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Waitlist Policies & Procedures

In accordance with the Child Care and Early Years Act, the following waitlist policy was developed to provide a transparent overview of how Tender Loving Daycare, Cambridge determines the order in which children on the waitlist are admitted into its centre and how waitlist information is managed. Parents/guardians are provided with their waitlist status upon request and can review the waitlist policy in the parent handbook or on an individual sheet to be handed.

 

Applying to the Center

  • Parents/guardians must apply to the waitlist by submitting an online application through OneList Waterloo Region ().

  • Through the online application, some details regarding the program are available for your information (i.e., age groups, location)

  • Once the online application has been completed on OneList, an application date is automatically generated in the online system which will help to determine your child's status on the waitlist at the centre.

  • In addition, once the application is completed an email notification is generated to the centre supervisor, advising of a new application has been completed. The supervisor will log in to view the application and immediately, the system will send out a welcome email to the parent/guardian confirming receipt of the application and inviting them to contact the supervisor to set up a time for a tour.

    Parents/guardians can log in at any time to view their current application, update any information or withdraw their application

  • There is no fee charged to parents to apply to the waitlist and no deposit is required until a space is offered. Parents/guardians can apply to up to five childcare programs online.

  Waitlist Management

  • The Supervisor reviews waitlist information online through the OneList Administration site on an ongoing basis. Any conversations with parents/guardians on the waitlist are noted in the comments section of the waitlist application within the online Administration site for reference purposes.

  • If a parent/guardian inquires about the status of their application on the waitlist, the Supervisor will provide information about the program and spaces that are available or may be coming available. Personal information about waitlist applications is never disclosed to maintain privacy and confidentiality for all families.

  • As childcare spaces become available at the centre, the Supervisor will follow up with the parents/guardians to offer childcare spaces in priority order. Priority will be given to:

  1. Staff and families with siblings already in the centre and children ready to graduate into the next age group.

  2. Followed by families that have been part of the T LD family in the past and have completed a registration package for the child on the waitlist

  3. Parents who have completed a tour and a registration package for our files.

  4. Next by application date

Registration Procedures

Registration

Once offered a space at Tender Loving Daycare, Cambridge, we will ask you to send a security deposit of two weeks’ fees, as this will be applied to your last week of care with proper written notice of withdrawal.   This will hold your space for your requested start date. We will invite you to come to an orientation during which we review the handbook (you will receive a copy) and complete and/or update the necessary forms for enrollment.

 

Your child is encouraged to come for a minimum of one play visit to their assigned classroom with you in attendance. This helps to establish that this is a safe place for them. It also allows you time to get to know the team that will be caring for your little one. We place no restrictions on how many visits this may take. It is important to us that you and your child are comfortable.  Parents are required to stay in the room during this time. If the ratio allows you may be able to leave the room to see how your little one will cope

without your presence. Please check with your child’s teacher before leaving the room, as we must always maintain our ratios. We also ask that you complete the “All About Me” form so we can better get acquainted with your child before they start.

Custody Arrangements

If you are in a situation where both parents are not living under the same roof, please ensure that you put in writing how you would like to handle making decisions regarding your child’s best interests while at the centre. For example, how you want to handle payment of fees, the sharing of information about your child, who receives the distribution of written information, and who can authorize the release of your child at departure time.

 

It is our recommendation that all separated/divorced parents provide the childcare centre with a copy of the custody arrangement. The centre is UNABLE TO ENFORCE custodial parent requests WITHOUT legal documentation.

 

This copy should include the following.

  • TITLE PAGE (these states who areinvolved),

  • CUSTODY PORTION (this clarifies the agreed-upon arrangements),and

  • THE JUDGES SEAL & SIGNATURE (this tells us it has been reviewed by a court oflaw).

 

Parents need to work together to ensure that we are receiving one set of directions and a united front as far as decisions on issues that affect your little one’s participation in our program. It is the responsibility of both parents to keep the lines of communication open. Unfortunately, it is not our role to mediate family disagreements, and we suggest that if parents are struggling to achieve a united front with their little one, they seek professional counselling

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