Frequently Asked Child Care Questions

Yes, fees are paid during all absences; once a space is confirmed, it is payable whether the child attends or not.

Yes. The first step for clients seeking subsidy from Child Care Programs, City of Kingston involves first ensuring that Kingston Day Care has an available space at one of our locations. The next step is to complete the Confirmation of Space form at your chosen site; Kingston Day Care will then submit the form on your behalf. Upon receipt of the Confirmation of Space form, Child Care Programs will make contact with the client to set up an appointment.

Clients seeking subsidy from Prince Edward - Lennox and Addington (1-888-354-0114) or United Counties of Leeds and Grenville (1-800-267-8146) are to contact them directly to begin their process.

We are opened all year round. The only days in which we close are statutory holidays and Public Closures.

Yes, it is a Ministry of Children and Youth Services mandate that there must be a scheduled rest period for the infants, toddlers and preschoolers. We recognize that some preschool children will not be comfortable about nap time and we are respectful of this. Quiet activities are provided for children who are unable to nap and calming music is played throughout this period of time to help the children relax and feel at ease with the rest period. (NOTE: Children (6-12 years) who are enrolled in one of our school age programs are not required to have this rest period.)

The child/staff ratios for each age grouping are as follows:

• 1 educator for every 3 infants (birth to 18 months)
• 1 educator for every 5 toddlers (18 months - 2.5 yrs)
• 1 educator for every 8 preschoolers (2.5 to 5 yrs)
• 1 educator for every 12 school age children (less than 6 yrs)
• 1 educator for every 15 school age children (6-12 yrs)

The majority of our staff are graduates of the Early Childhood Education Program. All of our staff members are trained in Infant and Child C.P.R. It is mandatory for each employee to undergo a formal Criminal Background Check. Ongoing professional development is provided to staff of Kingston Day Care.

We do our best to be supportive of the working parent and at the same time, operate within the health standard guidelines mandated by Kingston Public Health. If a child is feeling somewhat under the weather but is able to function within the program we will allow them to remain. Communicable illnesses, other than colds, require exclusions which are determined by Kingston Public Health. We will administer medications such as antibiotics providing proper procedures are followed. (Please refer to the heading ILLNESS in the Policy Section for details.)

Parents are responsible for providing their child's diapers and any infant related food that the child may still be requiring. Once the infants are able to eat pureed table food, all meals are provided for by the day care. Whole milk is given to both the infant and toddler groups; once the children turn preschool age they are given 2% milk. Parents are responsible for providing baby bottles for their child.

It is a good idea for parents to supply a change of clothing which can be left at the day care in the event their child require a change. Indoor shoes are also requested. Please be sure to send sun hats and sunscreen for daily use during summer months and nice warm clothing for outdoor play during colder weather. Kingston Day Care provides tooth brushes, baby wipes, blankets and bedding for each child in our care.

A highly nutritious menu is planned for each day which is in compliance with Canada's Food Guide. A morning "breakfast type" snack, a full course meal at lunch, and an afternoon snack are all provided daily.

St. Martha Child Care Centre and Collins Bay Child Care Centre are allergy safe environments.

All baby bottles used in the child care centre must be Bisphenol A (BPA) free.

No, we are unable to provide this system. Fees are on a "as per child" basis.

You can place your child on our waiting lists using our convenient Electronic Day Care Placement System. You can learn all about our waiting list and enrollment process on our Registration Page. Wait lists are available for each program; being placed on a wait list does not ensure a space, but does place clients in order of priority. It is advisable for clients to keep in touch with us if the date of birth and child's name could not be provided at the time of their initial contact.

A space can only be considered 'confirmed' when a pre-registration fee has been accepted by Kingston Day Care; this payment holds the space and is non-refundable. Child Care will not be provided "in lieu" in the event a client has paid a pre-registration fee and then later chooses to forfeit that space."

Yes. A site visit will be set up if the possibility of a space exists. Random visits will not be conducted if there is no space availability as this would be very disruptive to the children in our care.

If a child withdraws from a program, the space shall be considered available to other families on the waiting list who are in immediate need of care. Families who withdraw their child from care may check in with the daycare a few weeks prior to the date they require care to resume to see if an available space exists.

Yes. In accordance with the Ontario Regulation 243/07 under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002, Kingston Day Care is in compliance with the requirements for daily flushing and/or water sample testing. Sampling procedures and testing for lead are conducted annually between May and October 31 as required by regulation. Plumbing at each daycare location is flushed daily before use.

Yes. The annual deadline for the completion of these forms is January 20th. After this date this service will no longer be provided. A service fee is due at the time the request is made and is payable to the Site Supervisor; this payment must be made separate of child care fees.

Yes. Before and After School programs are offered at St. Martha Child Care Centre and Collins Bay Child Care Centre, however, active clients in these daycare centres must not assume they will automatically get a space. If your child requires Before and After School care OR if they require additional days, please ensure that the on-line Wait List is completed. These programs are generally full.