be asked to send a specific item for snack. We allow less ‘nutritional’ snacks on special occasions or party days such as Halloween, Christmas,  Valentines, Easter, and Graduation

For birthdays an exception is made, and if you would like to bring a special treat to help us celebrate, please inform the staff. Please note: any shared treats must be individually wrapped.

Each year we do a Pumpkin Patch field trip to the Laity Pumpkin Patch. Seasonally we hold special events at the school such as a pumpkin patch with wagon rides in the back yard and school parties for Halloween, Christmas etc. We also have “special days” for the children to look forward to like Silly Hair Day, Backwards Day, Pizza/Pajama Party and more.

Please have your child wear washable, comfortable play clothes each day.  A full set of spare clothing is kept at the school for each child as spills and accidents may occur. We try to teach the children to be independent and self-confident about dressing themselves. Have your child wear clothes that are easily managed in the bathroom.  Body stockings, overalls, one-piece outfits, belts etc. are often hard for the child to deal with in a hurry, and should be avoided for preschool.

We ask that you provide a pair of “inside shoes” to keep at the school. Slip-on or Velcro shoes or slippers with non-skid bottoms are required. No tie-up shoes please as we encourage independence when putting on and taking off inside shoes. Please note that we practice a fire drill monthly so these shoes will be worn outside on these occasions.

Outdoor play is an important part of our daily routine. As we are in the lower mainland we know that many of our days will be wet ones. Muddy Buddies  and rain boots are highly recommended. Please note: some brands  of muddy buddies are more waterproof than others. Please dress children accordingly to the weather; warm sweaters, hats and gloves on colder days. Sunhats and cool clothing during hotter “summer” weather.

With the exception of show and share days, children are asked to leave their toys at home.  If a child forgets, we ask that they keep their possessions in their cubby.

Please label all belongings-boots, shoes jackets, etc. This is a must in order to return articles to their rightful owner. Check the lost and found basket located in the attendance cart.

Items left unclaimed at the end of the preschool year will be donated to charity.

If Teachers need to administer prescription or non-prescription medication for your child, due to allergies or special medical condition, the Child Care Licensing Regulation requires that we have certain information and follow certain procedures. We require that the medication be provided in the original container and a Medication Consent Form be completed with instructions on administering the medication. All medication will be stored in a locked container.

When you arrive, it is essential to sign your child as marked “IN” on the sign in/out sheet, and take the opportunity to talk to a teacher about your child’s needs. Please take the time to settle your child and say goodbye. Please call or email the preschool and let us know if your child will be absent.

At pick up time, please try and speak to the teachers before you sign your child as marked “OUT” on the sign in/out sheet.

Anyone other than a parent picking up a child must be on our safe pickup/contact list. Showing ID is required if teachers have not yet met the person/caregiver doing pickup.

Symptoms that require children to be excluded from Adventure Preschool:

• Pain – any complaint of unexplained or undiagnosed pain

• An acute cold with fever, runny nose and eyes, coughing and sore throat

• Fever (100’F/38.3’C) accompanied by listlessness (may be an early sign of illness that requires a physician’s attention)

• Difficulty in breathing – wheezing or persistent cough

• Sore throat or trouble swallowing

• Infected skin of undiagnosed rash

• Headache or stiff neck – see physician

• Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or abdominal cramps. (These symptoms indicate a bacterial or viral infection that is very easily passed from one child to another. The child should be kept home until all symptoms have passed. Nausea and vomiting may be any early sign of illness that requires a physician’s attention.)

• Severe itching of body or scalp

• Children with known or suspected communicable diseases

• Any child that is not well enough to take part in the regular program—including outside play

Please note: The current advice from the BCCDC regarding Covid-19 is to “stay home and away from others until your fever is gone (without the use of medicines that reduce fever, like Tylenol) and you feel well enough to participate in daily activities. “ (BCCDC)

Health and Sickness Guidelines for Parents and Teachers:

Most children’s illnesses start with a fever. The fever usually indicates that the child is fighting some form of illness and at this time is contagious. You should not send your child to preschool until 24 hours after the fever has abated, and/or other acute symptoms have subsided.

If your child has been vomiting or had diarrhea overnight he/she should not attend preschool for at least 24 hours or until the symptoms have subsided.

If your child is on antibiotics he/she continues to be contagious for 24 hours after the first dose of medicine and should not return to preschool until this period has elapsed.

We cannot accept children who have communicable childhood diseases: chicken pox, measles, scarlet fever, mumps, or pink eye. The child may only return to preschool when the incubation and contagious period has passed. Please advise the teachers immediately as you become aware of your child having a communicable disease, or being in contact with a communicable disease, so they can advise the other parents. Notices will be displayed both inside and outside the preschool for your information and/or a notice will be sent home. This also goes for cases of head lice, which can spread rapidly through the children if not reported and treated.

If your child becomes ill while at the preschool, we will attempt to contact you. If you are unavailable, we will try to reach your emergency contact. We will provide a quiet, resting area and close teacher supervision until you, or one of your emergency contacts, can pick up your child.  If the situation becomes urgent, we will follow the emergency procedures outlined in our Handbook.

If, after ten minutes following the end of the session, you have not picked up your child or called the preschool, a teacher will contact you or alternate person from the authorized pick up list to pick up your child. Parents who are late will be assessed a late fee. A $5.00 fee will be charged for children picked up 5 minutes late. An additional $1.00 will be charged for every minute after that. Payment of this late fee is due in cash by the end of the month in which the late pick up occurs and goes to the teacher who remains with the child. If, after one hour, no one is available, and you have not contacted the preschool we are required to notify Emergency Services of the Ministry for Children and Families.

We know the parking lot can be tricky and understand you may have to drive around the block or park on Hall Street and walk down to the preschool. When children are picked up late, the teachers are unable to prepare for the next class coming in or cleaning up at the end of the day.

All persons authorized to pick up your child from preschool MUST be noted on the Child Information Form.

Please inform the teachers if you have made arrangements for an authorized pick up person to pick up your child. No child will be released without written or verbal permission for the enrolling family. If an emergency arises during the day, alternate arrangements can be made over the phone. If the teachers do not know the person picking up your child, we will need information from you about the person (their name, address, telephone number and physical description). The person will be asked to show photo identification to the teachers and be expected to sign out your child.

Please note that no one under the age of 16 will be permitted to sign out a child from the preschool.