More Information

Parent Handbook

Our Parent Handbook is available for download.

Saskatchewan Employment Incentive (SEI)

Government of Saskatchewan
Play and Exploration Early Learning Program Guide

FAQ

If you cannot find the answers you are looking for, please contact one of our centres.

Are Spadina’s locations subsidized and licensed?

Yes, all four locations are licensed. On January 16, 2024, the Ministry of Social Services launched a new Saskatchewan Employment Incentive (SEI) program to replace the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) program. The CCS program is closed to new applicants. Clients who applied before January 16, 2024 will continue to receive benefits as long as they continue to meet CCS eligibility criteria. CCS clients may apply for the new SEI if eligible.

What are the age ranges for children?

Infant is 6 weeks to 18 months

Toddler is 18 months to 2.5 years

Preschool is 2.5 years to Kindergarten

School Age is Grade 1 through Grade 6

What are the ratios of children to staff?

Infants are 1 staff per 3 infants

Toddlers are 1 staff per 5 toddlers

Preschool are 1 staff to 10 preschoolers

School Age is 1 staff to 15 schoolagers

Do you have a wait list and how can I get on one?

All locations are currently full and have extremely long waitlists. Waitlist may be closed at any location, at any given time. Please contact the location you are interested in and see if the waitlist is open. Once apace is available, the Director will start calling those on the wait list for that particular space and the first family wanting the space has the first right of refusal.

What are the qualifications of the staff?

The Government of Saskatchewan Childcare Regulations state that anyone working in Early Learning must have a Level I, Level II Certificate or Level III Diploma and/or Equivalency to work in childcare.

All employees of Spadina ELCC are qualified Early Childhood Educators and hold a current First Aid and CPR Certificates.

Can children transfer between centres?

Yes, children can transfer between centres once space becomes available.

Do I have to send food for my child?

No, you do not have to send food for your child. Each location follows Government Guidelines and the Canada Food Guide.

There are two snacks per day 9:00am and 2:30pm and lunch is served at 11:30am.

Parents will have to provide food for infants that are not on solid food.

Parents will also have to provide food for children with special diets.

Development Programs

Spadina ELCC St. Paul’s location offers an Inclusion Program for children who have diverse needs to be enrolled in a regular childcare program. Inclusion funding allows the Inclusion Coordinator to develop and implement individualized programming for the child while integrating the child into the regular infant, toddler, or preschool program. We work closely with community agencies such as the Alvin Buckwold Child Development Program; Speech & Language Pathology Department at Royal University Hospital; Child and Youth Mental Health; Community Living; Family Support Centre; Saskatchewan Child Care Association; and Saskatoon Health Region.

In addition to our Inclusion Program, we also have a Speech and Language Pathologist from the Saskatoon Health Region who visits on a regular basis. The Speech and Language Pathologist works closely with the staff to help encourage language learning among all ages of children. The Speech and Language Pathologist also provides direct and indirect therapy as well as programming ideas and in-services.

A Behavioural Consultant from the Early Childhood Program of Child and Youth Services visits our childcare centre on a regular basis to help consult with parents and staff on behavioural issues.

Epidemic Policy

Spadina ELCC has created a Epidemic Plan/Policy to ensure the safety and health of our Children, Staff and their Families. As an organization we follow the guidelines from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health. Please take time to review the following guidelines Spadina ELCC has put forth.

SICK CHILDREN NEED TO STAY HOME

We can not stress how important it is that your child(ren) need to stay home if they are sick. Parents SHOULD NOT SEND CHILDREN TO DAYCARE if they have the following:

fever
coughing
sore throat
muscle aches
joint pain
chills
fatigue or weakness
vomiting and/or diarrhea

If a child becomes sick at the centre Parents will be called IMMEDIATELY to come pick up their child. Sick children will be isolated until Parents arrive. Parents are advised to have a backup plan for childcare arrangements in the event their child can not attend daycare. Staff will monitor children as they arrive at the centre to determine their health status and any child who is determined ill will not be allowed to attend until ALL symptoms are clear. Children may return when they are symptom free and well enough to attend daycare. Be prepared for your children to be absent from daycare for a minimum of 3-5 days, this could be longer depending on the severity of your childs symptoms. Parents must notify centres if their child is absent due to illness.

Anyone entering any of Spadina ELCC childcare centres MUST either wash their hands or use the Isagel provided throughout the centres.

CENTRE CLOSURE

Spadina ELCC will strive to continue providing quality care during an epidemic. However, in the event that staffing levels are reduced due to illness, we will attempt to continue providing care, provided that we are able to meet minimum licensing ratio requirements. We may also consider combining centres, provided that we receive licensing approval.

Spadina ELCC will close a centre in the event that we are unable to meet minimum staffing requirements.

This may be the extreme but a possibility. In the event of closure Early Learning and Childcare and Saskatchewan Ministry of Health will be notified. Once a decision has been made on centre closure Parents will be contacted by phone or media release.

Parents will be expected to continue paying the monthly fees to keep their spot when the centre reopens. Fees will not be reimbursed up to a week of closure.