Daycare Policies

We believe that children learn best when lessons are delivered as a whole body experience, with opportunities to see, touch, squish, manipulate, and experiment. Our centre and activities are specifically designed to provide children with the opportunities to learn in the ways they learn best. That may be different for each child, and we aim to promote the best in all our Buddies, no matter what their level or style.

Further, we believe that fostering an appreciation for the natural world is the first step to lifelong sustainable living habits. Respect for the environment is a standing theme in all our programming.

While facilitating activities, they look for ways to give each child the special attention they need to progress at their own pace, and in their own direction. Activities, art projects, music and movement, stories, and free play are all incorporated, centered on our inspirational topics.

Our educators are qualified to teach in the Province of BC, and hold up-to-date licenses with the ECE Registry. All staff have First Aid and Food Safe certification and are actively seeking opportunities to develop professionally.

These ratios will never be exempted, so you can trust that your child’s specific needs are being met.

The products and toys at Buddings are always chosen for their production methods and ingredients, durability and efforts at sustainability.

We’re always on the look-out for a truly effective, environmentally-friendly cleaning product, and when we find a new one, we’re happy to test it out. Find real product reviews and our “report card” ratings in the Spot Light Section.

There are some pretty big deterrents for the first-time bike commuter, especially when you have stuff to carry, kids to pick up, and a hectic schedule, but if you’ve ever thought, “I wish I could do that,” we bet you can! We even have some equipment you can borrow that will make it all a bit easier, including trailers, trail-a-bikes, bike seats, and copies of Momentum Magazine.

Families can borrow bike equipment for up to 5 days on a first-come first-served basis. Late return may be subject to a $5/day fee.

When it comes to your child, everything is top priority, but please consider the other children attending the centre too. If you have questions or concerns that are not of an emergency nature, please email us. Emails will be answered throughout the day/evening, and any missed messages will be returned before 10am the next day.

If the matter is urgent, time-sensitive, or too complicated, please give us a call and leave a detailed message with contact information. Messages will be returned at the earliest opportunity. It may still be most efficient to send an email, requesting a call back.

We believe everyone is special, with a unique perspective to share with the group. Our Buddies are taught to appreciate surface differences, to better understand the ways we are all the same. It is never too early to start.

For staff, that means listening to our Buddies and giving them the time and means to express themselves. We will never use any form of physical discipline (including withholding food or drinks), ostracization, or shaming, as we do not believe these encourage self-confidence.

For our Buddies, it means sharing, using manners, playing nicely, and keeping the centre tidy and ready for action.

Even families have a part to play, being punctual, considerate, and positive role models.

This means our limitations give Buddies the information they need to perform the desired behaviour. For example: “At Buddings, we walk in the centre,” not “Don’t run at Buddings.” Try this at home. It’s a great way to reduce “tattling.”

The years up to 5 are the age of discovery. The world is a big mystery, and the only way to understand it is to experiment. That’s what Buddings is all about! But when experimentation might lead to trouble, or someone might be hurt, we need to step in. We set clear and simple limits in terms our Buddies can understand, with time given for everyone to take in the message.

We use the following Guidance Strategies:

• Modeling and actively teaching appropriate behaviour and problem solving skills
  Supporting the child to be an active and positive participant in dealing with the outcomes of his/her behaviour
  Recognizing and acknowledging the child’s feelings when setting limits
  Teaching children to express feelings in appropriate ways
  Redirecting the child, or giving the choice of more appropriate activities

We will periodically remind you to confirm that all contact information is still accurate, but you can make updates as they happen by logging in to the Guard Info Tab of the Buddings Account.

If you need more than one card, let us know. The swipe cards are numbered and assigned to the family, so you’ll have access whenever you need. If it gets lost, let us know immediately so that we can deactivate it. A $50 Swipe Card Replacement Fee will be applied for any lost cards.

Adding people to the list can be done easily on the Buddy Profile Tab of the Buddings Account. If you forget to update the list beforehand, we will contact you when the person arrives for confirmation. All Authorized Pick-Up People must be at least 16 years old, and proof of identity will be required on first introduction.

Instead, the Emergency Contact, or another Authorized Pick-Up Person will be asked to come get the child and individual.

We are always open to hearing from Buddings guardians, especially if you have concerns. We will treat all requests for a formal meeting with utmost seriousness. Please email the request, a couple of date/time options, and as much detail as you feel comfortable giving on the topic to either Buddings owner: Lawrence@buddings.ca or Talia@buddings.ca.

If the matter concerns a member of our staff, we will meet with you first, but will always give the staff member a chance to explain the situation before taking any action.

Similarly, if there is anything we feel needs to be discussed privately, we will request a meeting with you.

No matter what the issue, we work together to find an acceptable solution, and if necessary, schedule a follow-up meeting to review the situation. Detailed notes will be drafted and both staff and guardians will sign their acknowledgement of the issue and the resolution. These notes will be kept on file.

Licensed daycares are visited a few times a year by Vancouver Coastal Health and Public Health officers, especially during the first year of operations, to check in and make sure everything is running smoothly and the children are safe. It’s not usually disruptive, but if your child is at the centre during one of these visits, they may get to be involved. 

We also have responsibilities to report any disease outbreaks, suspicions of abuse, and other serious incidents via our Incident Reports. If a child ever discloses abuse to one of our staff, we have a responsibility to report the disclosure directly to the investigators at Vancouver Coastal Health, who will pursue the matter as they deem appropriate.

While we know that childcare is expensive no matter how infrequently you use it, Buddings does not qualify for subsidized reimbursement.

No matter how long you’ve been with us, or what the reason for leaving, we’ll miss the graduating Buddies just the same. For every one, we’ll also have a few loose ends to tie up.

• The swipe card assigned to your family while registered with Buddings must be returned on or before the last day of the month.
• The final Incidentals Invoice must be settled in full
• A short debriefing meeting can be scheduled, upon request, to get any final information or files in order.

We do not believe that sending Buddies out of daycare is ever in their best interest, but when a reconciliation of differences with the guardians is not possible, we reserve the right to end the relationship.

You will never be surprised by this because the matter will have been brought to your attention on at least two occasions, and notes will show the progression of the issue.