Prohibited Practices
Allen-Detweiler Nursery School does not support or tolerate:
- Physical, verbal or emotional abuse of a child.
- Depriving a child of basic needs including food, shelter and clothing.
- The use of corporal punishment.
- Using a locked or lockable room or structure to confine a child who has been withdrawn from the other children.
- Deliberate use of harsh or degrading measures toward a child that would humiliate the child or undermine his or her self-respect.
- Lock or permit to be locked, for the purpose of confining a child, the exits of the Nursery School.
Monitoring Procedures
Every employee/volunteer/student will be observed, usually on a daily basis, by the Director where time permits. A more formal observation will take place monthly with a summary of these observations. Concerns, if any, will be recorded in the staff members’ file. These observations will assist in ensuring that the Policy is being followed. If any contravention of the Policy is observed, the Board of Directors will be informed and the following Contravention Policy will be followed.
Contravention Policy
Failure to comply with the Prohibited Practices may result in one or more of the following:
- Verbal Warning
- Written Warning
- Immediate Dismissal
Immediate dismissal will occur if the contravention of the Policy is considered to be of a severe nature. This will be up to the discretion of the Director and/or the Board of Directors.
Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC)
The Ministry of Education and the City of Kingston requires that all licensed agencies demand CPICs/VSCs from all persons working with the children. In keeping with this policy, all staff, volunteers and ECE students involved with ADNS will be asked to provide a clear CPIC/VSC to the school before they are allowed to be with the children.
To obtain a CPIC/VSC, you can visit the Kingston Police Station at 705 Division St. and apply in person (wait time is approx. 30 mins) or you can order your CPIC/VSC online here. The fee is $25 and ID is required. In cases where a volunteer cannot obtain a CPIC/VSC in a timely manner (ie. where fingerprints are required, etc.) they will not be able to volunteer with the children until the document has been received.
School Closings
On days of inclement weather it may be necessary to cancel classes. As a general rule, if the local school buses are cancelled, the school will be closed. However, the Director and the President of the Board do make the final decision. If the weather appears poor, please call the school. An updated message will be available by 8 am on the answering machine at school.
Snack Cups
Children must bring their own labelled, unbreakable cups to school for snack. Cups should be placed in the designated area in the classroom. Due to health regulations, the cups may not be washed at school, so please take them home for washing at the end of each school day.
Clothing
Dress your child in clothing appropriate for inside play. Clothes should be able to withstand the occasional stain of glue, paint, etc. Running shoes are the preferred footwear, for safety reasons. In case of accidents, please supply your child with a labelled change of clothes each day, to be left in their backpack. Walking trips are often planned in the warmer months, so please ensure your child has sunscreen applied before school and a hat available.
Parking
ADNS is located at the back of Rideaucrest Home. To access the school parents are asked to drive down North St. and around to the back of Rideaucrest.
There is a parking lot that parents can park in while dropping off their children. Please remember this is a drop off/pick up area. Drive slowly and be mindful of the children. If you are volunteering for the morning, please use the pay parking lot off Rideau Street, beside Rideaucrest.
Parent-Teacher Interviews
If you wish to discuss your child's progress at any time, please make an appointment with your child's teacher. Interviews can then be carried out when the child is not present.
Fee Assistance
A fee subsidy is available to eligible families through the City of Kingston. For more information, please see the school's Director.
Communication
ADNS communicates school related information through the following vehicles:
- Bulletin boards – Info is posted regularly outside the classrooms. In accordance with our Serious Occurrence Policy, any serious occurrence will be posted to the bulletin boards within 24 hours.
- Newsletter – A newsletter is created monthly, and sent via e-mail to all families
- ADNS website – The school has a website where we post snack schedules, events, past newsletters, and more. Parents can also ask for information to be posted there.
Monthly Board Meetings
Meetings are held at the discretion of the Executive Committee and all parents are encouraged to attend. Dates and times will be posted well in advance on the bulletin board, in the newsletter, on the ADNS website, and/or via e-mail notices. The school's Annual General Meeting will be held in September.
Sick Policy
As part of our Sick Policy mandated by the KFL&A Health Unit, children with diarrhea and/or vomiting must not attend nursery school for at least 48 hours after these symptoms have ended. Also, children must be “unmedicated fever free” for 24 hours before returning to school.
Immunization Policy
Under the Child Care and Early Years Act, children attending a licensed child care program must have up-to-date immunizations or a valid exemption. If you are unsure if your child’s immunizations are up-to-date bring your child’s record to the KFL&A Health Unit at 221 Portsmouth Avenue in Kingston. The immunization nurse will review your record and let you know if any immunizations are required. A copy of your child’s immunization record must be given to the Director prior to their first day of school and any time your child receives a new immunization.
Anaphylaxis Policy
ADNS has an anaphylaxis procedure that will be addressed with all families at registration and orientation. Please inform the school if your child has an allergy that could result in anaphylactic shock. If this is your family, a parent must fill out an Anaphylaxis Emergency Plan (AEP) including a photograph, a doctor’s signature and compete all medication forms. The parent will also provide the school with an EpiPen, with a pharmacy label, with the child’s name, name of medication, the doctor’s name, directions for administering and storage, date of purchase and expiry. If an anaphylactic child does not have an EpiPen at school they will not be allowed to stay that day.
Snack Policy
On your “Snack Day” you are required to provide snacks for 20 children in the Preschool Program, or 7 children in the Toddler Program, in accordance with the ADNS Snack Policy. Snacks must be well-balanced (cover two or more food groups) and healthy (low in sugar, salt and fat). Please avoid nuts, cantaloupe and pineapple. Snacks may not be washed, cut or prepared in any way at home. All fruit, vegetables, cheese etc. must be washed and cut at the school.
Please note that ADNS programs adhere to the KFL&A Public Health policies regarding sanitary practices and exclusion guidelines.
Lunch Policy
Parents are responsible for providing their child’s lunch if they are staying for extended hours. Parents must ensure that their child’s lunch is nut free and meets the guidelines of the Canada Food Guide. Lunches should include items from each of the food groups. Some examples include: whole grain breads, fruit, vegetables, milk, cheese, yogurt, pasta, cold meat, 100% fruit juice. Please do not include foods that are high in sugar/fat or that are low in nutritional value: chips, candy, high sugar drinks, etc. Lunches must be labelled and left in the basket in the hallway. Lunches will not be refrigerated and as such, an ice pack should be placed in the lunch bag to keep lunches cool. In the event you forget your child’s lunch, the parents are responsible for coming back with a lunch before 11:30 or picking up their child at 11:30. ADNS does not provide lunches. Food allergy lists are posted in the classroom, please keep us updated regarding your child’s food allergies.
