Welcome to the Campus Child Care family! We realize that for many of you this is a daunting part of the parenting journey. Our role is to provide the best possible atmosphere, emotionally and physically, for your child in your absence. This handbook provides parents with important information about how we will fulfill this commitment to your child and about the expectations of parents to ensure your family’s time at the centre is positive and productive. What follows is a description of Centre policies and procedures, and helpful tips on the “what, where and whys” of licensed child care.

Should you require further explanation or clarification on any information outlined in this handbook details are available in the Manual of Policies, Procedures and By-Laws. A hard copy is available from the Director upon request or, to save trees and photocopying costs, online at www.sentex.net/ccccg. It is our expectation that you will read this document at some point. Also available from the Director are documents governing the operation of the Centre which include:

• Day Nursery Act (Ontario Ministry of Community, Family and Children’s Services)
• Centre Policies (government mandates adapted to our Centre specifically)
• The Co-operative Corporation Act (Ontario)

If at any time you have any questions or comments about Centre policies and procedures, please do not hesitate to speak with the Director.

Introduction

The Campus Child Care Co-operative of Guelph (CCCCG) has been in operation for over 25 years; the first location of 20 years was in the old brick house on Gordon Street. In 1996 the centre opened its doors in the current location on South Ring Road, adding Infant and Kindergarten programs and doubling in size.

We are a co-operative, non-profit childcare organization whose main concern is the physical, social, emotional and cognitive growth and development of the children we serve. We are a self-governing body comprised of parents and staff whose first responsibility is the well being of the children. We are obligated to meet all licensing requirements as set out by the Ministry of Community, Family and Children’s Services in the Day Nursery Act of Ontario, and municipal requirements as determined by Wellington County Child Care Services.

Mainly serving families employed at OMAF (The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, 1 Stone Road W) and the University of Guelph, we also serve the general Guelph community. The Centre is licenced for 72 children, however, our regular enrollment is 64 children. The “additional 8" allows us the flexibility of providing care for families during school breaks.

Philosophy

We celebrate and welcome the diversity of each family and the individuality of each child who enters the Campus Child Care Co-operative of Guelph. The Centre’s primary objective is to provide balanced, developmental programming that invites interest, stimulates creativity and satisfies the desire to explore and discover the world.

We believe children develop to their fullest potential through play and interaction within a social setting. Our programs are designed to meet the emotional, social, cognitive, physical, language and creative needs of all children. We encourage children to express their needs and feelings through socialization and co-operation with peers and adults. Through this dynamic interaction between the children and their environment, we strive to meet the needs of the whole child.

We provide a warm, safe, nurturing and flexible environment that allows children the maximum opportunity to develop a positive self-concept. Through child-initiated and teacher-facilitated experiences, children gain greater independence, self-esteem, self-discipline and problem-solving skills.

We respect parents as the primary and most important provider of care and nurturing and we believe parents and teachers are partners in children’s care and education. Our staff compliments the role of parents in a supportive and responsive manner.

We support a parent’s right to contribute to the process of their child’s development through our co-operative structure. Within our Centre, the governing body is a parent Board of Director, elected by and accountable to the entire parent body.

Parent Involvement

Parent involvement is a cornerstone of the co-operative spirit at CCCCG. Families are required to be involved in the operation of the Centre through attendance at parent meetings, fund-raising, and by contributing 4 hours of their time each semester. The purpose is two-fold: to enhance the Centre for the benefit of the children and to contribute to the sense of community among parents, staff and children.

Parent Meetings – These are held 3 times per year and take various forms: The formal September Annual General Meeting (AGM), meet and greets, staff/parent meetings, etc. Notice will be posted at least one week in advance with meetings generally held at the Centre on a Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. Child care is provided at a nominal fee.

Fund-raising - an ever constant requirement for any child care centre! Throughout the year we collect Zehrs and Ultra receipts for rebate, sell chocolate bars, cheese, candles, play dough, etc., and are always willing to try new ideas. A Saturday carnival day, yard sale and silent auction are some things tried in the past.

The 4-hour commitment - Located on a table by the mailboxes is the Parent Involvement Binder, a document you will come to know well. Here is listed by program area all the little jobs we need help doing throughout the year. Check it often as new tasks are added all the time. Sign up for a job, follow through on your commitment and you’ll avoid that pesky fine! As well, a Saturday Maintenance Day is held each semester which is a child free work bee at the Centre and is a great way to fulfill your 4 hour obligation.

If you have special talents please identify these to the Director and we’ll put you to good use. Alternatively, significant contributions of services or materials to the Centre will count towards your parent involvement. Speak to the Director or Parent Involvement Coordinator for more info on “what counts”.

Board of Directors - a 9 member board, these are parents elected by the parent body to represent the interests of the Centre. The AGM is the official time for elections but turn over can also happen throughout the year as families leave the Centre. The Board positions are chair, secretary, finance, policy and procedure, parent involvement, personnel, fund-raising, facility and member-at-large. The Centre Director is the ninth member. Notice and descriptions of any vacancies will be posted and interested parents are asked to submit a letter of intent outlining any relevant experience and motivation for involvement. Participation on the board counts as fulfillment of the parent involvement plan. A list of the current Board members is located on the parent bulletin board along with their Board position, phone number and email address.

A detailed description of all of the aspects of the parent involvement component and role of the Board of Directors can be found in the policies and procedure manual and by-laws.