Children’s Program
The Children’s Program is licensed under the Child Care Services Act of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development for up to 47 children between the ages of 24 and 84 months.
Daybreak is not a regular child care centre; it is a parent child centre. Focus is on “supporting the entire family”. Staff is available to assist your family in a way that is helpful to you.
The Children’s Program is designed to provide children with experiences to promote their development. Daybreak offers a High Scope enriched environment. This approach means that children learn from direct hands on experiences with people, objects, events and ideas. High Scope is a comprehensive educational approach that strives to help children develop in all areas.
We believe that children learn best by pursuing their personal interests and goals therefore children are encouraged to make choices about materials and activities throughout the day. As they pursue their choices and plans, children explore, ask and answer questions, solve problems, and interact with classmates and adults. In this kind of environment children naturally engage in activities that foster developmentally important skills and abilities.
All children at Daybreak have a written Child Development Service Plan that outlines the program and development of the child and their individual needs. The plan is developed by the Early Childhood Educator. It is then implemented in the homeroom.
Daybreak staff works with the family and other professionals to develop a team approach to child programming. Each week child/family meetings are held to discuss achievements, strengths, goals and future programming for the child and the child’s family.
Daybreak works with the families and school system to support and transition children into a school-based Kindergarten Program.
The Daybreak Admissions Committee is comprised of 6 staff members. This includes staff of the Children’s Program and Parenting Program. Referrals for admission to Daybreak may come from:
- Self- referral
- Family and friends
- Department of Children, Senior and Social Development
- Public Health Nurses
- Doctors/Specialist
- Janeway Child Development Learning and Rehabilitation
- Professionals including Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech & Language
- Early Childhood Educators
- Direct Home Services
The Committee meets monthly to review all new referrals. Contact with the family is ongoing as the Committee works with them to determine if Daybreak is the best opportunity for the child and the family.