1.How many children do you care for in home daycare?
Independent home care providers are able to care for up to five children of different parentage at one time(excluding their own children). At present I have a number of children who attend care at different times, but at no time do I exceed the five children of different parentage standards.


2. Do you have an ECE background and provide early learning programs?
Home daycare is structured to provide your child with an environment similar to your home, with one consistent caregiver in a safe, relaxed and loving environment. This structure often suits babies, toddlers and before/after school aged children best. For parents looking for a more educational based environment nursery schools, Montessori or early learning daycare centres are often more appropriate.


3.What types of things will my child do throughout the day?
I follow a very structured routine which includes scheduled snack times, nap times, free play, guided play, story times and walks (weather permitting) I prefer to keep the children around the same developmental ages so that I can plan age appropriate activities and meals etc. The children often spend the day playing with each other with the many toys. I also get together often with other home daycare providers to allow the children to socialize with other children. For before/after school children I can encourage them to do their homework(although I do not offer tutoring service) play games or relax and watch shows, movies or play video games.


4.What ages of children do you care for?
I have extensive experience with children of all ages, however I do feel it is important to have a group that feel happy together. I try to keep the children around the same developmental ages. Currently I have children aged 14 months to aged 2 on a full time basis and 6-9yrs before and after school.


5. If I have a baby/toddler what do I need to provide?
If your child is still in diapers you will need to provide these along with any creams etc on a daily basis. Most parents buy a bag of diapers to leave at my home. A change of clothes is also appreciated in case of any accidents. If your child is still drinking formula or breast milk or has any other specific dietary requirements these too will need to be provided daily.

6.Do you provide references?
I have a number of references that are provided with the information package.


7.Are tax receipts or daycare subsidiaries provided?
As home care is considered to be a babysitting service, tax receipts and subsidiary documents are not provided.


8.Can our child still attend care if they are sick?
In consideration for the health of all the children in my care please keep your child at home if they have any of the following: Fevers, pink eye, stomach flu, influenza, chicken pox, measles, mumps, diarrhea, vomiting or any other contagious ailments.


9.How is payment for care determined?
At time of registration you will indicate whether your child is full-time, part-time, before/after school or short-term care. Based on that information fees will be billed on the number of days in the month times the daily fee. Fees are to be paid on the first day of the month. Statutory holidays are also included in daycare fees. Fees are based on the number of days booked, not attended. Payments made by cash are preferred.


10.Are there days when care is not provided?
Care is not provided on statutory or civic holidays such as Good Friday, Easter Monday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day, Thanksgiving Monday, Labour Day, Victoria Day and Canada Day. I take two weeks vacation per year, usually one week at a time and will provide these days to you with six weeks advanced notice. In the event that I need to take a personal day, go on vacation or have an emergency I will have a network of daycare providers who are able to you and your child with excellent care during that time.


11. Do you care for children with special needs.
Presently my educational background has not prepared me to care for children with special needs.


12. I am concerned about reliability with a home daycare provider. What happens if you have a need to take a personal day or have an emergency during daycare hours?

I understand a parents need for reliability and as I am a sole daycare provider this of course might be a concern. However, here in Cornell I have a network of other home care providers who are able to provide back up care for your child. In the event that I need to take a personal day or have an emergency I contact my backup caregivers and the parents to make arrangements for drop off/pick ups at the alternate location. (all locations are within a one or two streets distance from my home) Parents are also free to provide alternative contact numbers of friends or relatives if they prefer to use them as backup caregivers.


13. Are meals and snacks provided?
All fees include snacks, full-time children will also receive a lunch.

14. What do I need to do in order to register my child for daycare?

1. Firstly, please fill out the information form indicating the days and times of care you require, age of your child etc.

2. Set up an appointment so that I may meet with you and your child.

3. Fill out registration package and set up a period of trial care. (In order to determine whether your child will adjust successfully to home care and with the existing children and schedule, I like to arrange a trial period or phase in with each new child prior to beginning full time daycare. We do this by having your child come two weeks or so before daycare is to begin for short periods to play with the other children and spend time here in my home. This can range from half an hour for a few days and progress to full days by the time care is to begin.) If it is determined that care will be successful, we begin full time care. If not, I can offer referrals for other daycare providers here in Cornell that may be more suitable.

Family Daycare in Cornell * Zoe Millar * seanmillar@rogers.com