We strive to provide a safe learning environment in which learning opportunities are plentiful. We will work closely with you to guide your child through all the stages of development and growth. Our policies have been created to comply with the Child Care and Early Year's Act, 2014.
Licensing: Our Centre is licensed by the Ministry of Education (MEDU), Early Learning Division. We are inspected regularly by a MEDU Program Advisor to ensure compliance with the Child Care and Early Year's Act, 2014. We are also regularly inspected by Niagara Region Public Health.
Management: The Centre is overseen by a Board of Directors made up of Members from St. Thomas' Church who meet a minimum 6 times per year. The Executive Director and the Supervisor oversee the day to day operation of the Centre and are responsible for the following staff.
Program Staff: Our educators are mostly Registered Early Childhood Educators. RECEs have a minimum 2 year diploma in Early Childhood Education. Each RECE is registered with the College of Early Childhood Educators, the regulatory body for RECEs in Ontario. All teaching staff are required to have up to date Police Vulnerable Sector Checks, First Aid and CPR training, and immunization. To assist families with identification, all program staff wear a uniform top with their name and position.
Dietary Staff: Our Food Service Manager is responsible for planning the menu, ordering food, and preparing our lunches and snacks following the recommendations of the latest Canada Food Guide. At times, an approved catering service may be used, most often Little Ones Lunches.
Resource Consultant: St. Catharines Preschool Services, a division of Community Living, provides a Resource Consultant to our Centre to assist both the teaching staff and families with children with special needs.
Cleaning Staff: Crystal Clean, a local cleaning company provides us with custodial staff for our building.
Student Placement and Volunteer Policies: Direct unsupervised access is not permitted for any persons who are not employees of St. Thomas' Day Care with the exception of registered therapists, resource consultants, and optional elective program leaders, all of whom must provide evidence of a recent Vulnerable Sector Check. Students and Volunteers are never counted in our staff:child ratios and will be supervised at all times by an employee of St. Thomas' Day Care.