MAY NEWSLETTER -2014
After months of snow and freezing temperature, we are hopeful that warm, sunny days will be upon us soon and children can spend quality time outdoors. In anticipation, we have included in our programming for the coming months, several fun activities outdoors. Summer program for children six years and older will include daily off site trips to places of interest while our younger ones will be taken on nature walks, walks to nearby parks as well as picnic lunch outdoors.
I am very happy to introduce three new staff members who have joined our team this month. Our long time cook, Tahereh Khan, is on extended medical leave and in her place,, Giovanna Viscomi has taken over kitchen duties. Giovanna is an experienced cook / caregiver who worked for us a few years back and we are very happy to have her back in our staffing team. We are also delighted to welcome back Cathy Li who worked with us last summer. Cathy is a B.Ed student at U of C she will be working with our School Age and ECS group till the end of August. We also welcome Dina Zaki, an experienced caregiver who will be the closing staff in the pre-school room upstairs. Sharmi has been promoted as Assistant Director and she will be the person in charge when I am not on site. Kim Hodge will continue to be in -charge of School Age and ECS Program.
Earlier this month, we did a survey of daycare fees charged by other daycare centers in neighboring communities and based on that, starting May 1. 2014, we increased the fees we charge for various age groups by a small margin. The new Fee Schedule has been posted. At this time, the new rates will be effective only for new admissions and children who are transferred to a higher age group. Starting September 1st, the new rates will come to effect for all children attending the program. Copies of new fee schedule along with an official notice of increase will be sent out to all parents by the end June. We are fully registered in all groups (except Infant Room) till the end of the year and due to high demand for full time spots, we are not offering part time care in any age group at this time. .
If you are planning to withdraw your child from the program during summer months, please make sure you let us know in writing at your earliest convenience. If you take a whole month off (from the 1st to last working day of the month), you only need to pay a 100 dollar retainer fee to keep your child’s name in our register. . If you are planning to withdraw your child for part of the month, then there will be no pro-rating of fees.
Full time fees for School Age program for July and August will be $850.00.
Please remember:.
1. Daycare will be closed on Monday, May 19th for Victoria Day.
2. Please take your child’s snow pants and other winter gear home and make sure that they have weather appropriate clothing for outdoor play every day, all labeled of course. We will be donating all left over winter clothing by the end of this month.
Health Alert: There has been a case chicken pox reported in our Infant Room. Parents, be aware that vaccine for Chickenpox is available. If your child is due for Measles booster, please get it done now as some cases of Measles have been reported around the city.
Wish you all a healthy, happy spring / summer season filled with warmth and sun shine.