Breakdown

Breakdown of SLCD

Staff

The Centre is managed on a day-to-day basis by Program Supervisors at each site. The Centre’s team of staff includes: Registered Early Childhood Educators, Teaching Assistants, Cooks, Cleaners and a Bookkeeper. A qualified Resource Consultant is also available to all the programs on a regular basis.

Our teaching staff is a team of qualified, nurturing professionals who strive to provide quality child care. Each staff has a valid first aid certificate and a provincial criminal reference check. All ECE employees are members of the College of Early Childhood Educators.

Students and Volunteers

Each program is enriched by student teachers and volunteers throughout the year. All student teachers and volunteers are required to have a recent provincial criminal reference check and up to date immunizations. Students and volunteers are never left alone with any of the children at any time.

Registration and Admission

Children may be accepted at age 0 month until 10 years. The enrollment package and immunization form must be completed by the admission date.

We strive for you and your child to feel as comfortable and informed as possible when starting daycare. In order to achieve this goal, we ask that before your child actually starts at the day care, you and your child come in for as many visits as possible. It is the intent of the Centre that this gradual admission be beneficial for you and your family and gives your child a comfortable and positive start at day care. This helps to facilitate a smooth transition and gives you and your child an opportunity to get to know the centre, staff and program. It also provides valuable opportunities for you and the teachers to exchange information and establish a comfortable method of communication.

When your child does start at the Centre, we recommend that you ease your child into the program by making the first few days short days (1/2 days). This will provide your child with the opportunity to participate in the program; get to know the teachers and other children without feeling overwhelmed or upset that you are not there. All policies regarding fees are formed to ensure the financial stability of the Centre. Fees are reviewed annually at the General Members meeting. All fees are due in advance at the first of each month. Arrangements other than on a monthly basis can be made in advance with the Program Supervisor. Post-dated cheques left with the office are preferred. It is the responsibility of the parent to ensure prompt payment of accounts. Overdue accounts will be referred to the Board of Directors for further action. If you have concerns, it is imperative that you contact the Program Supervisor.

Monthly Fees

FEES MUST BE PAID FOR ALL STATUTORY HOLIDAYS. ALL PARENT FEES ARE PAYABLE REGARDLESS OF ILLNESS OR VACATION, similar to the City of Toronto’s subsidy policy.

Parents will be issued a letter upon enrollment and again each December outlining the number of billing days for each month for the upcoming year. The fees are calculated by multiplying the number of billing days for the month by the daily rate.

Number of Billing Days x Daily Rate = Monthly Fee

Arrival and Pick-Up Policy

Arrival

It is the parent’s responsibility to accompany their child into the centre, to help them undress, to sign them in on the daily sign-in sheet when applicable, and to inform the teacher of their arrival. We strive to meet each child’s individual needs and to support each family. We have consistent daily schedules and routines as this helps children feel comfortable and secure in the day care environment. Please recognize that your child will benefit most from our programs if brought in during the morning before 10:00 a.m. Parents are invited to come and spend time in the program with their child whenever their schedule allows for it. It is for these reasons that we ask:

  • If your child is expected to arrive later than 10:00 a.m., you phone the day care and let us know, so we can include your child in any activities, outings or happenings.
  • If your child will be coming in after 11:00 a.m., we ask that you arrange a comfortable time of arrival with the staff.

Pick Up

When a child is being picked up by the parent/caregiver they are expected to inform the teacher and check to see if there are any notices to be taken home.

If a child is to be picked up by a person other than the parent or someone not on the pick-up list, the parent must notify the centre in advance in writing or by phone. The child will not be released to anyone unauthorized. If the person picking up the child is not familiar to the teacher, that person will be required to produce identification. The person picking up a child at the Infant/Toddler or Preschool location must be at least 16 years of age. The person picking up at the School Age location must be at least 13 years of age.

Late Pick Up

A child will be considered late if they are still at the centre after 6:00 p.m. A parent or pick up person arriving after 6:00 p.m. to pick-up a child will be subject to over time charges. The over time charge is $5.00 for the f irst five minutes and $1.00 for each succeeding minute. This late charge must be paid directly to the teacher within 24 hours.

Child Pick Up Procedures

In order to ensure the safety of all the children in care when they are picked up, the following procedures will be administered:

  • When a child is picked up from the daycare, a staff member will sign them out.
  • When a parent or designated pick up person picks up a child, it is their responsibility to inform a staff member that their child is leaving the classroom.
  • If a child is being picked up from school, it is the pick-up person’s responsibility to inform the day care room teacher.
  • Only authorized persons on the child’s pick up list will be allowed to pick up the child (I.D. will be required).
  • If a child is sick at school (during school hours) the school is responsible for calling the parents and the child needs to be picked up from school; the daycare needs to be notified when this occurs.
  • If a child is ill in our care, a staff member will call the parent and inform them as to how their child is doing. If the illness is contagious then the child will be separated from the rest of the children and the parent will be asked to make arrangements to have the child picked up immediately.
  • Your pick up person must be:
    • At least 13 years of age to pick up school age children and 16 years to pick up preschool children at our School Age location
    • At least 16 years of age at our Infant/Toddler and Toddler/Preschool location *There is a late fee policy in place (Please check late fee policy).

Emergency Management (Fire and Evacuation)

Each respective day care location has a fire and evacuation procedure that is adhered to by all staff, students and volunteers. In the event of an emergency, including an evacuation of a daycare location; parents/legal guardians or emergency contacts will be notified using the information provided on the child’s emergency file card.

Intoxicated Parent/Guardian at Pick Up Policy

To ensure the safety and security of the children at the St. Lawrence Co-operative Daycare, staff are made aware of the possibility that a Parent/Guardian (or alternate escort) may appear to be intoxicated when they arrive to pick up a child. To address these incidents, a plan of action has been developed to help staff effectively deal with the situation if it should come to pass.

A child will not be released to a Parent/Guardian or other authorized individual if that person arrives to pick up the child and appears to be intoxicated or under the influence (i.e. slurred speech, distinct smell, lack of coordination, etc.). Staff will suggest calling the child’s other Parent/Guardian, or an alternate pick up person.

NOTE: A staff may reasonably conclude that a Parent/Guardian is intoxicated if they exhibit the following symptoms (not limited to): slurred speech, distinct smell, impaired motor function, rising aggression. Some prescribed medications as well as legal substances may have the same effect as illegal substances.

Intervention:

If based on the above a staff has made a reasonable determination that a Parent/Guardian or other authorized person may be intoxicated and an intervention is warranted, the staff should make every effort to ensure the child’s safety. The following actions may be taken:

  1. If the Parent/Guardian or other person attempts to leave the centre with the child, call 911 emergency services.
  2. Notify the child’s other Parent/Guardian, the Parent/Guardian partner or the emergency contact person and C.A.S.
  3. Notify the Supervisor/Designate whether or not they are on site.
  4. The Supervisor/Designate is to report to the Serious Occurrence Line, Ministry Licensing Specialist and the Toronto Children’s Services Consultant no later than 24 hours after the occurrence.

Withdrawal and Discharge Policy

Withdrawal

Parents are required to provide one month written notice of their child’s withdrawal. Without sufficient notice parents will be charged their daily fee x the number of days their child attends. St. Lawrence Co-operative Day Care strives to accommodate children graduating from one age group to another. Infants moving up to toddlers will fill the first vacancy available at the Infant Centre or Preschool Centre. In cases where a space is not available parents may be asked to find alternate care outside of St. Lawrence Co-operative Day Care.

Children who are turning ten in the calendar year may be withdrawn at the end of June if the space is needed to accommodate preschool children that need to move up as per our “Move over Policy”.

Parents are required to ensure that all fee accounts are settled upon withdrawal. St. Lawrence Co-operative Day Care Inc. is a “Friendly Zone” and all disputes or concerns need to be addressed as outlined in the Code of Conduct Policy included in your Child Enrollment Information Package. Every attempt will be made to settle disputes and come to a reasonable solution for all parties, but should the concern fail to be resolved, it could result in withdrawal of services.

Fees are due on the 1st of each month. Failure to pay your monthly fee will result in withdrawal of services. Should you need to make other arrangements please contact the Program Supervisor.

Discharge

In some exceptional cases, after exhausting reasonable alternatives, including outside agencies, the child and/ or the parent’s needs may be deemed to be beyond the Centre’s resources and the child’s enrollment in the centre may be reviewed or terminated.

If the child’s enrollment is being reviewed, the following steps will be taken:

  1. Incidents of unsafe behaviour are documented and if the behaviour persists after a contract has been drawn up and a reasonable review period has passed, the City of Toronto Children’s Services Consultant and then the Board of Directors will be notified.
  2. The staff will provide a written report of the steps that have been taken to help the child change their unsafe behaviour(s). These steps will include contracts with the child and parent; behaviour guidance/support given; contracts with outside agencies or other resources.
  3. The parents will be provided with a copy of the written report referred to the Board of Directors and will be allowed sufficient time to review the report. (i.e. one week)
  4. The Board of Directors will review the child’s case and gather further information as required.
  5. A meeting will be arranged with the Board of Directors and the Program Supervisor and/or the Resource Consultant.
  6. The parents will be asked to present and discuss their views of the report in the meeting or in writing.
  7. Upon considering the parent’s views and the child’s case, the Board of Directors will take a vote in the absence of the parent, to decide whether to grant another review period or to terminate the child’s enrollment.

If a decision had been made to grant another review period, the Board of Directors will reassess the child’s case after the review period with the new documentation. When a decision has been made to terminate the child’s enrollment at the centre, the parents will be given two to three weeks written notice to seek other arrangements. The parents will be assisted as required to find other child care arrangements. The City of Toronto Children’s Services Consultant and Board of Directors will be notified regarding the child’s withdrawal.

Health Policies and Procedures

According to the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 (CCEYA) 35. (1), Every licensee shall ensure that before a child who is not in attendance at a school or private school, within the meaning of the Education Act, is admitted to a child care centre it operates or to a premises where it oversees the provision of home child care, and from time to time thereafter, the child is immunized as directed by the local medical officer of health. O. Reg. 137/15, s. 35 (1); O. Reg. 126/16, s. 24 (1); O. Reg. 254/19, s. 8 (1). (2) Subsection (1) does not apply where a parent of the child objects to the immunization on the ground that the immunization conflicts with the sincerely held convictions of the parent’s religion or conscience or a legally qualified medical practitioner gives medical reasons to the licensee as to why the child should not be immunized. O. Reg. 137/15, s. 35 (2); O. Reg. 126/16, s. 24 (2). (3) Objections and medical reasons under subsection (2) shall be submitted in a form approved by the Minister. O. Reg. 126/16, s. 24 (3). When attending the Centre, children should be in good health and must be able to participate in the full program, including outdoor activity time. Our concern, in all cases of illness, is the welfare of the sick child and the health of the other children in our care. Therefore, children may not attend the Centre when they are ill. If your child becomes ill during the day, you will be contacted and asked to make arrangements to pick them up. Illness’ where your child may not attend or may need to be picked up include, but are not limited to; fever, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, chicken pox, conjunctivitis (pink eye), unknown rash, unusual lethargy and persistent unknown crying. A copy of the Toronto Public Health guidelines for communicable diseases is available at each Centre’s office. If a child becomes ill while at day care, we will: Attempt to contact the parents/guardian When unable to get in touch with the parents/guardian, contact the emergency alternative person and ask them to pick the child up.

Illness

Parents/guardians should contact St. Lawrence Co-operative Day Care about the absence of their child so that it can be reported on the attendance sheets. Any extensive or frequent absences will be discussed with the parents/ guardians. St. Lawrence Co-operative Day Care must be notified if a child will be away for one or more days.

If a child is sick, then the Supervisor should be informed of the symptoms of the illness so that the staff can watch for symptoms in other children. If a child is ill and not able to come to day care, parents/guardians should notify the supervisor, or the teachers. Teachers have the right to refuse a child in the morning if they feel the child is too sick to participate in daily activities.

  • Any child with diarrhea may not return to the St. Lawrence Co-operative Day Care until he/she has had a regular stool or no stool for twenty-four hours. This usually means an absence of forty-eight hours.
  • Any child with discharging eyes may not return to SLCD until their eyes have been free from discharge for twenty-four hours.
    Any child with a fever of over 38 degrees Celsius usually develops a higher fever by the afternoon. This suggests the child already has an infection and should not come into the day care until they have a normal morning temperature of 37 degrees Celsius. This usually requires an absence of twenty-four to forty-eight hours.
    Any child who has vomited for reasons other than coughing or choking may not come to the day care until they have not vomited for forty-eight hours and is retaining a regular diet.

A doctor’s note will also be required if the child has the following symptoms that are potentially contagious to other children; A rash, diarrhea, vomiting, measles, mumps, chicken pox, etc.

It has been our experience that prompt treatment of any illness will ensure a child’s early return to health and to the Day Care. It will also minimize the possibility of cross infection to other children.

If a child becomes ill during the day, parents/guardians will be called so that they can pick their child up. If the parents/guardians cannot be reached, St. Lawrence Co-operative Day Care will call the emergency contact person. In the event of a serious medical emergency, children are taken to the Hospital for Sick Children. Parents/guardians are instructed to meet the child and staff there. Parents/guardians must notify the Day Care of up-to-date home and work numbers, along with the names of other people that can be called, if parents/ guardians cannot be reached. If a child has a minor injury while at the St. Lawrence Co-operative Day Care, the staff will prepare an accident report for the parents/guardians to sign.

If a child has an accident or injury at home, the St. Lawrence Co-operative Day Care would appreciate being informed when the child comes in the following day.

When a child is returning to Day Care after having a communicable disease, SLCD will require a note from their doctor to confirm that the child is free from infection.

Medication

According to the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 (CCEYA), the Centre can only administer prescribed medication in the original container labeled with the child’s name and date accompanied by written parental permission. The medication form is available from your child’s teacher. Medication is to be placed in the labeled locked container in the refrigerator or cupboard.

Clothing and Personal Articles

Please check your child’s cubby daily to ensure that your child has a complete set of extra dry labeled clothing. This will be used if your child has an accident, becomes sick, or gets wet from water play. We suggest you provide a plastic bag which can be kept in your child’s cubby for their extra clothing. Please provide your child with a pair of shoes or slippers which they will wear during indoor times. It is important each child has shoes on at all times in case of an emergency and to keep their feet dry.

Our Program includes outdoor play all year round. With this in mind, please ensure that your child has appropriate clothing to make their outdoor play a pleasant experience. (i.e. snow pants, hat, scarf and extra mittens for winter and a sun hat for the summer).

If your child is accustomed to a special sleep toy, bottle, soother, blanket, etc., please label the item, bring it in and inform the staff. Please provide your child with a blanket for rest time labeled with their name. The blanket will be readily available to you on each Friday to be taken home for laundering purposes. For infants and toddlers, please ensure your child has a plastic change mat, and enough formula, bottles, diapers and diaper cream (if used) for each day.

Rest Time

According to the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 (CCEYA) toddler and preschool children are required to have a rest time during the day. This is a time for children to rest or sleep on their own cot after lunch. Teachers assist and encourage children to rest or sleep by sitting next to or by rubbing their back. It is ultimately the child’s choice whether to sleep or rest quietly. Those children that do not sleep will be given a quiet activity to play with on their cot i.e. books, puzzles etc… Infants are helped to rest/sleep on an individual need basis throughout the day. Infants sleep in individually assigned cribs in a sleep room of the infant and toddler centre. Infants are placed on their back when put in the crib. Infant and Toddler staff will perform physical checks every 30 minutes while child is sleeping and document sleep disturbances.

Food Policy

The goal of the food policy at St. Lawrence Co-operative Day Care is to ensure that healthy, nutritious, and enjoyable meals are served at all three Centres. All meals comply with requirements of the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 (CCEYA) and the Canada Food Guide. Our Infant/Toddler Centre has a cook on site who prepares the meals, and our Preschool and School Age Centres are catered. Our menu rotates every four weeks, changing slightly with the season and in recognition of special occasions. Children are served a morning and afternoon snack and a hot lunch on a daily basis. We strive to serve a variety of fresh foods that are low in salt, sugar and saturated fats, promoting healthy dental hygiene and diets. (Please note dairy, poultry and fish are prepared in our kitchens together and/or simultaneously at any given time.)

The Centre does not serve any pork. It is a nut free environment and does not permit any nuts or nut products on the premises. We strive to meet all individual nutritional needs, including food allergies and restrictions. Parents who wish to supplement their child’s diet at the centre may bring in foods/liquids. Parents must ensure the foods/liquids are nut free, meet our nutritional requirements and are placed in a sealed container labeled with the child’s name, date and contents. The centre supplies homogenized and 2% milk for all the children. Parents who wish their child to have a different form of milk are again welcome to provide it for their child following the above noted requirements.

Child Booster Seats and Child Restraint Systems: Highway Traffic Act Policy

Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers will not be transported in a vehicle other than a stroller unless in the case of an emergency where a taxi will be used for non-life threatening accidents and ambulances for any life threatening incidents.

Safe Drinking Water

In compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act, St. Lawrence Co-operative Day Care flushes all taps daily prior to 7:30 a.m. The water in all taps is flushed for 5 minutes, this information is documented on a daily basis. Annually, SLCD has a laboratory conduct sample analysis to test for lead in the water. The result of this testing is publicly available and all documentation regarding flushing and testing is kept on file for six years.

Smoke and Vape Free Centre Policy

No person smoking/vaping or holding an unlit cigarette is permitted on day care premises including the playground whether the children are present or not. Procedure: Every staff, student, volunteer, parent or visitor will be informed that smoking/vaping is prohibited and will sign off on the policy at the beginning of employment or enrollment and then on a yearly basis for employees. Parents/guardians will be informed before children start and “NO SMOKING OR VAPING” signs will be posted throughout the centre and in all washrooms that the staff use. Any person who refuses to comply is in contravention of the SMOKE FREE ONTARIO ACT as well as St. Lawrence Cooperative Day Care’s policy and will be warned for 1st offense, suspended for 2nd offence and expelled for 3rd offence.

Behaviour Management

Our philosophy promotes the fostering of socially acceptable behaviour in children. We do this by teaching the children to take responsibility for their actions as well as learning to effectively deal with difficult situations through communication. The staff are always available to facilitate and encourage non-violent resolutions between children. These resolutions will reflect the children’s ability to openly discuss feelings, choices and opinions.

  1. In order to promote socially acceptable behaviour in children, the staff:
  2. Recognize and respect children’s individuality;
    Program activities in the classroom to reflect the children’s developmental stages; and
  3. Promote children’s independence and self-esteem through variety and choice.

If it becomes necessary for the staff to intervene in a conflict situation, the staff will model a positive attitude and will ensure that a logical consequence follows the action.

Definition: A behaviour or series of behavioural occurrences that involves a child engaging in any persistent violent physical abuse (i.e. kicking, punching, throwing objects) directed towards another child or an adult.

By establishing this policy, our goal is to ensure that the children learn to deal with all day to day situations in socially acceptable ways, by means of communication, reasoning and taking responsibility for their actions and learning what it means to live co-operatively in a democratic society.

Teachers are expected to:

  • Respect the rights of children;
  • Aid the children in resolving their problems peacefully after an attempt has already  been made to do so on their own;
  • Guide the children with age appropriate games and activities that provide choice  and promote independence and positive play
  • Speak with parents on a regular basis, always keeping the lines of communication open  to discuss potential concerns to both parents and staff;
  • Discuss with a parent any incident that has arisen during the day to expand on details,  consequences and follow-up action;
  • Document all serious occurrences via incident reports and discuss with the parent immediately;
  • Deal with an upset child using any of the following techniques: 
    1. reasoning with the child and attempt to understand what had started the problem
    2. providing redirection
    3. providing the angry child with space where they can be by themselves to calm down
    4. remove the child’s source of anger when possible
    5. respond to a crisis situation using physical guidance if necessary when the staff member  feels the child is endangering themselves or others
    6. provide the children with a safe walk between the school and day care

Children are expected to:

  • Respect the rights of others;
  • Settle problems in a peaceful manner, first on their own and if necessary, with the aid of staff;
  • Show courtesy and respect to their fellow peers and teachers;
  • Control their anger/aggression in such a manner as to not inflict any physical harm on their peers or adults; • Walk between day care and school in a safe manner following the verbal instructions and modeling of the staff.

 

Guidelines for De-escalating Volatile Situations

Physical restraint is only used in situations where a child is in imminent danger of compromising the safety of themselves or other children in the program. If any staff uses physical guidance in this type of situation then the following steps will be taken:

  • The centre treats these instances like any emergency situation and our Illness, Accident and  Serious Occurrence procedure will be followed
  • If physical guidance is used, two staff members will always be present in the same room as the child. One staff for physically guiding the child and the second staff as an observer and/or relief person.
  • If at all possible, all other children will be removed from the situation. Children may move briefly to the hallway or another room, remaining supervised at all times.
  • Once the child has de-escalated from the situation, they will be supportively reintroduced into the program. Staff will remain with the child until they are settled into an activity or task.
  • Once the situation has been resolved, the staff that used physical guidance with the child will, document the incident, sign the document and submit it to the Centre’s Program Supervisor.
  • Staff and the Supervisor will meet with the child’s parent(s)/guardian(s) and discuss the incident and determine strategies which will be utilized should the child encounter a similar situation. Parent(s)/guardian(s) will sign off on both the incident report and the strategies.
  • Program Supervisor is required to contact the Ministry of Education, in discussion with the  Children’s Services Consultant. The situation will be reported either as an incident or serious  occurrence depending on the circumstances surrounding the situation.
  • If a child alleges they have been injured the centre will comply with the Child Abuse Reporting Policy
  • The Program Supervisor and staff will keep the parents up-to-date on the child’s progress using a mutually agreed upon method (e.g. phone calls, daily meetings, written notes). This also includes a review of the strategies.
  • If the child continues to experience challenging behaviour then the Day Care Centre will call in a Specialized Consultation Service (parental consent is required) and with the consultant, family and staff devise specific strategies and interventions, including a regular communication plan with the parents to review the child’s progress, which will assist in making the child’s placement a successful one.
  • Through discussion it may be determined that the child and family may benefit from being presented at the local Inter-agency Co-ordination Teams in order to ensure any and all available services have been accessed which may further support the child and family.
  • It may be determined that short term support may be beneficial in ensuring the continuation of the child’s placement. A request for Child Care Support Funds may be presented at the local Inter-agency Team meeting.

* Please Refer to Diagram 1.1

Child Abuse Policy

Procedure for Suspicion of Child Abuse

It is the legal responsibility to report any suspicions of child abuse encountered in the course of one’s professional duties. The responsibility to report suspicions to the Child Welfare Agency (CWA) applies to employees, volunteers, students, Board Members, parents/guardians and Program Supervisors.

  1. It is the legal responsibility to report any suspicions of child abuse encountered in the course of one’s professional duties. The responsibility to report suspicions to the Child Welfare Agency (CWA) applies to employees, volunteers, students, Board Members, parents/guardians and Program Supervisors.
  2. The Program Supervisor or Identifiable Authority will inform and update the Board Chair or the Board Vice Chair or a Board Member of the Executive Committee of the report to the CWA.
  3. The individual reporting the incident will wait for direction from the CWA.
  4. SLCD will inform the parent of the CWA report only if directed by the CWA.
  5. ALL concerns and reports must be documented and dated. In cases of suspicious body markings, the body figure on the “Accident Report’ will be used for accuracy. In cases of verbal disclosure, document and date specific language shared by the child.

Daily Records Should Be Kept If:

  1. There are bruises or other marks.* Include a description of size, shape, colour and location on body.
  2. Any dramatic changes or chronic problems with the child’s health or behavior.
  3. There are verbal disclosures related to abuse by the child to staff member.
  4. There is any role-play or dramatization by the child during play that many highlight or reflect concerns that the child is being subjected to any form of abuse.
  5. Chronic hunger, fatigue, aggression, over activity or inability to rest at sleep time should also be documented.

*It is important to remember that some children bruise easily and get marks and scratches from active play. Concerns will arise from frequency and severity of injuries and knowledge of family history.

It is important to build strong relationships with parents/guardians in order to have open communication about any concerns regarding their children. This would also enable staff to gain a better understanding of the family system.

Children Aid Society (CAS) (416) 924-4640
Catholic Children Aid Society (CCAS)(416) 395-1500
Jewish Family and Child Service(416) 638-7800
Native and Child Family Service(416) 969-8510

Confidentiality

Any information related to a suspicion or report of child abuse is confidential between the persons directly involved, the person making the report, the Program Supervisor, the Board Chair, Board Vice Chair, Board of Directors and the Child Welfare Agency (CWA). The final decision about sharing information with employees, students, volunteers, and the Board of Directors shall be made by the Program Supervisor, the Board Chair or Vice Chair in consultation with the CWA. Breach of confidentiality can result in employee termination.

Reporting Procedure for an Employee, Volunteer, Student, Board Member or Program Supervisor Suspected of Child Abuse

The same procedure as previously outlined must be followed, in addition to the following, if any suspicions of child abuse is from an employee, volunteer, student, Board Member or Program Supervisor.

  1. In the event of an employee, the Program Supervisor will ensure that the employee is monitored and supervised and not left alone with children, pending further investigation.
  2. In the event of a volunteer, the Program Supervisor will ensure that the volunteer is monitored and supervised and continues to not be left alone with children, pending further investigation
  3. In the event of a student, the Program Supervisor will contact the respective school Faculty of  the student. The Program Supervisor will ensure that the student is monitored and supervised and continues to not be left alone with children, pending further investigation.
  4. In the event that any Board Member is suspected of child abuse, the Board Chair or Board Vice Chair will be notified.
  5. In the event the Program Supervisor is suspected of child abuse, the Board Chair or Board Vice Chair will follow the Serious Occurrence Policy Reporting Procedures.
  6. For all noted above instances, the Program Supervisor or Identifiable Authority will notify the Board Chair or Board Vice Chair or a Board Member on the Executive Committee.
  7. If necessary, the Board Chair or Board Vice Chair and Program Supervisor will consult with legal counsel for next steps and further action, up to and including dismissal.
  8. If the CWA determines that the allegation is the result of poor judgment, indiscretion, or  inappropriate behavior, the program supervisor will continue to monitor and supervise the  respective individual’s interactions with the children. The program supervisor will update the Board Chair, Board Vice Chair, and school Faculty.
  9. SLCD will follow all direction by the CWA including notifying the local Police when necessary.
  10. It is important to ensure documentation is kept confidential throughout the investigation and that all reports are filed in the office of the Program Supervisor.

Reporting to the Ministry of Education and City of Toronto, Children’s Services

  1. The Program Supervisor will notify the Program Advisor of the Ministry of Education within 24 hours.
  2. If the suspected abuse occurred while the child was in the care of SLCD, a Serious Occurrence Report must be completed and submitted on the Child Care Licensing System (CCLS)
  3. The Program Supervisor is responsible to follow the Serious Occurrence Reporting Procedure as outlined in the Serious Occurrence Policy.