Frequently Asked Questions

We are a fully licensed Large Group centre regulated by Fraser Health. We have regular inspections and follow policies and procedures laid out by Fraser Health.

All of our programs are open Monday to Friday from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.

We have a late policy in place of $1 a minute past 6pm.

No, we are closed on all regular statutory holidays as well as Easter Monday.

We are closed between Christmas Eve and New Years.

Our morning cut off times are Toddlers and Littles - 9:30 am year round School Age - 7:45 am on school days 9:30 am on full days.

Our health policy is designed to provide a healthy environment for the children in our care as well as for our employees. We recognize the work responsibilities of parents and the conflicts which arise when an ill child must stay home; however, Small Steps Childcare Centre strives to control the spread of illness to the extent possible by ensuring that neither children nor employees are needlessly exposed to illness. Parents play a key role in minimizing illness and maintaining a healthy environment for all of the children by keeping their child out of the Centre when the child’s health is questionable or when the teachers believe it is necessary due to health concerns in the room. Children are required to be symptom free and unmedicated for 24 hours before returning.

All our staff have the required qualifications and have First aid training. All staff have been cleared with a criminal record search.

Yes, we are a nut free facility.

At Small Steps Childcare Inc., we prioritize open and transparent communication with parents. We utilize a variety of channels such as emails, messenger, phone calls, and our dedicated parent portal to keep parents informed about their child's well-being, daily activities, and any important updates.

Yes. Upon registration you will be given the link to all our forms including all our policies and procedures.

Yes there is a one time registration fee of $50 and $100 security deposit which will go towards your first month fees. A total of $150 can be e-transfered to sssccetransfer@gmail.com to formally register your child. Please note this fee is per child.

Ah!! The most frequently asked question but the answer is vague. Our waitlist relies on too many factors to determine exactly how long you must wait. Our spaces are limited in each program and there are many factors involved in going down the list. Just a few examples We always try to keep families together, so siblings do get priority. Children requiring full time get priority. Children already enrolled in our younger programs are given first opportunity to graduate to the next program. Space on each bus also determines which school we can accommodate. Please be patient with us as we have a great number of families contacting us regarding spaces available.

We currently accept: - E-transfers *preferred method - debit at the door - credit card at the door *small service fee for credit card payments

Yes we do. This is an individual government grant that is available to families that make less than $110,000 a year. If you wish to apply for the Affordable Child Care Benefit, please head to our ACCB page.

All parent portion of fees are due on the first of each month.

We can divide payment for each parent. Full payment from both parties is required for the child to attend. The child must pay for all scheduled days regardless if one parent does not require care. We do not offer one week on one week off.

Unfortunately, we are only offering full time spaces due to demand at this time.

No. We accept all levels of toileting. Parents are required to provide all supplies

Our program is full of literacy experiences. We work on letter recognition, offer many opportunities to build reading skills, practice printing and work on name recognition.

Yes we have snack provided by the daycare in the morning and served around 10 am.

Lunch is at 12 pm daily. Families can send food their child enjoys. We encourage eating healthy choices first but let children decide the order. Our staff will assist with opening and heating of food. We encourage the use of icepacks to keep your child's lunch chilled. Please send a water bottle for your child to use all day.

At Small Steps, we prioritize a well-balanced day for the children, which includes a designated rest period from 1pm to 3pm. During this time, all children are required to rest or nap for a minimum of 30 minutes to allow our staff to perform necessary cleaning and sanitation. We ask that parents provide a crib sheet and a blanket for their child's comfort. If a child wakes up before the end of the rest period, they are encouraged to engage in quiet activities until the scheduled time is over. Our structured rest period helps ensure that all children have the opportunity to refresh and recharge, contributing to a positive and energetic learning environment.

Yes. Children may bring breakfast to eat at the centre prior to 9am.

Although not mandatory, we highly suggest new friends start using gradual entry. It can vary depending on the individual needs of each child but usually looks similar to this. Drop off items like change of clothes, inside shoes, and registration paperwork. Allow the child to have a first look at the centre and be excited for their return. Morning only (we recommend 8am-12:30pm) This includes joining us for lunch Short day (we recommend a 6 hour visit) This includes joining us for lunch and rest time but not as long as a regular full day. Regular day once your child as adapted to our complete day Remember you can always check in with our staff to see how your child is adapting throughout the day.

To help us provide the best care, we request that you send a backpack with the following items: - A change of clothes, including underwear and socks, to cater to any unexpected spills or accidents. - Inside shoes that are easy to slip on and fasten—no laces, please—as this encourages independence and safety. - A water bottle to keep your child hydrated throughout the day. - A blanket (and crib sheet if possible) for nap time to ensure your child feels cozy and secure. - Pull-ups or diapers if needed, along with wipes to maintain hygiene. - Sunscreen during the warmer months to protect your child's skin during outdoor play. - A hat for sun protection. - Rainwear or a 'muddy buddy' to keep your child dry and comfortable during outdoor activities in wet weather. - Outdoor shoes suitable for the current weather conditions, ensuring your child can participate in outdoor play safely and comfortably. Packing these essential items helps us create a nurturing and structured environment, enabling each child to take small steps towards growth and learning at our facility. Thank you for your cooperation!

We will always assume that your child requires to be picked up from school, even if they did not attend the morning. Parents are required to inform us if care is not required that day.

Our rates include before and after school we do not offer half days.

We know there are lots of Professional days, Non Instructional days and Half days in the School Calendar. We provide full day care for a small top up fee. We try to organize activities that are little or no cost to parents. Spring break, Winter break and Summer are an additional cost if you wish to sign up.

During the school year our cut off time is 7:30. This allows us time to the drop off at the various schools. Please take your child directly to school. They will be picked up in the afternoon as usual. During Full days (No school) our cut off is 9:30. We like to go out on Fieldtrips and our busses leave promptly at 9:30.

Yes we offer an afternoon snack and the children are welcome to eat from their lunchkits.

Yes we do. All Kinders are picked up by a staff at their classroom.

We have full size school buses. They are equipped with seatbelts and services regularly. Sometimes the children at Eric Langton walk. (less than 15 mins)