Frequently Asked Questions

All children who are bused to our program need to be dropped off at 80 Thorncliffe Park Drive where a staff member will meet them and mark the attendance with the time that they have arrived.

Thorncliffe Park Day Care Centre  provides a morning and afternoon snack daily with a milk or water beverage for the children.  An additional snack is also provided  around 5-5:15pm with daily fruits. Lunch is provided daily.  

For school age children during all non instructional days (PA, March break, summer break etc) the childcare  also provides  a healthy lunch along with snacks.  Our school age program offers  a wholesome lunch program from September to July for children who attend Thorncliffe Park Public School .  Spots are limited and interested  parents will require registration.  

Thorncliffe Park Day Care Centre only releases your child to persons on your child's pickup list who is 16 years of age or older. Siblings under this age are not allowed to pick up from the childcare. Persons picking up your child will require  ID to verify information on the pick up authorization form.

At Thorncliffe Park Day Care Centre  each room  has qualified staff that have a degree or diploma in Early Childhood Education (ECE) and are registered with the College of ECE. Our assistants have taken  Early Childhood Assistant courses and all staff have their First Aid, Food Handler Course and WHMS  training. The staff take part in several workshops and training  yearly to keep up to date on changes in the field of Early Childhood Education.

Can I bring food for my child? 

Health and safety are of utmost importance to us, as such we only accept outside food for infants and it must be labeled with the child’s name and the contents. By doing so it will prevent staff from offering food to the wrong child.

Is the food provided halal or vegetarian? 

We strive to have an inclusive environment where everyone is welcomed and the decision to provide halal and vegetarian options is based on the community in which we operate.

Do you provide diapers and wipes? 

It is the responsibility of the parents to provide toiletries. However, in the event that a child does not have any more available, the centre will provide for that day. 

Does my child have to remain at home when experiencing any gastroenteritis (ie: diarrhea, vomiting or nausea)?

We comply with the protocols of Toronto Public Health. They have advised that a person experiencing any of the above symptoms must be symptom free for 48 hours. 

If my child gets sick, how long do I have to pick he/she up? 

In cases of illness the parents will be contacted to pick up their child within 1 hour. If the parent is unable to comply, the emergency contact person will be called to pick up the child within the one-hour time allotted.

Are parents welcome to stay with their child? 

Creating and maintaining routines make transitions so much better for your child. At drop -off we encourage parents to hug, kiss and explain you'll  be back later with saying bye!  We understand that this is difficult for the parties involved, however, it helps with the gradual transition to childcare for both the child and yourself.  . The staff are encouraged to contact the parents to reassure them that their child is okay.

What time do I have to drop off my child? 

The drop off times at Thorncliffe Park Day Care Centre    are 7:30am-10:00am, unless your child has an appointment such as with a doctor or community resource affiliate. (ie: Surrey Place). Parents must notify the daycare on such cases.

Is there a late fee charge? 

At Thorncliffe Park Day Care Centre  our late fee charge is  $2.00 per child per minute. The amount owed must be paid to the staff in cash within 24 hours. If for any reason there is an unforeseen incident that hinders many parents from picking up their children at 6:00pm, the cost will be at the discretion of the organization.

How many teachers are in the classroom? 

On average there will be 2 educators, with the exception of the infant room having 3.5 staff. 

Infant room has 10 children; therefore 3.5 staff are needed to cover the ratio of 3:1

Toddler room has 10 children; their ratio is 5:1

Preschool room has 16 children; their ratio is 8:1

Does my child have to go outside every day? 

Fresh air is important to us all, on a daily basis the children are required to go outside, for 1 hour in the morning and afternoon, unless given a letter by the parent or doctor. This protocol is mandated by the Ministry of Education. However, during increment weather, the children will remain inside their classrooms or they may use the gym if it is available.