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Home    Residents    Community Programs    KinderCare Babysitting Centre

KinderCare Babysitting Centre

Okotoks Recreation Centre
99 Okotoks Drive
403-995-2771
programs@okotoks.ca

Located at the Okotoks Recreation Centre, the KinderCare Babysitting Service has been established to support parents and caregivers participation in activities and programs at the Recreation Centre. Providing short term care for preschool children between the ages of 3 months to five years, the centre is staffed by caring individuals providing a play based environment with opportunities for age appropriate activities.

Philosophy
The Town of Okotoks KinderCare babysitting centre is committed to providing a safe and nurturing, play-based environment for preschool children while their parents/caregivers participate in activities at the Okotoks Recreation Centre.
 
Fees
Fees are approved on an annual basis.
 
They are follows:
$4.50/hour/child          3 months – 18 months
$3.50/hour/child          19 months – 5 years
$40.50/10 x pass         3 months – 18 months
$31.40/10 x pass         19 months – 5 years
 
Hours of Operation
Opening hours will vary based on client requirements and bookings and will be subject to change.
 
Effective September 2, 2008 hours will be as follows:  
                                      
Monday                       8:45 am- 2:00 pm
Tuesday                      8:45 am - 12:30 pm
Wednesday                 8:45 am - 2:00 pm
Thursday                    8:45 am – 12:30 pm
Friday                          8:45 am – 12:00 pm
Closed Saturday, Sunday & Statutory Holidays
 
Ages and Ratios
Minimum age for the KinderCare is 3 months and the  maximum age is five years (Six years of age if the child is not yet attending grade one).

Appropriate ratios of children to staff will be maintained. Requests for drop in care that affect the maximum numbers in ratio will be refused. Ratios are:

3 months to 18 months     1 staff to 3 children    
19 months to 3 years        1 staff to 6 children    
3 years to 5 years             1 staff to 8 children
 
KinderCare Registration Procedures
The KinderCare provides drop in care for not more than three consecutive hours per day and not more than a total of forty hours in one month. KinderCare services are provided on a first come first served basis. Pre-registration is recommended to avoid disappointment; drop in care is available and subject to availability, please call: 403-995-2771 to register.
 
KinderCare Drop-off Procedures
Before a child is accepted at the KinderCare parents must complete the KinderCare          Emergency Information Card. This card will be left at the KinderCare. Once the KinderCare booking has been confirmed the parent/caregiver will sign their child into the KinderCare indicating the approximate time of pick up. The attendant will issue two ID disks, one for the child and pinned to the back of the child’s clothing and one to the parent/caregiver who will attach it to their clothing in a visible area. Once all of these procedures have been fulfilled the parent/caregiver is free to leave their child.
 
KinderCare Payment and Pick-Up
Upon completion of their activity the parent/caregiver will collect an invoice from the         KinderCare. This invoice will be prepared by the attendant and will reflect the total number of hours and amount owing. Parents/caregivers will take the invoice to Client Services for payment. Once stamped the parent can return to the  KinderCare with their proof of payment and pick up their child. Payment is based on the current fee schedule, with a minimum charge of one hour per child. Late pick-ups will be charged at $5.00 for every five minute block.

There is a 24 hour cancellation policy in effect. A pre-booking that is not cancelled in the allotted time will be debited from the Client Account at the Recreation Centre. 

Illness/Sick Children
Parents/caregivers are not permitted to leave their children at the KinderCare if they show signs of fever, cold, flu, coughing, rashes or nausea. If the child develops any of the above conditions while in the KinderCare parents/caregivers will be notified and required to collect their child. In addition, the parents/caregivers of any child who is unable to stop crying after 20 minutes will be contacted by the KinderCare staff. In the case that any communicable diseases are brought to the attention of the KinderCare staff, parents/caregivers will be advised if their child was exposed to the infection.
 
Personal Property
All items being left at the KinderCare should be labeled. Parents/caregivers are required to bring their own diapers, wipes, bottles and nut free snacks for each child. The KinderCare will have a limited supply of diapers on hand for emergencies; parents/caregivers will be charged $1 to cover the cost. Please note: snack time is a time for snacks only, please no hot food.

In case of an emergency, children who are able to walk, must wear a pair of clean shoes.

Leaving the Okotoks Recreation Centre
The KinderCare Babysitting Service has been established to support parents and caregivers participation in activities and programs at the Recreation Centre. However, during the warm weather we have many requests for clients to leave the building and exercise outside. We have established a protocol for those wishing to run outside; they may do so for a maximum of 20 minutes. They must carry a cell phone and be prepared to return immediately to the Recreation Centre if requested. Prior to leaving the ORC parents/caregivers must provide KinderCare with the name of a person currently in the building who is available to act on your behalf in the case of an emergency. Runners will need to check out and in with the KinderCare staff upon your return.
 
The KinderCare is a NUT FREE ZONE!!!!!