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Attendance & Arrival
- ✓Absence notifications
- ✓Arrival expectations
- ✓Daycare readiness
- ✓30-day notice when ending care
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Parent Handbook
Everything you need to feel prepared.
Our policies help families know what to expect and help us keep each day safe, organized, comfortable, and predictable for everyone.
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Our policies, made clear.
The information below highlights some of the most important policies families should know. Our complete Parent & Staff Handbook includes additional details about daily routines, health and safety, emergencies, fees, activities, and everyday expectations.
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At a Glance
Clear information for everyday situations.
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Pickup & Safety
- ✓Authorized pickup persons
- ✓Identification requirements
- ✓Custody arrangements
- ✓Late pickup procedures
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Positive Guidance
- ✓Calm and respectful guidance
- ✓Problem solving
- ✓Age-appropriate limits
- ✓Practices we do not use
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Emergencies & Incidents
- ✓Medical emergencies
- ✓Evacuation procedures
- ✓Shelter-in-place procedures
- ✓Reportable incidents
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Health & Medication
- ✓When children should stay home
- ✓Contagious illnesses
- ✓Return-to-care requirements
- ✓Medication procedures
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Fees & Closures
- ✓Registration and deposits
- ✓Monthly payments
- ✓Late payment charges
- ✓Holidays and planned closures
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Play & Screen Time
- ✓Daily active play
- ✓Outdoor activity
- ✓Screen time limits
- ✓Age-appropriate activities
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Everyday Agreements
- ✓Parent communication
- ✓Transportation
- ✓Rest and nap time
- ✓Photo consent
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What to Bring
- ✓Extra clothing
- ✓Indoor and outdoor footwear
- ✓Weather-appropriate supplies
- ✓Personal and hygiene items
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Parent Handbook
The details, all in one place.
Here are some of the policies families ask about most often. For the complete details, download our Parent & Staff Handbook below.
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Policy 01
Attendance & Arrival
Please notify First Choice by 9:30 AM if your child will be absent. Regular attendance helps children become comfortable with their routine. Families ending child care are asked to provide 30 days written notice.
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Policy 02
Safe Release & Late Pickup
Children are released only to a parent, legal guardian, or authorized pickup person. Identification may be required when someone is unfamiliar to staff. Late pickup is subject to a fee of $10 for every 15 minutes after the scheduled pickup time.
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Policy 03
Positive Guidance & Behaviour
Our approach focuses on calm communication, encouragement, choices, age-appropriate limits, problem solving, and helping children understand their feelings. Physical punishment, verbal or physical abuse, forced toilet training, and using food or rest as punishment are not permitted.
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Policy 04
Emergency & Incident Procedures
First Choice has procedures for medical emergencies, fire, evacuation, shelter-in-place situations, severe weather, missing children, and other unexpected events. Reportable incidents are documented and reported in accordance with applicable child care requirements.
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Policy 05
Health, Illness & Medication
Children should remain home when illness prevents them from comfortably participating in the regular program. Medication must be provided directly to the caregiver in its original packaging and accompanied by the required parent authorization.
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Policy 06
Fees, Deposits & Closures
A deposit equal to one-half of a month's daycare fee is required with registration. Monthly fees are due at the beginning of the month or on the child's first day of care, as applicable. The daycare closes for recognized statutory holidays, March 20 for Persian New Year, and planned vacation days with advance notice.
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Policy 07
Active Play & Screen Time
First Choice aims to provide more than two hours of active play each day, including at least 60 minutes outdoors when weather allows. Screen time is limited to 30 minutes or less per day, and children under age two do not participate in screen time.
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Policy 08
Everyday Agreements
Families are encouraged to communicate openly about their child's needs, concerns, and routines. The handbook also includes expectations around transportation, rest time, hygiene, and consent for photographs.
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Policy 09
What to Bring
Children should have appropriate extra clothing, indoor shoes, weather-appropriate footwear, seasonal items, hygiene supplies when needed, bedding, and an appropriate personal cup or bottle. Please label personal belongings whenever possible.
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Printable Version
Download the Parent Handbook
Download a printable copy of our complete Parent & Staff Handbook for detailed policies, procedures, routines, and family information.
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Have a policy question?
If you're unsure about something or want clarification, just ask. We're happy to help families understand what to expect.