F.A.Q.
Q: Does your program have an opening in my child's age group? If not, when does the provider expect an opening? Is there a waiting list?
A: Upon contacting the center, a staff member will take your information and your child will be placed on our waitinig list. Being placed on our waiting list does not ensure a spot, but does place families in order of priority. Your space can only be considerd "confirmed" when a registration fee and form has been accepted by Daydreams Childcare Center; this payment holds the space and is non-refundable unless 30 days notice has been given that you no longer require the space.
Q: Can I set up a visit to see the child care centers?
A: Yes. A visit will be set up if the possibility of a space exists. Random visits will not be conducted if there is no space availability as this would be very disruptive to the children in our care.
Q: Is the program licensed? For how many children?
A: Daydreams Childcare Centre's are licensed facilities; we are inspected annually by the province of Nova Scotia. We follow the regulations set out in the Nova Scotia Day Care Act and Regulations. Our license and most recent inspection reports are displayed in the main hall beside the parent bulletin board. Our license states that, at 34 Bluewater Road, the maximum capacity is 104 children, ranging from 8 months to 5 years. At 28 Bluewater Road we are licensed for 48 children. This hereby, limits the number of children we can accommodate for care.
Q: What is the cost of care? Does the fee include meals/snacks?
A: Please see Parent Information for our current fees. Fees change annually due to rising costs of living. All fees include two nutritional snacks and homemade lunch.
Q: What is the daily program for the children: schedule, goals of the program, indoor and outdoor activities?
A: Daydreams is a play based learning center. We encourage children to express their own ideas in play, to represent their world, in order to understand it better. Each classroom has their own schedule, which is posted on their bulletin board and outlines all of the indoor activities throughout the day. Outdoor play is mainly free play time where the children can use their gross motor skills. Each age group has different goals and expectations, which reflect each child's developmental stage.
Q: What are the program hours? What happens if I am late for pick-up? Is there a fee?
A: The center opens at 7:00 am and closes at 5:30 pm Monday – Friday. You are free to pick up your child before that time but will be charged a late fee for arriving after 5:30. This money will be paid directly to the staff member who has stayed late with your child. If we have not been able to make contact with parents by 6:30 pm we will contact the emergency contact listed on your child's application form.
Q: Are there any subsidy programs or a sibling discount?
A: Daydreams offers 10% off the second child if both children are attending full time and 3% off if both children are part time. Daydreams also accepts subsidized spaces.
Q: How many teachers and assistants are in your program? What are their qualifications?
A: Daydreams Childcare Center has 24 staff members that fulfill our expectations regarding program delivery. We hire only those teachers who possess appropriate training and/or experience. We also strive to have our substitute teachers and program volunteers appropriately trained. All staff is expected to continue their education through courses, workshops, and conferences.
Q: Are there vacation weeks, holidays or other times when the program will be closed?
A: Daydreams is open year round, with the following exceptions:
- New Years Day
- Family Day
- Good Friday
- Easter Monday
- Victoria Day
- Canada Day
- Natal Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving
- Remembrance Day
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
- New Years Eve
*Please note: If a given holiday falls on a Sunday, the center will be closed on the following Monday.
**During the Christmas season the center reserves the right to close for more then the above mentioned days if attendance is low.
Q: What is the policy for sick children? Do I pay if my child is sick?
A: Parents are asked to keep their child at home if they are sick. If a child is brought to the center and they are sick, parents will be contacted to come and pick up their child immediately. You will not be reimbursed for the number of days the child is away sick, and due to child/teacher ratios you will not be able to "make up" sick time by bringing your child on unscheduled days. Please see our Sick Policy under Parent Info for more specifics on our sick policy.
Q: What are your policies for outside time?
A: Outside time is an important part of our daily schedule. Children in all age groups enjoy outdoor play whenever possible. Classroom schedules all include morning and afternnon time outside and staff provide a varity of activites to keep children entertained, exploring and having fun in most weather.
Q: Is there a scheduled nap time for children?
A: Daydreams Childcare Center understands that each child within our center has their own individual napping needs. Therefore we offer some flexibility with your child's rest routine. Rest time at Daydreams Childcare Center varies for each age group, and is detailed in our nap time policies. Children are not all required to sleep, but are all given the opportunity for quiet time (lie down and look at books, etc).
Q: What items are parents responsible for once children are enrolled?
A: Parents are responsible for providing the following for their child:
- diapers and wipes
- any infant related food your child might require
- baby bottles with milk or formula for their child
- a complete change of clothing (to be kept in a small bookbag)
- indoor and outdoor shoes
- sunhats
- sunscreen
- appropriate outdoor wear