What to expect
Our Policies
* Updated policies will be provided prior to enrollment.
Outdoor Policy
Playing outdoors is a form of exercise that promotes wholesome physical development. Children are naturally drawn to active play outdoors; it allows them to explore their environment, develop muscle strength and coordination, and gain self-confidence.
The Child Care and Early Years Act requires that children enrolled for more than 6 hours spend at least 2 hours each day outside, weather permitting, unless a physician or a parent of the child advises otherwise in writing.
The toddler and preschool programs may take walking excursions in the local community. Please ensure that adequate clothing is available so that children can participate comfortably in these daily outdoor activities. Signing the registration form acknowledges parental permission for a child to leave the premises for neighbourhood walks.
Rest Policy
Quiet time / rest time is required for all children enrolled in a full day program at Brilliant Minds Montessori. The children’s work is their play, and having a break part way through their day helps them to unwind and relax. Our rest time is 12 pm – 2 pm. Those children who have outgrown their nap or who don’t fall asleep after the first hour will be given quiet activities / books to keep them occupied.
Nutrition Policy
Children are served snacks with milk and fruit and hot nutritious lunches. All meals are catered daily to our centres by a recognized ISO 9001-2000 registered catering company. All meals, snacks and beverages follow Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide. Menus are posted weekly for your information.
Children are served a morning snack and an afternoon snack, as well as a hot nutritious lunch. Fresh fruit is served with all meals. Milk is offered with lunch, and water is available to children throughout the day. Each child should bring a spill proof water bottle labelled with your child’s name to the centre daily.
Parents are not allowed to send any food to school as some children have food allergies.
All our centres are nut free environments.
School Timings and Dates
Mississauga Valley: Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 6:00 pm. Bristol: Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 5:30 pm.
The school year is September to June. There is a summer program at Mississauga Valley.
The centres are closed on all statutory holidays, winter break (2 weeks), and March Break (1 week).
We follow the Peel District School Board with regards to snow days. Please call the school for further instruction.
Arrival and Departure
Upon arrival, please stay until a staff member has assumed responsibility for the supervision of your child. It is advisable to inform the staff of any health symptoms or changes in routine or behaviour that may affect your child’s participation in the program.
When picking up your child, please ensure that a staff member is aware of your departure. Children will only be released to people that are acknowledged on the child release form.
Any adult not recognized by our staff will be asked to provide identification even if they say their name is on the child release form.
Supervision Policy
Children will be supervised at all times according to staffing ratios outlined by the Ministry of Education.
Toddler ratio 1:5, preschool 1:8.
Volunteers and placement students will not be counted in staffing ratios. Their role will be to assist other staff members, and they will never be left alone with the children.
The supervising staff will ensure that under no circumstance will direct unsupervised access be granted to anyone who is not an employee of Brilliant Minds Montessori Centre.
Illness Policy
A documented immunization form is required for each child before admission into the school. Parents are required to keep their child’s immunizations up-to-date. A quick check is done upon arrival to note down any symptoms of illness, and any that develop during the day are also noted down and communicated to parents.
It is expected that your child is able to participate in the group schedule. If your child becomes ill during the day to a point where it is interfering with their participation, you will be informed and the child will need to be taken home. If your child is ill, please keep them at home for their own well-being, and that of others, until they are clear of symptoms for at least 48 hours.
Communicable or prolonged illnesses must be reported immediately to the school. A physician’s note may be required, stating that your child is free from infection, before they will be permitted to return to the school.
Medication Policy
Whenever possible, parents will be encouraged to administer drugs or medications to their children at home if this can be done without affecting the child’s treatment schedule.
When a parent brings in a prescription drug or medication, a Medication Authorization Form must be completed and signed by the parent and staff in charge.
All medication must:
- be in the original container with the name of the drug clearly printed
- have the child’s full name
- have the date of purchase and the expiry date
- have clear instructions for storage and daily dosages required
Staff members retain the right to refuse to administer medication if the necessary documentation is not complete. Medication will be administered by one staff member and witnessed by another.
Anaphylaxis Policy
Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. It can occur within seconds or minutes of exposure to something you’re allergic to, such as peanuts/nuts or a bee sting. This potentially life-threatening allergic reaction usually involves several body systems: skin, upper and lower respiratory, gastro-intestinal, and cardiovascular.
To avoid any such allergic reactions, our centres are all nut free environments.
Children who have nut allergies must keep an Epi-Pen on site with the Supervisor. The medication policy stated above must be followed with Epi-Pens, just as with any other medication.
Emergency Situations
In the case of an emergency situation, such as a fire or power outage, children in the centre will be evacuated by the staff members to a predetermined evacuation site. A comprehensive evacuation drill is practiced by staff members and children once a month.
Parents will be notified as soon as possible.
For this reason it is imperative that emergency contact information is kept up to date.
Serious Occurrence
In the case of a serious occurrence, such as abuse or an accident that requires medical attention, the parents of the involved children will be called immediately and the Ministry of Education will be notified within 24 hours. Depending on the incident, an investigation may be conducted.
All parents will be notified of the serious occurrence on the next business day by posting a description of the incident on the parent bulletin board. The Serious Occurrence Notification Form will be posted for a minimum of 10 days. No children will be identified on this posting in an effort to maintain the confidentiality of the persons involved.
Staff members have a legal obligation to report abuse or mistreatment of children.
Field Trips
We plan one field trip for the preschool children.
Information and permission slips will be provided in advance of any field trip, and need to be completed by the parent beforehand.
Toddlers cannot be accommodated on the field trip. Please speak to your centre supervisor for more information.
Photography
Photos taken of your child during field trips, concerts, in class, etc. will only be used for posting on the school bulletin boards.
The school will always request parents’ authorization before using photos for any other purpose, such as marketing. Authorization is required before any picture is used.
Parents have the right to refuse their child being photographed. If so, please note this on your application form during enrollment.
Brilliant Minds Montessori has no control over, and cannot be held liable for, any images taken by other parties, such as parents and other family members, once they are taken in a public setting and published online.
Come and see the classrooms for yourself
Call either centre or send us a message and we will be happy to answer your questions.