Policy Handbook
Updated June 2024
Based on the ancestral and unceded homelands of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), qʼʷa:n̓ ƛʼən̓ (Kwantlen), qiqéyt (Qayqayt), and Stó:lō (Sto:lo) Peoples, (Burnaby).
Questcoast Kids donates a portion of our profits to Spirit of the Children Society
Notification
It is the family’s responsibility and courtesy to notify the staff if the child will be absent, late, change in address, phone number or changes in emergency contacts. Please notify the staff of illness and contagious illnesses in the child’s household. It would also be very helpful to let the staff know of any changes in circumstances that would affect the families well being so that we are better able to meet their needs.
Communication/Meeting Location
Families are expected to download the app Whatsapp and use it for communication. Timely reminders will be sent of the location of that day, along with a map showing our drop off/pick up location. The drop off/pick up locations will be usual at each park. This is also where families will find any communication about program canceling due to unsafe weather conditions or illness.
Questies will be in the drop off/pick up area at approximately 8:55am to 9:15am and 11:45am to 12pm.
Nature Club will be in the pick up area at approximately 4:45 to 5:15pm.
Camps will be in the drop off/pick up area at approximately 8:55am to 9:15am, 2:45 to 3pm and 4:45 to 5pm.
Variations to this schedule may be difficult to accommodate as the group may not be near the drop off/pick up area in the middle of the program.
Please message through Whatsapp or text 778-319-2570 to notify if your child will not be attending. We will contact the family if a child has not arrived and no notification has been given.
Curriculum
Questcoast Kids follows the initiatives laid out by British Columbia in the BC Early Learning Framework and BC Curriculum. In order to enact these principles we follow an emergent curriculum with structured learning activities prepared based on the children’s interests. Nature offers endless affordances for children’s learning. We have a variety of outdoor learning activities and objectives, such as forest sensory engagement, pattern recognition and building, fort building area, and plant identification to name a few. In addition to exploration, we also offer structured learning activities that support your child's cognitive and social development. Our trained instructors lead small-group lessons that focus on topics such as plant and animal identification, environmental conservation, and teamwork skills. These lessons are designed to be engaging and age-appropriate, with plenty of opportunities for children to ask questions and share their observations. Our program has ample time for children to engage in unstructured play, where they can use their imagination, develop their social skills, and build physical strength and coordination.
Behavioral Guidance
We follow Circle of Security parenting that is backed up by decades of research about attachment theory. Everything children do is met with a caregiver who is bigger, stronger, wiser and kind. Any behavioral problems are rephrased from “why is this child behaving like this?” to “what is this child trying to communicate to me?” Most often, children are looking for a connection and a caregiver will always be there to offer support and comfort and assist in organizing a child’s feelings. Most importantly the caregiver will offer unconditional positive regard that allows the children to feel safe to explore their world. Behaviors will never be met with a time out, punishment or reward. A child who is misbehaving (i.e. hits another child) will be invited to step away from the situation. Called “time in”, this child will be soothed and given some one on one attention until they are no longer overwhelmed at which time they can be returned to play with others. Later on, the child may be spoken to about not hitting their peers. The reasoning behind their action comes from being overwhelmed by their feelings and unable to communicate them. “Time in” or any form of pausing and connecting with the child will be used in situations that require behavioral guidance.
Behavioral guidance will be communicated with families and if challenging behavior arises we will ask to meet with the family to come up with a plan together. We strive to provide care in a family centered approach that puts the children and their families at the center of our focus.
We follow all guidelines put out by the Child Care Licensing Regulation:
“(1) [Questcoast Kids] must ensure that a child, while under the care or supervision of the [Staff and volunteers], is not subjected to any of the following:
(a) Shoving, hitting or shaking by [Staff and volunteers] or another child, or confinement or physical restraint by another child;
(b) Confinement or physical restraint by [Staff and volunteers], except as authorized in a child care's plan if the care plan includes instructions respecting behavioural guidance;
(c) Harsh, belittling or degrading treatment by [Staff and volunteers] or another child, whether verbal, emotional or physical, that could humiliate the child or undermine the child's self respect;
(d) Spanking or any other form of corporal punishment;
(e) Separation, without supervision by a responsible adult, from other children;
(f) As a form of punishment, deprivation of meals, snacks, rest or necessary use of a toilet.
(2) [Questcoast Kids] must ensure that a child is not, while under the care or supervision of the [Staff and volunteers], subjected to emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse or neglect as those terms are defined in Schedule H [of the child care licensing regulation].”
Food and Food Safety
We will stop to have a snack during the program and snacks are to be provided by families, able to be packed and carried in the child’s backpack, and will be entirely packed away after eating. No food stuffs or garbage will be left on site as it can attract small animals which then attracts larger animals. Additionally, leaving garbage can harm the wildlife and environment around us.
Questies Potty Training
We are happy to accommodate all potty using levels in our program. If a child is still in diapers, please arrive with a fresh diaper on, provide 2 extra diapers each day, and a wet bag to store soiled diapers. If a child is partly potty trained, please arrive with a fresh diaper on, 2 extra diapers each day, and a wet bag to store soiled diapers. We will encourage the child to use the bathroom with others who are fully potty trained. If a child is completely potty trained, please arrive and take your child to the bathroom before the start of the program (or right before you leave home if you have a short drive). Children are offered to use the bathroom half way through the program and a travel potty is available if a child needs to use the bathroom at any time. We will provide baby wipes.
**Nature Club and Camps will encourage children to use the restroom when it is available and will access nearby restrooms at regular times throughout the program.
Preparing for the adventure
Please dress and pack for your child according to the guidelines below. Do not overdress your child so that they cannot move. We aim to be warm, dry and able to explore. Do not pack additional things, as your child will be carrying their own backpack at times.
Gear to wear:
Summer Season (temperatures above 15 degrees Celsius, no rain):
Light breezy clothes including:
Long sleeve top
Long pants
Covered shoes with good grip/tread
Sun Hat
Sunscreen applied to any exposed skin before the program begins
*Add a water proof layer if rain is expected
Fall/Spring Season (temperatures between 5 and 15 degrees Celsius, before, during and after rain):
Minimum 3 layers required
First layer: non cotton clothing, long sleeve top and long pants
Second layer: Add some warmth with warm pants and a sweater or jacket
Third layer: waterproof layer. Rain pants and rain coat preferred over muddy buddy for toileting. Must be able to secure gloves and boots and wear hood over other layers to ensure full waterproof seal.
Rain boots
Waterproof gloves
Warm Hat (no pom poms, cat ears or other extras that make it difficult to wear the waterproof hood over top)
Winter Season (temperatures below 5 degrees Celsius, before, during and after rain, possible snow):
Add a layer of warmth to the Fall/Spring Season Gear including extra warm socks
OR replace the waterproof layer with snow pants, snow jacket, and snow boots
Gear to pack (all put inside a backpack your child can wear):
Water bottle
Snack (must be able to be packed away. No food stuffs or garbage can be left on site)
1 spare outfit (socks, underwear, pants, shirt)
Diapers and wet bag (if needed)
We will provide:
Water to refill water bottles
First Aid
Additional materials such as books to enhance our learning
Questies: Portable toilet with baby wipes and a secure garbage.
Drop Off/Pick Up Locations
As our program changes location, we will remind families of the drop off/pick up location. Families are asked to arrive 5 minutes prior to the end of the program at the latest, as leaving transitions can take time. Families will fill out a pick up form detailing three adults who are able to pick up their child. For example, this may include 2 parents and 1 grandparent. We will require photo identification for the pick up person to sign out their child. If a person other than these three adults is to pick up a child, notice must be given in writing in advance or the child will not be released to that person.
A family will be charged a fee of $25 for failing to pick up their child by 5 minutes past the end of the program.
Any person arriving who is not authorized to pick up the child will not have the child released to them and the emergency contacts will be called to pick up the child. Any person arriving who is authorized to pick up the child but is deemed unable to provide safe care (i.e. intoxicated) will be provided with an alternative suggestion to have an emergency contact arrive to assist pick up. A child will never be withheld from a person authorized to pick up the child. If your child has not been collected by 12pm and we have received no contact as to your whereabouts, we will begin to call the emergency contact people you have provided. If an individual is still unable to pick up your child, Emergency Services Division of the Ministry for Children and Families will be contacted, at 604-660-5900. They will then be in charge of sorting out an arrangement for your child.
Emergency Closures
We are an all weather program, but we will cancel the program in the case of weather that is too dangerous to allow vulnerable populations to remain outside for 3 hours. This includes high levels of smoke, hail, thunderstorms, and dangerous winds. If there is a necessary closure due to educator illness, emergency or dangerous weather conditions as much advanced notice as possible will be given and families will be informed through the Whatsapp season group. In the case of an emergency where the program must stop before 12pm, families will be notified to pick up their child immediately either from the drop off/pick up location if it is safe to return there, or a new location which will be given through the Whatsapp season group.
If cancelations exceed 1 illness/emergency day per month, families will be refunded the cost of additional missed days.
Sick Children
Families will be asked daily the health of their child. We are all responsible to keep our group healthy, please look out for any signs of illness and keep your child home when they are sick. Children who are sick will not be admitted into the program in the best interest of the group.
Information taken below from the child care licensing regulation to help guide the difference between a sick and well child:
A child should not attend if experiencing:
“• Pain - any complaints of unexplained or undiagnosed pain.
• A common cold with listlessness, runny nose and eyes, coughing and sore throat. Once the child’s temperature, well being and energy have returned to normal, the child may no longer be contagious, and may be able to return to the child care facility even though coughing and runny nose may persist. Generally speaking, a person who catches a cold can spread it to others for one day before symptoms appear, and about five days after the cold symptoms (above) begin. If the symptoms (runny nose and eyes, coughing) are caused by a known allergy (e.g. hay fever, asthma) the child is not contagious and does not have to be excluded.
• Difficulty in breathing - wheezing or a persistent cough.
• Fever (1OO degrees F/38.3 degrees C or more) accompanied by general symptoms such as listlessness or sluggishness may be an early sign of an illness that requires a doctor’s attention.
• Sore throat or trouble swallowing.
• Infected skin or eyes, or an undiagnosed rash.
• Headache and stiff neck (should see physician).
• Unexplained diarrhea or loose stool (may or may not be combined with nausea, vomiting or stomach cramps). These symptoms may indicate a bacterial or viral gastrointestinal infection which is very easily passed from one child to another via the fecal-oral route. The child should be kept home until all symptoms have stopped.
• Nausea and vomiting may be early signs of illness.
• Severe itching, dry skin of either body or scalp if caused by head or body lice or scabies.
• Children with known or suspected communicable diseases.
In Summary, a child must be kept at home (or taken home) when the child:
• Is suffering from one or more of the above symptoms, or
• is not well enough to take part in the regular programs of the facility.
Ultimately, the care of a child who is ill is the family’s responsibility.”
If a child shows signs of illness during the program, families will be notified and asked to pick up their child early either from the drop off/pick up location or another specified location. It is ultimately up to the discretion of the educators as children who are ill are not able to participate fully in the day.
If a child is in need of a physician or ambulance and the family and emergency contacts have not responded to contact, messages will be left with the family about whether the child is at the park or a hospital. If a child is experiencing severe illness or injury and an ambulance is needed, 9-1-1 will be called and the family will be notified and kept in close contact so they can meet us either at the park or the hospital.
Families are required to inform the program of:
a) The diagnosis of a serious illness or communicable disease in their child, or
b) The exposure of their child to a serious illness or communicable disease in any other member of their family.
Injury
If a child is injured during the program, families will be notified and may be asked to pick up their child either from the drop off/pick up location or a new specified location.
Medication
Medication will only be administered to a child with written consent from their family with the name of the medication, the amount to administer and what time the medication is to be given and this will be kept in the child’s file. If a child requires emergency medication such as an inhaler or epipen, this will also be written down with a procedure to follow and kept on file. In the event a child has a reaction to the medication, the family will be notified immediately and asked to pick up their child. If the reaction is severe, an ambulance may be called and the family will be kept in close communication. All medication is kept with staff and out of reach of children.
Vaccinations
All children are required to be up to date on all vaccinations for the health and safety of the group.
Emergency Preparedness
The parks we visit are full of wildlife and we share the area with animals including bears, deer, cougars, and coyotes. While the children do not need to be continually aware, there are actions that can be taken to deter animals from our groups. Our days are planned with potential wildlife encounters in mind and preventative measures are a major priority.
Children are actively supervised at all times and kept near an educator or volunteer’s sightline. When in the parks, all children wear whistles attached to them and are easily accessible. Children walk between educators or volunteers and do not go ahead or fall behind. Children will be reminded to stay in our group to avoid animals.
Children walk in groups and are encouraged to make lots of noise. Educators observe for signs of wild animal activity in the area such as tracks, and animal remains.
Educators carry appropriate defence items such as sticks, and small knives as well as first aid kits.
We have drills once a month for any of these encounters. We review this information regularly with the children so they are ready in the unlikely chance we encounter one of these animals. We encourage families to also review this information with their children.
Dog Encounter:
Signal – Off Leash Dog
To help prevent children from being bitten by dogs, these safety tips will be reviewed regularly:
Do not approach any unfamiliar dog.
Do not run from dogs or scream.
Be still with arms tucked when approached by an unfamiliar dog.
Be still if knocked over by a dog.
Do not play with or touch dogs.
Report stray dogs or dogs with unusual behavior to an adult.
Avoid direct eye contact with dogs.
Bears
Bear sightings are exceptionally uncommon but when bears are present they are likely searching for food or garbage and other food sources can easily attract a bear to our group. Children are encouraged to pack away any uneaten food and wrappers after snack. If a bear is encountered, children are taught not to make eye contact or run; and to act big and loud, to blow their whistle, respond to the ‘behind’ command and to back away slowly to a safe place. If the bear attacks, children will be told to fall to the ground on their tummies, play ‘dead’ with arms and legs wide.
Bear Encounter:
Signal - Behind/Wagon
Children will bunch up behind an adult and make themselves look like one big person
Back away slowly
Speak in low tones and normal volume with the bear.
If the bear has not seen us, we will:
Leave the area quietly and go to a more public place away from the bear.
Cougars
Cougars can have kittens throughout the year, and family groups can be seen at any time but are very rare. Cougar attacks on humans are highly unlikely. However, children are taught if they encounter a cougar, not to run. Children are taught to stop, stand still, not to crouch down and while facing the cougar, to move slowly gathering into a group (make themselves appear bigger) behind an educator who will talk to the cougar in an assertive, confident, loud voice and stare the cougar down while also ensuring that the cougar has an escape route. Children practice where they are taught to make eye contact with the cougar, to make themselves big by waving sticks and branches and jackets, and to back away slowly. If the cougar attacks, children are taught to fight back.
Cougar Encounter
When a cougar is seen:
Signal - Behind/Wagon
Make ourselves big, bunching up behind an adult
Keep eye contact with the cougar, show teeth and make loud noises.
Back away
If the cougar does not go away,
Arm ourselves with sticks and rocks and make a lot of noise and throw things.
If the cougar does attack, fight back: focus on the nose and face area. Use sticks and rocks as weapons.
Coyotes
Coyotes have a larger population of potentially dangerous wildlife in Burnaby and can be seen year round, even in residential areas. Coyotes are bold and often lose their natural fear of people. Our practices are designed to not attract deer (a coyote's main diet). If children encounter a coyote, they are encouraged not to ignore it and to scare it off by making loud noise or throwing something at it to make it afraid of the group. If it continues to approach, they are taught not to run, to maintain eye contact, respond to the ‘behind’ command by slowly backing to behind an educator, who will then move to an area of increased activity or shelter.
Deer are non-threatening. However, children are encouraged not to feed deer or interact in order to reduce the attraction of other predatory animals.
Coyote Encounter
If a coyote acts unafraid or aggressive, we will take the following action as soon as we notice the animal:
Signal - Behind/Wagon
Make ourselves big, bunching up behind an adult
Raise your arms and wave them in the air to make yourself appear larger.
Back away slowly, do not turn your back
Make noise, throw sticks and rocks.
Fire and Life Safety Plan
In the case of a fire or other emergency, we will move our group back to the drop off/pick up location. If this location is unsafe, we will find the nearest safe location to stay while waiting for families to pick up their children.
During an emergency, we will call to inform families as soon as it is safe to do so that we have either arrived at the drop off/pick up location or moved to a new meeting location and to pick up immediately.
Payments
Tuition is the total of days of the program offered each season split into multiple payments, there are no additional registration or other fees. A $100 deposit is paid to secure your child’s spot during registration and will be used for the final month’s tuition payment or toward the full camp fees. Invoices and receipts will be sent through Wave. Payment options are by e-transfer to QuestcoastKids@gmail.com or by cheque by midnight on the day payments are due. Families will be invoiced for a $25 fee if payment is not received on time.
Repayment Agreement
Fees are not refundable due to a child’s illness or vacation. Fees are not refundable due to a child discontinuing in the program. If a family chooses their child to discontinue before subsequent payments are due, they are not required to make any additional payments.