It is understood that staff will never be alone with one child. Staff will ensure that there is at least three children in the room or a second staff member.  At the beginning of the day, classrooms are combined until the enrollment reaches at least 5 children in each classroom. If enrollment is under 5 children after the day begins, classrooms should stay combined unless and until enrollment reaches at least 5 children in a classroom. At the end of the day, once enrollment is down to 5 children, classrooms will combine.

Staff are not permitted to use their personal cell phones while they are in the classroom supervising children. Staff must ensure that their personal cell phones are in a location where children cannot access them. If a child does access the personal cell phone of a staff, the staff must attempt to retrieve and prevent the child from using their personal cell phone. This incident MUST be reported the Supervisor.

Outside Program

Children coming in from outside must have a teacher coming in with them OR in the event that no teacher can go in, the children (in a buddy system) must be received by a teacher inside. It is understood that staff will never be alone with one child. If a child must go in, a second child will be requested to go with him/her. Staff will use the walkie talkies to communicate that children are entering or exiting the building. No child(ren) will be sent into the building without being received by a staff member.

When children are temporarily missing

If the children leave the program room and have not returned within 3-4 minutes, a teacher will be sent to check on the children.  If the children are still in the washroom or getting materials, the teacher will continue to monitor until the children return.

If the children have not returned and are not where they are supposed to be (i.e. in the washroom) AND are missing for more than 5 minutes, the following procedures will be followed:

• All staff will be alerted that the child(ren) are missing.
• The child care premises, including outdoor areas, will be searched.
• The adjacent school will also be searched.
• A staff member who is not searching the premises will immediately alert the child’s parents (to advise them and determine whether parents have additional information about the child’s whereabouts).
• If the child(ren) is/are temporarily missing but found (if they return after the search), a serious occurrence must be filed.
• If the child(ren) are still missing after a quick search of the premises, police are to be called.  A serious occurrence must also be filed.

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Updated August 2025