Frequently Asked Questions

1.  How long is the wait list?

Since joining CWELCC, we are seeing all 3 of our wait lists growing longer.  Waitlist times can vary between families and are dependent on different factors: the age of the child, the time of year the family wants care, and space availability. Since it’s impossible to say how long a family may be on our waitlist, the best thing to do is to put yourself on the waitlist and keep the information current - if a phone number, email, or desired start date has changed, please let us know. Please also note that there is no fee associated with being on the waitlist and there is no commitment necessary - it’s just a way for us to reach you when spaces become available.

 

2.  How do I secure my spot and is subsidy available?

To secure your spot, we ask for a security deposit which is equal to 10 days of fees + a non-refundable (CWELCC reduced) $23.63 registration fee. The deposit portion will be returned to you at the end of your stay at MACCP as long as your child has come into care, and you provide one month’s written notice when you decide to withdraw, and there are no fees outstanding. For families who qualify, there is municipal subsidy available which you can apply for here: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/employment-social-support/child-family-support/child-care-support/

 

3.  What are the drop off and pick up procedures?

Our operating hours are 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM.  Children should be dropped off  by 10:00 a.m. to ensure they are able to enjoy the full day of activities.  Parents are required to inform the centre by 10:00 a.m. every day if your child is coming into care or not that day as this will trigger the Safe Arrival Policy and Procedures.  Please enter the centre at Door #7 and  escort your child first to the washroom to wash their hands and then to their classroom.  Pick up must be by 6:00 p.m. Families will be charged $1.00 per minute per child for late pickups after 6:00 p.m.

 

4.  How can parents participate in centre activities?

Families contribute to our centre in lots of very important ways! Families frequently volunteer to help at annual events, such as the end of year Pizza Party or any other centre based festivities. Parents are also invited to participate in monthly enrichment activities in the children’s classrooms - this could mean reading a story, playing an instrument, or teaching the children different words in your home language! MACCP is also governed by a volunteer Board of Directors that is composed of parents and other community members.

 

5. How many children and staff are in each room?

Please refer to the “Classrooms” tab for information on licensed capacity and staffing.

 

6.  How do you support the health and safety of children, families, and staff? Are you still following COVID-19 restrictions?

Each classroom follows current Toronto Public Health guidelines with regards to frequency of cleaning and disinfection of our classroom materials and settings.  Any mouthed toys are removed from play and washed daily as they become soiled. Outdoor play equipment is separated by each age group, and children perform hand hygiene after playing outdoors or in the gym. In addition to regular cleaning and sanitizing, each classroom is equipped with a HEPA air filter to help remove impurities from the air.

We expect that you watch your child for any new or worsening symptoms if unwell in the morning and we will monitor your children for signs of ill health during the day. If a child exhibits any new or worsening symptoms of ill health, (identified on the current Toronto Public Health COVID screening checklist), a parent or guardian will be asked to pick up the child within 1 hour and follow local public health advice with regards to when they can return to care. If your child has had a fever, cough or runny nose they are to rest at home until fever free for at least 24 hours and any other symptoms have significantly improved for 24 hours.  Any diarrhea or vomitting requires a minimum 48 hour exclusion from the last bout, prior to returning to care.  Any staff exhibiting any symptoms of ill health will be asked to go home, monitor themselves and return when symptoms have improved for at least 24 hours.

 

7.  Do you have an anaphylaxis plan for children with severe allergies, and how do you accommodate allergies in your centre?

Any child with a life-threatening allergy will have an individual anaphylaxis plan posted in each room, and their EpiPen will always remain accessible. We are a tree nut/peanut-free facility. Since we do have a cook onsite, children who have anaphylactic reactions to airborne particles other than peanuts/tree nuts will not be able to attend the program. Children with many allergies may be asked to bring certain foods/meals from home so that we can safely accommodate their allergies. Children who eat Halal or Kosher or who are vegetarian will be provided with a vegetarian option by the centre, or parents may choose to bring pre-cooked Halal or Kosher meats to keep at the centre. We do not serve pork. We will do our best to reasonably accommodate other dietary restrictions but will do so on a case-by-case basis.

 

8.  Is food prepared on-site or catered in? What kinds of snacks and meals are provided?

Our meals and snacks are prepared onsite. Our menu is approved by a registered dietitian and is full of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and alternatives, and is low in fat, sugar, and salt. 

 

9.  How much time is spent outside?

The children spend 2 hours per day outdoors (weather permitting). Inclement weather such as heat alerts or torrential rain may impact the children’s ability to play outdoors, in which case indoor gross motor alternatives are offered with scheduled access to the indoor gym. As a general rule, the children will be playing outside in most weather as long as it is -10 degrees Celsius or warmer, so it is important that your child comes to childcare every day dressed for the weather - as it has been said, there is no bad weather, only bad clothing!

 

10.  What training and/or experience do the teachers have?

All of our full-time classroom teaching positions are held by Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs) and are supported by additional RECE support staff and qualified assistant teachers that have extensive childcare or teaching experience. All of our staff are First Aid/CPR certified, have clear vulnerable sector screenings, and have up-to-date vaccinations. Our classroom staff are required to engage in professional development to keep up to date with current ideas and research in the field of ECE. Many of our staff have been here for ten years or more.