A guide for families · 6 min read
Welcome kit
What's the same across all our daycares, to help you prepare for your child's arrival and understand their days with us.
In short
Your daycare gives you its hours, start date and documents. Before the first day: label your child's clothes and belongings, complete the authorisations, send their health information and tell the team about their habits.
Welcome to our network
We want to give children a warm, safe and stimulating place. Play, relationships with others and everyday discoveries all help them grow. Every child arrives with their own pace, habits and personality.
Working together with families is part of that welcome. Share your questions and concerns with the director and your child's educator.
Your daycare and its hours
Your daycare gives you its hours, the director's contact details, the registration documents and its own arrangements. Confirm the opening and closing times, the start date and how the first days will go with the director, and check the calendar of holidays and closures.
Arrivals and departures
Take a moment to settle your child in with the educator and pass on anything useful for their day. Let the daycare know about an absence, a late arrival or a change in who picks your child up.
- 1Settle your child in with the educator
- 2Pass on anything useful for their day
- 3Tell the daycare about an absence or a late arrival
- 1A person authorised in the file picks your child up
- 2ID may be requested
- 3Any change is reported to the director
Only people authorised in your child's file may pick them up, and ID may be requested. Tell the director about any change to the authorised people and keep your contact details up to date.
What to bring
The director will tell you what's needed for your child's age and how their daycare works. Label clothes and belongings with your child's name.
For every child
- A labelled bag and two complete changes of clothes
- Clothes for the season and for outdoor play
- Closed shoes for indoors, and shoes or boots for outdoors
- A labelled water bottle, as the group asks
For babies, as needed
- Diapers and wet wipes
- A bottle and a pacifier, if used, labelled with your child's name
- A zinc-based protective cream, as needed and with the requested authorisation
Before bringing bedding, a blanket or other items, ask the director what is provided and what suits your child's group.
Helping your child settle in
Tell the team about your child's sleep, meal and comfort habits. Agree with the director on how their arrival will go and how you'll get news while they settle in.
Simple cues can help:
- 1Explain where they're going
- 2Introduce the people who'll welcome them
- 3Tell them when you'll be back
If something worries you, raise it with the team so you can talk it through.
Before the first day
Tick each one as you go.
Your child's day
The day mixes arrivals, play, activities, meals, rest and departures. It's organised around the group, the children's ages and their needs.
Morning
A gradual welcome and free play- Hygiene routines, meals or snacks on the group's schedule
- Circle time, songs, games and discovery activities
- Outdoor play, depending on the weather and the day
Midday
Lunch, getting ready for rest, nap or a quiet timeAfternoon
A gentle wake-up, snack, activities and departures
Learning through play
Our program is based on Accueillir la petite enfance, Québec's educational program: learning through play, emotional security and respect for each child's pace. Crafts, painting, music, movement, experiments, role play and dress-up.
Meals
Our central kitchen prepares meals fresh every morning and sends them to each daycare. Check the menu and talk to the director about your child's allergies, restrictions or dietary needs.
Staying in touch
Talking with the educator, the electronic daily log, phone and email keep you informed. For a longer conversation, set up a time with the director.
Health and practical matters
Points to clarify with your daycare's director.
When your child is sick
Let the daycare know if your child has symptoms that could affect their wellbeing or the group. The director will explain the conditions for attending and returning under the applicable protocol and, if needed, public health recommendations. Check the return conditions with the director rather than relying on a general rule. Mention any medication given before arrival and follow the instructions and authorisations required for medication at the daycare.
Allergies and safety
Keep information about your child's allergies, dietary restrictions and special needs up to date, along with your contact details and emergency contacts. Follow the rules for entering the daycare and for picking children up. If an incident happens, the team follows the daycare's procedures and contacts the people concerned.
Photos and personal information
Your choices about photos of your child are set out in the related authorisations. Ask the director about private sharing, publication or updating your choices. Send personal information through the channels agreed with the daycare.
Contract and payments
Rates, payment dates, payment methods and any fees are set out in the documents from your daycare and in your contract. Ask the director before assuming an arrangement applies to every daycare in the network.
Calendar and questions
Check your daycare's notices for holidays, planned closures, activities and events. If anything is still unclear, contact the director.