Questions and Answers for Commonly Asked and Important Inquiries.

Enrollment

Enrolling at Little Sprouts is a straightforward process designed to make your journey with us as seamless as possible. To begin, simply reach out to us via our enrollment form, email, or phone call, providing your desired start date and the age(s) of your child(ren). We aim to respond promptly within 1-2 business days. As our waitlist is dynamic, we encourage parents to contact us as soon as their start date is determined to secure their spot. Once we receive your information, we’ll schedule a meeting either over the phone or in person to discuss the application process and available funding options. Following this, we’ll confirm your start date and collaborate with you to determine the best transition plan for your child. Throughout this process, we are readily available to address any questions or concerns you may have. Your child’s smooth integration into our community is our top priority, and we are dedicated to supporting you every step of the way.

Transition Process

At Little Sprouts, we prioritize a seamless transition for both parents and children, ensuring a nurturing and supportive environment every step of the way. We actively encourage parents to visit a few days prior to their child’s official start date, especially during drop-off times, allowing them to acclimate to our atmosphere at their own pace. Parents are welcome to stay for as long as needed until both they and their child feel comfortable. Once both parties are at ease with the setting, we gently encourage parents to gradually extend their child’s stay, perhaps by running errands for a short period and returning afterward. Our ultimate goal is to foster a sense of confidence and independence in each child, and we consider the transition successful when a child feels secure and content in our care without the presence of their parent.

Snacks and Beverages

We are dedicated to ensuring that the snacks and beverages provided for the children are both nutritious and wholesome. We currently do not provide food (other than the cereal program), however we ensure the children are getting the best nutrition from their provided lunches. We maintain a strict policy against serving junk foods, with the exception of rare special occasions. Parents are kindly asked to refrain from including sweets, candies, or gum in their children’s lunch.

Age Grouping and Group Size

Our services cater to children aged five years and under, up to a minimum of twelve months of age. To ensure the highest quality of care, we have intentionally limited the number of children in each age group. We adhere to stringent guidelines mandated by licensing authorities to maintain appropriate staff-to-child ratios. We currently operate a 4 to 1 ratio.

Emergencies/Fire Drills

Emergency telephone numbers and evacuation plans are prominently displayed at each telephone and exit within the center. We urge parents to familiarize themselves with these procedures. Monthly drills, including fire, emergency, and severe weather evacuations, are conducted with both children and staff (myself and substitutes). These drills serve to acclimate children to the alarm sounds and ensure they are well-versed in proper emergency protocols. Should you have concerns about the impact of these drills on your child, please inform us, and we will make suitable arrangements to minimize any stress they may experience.

How Much Does Daycare Cost

Daycare costs are dependent on income and each family’s eligibility for subsequent subsidies. Our director will meet with each applying family and go through the process of calculating childcare costs for your family. More information about the Alberta Government subsidies and corresponding federal subsidies can be found on this website: Child care subsidy | Alberta.ca.

Accidents/Illnesses

In the event of a serious accident or illness, parents will be promptly notified. If unreachable, we will contact the designated emergency contact person. It is mandatory for parents to complete a Child Medical Report and an Emergency Medical Care Permission Form, granting Little Sprouts Daycare authorization to seek emergency aid for their child. Minor injuries are attended to by our First Aid Certified personnel, with detailed incident reports provided to parents for transparency and documentation.

Illness Policies

Adhering to illness control protocols, there are instances where we may need to send an ill child home or decline their admission. We advise parents to have alternative emergency care arrangements in place. Children have to be 24 hours symptom free before they can return. Should a child fall ill while at Little Sprouts, we prioritize their comfort until parents or emergency contacts arrive. Any child exhibiting symptoms such as fever, persistent diarrhea, or contagious rashes will be isolated from others. Parents will be promptly notified of any contagious diseases affecting children at the daycare, and readmittance of a child with a communicable illness is contingent upon recovery or the passage of the contagious period.

Medication Procedures

Medication can only be administered with written instructions and explicit permission from the child’s parent or guardian. Medications must be in their original containers, clearly labeled with the child’s name, medication details, dosage, date of purchase, and storage/administration instructions.

Releasing of a Child

Staff will release a child only to authorized individuals, including parents, custodial parents (where applicable), emergency contacts, or any guardian authorized in writing by the parent. In cases where uncertainty arises about the identity of a person picking up a child, we reserve the right to retain the child until clarification is obtained, with immediate notification provided to the parents.