Picture of Boy

Our Child Care Programs

We work to foster the optimal development of all children, including those with special needs, in partnership with their family and community.

Here is some more information about our programs:

Before You Start

Programming

Teacher-to-child-ratios

How You Can Get Involved

For More Information see: Our Parent Manual

Before You Start

Before your child’s first day at the centre, the supervisor will arrange a time for you to visit, complete the admission forms and ask any questions. You and your child can spend time in the classroom to get to know the teachers and how the day works.

Programming

Qualified staff members offer stimulating play activities that promote and enhance physical, social, emotional, language and intellectual development. We incorporate the well-researched High/Scope approach in all our activities to encourage children to make choices about what they want to do and how they will do it. We support all children to develop problem-solving skills, creativity, a sense of responsibility, independence and a positive sense of self worth.

Nearly 40 years of research has shown that children who attend High/Scope programs score higher on measures of development than similar children enrolled in other types of programs. For more information, see: All About High/Scope

We follow a regular daily routine that is posted on the parent information board for each classroom. The daily routine includes active and quiet play, indoor and outdoor activities, and small and large group times. Infant schedules are developed to meet the needs of individual children.

Play-based educational activities are planned based on the children’s interests and developmental needs. The staff post their weekly program plans at the beginning of the week. Changes or additions to the plan are recorded daily. We encourage you to review the plans and share with the teachers your questions, feedback and suggestions.

Teacher-to-child-ratios

Within the child care centre, programs are divided into age groups. There is a special teacher-to-child ratio for each group:

Infant Program
6 months – 18 months
1:3 or 3:10 teacher/child ratio.

Toddler Program
18 months – 2 ½ years
1:5 teacher/child ratio.

Preschool Program
2 ½ years – 5 years
1:8 teacher/child ratio.

Junior/Senior Kindergarten Program
4 years – 5 years
1:10 (JK only or JK/SK combined) or 1:12 (SK only) teacher/child ratio.

School-age Program
6 years – 10 years
1:15 teacher/child ratio.

Note: During opening, closing and rest periods, ratios are at two-thirds, except in theinfant program.

Staffing

Regular Staff

The staff at our centres include a Supervisor, Early Childhood Education Teachers and Assistant Teachers, a Cook or Kitchen Assistant, and a Caretaker. At our Regent Street location there is also a Resource Teacher who provides extra support to children with special needs at all of our childcare sites.
Each staff person is carefully interviewed and screened. We require satisfactory police reference checks, medical, and work references. Staff receive annual First Aid training, and regularly review our policies and procedures such as Child Guidance, Playground Safety, Confidentiality and Race, Relations and Equity.
Macaulay encourages and provides opportunities during the year for staff to attend professional development sessions such as workshops, conferences and seminars.

Casual (supply) Staff

Casual staff replace regular staff when they are absent. Casual staff are carefully interviewed and screened and must provide the same police reference check, medical and work references required for regular staff.

Students and Volunteers

Students and volunteers provide enriching opportunities for children in our program under the direction of staff. They also are interviewed and screened and provide a police reference check, medical and references.

Holidays

We are closed for the following public holidays:

January - New Year’s Day
April - Good Friday
May - Victoria Day
July - Canada Day
August - Simcoe Day
September - Labour Day
October - Thanksgiving
December - Christmas Day
- Boxing Day

Lunch and Snacks

We provide nutritious snacks, morning and afternoon. We also provide a mid-day meal to all children in our full day programs, except school age. When school age programs run for a full day (school holidays) we may provide the mid-day meal or we may ask you to send a bag lunch.
All meals and snacks are prepared fresh each day and meet the Canada Food Guide nutritional guidelines and Public Health safety standards. Weekly menus are posted in the centre.
Infant menus are individualized and will be discussed with you. We provide pureed fruits and vegetables, infant cereal and biscuits. Older infants generally eat a mashed or modified version of the main meal. We provide all food except formula.
Meals and snacks are enjoyed in a family-type atmosphere, where children and teachers set up, serve, eat and tidy-up together. Children are encouraged to try new foods and to feed themselves.
Please tell us if your child has any food restrictions or allergies so that we can take the necessary steps to meet your child’s needs. Food restrictions are posted in the kitchen and in all eating areas. We do not serve nuts, nut products, pork or pork products.

Toilet Training

Every child develops at his own pace; therefore toilet training is not done at a specific age. You know your child best. Let us know when you feel your child may be ready to begin toilet training.

How You Can Get Involved

Families are the most important influence in a child’s life. You are the expert when it comes to your child. At Macaulay, we try to create a climate of open communication and strong relationships, where family members feel welcome to participate in the program as interests and schedules allow.

Talk to your child’s teachers every day.
Visit the classroom.
Watch for the centre newsletter.
Come to a Parent Advisory Meeting.
Come to our Special Events
Become a member.

For More Information see: Our Parent Manual