Eligibility

St. Mary’s Daycare: 18 months to pre-kindergarten, toilet training occurs at this facility.

Birchdale Daycare: 3 years of age on or before December 31st of the year that they are accepted into the program to pre-kindergarten, MUST be fully toilet trained.

Junior Kindergarten: 4 years of age on or before December 31st of the year that they are accepted into the program to pre-kindergarten, MUST be fully toilet trained.

Nursery School: 3 years of age on or before December 31st of the year that they are accepted into the program and MUST be fully toilet trained.

Children with additional support needs are welcome in our program.  An interview with the director is required before acceptance to help assess the child’s needs for staffing and programming.

Daily Routines for Childcare Parents

Absences and Illness: Please call the centre or send a message through talking points if your child will be away due to illness or other circumstances. Children who have an infectious condition should not be sent to preschool. No child should attend school for 24 hours following a fever, vomiting, or starting a prescribed medication (i.e. antibiotics). If a child becomes ill at school, he/she will be given a place to lie down away from the other children. A staff person will remain with the child to ensure safety and comfort and parents will be contacted to pick up their child. In the event of a medical emergency, 911 will be called and the parents notified.

Pandemic Prevention: All adults will use hand sanitizer when they enter the classroom. All children upon arrival at the centre will be supervised by their parents as they wash their hands.

Communication: Information is provided through Talking Points, which provides daily group and individual communication and photo insights between staff and families.

Drop off and Pickups: Every child must be accompanied by a parent or pre-authorized person to the classroom upon arrival, and will be dismissed when a parent or pre-authorized person arrives for pick-up. No child will be released to any persons whose name is not on the registration form. A daily verbal or written confirmation is requested for a non-parent, pre-authorized person to pick up a child. No child will be released to anyone under the age of thirteen.

Parent Volunteers:  We welcome parents to come to read to the children, share their family traditions or talents.

Lunch and Snacks: Healthy snacks and lunches are to be brought from home. (No chocolate or candy please) Children are encouraged to eat main course items, fruit/vegetables, and then their dessert. Please label your child’s lunchbox and use ice packs for items that need to be kept cold. There is a microwave oven in the class if you wish to send items that need to be warmed. We do not provide beverages other than water. Please send a labelled water bottle or plastic glass to be used for water throughout the day. Prayers will be said before snack and lunch time.

Napping: All daycare parents have the option of their child napping each day. If you wish your child to nap please provide them with a sheet for their cot, a cozy blanket and small pillow. Children who nap may bring a stuffed toy to snuggle with. Bedding will be sent home on Fridays to be laundered and will need to be returned on Mondays.

Clothing: Please make sure that your child has an extra full set of clothing in their locker/cubby at all times.

Childcare Program Daily Routines

We provide a rich first-experience for children in creative play, socialization, and cognitive growth.

Bible and Devotion: We gather together as a group and share in Bible stories, songs, finger plays.

Circle time: We gather and learn about each other and the world around us.  We learn calendar skills and weather charting.

Free Play: Allows for individual choice in art, dramatic play, library, manipulative area, science, sand/water and the technology centre.

Outdoor/Gym Time:  The children spend a portion of their day playing on climbers, balls, bikes, or other fun gross-motor games.

Snack and Lunch Time:  During snack and lunch time the children are required to use their table-manners and participate in a table blessing.  Staff members assist in developing self-help skills such as opening containers and cleaning up after themselves.

Arts and Crafts:  Art activities contribute to the development of fine motor skills and is an important part of child development. It also promotes literacy, math, creativity, and a child’s self-esteem.  Creative experiences also foster mental growth in children by providing opportunities for trying out new ideas, new ways of thinking and problem solving.

Naptime: Children are allowed to sleep for 1 to 2 hours. Children who are non-nappers are offered books and quiet table activities. Naptime for any child is important as their body is growing at such a tremendous pace it needs the rest during the day as well a child’s mind is absorbing so much information all morning long that it, to, needs the quiet time to catch up.

Science Activities: Science helps children develop vital life-skills such as problem-solving, communication and research. Integrating science concepts in everyday activities enhances cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.

Kindergarten Readiness: Children are prepared for the transition into school by practicing to write the alphabet, write numbers, cutting, name writing, and reading simple books. This will increase your child’s confidence before entering kindergarten.

Teacher-Directed Activities: Children choose activities from a variety of learning areas set up by the teacher. The areas include dramatic play, blocks, science, math, games, puzzles, books and music.  This promotes self-esteem and independence.

Table Activities: Fine motor toys such as Lego, puzzles, linking toys and beads are set up by the teachers to allow the children to explore. With the development of fine motor skills, children are able to complete important tasks such as writing, feeding, buttoning and zippering that help to develop dexterity and strength.

Childcare Program Information

The childcare programs are play-based where children are able to construct their own learning through play experiences, offered and supported by the teachers. Teachers are viewed as facilitators for children’s learning. Parents are also an essential component of the program.

Our curriculum is Reggio Emilia inspired. At Beautiful Savior each child is viewed as competent, curious, full of knowledge and potential. Kindergarten readiness practices are incorporated into the program.

Through the conscious use of space, color, and light, displays of children’s work, and attention to nature and detail, the environment serves as another teacher.

The children’s morning at each centre will start with self-initiated play. Self-initiated play is a time for children to learn. It is a time for exploring, discovering and experiencing activities. Everything that your child does during this time will be developmentally based. The materials and equipment will be chosen considering physical, social, emotional, cognitive development and spiritual growth.

Hours of Operation

Birchdale Campus Childcare Hours:

Daycare: (September – June)

Monday – Friday                                                      7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Before and After School Care: (September – June)

Monday – Friday:                                                    7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

                                                                             3:20 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Junior Kindergarten: (September – May)

Monday – Thursday                                                  9:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

These programs follow the school calendar and will be closed for the following holidays: Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, Christmas Break, Louis Riel Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday and Victoria Day. Junior Kindergarten is closed during spring break but the BASC program offers a spring break camp daily from 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Registration is required.

St. Mary’s Childcare Hours:

Daycare: (year round care)

Monday – Friday:                                                     7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Open year round and will be closed for the following holidays: Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, Louis Riel Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, Canada Day and Civic Day.  The centre will be open on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve until 1:00pm.

Junior Kindergarten: (September – May)

Monday/Wednesday/Friday (3 day program)             1:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Monday – Friday (5 day program)                            1:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Nursery School: (September – May)

Tuesday/Thursday (2 day program)                          9:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

Monday/Wednesday/Friday (3 day program)             9:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

Monday – Friday (5 day program)                            9:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

These programs follow the school calendar and will be closed for the following holidays: Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, Christmas Break, Louis Riel Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday and Victoria Day. Junior Kindergarten and Nursery School are closed during spring break.