FAQ

If I need a childcare services, how do I go about registering my child with La Boîte à soleil?

You can register with the central waiting list through Niagara Region by clicking on the link on our website or by visiting Niagara.onehsn.com.

 Can I register my child with La Boîte à soleil even if he/she is not from a Francophone background?

Priority is given to families where at least one parent or legal guardian is French speaking, and that parent or legal guardian is fluent in French.

• Children of La Boîte à soleil staff.
• Siblings of children already attending La Boîte à soleil
• Children of staff from schools where La Boîte à soleil centre is located
• Siblings of children who attend the schools where La Boîte à soleil daycare centres are located.
• Other children on the waiting list according to availability and order of registration on the waiting list.

La Boîte à soleil may also accept families who do not use the French language in their home depending on their commitment to the French language, availability and the order of registration on the waiting list. These families must commit to providing their child with the experience of a French-speaking environment and to promoting the French language as much as possible in their interactions with their child.

 Does La Boîte à soleil accept those receiving subsidy?

Yes, La Boîte à soleil welcomes parents receiving subsidy. To apply for the assistance from the Region:

• Visit the website of the Niagara Region https://www.niagararegion.ca/living/childcare/default.aspx
• Click on the link: financial assistance
• On the site, you will see the eligibility criteria to apply for a grant. For example: be a resident of Niagara, having a child 12 years or younger, a financial assessment, etc.
• To apply online, click on the link: Apply for Child Care assistance
• The online application is no guarantee of receiving the grant. Eligibility will be determined during an interview in person at the Niagara Region offices.

For parents who receive subsidy from the Niagara Region and qualify for absent days, the following new policy is effective January 1, 2017: Absence days are approved by the Case Manager for the period of January to December (or the limited renewal period) each year and are noted on the subsidy approval form.  Absence days include any day your child is on vacation, sick or absent for any other reason.  Absent days do not include holidays. Once all absent days are used, parents are responsible for paying the current daily rate for the child’s program for any absent days that exceeds the approved total.  Fees will be paid by pre-authorized withdrawal the following month.

 What programs does La Boîte à soleil offer?

La Boîte à soleil is a Francophone child care service provider registered with the Ministry of Education and offers full-time programs for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, as well as before and after-school programs.

Are the staff qualified?

Each class has a minimum of one qualified educator as well as an support educator. La Boîte à soleil strongly encourages any non-qualified staff to take the proper courses in order to receive their diploma. Each staff goes through an extensive orientation process training to adhere to La Boîte à soleil and ministry policies. Moreover, we offer our educators yearly seminars and workshops.

Can I visit one of La Boîte à soleil’s centres?

To visit a centre, you must be on the waiting list, and all you have to do is call the centre of your choice and make an appointment with the supervisor. It would be her pleasure to explain our programs and answer any of your questions.

Do La Boîte à soleil centres provide meals and snacks for children?

We ensure good nutrition for children by preparing balanced meals in collaboration with a dietician from the Niagara Region Public Health Dept. A nutritious snack is served in the morning and in the afternoon (a snack is also offered to children in the after-school program.  A hot meal following the recommendations of "Canada’s Food Guide" is served at lunch time.

Do La Boîte à soleil’s centres accommodate children with special needs?

La Boîte à soleil welcomes all children to participate in our programs. We offer opportunities for children with special needs to integrate into our regular programs. We provide the necessary services whenever possible with the help of the Niagara Region through Community Living or other agencies available in the community. As our educators are not specialized in this field, our priority is to offer a safe environment adapted to the child's needs.

Is it true that a child that has attended La Boîte à soleil is better prepared than other children for his/her integration in a French school or Immersion school?

According to comments that we have received from certain school administration staff and the two Francophone school boards, the children that have attended La Boîte à soleil adapt much easier to the school environment. Not only are they more prepared for the Francophone environment, they adapt better socially and pedagogically.

What are your vacation policies?

We do not have a vacation policy. Families wishing to take a vacation during the year must pay the fees for the scheduled days, even if the child is absent or ill.

The centres are closed for the week following the civic holiday in August, as well as for two weeks during the Christmas vacations (following the Niagara Region French school calendar). Families will not be billed for these closures.

Do we have to pay for statutory holidays?

Yes, parents pay for statutory holidays.

Why do we have to pay when you are closed and not offering a service?

Our organization still has to pay staff for statutory holidays, along with other expenses like rent and utilities.

Do you offer discounts for siblings?

Since La Boîte à soleil has been registered with the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system since September 16, 2022, we no longer offer discounts.

Is there a specific time for my child to arrive and leave the centre?

All our centres are open from 7:00 am to 5:30 pm. We encourage parents to bring their children before 9:00 a.m. so they can benefit from the morning snack and activities on offer. Children will be able to adapt to a routine that will benefit them when they start school.

However, we do have an arrival and departure policy for children in care. Each parent/guardian is responsible and has a duty of contacting the centre before 10:00 a.m. to advise of their child's absence or if there are any changes in the child's pick-up procedures (i.e., someone other than the parent/guardian will be picking up the child). This applies as well to children in the before and/or after-school program*. If a child has not arrived at the centre and the parent/guardian has not communicated a change of arrival (e.g., left a voicemail message or notified staff), staff members will contact the parent/guardian and/or emergency 17 La Boîte à soleil – Parent Guide 2025 contact. If after 30 minutes, no one can confirm the child's absence, the staff member must contact the police to report that the child may be in danger.

What happens if I am late (after closing time) to pick up my child at the centre?

Les centres ferment à 17h30. Si vous ne venez pas chercher votre enfant avant la fermeture du centre, The centres close at 5:30 pm. Failure to pick up your child before the centre closes will result in the following fines being charged. Arriving within 15 minutes after the centre closes will result in a $20.00 fine. The fine amount continues to increase by $5.00 every 5 minutes until the child is picked up. We recommend that parents synchronize their watch with the clock of their centre to avoid any misunderstandings. Since you are required to leave the centre with your child on or before the closing time, please arrive 10 minutes early. Parents who arrive after closing time will be required to pay their late fee with their next pre-authorized withdrawal. If the child leaves late frequently and/or the parent refuses to pay the late fee, the child may be refused entry to La Boîte à soleil permanently.

NB: If after 30 minutes of the centre closing time, a child has not yet been picked up and the parents have not contacted the centre, we will contact the local police and Family and Children’s Services.

Can we pay the fees by credit card?

All payments for child care fees, registration, late fees, NSF fees or other fees, will be made by pre-authorized withdrawal from the bank account provided.

Will fees be charged on a weekly basis?

We use advanced monthly billing to charge parents for their child care fees. On the 1st of each month or on the 1st business day of the month, we withdraw the total fees for the month. The total is calculated based on the number of days of care during the month. Parents can calculate their monthly fee by multiplying their daily fee by the number of days their child will be in our care during the month.

What is the Niagara Child Care Registry or Niagara Onelist?

The Niagara Child Care Registry is a central registry for all parents in the Niagara Region who are looking for child care services for their child/children. The parents enter their information, their child care needs as well as their preferred child care centre. When parents submit their application for a La Boîte à soleil location, they are automatically placed on our waiting list. La Boîte à soleil takes the responsibility of staying up to date on its application and to manage them in a fair, efficient, and transparent way.

Why is the infant group available on the Niagara Child Care Registry but is not available in certain centres?

The Niagara Child Care Registry works based on the age of the child at the time of application. If the infant program was not available, parents would not be able to place their child on the waiting list until they are already the appropriate age for their program. Therefore, by having the infant program available parents are able to apply on the Niagara Child Care Registry in advance.

Why can’t I find La Boîte à soleil on the Niagara Child Care Registry?

There could be a number of reasons that La Boîte à soleil does not appear on the Onelist:

1. Have you chosen the correct year for the preferred start date?
2. Have you chosen “Centre based”? We will not appear on the list if you chose “School Based”.
3. Is the program you’ve chosen available at that centre?
4. Is your child the correct age for the program you’ve chosen?
5. Did you include enough distance in KM between your house and the distance of the day care centre?

What is the difference between a full time, part time and occasional program?

What happens if parents are separated?

La Boîte à soleil has the best interests of the children as their top priority. We have procedures in place to remain neutral in situations of separation or divorce. Depending on the situation, parents may be required to complete two separate service agreement. Separated parents are required to complete a separated parent’s agreement before their child can start at the centre.  If a court order is in place, parents are required to submit it with the service agreement. If there is a court order underway, they must declare that on the service agreement.  

If parents require separate billing for the childcare fees, there is a 50$ annual administrative fee per family.

How do I pay the child care fees?

We use advanced monthly billing. On the 1st of every month or the 1st business day of the month we withdraw the total fees for that month. The total is calculated based on the number of days of care during that month. Our only method of payment is by preauthorized payment.

What are the registration fees?

A 50$ registration fee per family is charged to parents one time only and will be withdrawn at time of registration.

How do I know if I qualify for subsidy?

The Niagara Region has a calculator on their website to estimate if parents qualify for subsidized child care. We recommend parents use their calculator to see if their eligible. Parents can click the following link to see if they qualify: https://www.niagararegion.ca/living/childcare/financial-assistance/child-care-calculator.aspx.

How do I apply for subsidy?

Financial assistance is determined by the Niagara Region and not by La Boîte à soleil. There are two ways to apply to the Niagara Region.

Online:

1. Visit the region’s website
2. Choose “Apply for Financial Assistance “
3. Choose “Licensed Child Care”
4. Too apply online, choose “Apply for Child Care Funding”

Please note: The online application does not guarantee that you will receive financial assistance. Elibigility is determined during the interview at the Niagara Region offices.

By Phone:

1. Call the region at 905-984-6900
2. Ask for « Children’s Services »
3. They will be able to direct you from there

What happens if I don’t have a subsidy approval when my child starts at La Boîte à soleil?

If La Boîte à soleil does not receive a subsidy approval once a child start at the centre, the parents are responsible for paying the child care fees until we receive the approval.

When do subsidized families pay their parent fees?

The parent fees are billed at the same time as the regular child care fees. The 1st or 1st business day of the month, we withdraw the total parent fees for the month.

What happens if I am subsidized and I use all of my approved absent days?

Parents are responsible for paying the regular daily fee for every absent day after they have used all of their approved absent days.

What happens if my child is absent for 3 or more days?

Subsidized families are responsible for notifying the supervisor of their centre and their case worker if their child is absent for 3 or more consecutive days.

What is HiMama?

The HiMama program is used every day in our centres. HiMama documents your child’s activities et sends you daily emails. It is a way to see what your child is doing, eating and what their activities are throughout the day.

What happens if I need to change my child’s schedule?

If there is a change of program, parents are required to complete a program change form that must be signed by the parents and sent to the administrative office. A change form includes; change of days the child will be present at the centre, change from full time to part-time program, change of group (ex. Infant to toddler). Any reduction of schedule or cancellation of service requires 2 weeks’ notice to your supervisor.

Who can pick up my child at the centre?

Parents are responsible for informing the supervisor of who is authorized to pick up their child. Anyone other than the parents who pick up the child from the centre will be required to present an acceptable piece of identification.

What is the procedure for children with medications?

The educators will only administer medication if it is its original container, with a label that has the child’s name, their doctor’s name as well as the dosage. They will not administer any medications that do not follow this policy. Please see our Parents’ Guide for more information regarding medication.

What are the hours of operation?

The centres are open from 7:00 am to 5:30 pm. We ask that you pick your child up no later than 5:20 to insure you will be out of the building by 5:30 the latest. If you pick up your child/children later than 5:30 pm, there will be a 10$ fee every 5 minutes of delay per family.

What happens if my child is absent?

Parents are required to pay the regular daily rate for absent days.

Does the centre close during the year?

The centre is closed during holidays: New Year’s Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Boxing Day.

All the centres are also closed without fee on the last Friday of August (professional development day for all staff) as well as the first week of August for an intense cleaning of our centres. We are also closed during the two weeks of Christmas vacation (following the calendar for the French schools in the Niagara Region).

The regular fees must be paid for the following holidays: Family Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas day and Boxing Day as well as New Year Day.

What happens during holidays?

The centres are closed during holidays. Parents will be charged their regular daily rate.

What happens during PD Days (when the schools are closed)?

We offer a full day program for the school aged children during PD Days. The price for a PD Day is different than a regular before and/or after school day because it is for an entire day. Parents are not obligated to register their children for this program. Parents will sign a form with the supervisor ahead of time indicating whether or not their child will be present for the PD Day.

What happens during March Break?

We offer a full day March Break camp for school aged children as well as the regular daycare program. The camp is not mandatory and parents are not obligated to pay for the week if they choose not to register their child.

What happens during a snow storm?

Child care centres will remain open during the storm, except if there is a prolonged power outage, a heating failure or extreme snowstorm. For security reasons, the decision to close a centre in a storm is based on the school closures. Therefore, if the school is closed, the centre will be closed. Any closure will be announced on our Facebook and Instagram page and on radio stations "91.7 Giant FM" and "105.7 EZ Rock". It will also be posted on the application HiMama. If the centre is already open and the weather conditions change during the day, parents will be contacted to pick up their child within a reasonable time.

What is the process to leave the centre?

If parents choose to withdraw their child from their program during the year, we require 2 weeks’ notice be given to the centre. If the notice is not give, the fees for the 2 weeks following their departure will be withdrawn from the parents’ bank account even if their child is not present.

La Boîte à soleil reserves the right to terminate a child’s service agreement with a written 2 week notice. However, if the security of the child or staff is compromised, La Boîte à soleil reserves the right to terminate the service agreement immediately.

What food is offered at the centre? Is my child being fed healthy and well balanced meals throughout the day?

We offer a morning snack, a healthy lunch, and an afternoon snack to all children in our daycare program. The afternoon snack is also offered to the children in the after school program. The meals served in the centres reach and surpass the Ministry of Education guidelines, the Canadian Food Guide and the recommendations of a Niagara Region dietitian to ensure a healthy and balanced variety of food for both the lunches and snacks. La Boîte à soleil is proud to be a leader in healthy food and nutrition for children in our care because we understand how important it is for a child’s development. Examples of ways in which we have changed our practices to reach that goal are the following: eliminating juice, replacing bleached flour with multigrain flour, and lowering the overall amount of sugar, salt, and fat in our food. Water is always available to the children throughout the day and at meal times we offer either milk or water.

Infants are fed based on what they eat at home, this can include breastmilk, formula or a soy based alternative depending on the needs of the child. If the infants drink anything other than milk, parents are responsible for providing these alternatives. Once they are developmentally ready to start exploring food, they will do so at the centre and slowly start eating the food provided by La Boîte à soleil. Their food can also prepared in an infant friendly way whether that means mashed, cut into small pieces or blended. The infants’ progression into eating the regular food served in the rest of the centre is done based on their individual development that is assessed by the educators in partnership with the parents.

What guidelines do you follow to create the menus?

In order to keep a nice variety in our menus, we have three menus on a constant weekly rotation. These three menus are also changed seasonally. Within those menus, there are certain guidelines that we try to follow as best we can while keeping things new and exciting for the children.

Some of the guidelines we have in place are the following:

• Changing the protein source daily (ex. Not having beef 3 times in one week)
• Making sure the days as a whole are balanced. We try to avoid having one day being very bread heavy and the next being only fruits and vegetables.
• We ensure a variety and balance in the processed and whole foods we offer day to day. (Ex. Cheese and crackers or vegetables and dip for snacks).
• To reduce waste in our centres, the afternoon snack on Fridays is always a “variable snack”. This is when we serve the children the leftover snacks from that week.

Can I see the current menus in use?

Our menus change seasonally and for every season we have three menus on a constant weekly rotation. The menus that are currently in rotation are always posted on our website and HiMama and are available in both French and English to ensure accessibility to all of our parents. Additional information regarding our menus can be found in our Parent Guide or the menus are posted on our website.

How is the food prepared?

The food in our centres is home cooked and made fresh every day. Our meals are cooked at our central kitchen in our administrative offices and delivered every morning to our centres where it is prepared and served to the children. We ensure food quality and safety by taking food temperatures before leaving the central kitchen and at every centre. We always make sure the food stays at the right temperature until it is time to eat.

My child is a picky eater, how do the educators deal with that?

Our policy explains that we do not force any children to eat the food but try to implement different strategies to encourage the children in a positive to try new foods. We emphasize experiencing food with more than just one sense; the educators will ask the children what they see, smell, feel and of course taste when they are experiencing new foods. As an activity, the educators will sometimes plan cooking or baking with the children and involving them in the preparation of their food helps them want to try the food they made. We also try to encourage independence in the centres when it comes to meal time by giving them the opportunity to serve themselves (buffet or family style).

What allergies/dietary restrictions can you accommodate?

At La Boîte à soleil we try to accommodate as many allergies and dietary restrictions as possible. On our menus we do have alternatives for children who do have allergies. There are accommodations that we do make that are not listed on the menus and are individual to each child. Examples of dietary restrictions we can accommodate are: pork (or other meats), eggs, milk, and soy.

As much as we’d like to be able to accommodate everyone, there are allergies/dietary restrictions that cannot be adapted in our kitchen. Because of the way in which our food is prepared, we are unable to accommodate wheat or gluten allergies. In the event that we cannot accommodate a food restriction (listed above or an allergy requiring an Epi-Pen) parents always have the opportunity to make lunch for their child. La Boîte à soleil will continue to provide appropriate snacks for the child.

We have also developed a new menu designed specifically for children with multiple or severe allergies. The three rotating weekly menus run all year long and are implemented in all of our centres. The primarily whole foods and plant based menu was specially designed to be free of all common allergens for children (eggs, dairy, soy, fish, honey). Even though this menu is free of common allergens, it still remains nutritious, delicious and meets the dietary needs of the growing children in our care.

What happens if my child has an allergy?

Children with allergies have individualized medical plans that the supervisor and parents complete together. If an Epi-Pen is required, there is a separate allergy form that is posted in the main kitchen as well as in all the rooms at the centre to ensure everyone is aware of the severe allergies.

If an Epi-Pen is required, the centre must have one that has not expired. If an Epi-Pen has expired and the parents have not brought a new one to the centre, the child cannot attend until a new one has been brought to the centre.

What ages are accepted in the infant program?

Our infant group is for children ages 0-18 months.

What schedule do the infants follow in the program?

The infant program offers a lot of flexibility when it comes to routine. When infants start at the centre, we ask for parents to share their home schedule so we know when the child gets hungry or tired. This helps the educators make the child more comfortable and then we can help the infant transition towards the toddler room schedule when they are ready. If an infant takes two naps a day, we will work with the parents to transition them to one nap a day when they are getting ready to transition to the toddler program.

How can I help my infant transition?

There are a few things that parents can do to help comfort their child when they first start out at La Boîte à soleil. We ask parents to bring family photos to the centre to give their child a few familiar faces to see throughout the day and to make it feel more like home.

If possible, parents will try to register their child to start at least one week before they have to go back to work to give them the necessary flexibility during the transition. Many parents like to slowly transition their child to full-day care by dropping them off for a few hours at first and slowly leaving them for longer periods of time. Parents also find it helps at first to stay in the room with their child while they get comfortable and then leaving once they see their child is accustomed to the space.

What should I bring to the centre for my child?

We have a full list of items we recommend parents bring with their child on their first. Please click here to view this list on our website. Educators will send a message through HiMama to let parents know they need more diapers, wipes, clothes etc. 

What safety measures are in place in the infant room?

• Children younger than 12 months are placed on their back for naptime based on the recommendations of the Ministry of Education. If children roll themselves over onto their stomach while in the crib, we do not return them onto their backs. If parents want their child to sleep on their stomach, they can sign a declaration.
• Employees do a visual check of each sleeping child every 15 minutes looking for signs of distress or abnormal behaviour. Visual inspections are documented.
• We keep parents informed about their child’s sleep quality (ex. Program transitions or changes in sleeping habits) through face to face communication.
• The educator to child ratio is higher in the infant program to ensure the safety of your child. Please see our ratios FAQ for more information.

What food is offered to the infants?

Depending on where each child is in their development, the food they eat changes. We accommodate infants who are still being breastfed or bottle fed if they are not yet eating solid food. Once they start eating solids, their food can be mashed, pureed or cut into very small pieces to help them transition to eating food on their own.

What happens if my child is still being breastfed?

Parents are welcome to continue breastfeeding their child while they attend La Boîte à soleil. In order to do this, parents can bring their breast milk that has been pumped and frozen to the centre. We will keep it frozen at the centre and reheat it in a bottle warmer (not in the microwave) and feed it to their child in a bottle. 

What happens if my child is still on formula?

We are happy to accommodate children who are formula fed. We ask that parents bring 3 bottles every day with either formula powder pre-measured, premixed formula or a container of formula for the educators to mix at the centre. Educators will send a message through HiMama to let parents know they need formula.

Can I bring food from home for my child?

Parents may have the option of bringing their food from home after a discussion and approval from the supervisor to do so. Parents will have to fill out a form giving La Boîte à soleil permission to serve their child separate food. The form will also list what foods the parents are bringing. If you are interested in bringing your own food for your infant, please speak with your supervisor to complete the form. Food from home must always be nut free.

What are the nap times?

The infant program accommodates the individual children’s nap times. If you visit the infant room at one of our centres, you may see a few infants napping while the rest are playing. Because of the high ratio of infants to educators, there is flexibility to accommodate everyone’s schedule. As the children get older and further in their development, the educators will work in conjunction with the parents start to plan for their transition to the toddler group.They will work together to transition the child to the nap times that the rest of the centre follows. Typically, naptime is from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm.

How can I support nap times?

Communication with your educators is the most important part. Together parents and educators can work towards getting their child on a regular sleep schedule, transition to one nap a day, etc. They can collaborate on what works best at the centre and at home and find what they can do together to support nap times.

What is the ratio of educators to children in each of the age groups?

The ratio of children to educators varies for the different age groups. We follow a Schedule 1 from the Ministry of Education for child ratios which is represented in the table below

What makes an educator qualified?

Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECE) are qualified if they have a diploma in Early Childhood Education and are registered with the College of Early Childhood Educators. All RECEs working with children must be registered with the College. This registration is what gives them the title of RECE. Employees can also be considered qualified if they are approved by the Ministry of Education. This happens when an employee has received a post-secondary diploma in an approved field that can relate closely to Early Childhood Education. These employees must also have enough experience in a child care centre as an assistant educator that warrants them being approved. Approved employees can take the place of an RECE in the group and they take on the responsibilities of an educator. The approved educator is supervised, given mentorship and is evaluated to ensure quality programs.

Do all staff need to be qualified?

No, all staff do not need to be qualified based on the requirements of the Ministry of Education (see table above). The RECEs or approved staff count as qualified staff and the assistant educators are not considered qualified.

What qualifications/education do assistant educators need to work at La Boîte à soleil?

Non-qualified staff (assistant educators) require at least their high school diploma and must be fluent in French. We are always looking for staff whose values align with ours and who are passionate about early childhood education.

Why is it important to have a certain number of qualified staff?

The qualified staff in the groups are primarily responsible for program planning and they are in charge of the group itself. Qualified staff will observe the children to find out their interests and to see where they stand developmentally and what needs to be worked on to further their development. The qualified staff will then reflect on what activities the children will enjoy (based on their interests) and how they can use the activities to help the children grow in multiple areas of their development (Ex. Cognitive, gross motor, etc.).  The assistant educators are an integral part of this process as well because they are the support person to bring the programs to life.

Does the supervisor need to be qualified?

The supervisor must be registered with the College of Early Childhood Educators (RECE) or be approved by the Ministry of Education as a non-RECE supervisor. All proposed supervisors must be approved by the Ministry Director before they can become supervisors. The Ministry Director ensures that the supervisors are capable of supporting staff and program planning as well as being in charge of the children in the centre.

Does the supervisor count as a qualified staff or count in the ratios?

Depending on the different Ministry approved situations, the supervisor can count in the ratios as qualified staff if there is an employee absence. These situations all depend on the total number of full time employees at the centre required to respect the ratios.

Why does an educator from the toddler/preschool group have to switch to the before and after school programs?

In order to comply with the ministry requirements for the number of qualified staff in each group, sometimes qualified educators will move from their regular toddler/preschool group to the before and after-school program for the few hours where a qualified staff member is required.

Can the ratios ever change?

There are situations where the ratios can be reduced, meaning there can be more children per educator. The situations are towards the beginning or end of the day when the children are being picked up and dropped off for a very limited amount of time. The ratios can also be reduced during periods of time when the children are not engaged in active play (ex. Nap time). No ratios can be compromised while the children are playing outside or in the infant program.

What safety measures are in place?

La Boîte à soleil has many safety measures in place in regards to emergencies as well as children’s health and well-being. Safety inspections are done monthly and all centres are compliant with the occupational health and safety requirements. All other safety measures are mandated by the Ministry of Education as part of our license.

What is in place in the event of emergency? Ex. Fire, lockdown, dangerous weather conditions.

La Boîte à soleil has emergency plans in place for all anticipated situations that may arise. Monthly drills are performed with the children in preparation for a real event.  

Are the staff CPR and First Aid trained?

Yes, it is required that all staff are trained in First Aid, AED and CPR specific to children, which is a requirement all staff must have before they begin working for us.

Are staff qualified to care for children?

La Boîte à soleil follows the Ministry of Education guidelines on qualified staff based on the age group and number of children. There is always at least one ECE or approved qualified staff in every group. Please see our ratios FAQ for specific qualified staff ratios. For the non-qualified staff (assistant educator), La Boîte à soleil ensures they receive an in depth orientation and training to take care of the children and to support the RECE in the group. We also offer our educators training, education, and workshops throughout the year to support professional development. 

Are staff required to get police checks?

All of our staff are required to get a police check before their first day at the centre.

My child has a severe allergy, what is in place for them?

Children with severe or anaphylactic allergies have an allergy form posted throughout the centre. This form includes a list of allergens, Epi-pen dosage as well as an emergency plan in the event of an attack.

Children who have allergies receive meals and snacks from our “allergen free” menu. This menu was created to provide quality meals that do not contain common allergens to accommodate the most children possible. In the event that there are many different allergens or the allergy is severe enough, parents may provide the lunch for their child after having discussed it with the supervisor.

How many children are in the group?

The number of children in each group varies from one centre to another. However, we always follow the Ministry of Education guidelines on ratios. Please see our ratios FAQ page for the educator to child ratio in each group.

What happens if a staff is absent?

We have supply staff in the event of an absence and the supervisors are also able to take the place of an absent staff member in the group for a day. All of our supervisors are RECEs.

How do I pay the child care fees?

We use advanced monthly billing. On the 1st of every month or the 1st business day of the month we withdraw the total fees for that month. The total is calculated based on the number of days of care during that month.

Is there financial assistance available for childcare?

Yes. The Niagara Region offers childcare subsidy which is financial assistance that can cover up to 100% of child care costs for children between the ages of 0 and 12.

Does La Boîte à soleil accept subsidized families?

Absolutely. We are happy to accept families who require subsidy and even suggest to all parents to see if they are eligible before they register with us.

How do I know if I qualify for subsidy?

The percentage of fees covered by the region is calculated based on net household income. The information can be found on line 236 of your tax return for the calculation. The Niagara Region has a calculator on their website to estimate if parents qualify for subsidized child care. We recommend all parents click here to use the calculator.

How do I apply for subsidy?

Financial assistance is determined by the Niagara Region and not by La Boîte à soleil. There are two ways to apply to the Niagara Region.

In person

• At the Niagara Region offices (1815 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold)
• At the EarlyOn in the Seaway Mall on Tuesdays from 8:30-3:30 (800 Niagara Street, Welland)

Online:

1. Visit the Niagara Region’s website
2. Choose “Apply for Financial Assistance “
3. Too apply online, choose “Apply for Child Care Funding”

Please note: The online application or estimator does not guarantee that you will receive financial assistance. Elibigility is determined during the interview at the Niagara Region offices.

By Phone:

1. Call the region at 905-984-6900
2. Ask for « Children’s Services »
3. They will be able to direct you from there

What documents do I need to apply for subsidy?

• Income tax from the previous year
• Canada Child Benefit (CBB)
• Employment letter or school schedule
• Birth certificate

What happens if I don’t have a subsidy approval when my child starts at La Boîte à soleil?

If La Boîte à soleil does not receive a subsidy approval once a child start at the centre, the parents are responsible for paying the child care fees until we receive the approval.

When do subsidized families pay their parent fees?

The parent fees are billed at the same time as the regular child care fees. The 1st or 1st business day of the month, we withdraw the total parent fees for the month.

What happens if I am subsidized and I use all of my approved absent days?

Parents are responsible for paying the regular daily fee for every absent day after they have used all of their approved absent days. If they have special circumstances regarding absent days, parents can contact their caseworker to see if accommodations can be made.

What happens if my child is absent for 3 or more days?

Subsidized families are responsible for notifying the supervisor of their centre and their case worker if their child is absent for 3 or more consecutive days.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Program Plans: Program plans are created weekly in each group. The educator in charge of the group plans out the activities for the week based on the children’s interests while keeping their developmental needs in mind. There are many different resources available to educators during their program planning such as the Brigance and the QCCN Developmental Reference Chart. Program plans take into account the different aspects of a child’s development such as gross and fine motor skills, communication, cognitive development and more. Our philosophy is that the children’s interests are the vehicle to achieve their developmental milestones.

The program plans created by the educators at La Boîte à soleil emerges from the interests of the children which including play, the environment, their strengths and their needs. The educator’s role is to observe the children and identify their interests and level of development to then find where the focus needs to be for growth and learning. It is also the educator’s role to document learning as it happens. This can be through learning stories, photos, the program plan, etc.

An example of this is noticing many of the children in the group talking about going camping on a long weekend. The educator then decides to plan camping activities that support their level of development.  With this method of play based learning, the educator uses what the children are interested in (and excited for) to create learning opportunities that will really engage them.

Play-based learning: Children are naturally curious and wanting to learn. They are constantly using their environment, objects in their environment, their friends and caregivers to explore the world around them all while simultaneously learning. Play is the centre of the emergent curriculum that is used in all La Boîte à soleil locations. It is our philosophy and that of “How Does Learning Happen?” which is the pedagogy for early childhood education from the Ministry of Education.

Developmental milestones: Developmental milestones are any skills a child acquires in the early years that moves them forward in their growth. These skills can include infants rolling over for the first time, saying their first words and the early stages of communication like pointing to objects they want. Developmental milestones lead to more developmental milestones. An example of this is: going from crawling to standing or walking to running. Developmental milestones fall under many different categories of development such as emotional, cognitive, gross/fine motor etc.

Program Statement: The program statement is La Boîte à soleil’s guide for all programming and services offered. It is one of our most important documents. The program statement includes all the statements mandated by the Ministry of Education such as “Promote the health, safety, nutrition and well-being of children”. It then lists the objectives and expectations of La Boîte à soleil in regards to each statement. La Boîte à soleil’s program statement can be found on our website.

 Pedagogical Documentation: Pedagogical documentation is a general term for all the different ways the educators document every child’s learning, development and growth. Pedagogical documentation can be through learning stories, program plans and more. It is a necessary part of our educators every day work. Parents can see examples of pedagogical documentation posted throughout the centre.

Learning Stories: Learning stories are a group of photos collaged together with a small text describing what is happening in the photos. Learning stories can be about a new skill a child has acquired or of a specific activity. They can focus on one child or on a group. Educators use this tool for pedagogical documentation. It is a way to visualize a child’s learning and development. Parents can expect to see learning stories posted all around the child care centre.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

CCEYA (The Child Care and Early Years Act): The CCEYA is the law. It lists all standards that licensed childcare providers in the province must maintain to offer services that are high quality and conform to the requirements. Conformity to the CCEYA standards is the priority for La Boîte à soleil.

Comment Apprend-on? (How Does Learning Happen?): The “How Does Learning Happen” framework is a resource for educators during their program planning as well as their daily practice. It is a tool to help educators reflect, question, and improve upon their practice. The goal of “How Does Learning Happen” is to improve the quality of early childhood education across the province.

The 4 Foundations of How Does Learning Happen? : The 4 foundations are one of the most important parts of “How Does Learning Happen”. They are the foundations that all educators should keep in mind while they are planning their programs. The foundations are:

1. Belonging: Every child has a sense of belonging when he or she is connected to others and contributes to the world
2. Well-Being: Every child is developing a sense of self, health, and well-being
3. Engagement: Every child is an active and engaged learner who explores the world with body, mind, and senses.
4. Expression: Every child is a capable communicator who expresses himself or herself in many ways.

These foundations are visible in all of our daycares and are a large part of the curriculum planning. Our parents will sometimes see examples of the foundations posted on the walls of their centre.

 AJEPTA (ELECT): The ELECT (AJEPTA in French) is a resource document developed in 2007 by the government of Ontario to better improve the quality and consistency in child care organizations in the province. The ELECT was the beginning of what would later become “How Does Learning Happen”. Both documents follow similar ideas in terms early childhood education and the best ways to support children’s learning in the early years. The ELECT focuses on 5 areas of development:

1. Social
2. Emotional
3. Motor (fine and gross)
4. Cognitive: Ability to problem solve
5. Language

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

ECCDC: The Early Childhood Community Development Centre is a community partner who supports all child care services in Niagara with resources, workshops, professional development and more. ECCDC is our resource centre in Saint Catharines. As members of ECCDC, our educators have access to all services offered including their resource library where they can borrow books, program materials or activity kits. Please click here to learn more about our community partner.

SSN: Speech Services Niagara is a community partner that offers a variety of services used by La Boîte à soleil. Mainly, resource consultants from Speech Services Niagara come into our centres to assess or provide support to children with their speech and language development. Please click here to learn more about our community partner.

QCCN AND TOOLS

QCCN: Quality Child Care Niagara is a program that strives to support and ensure quality child care programs throughout the region. Please click here to learn more about this program.

QCCN Developmental Reference Chart: This is a chart used by the educators to track the children’s development to see if they are on track. The chart is separated into age groups from 0 months to 12 years. The reference chart focuses on different developmental milestones in the following 5 areas:

1. Emotional, Social and Personal
2. Communication and Language
3. Knowledge and Understanding of the World
4. Physical Development and Movement
5. Artistic and Creative Development

Brigance: The Brigance is a QCCN tool for the educators use as a resource in their program planning. There is a specific focus on math, literacy, and language skills but there are also activities focused on physical and emotional development. We use the Readiness Activities in our programs. This binder of activities touches on skills to help children prepare for school.

C.A.R.E: Children’s Actions, Relationships, & Emotions. This QCCN tool was designed to identify any behavior patterns in children between the ages of 2 and 4. Our educators go through this checklist with the children and the results could identify that a resource consultant could come in to assess the development to see if additional support would be helpful.

DPS: DISC Preschool Screening. This is a screening tool that our educators use to help identify if there are any additional supports needed to ensure healthy development. The DPS is done with children in our care up until they enter kindergarten. Upon registration, parents are required to sign a consent form with La Boîte à soleil to give or refuse their consent for the screening. It is not mandatory but we highly recommend it. The DPS is not a test a child can pass or fail. It is not used to determine if a child has a learning disability, behavioural or intellectual delay or isn’t at the level of their peers. It is a tool for the educators to assess if external support or additional developmental strategies might be beneficial for a child. It is also important for parents to be aware that if a child is referred after the DPS, it does not necessarily mean they will need support.

ITERS/ECERS/SACERS: An environment rating scales for infant, toddler, preschool and school age rooms. This is a rating scale used by educators to assess the quality of the learning environment that is being offered to their children.

Speech and Language Development Checklist: This is a QCCN tool for educators to assess the level of development in a child’s speech and language. The results of this checklist could identify that a resource consultant could come in to assess the development to see if additional support would be helpful.

IMPORTANT TERMS

RECE: Registered Early Childhood Educator. This is an educator who has a diploma in Early Childhood Education and is registered and in good standing with the College of Early Childhood Educators.

Sensory (materials or bins): Sensory materials are anything that engage one or more of the five senses. Sensory bins are the most common item parents will see in our centres. These bins can be filled with water, colored rice, sand, etc. There are also sensory bottles you might see in our centres. These are bottles filled with water, glitter, food coloring, toys etc. The goal of sensory bins is for children to develop their senses while exploring with their own two hands.

Emergent Literacy: Emergent literacy is any knowledge children have in the early years about reading and writing before they have learned how to read and write. Two examples of the ways in which children acquire this knowledge can be found in the building blocks of literacy defined by Speech Services Niagara: Interaction and Engagement, and Print Awareness.

1. Interaction and Engagement can include children turning the pages of a book, adults pointing out the words and titles in a book as well as words found in the environment.
2. Print Awareness can include children’s ability to find letters and words when asked, even if they don’t know what it says.

Self-regulation: Self-regulation is defined by Dr. Stuart Shanker (in the document “Calm, Alert and Happy”) as “how effectively and efficiently a child deals with stress and recovers.” It is the process of helping children identify the feeling of being under stress and the feeling of being calm and finding the ways in which they themselves can go from stress to calm on their own. Self-regulation is not self-control. An example of self-regulation and self-awareness is if a child feels calm while coloring by themselves they begin to understand that it is an activity that makes them feel good. When they become agitated, they can make the connection that if they want to feel calm and happy they can start coloring by themselves. They can then self-regulate their emotions with the support and guidance of the adults in the room to go from agitated to calm.

Digibot: Digibot is an app the educators use in all of our centres for the children in the full day programs. It is a way parents can stay connected with their children throughout the day by receiving emails from the Digibot app. Digibot is used to send picture to the parents, giving updates on how their child is eating, learning, and sleeping throughout the day. Digibot is one of the most important ways we communicate with our parents.