First Day FAQs

Children are picked up from their designated schools and walked safely to Trinity Bellwoods Community Children’s Group/CARE Monday through Friday. 

The educators plan program activities based on the children's interests. These may include visual arts, drama, music and movement, woodworking, sports and cooperative games, and swimming. Visit our schedule to see what a typical day looks like.

• Attendance is taken, and the Lillio App is used to verify absences.

• Educators contact families or emergency contacts if need be, to ensure all children are accounted for before leaving the school premises and walking back to the centre.

• Parents may also drop off their children directly at CARE. Educators will connect with the parent who drops off the child and acknowledge this transition. They will also ensure the child is checked in on the Lillio app.

• If a child is expected to be in attendance and does not arrive to meet the educators at the designated meeting spot or arrive at the centre at the expected time, CARE educators will immediately call the parents or emergency contacts. Educators also check absences with school officials until the child's whereabouts are confirmed.

Transition times, such as to/from the playground, school, or washroom, are designed to be safe, positive learning experiences for children through planned routes carefully monitored by staff. Please see our Family Handbook for more information.

The pick-up locations vary depending on the school:

• Givins Shaw P.S.: Children meet the educators outdoors at the second entrance of the schoolyard, located between the yard and the basketball hoop.

• Niagara St P.S.: The children will meet the educators indoors, by the benches in front of the childcare centre's toddler room.

CARE educators will be easily identifiable by their official CARE clothing, ensuring a safe pick-up process. For more detailed information, please message us on the Lillio app.

You can contact educators using the following methods:

• Lillio App: The most effective way to reach the educators is through the Lillio app. This platform allows for direct communication and ensures prompt responses. Please note that our email is not monitored during programming hours.

• Cell Phones: Alternatively, you can call educators directly on the CARE cell phones. This ensures quick access during operational hours.

These communication options are designed to make it easy for you to connect with educators. For urgent matters or additional assistance, please contact the school office directly.

Our educators come from diverse arts and education backgrounds. They hold relevant qualifications in early childhood education and prioritize continuous professional development. Committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, they focus on building strong relationships with each child and family. You can meet the team here!

We offer one snack after school and two snacks during full-day programming (9:00 AM - 5:30 PM), such as P.A. Days and March Break. Please ensure your child brings the following items on their first day:

• A change of clothes to keep in their locker/cubby.

• Indoor shoes to use in the winter.

• A water bottle

• All items should be labelled with your child's name.

For full-day programs (9:00 AM - 5:30 PM) such as P.A. Days and March Break, please ensure your child also brings:

• A nutritious lunch (please avoid items that need refrigeration or heating)

• A water bottle.

• Be sure to read our email to give permission for any trips we may be going on.

We are a small non-profit centre, and all of our educators work elsewhere when the centre isn’t running full-time. This means we only staff for full days like P.A. Days, March Break, and school holidays based on the number of children who are registered in advance to attend CARE.

Because of this, we need all parents to respond to attendance survey emails sent out by the specified deadlines. This is particularly important when we have booked trips, as trip sites require to the number of children attending, and they need to know at least two weeks in advance.

Because of this, we need all parents to respond to attendance survey emails sent out by the specified deadlines. This is particularly important when we have booked trips, as trip sites require payment and the number of children attending at least two weeks in advance. This is why we cannot accept last-minute drop-offs,

If the centre closes due to low enrollment, regular fees still apply because we have fixed costs (such as staffing and operational expenses) that we must cover regardless of attendance (see Fee policy).

We know this might be different from larger centres, but it’s how we’re able to keep fees affordable and run quality programs for our families. Thank you for understanding and working with us!

If you need to pick up your child early from school or they will be absent from CARE, please mark them absent on the Lillio App. This lets us know in advance that your child won't be attending CARE on that specific day.

If your child is sick, please keep them at home to prevent the spread of illness. Notify us through the Lillio App if your child will be absent. Children must be symptom-free for at least 24 hours before returning to childcare and where a mask if needed.

Most pick-up and drop-off activities occur at our childcare centre location. However, there may be occasions when we are off-site for special activities or field trips. In such cases, feel free to call our cell phones for information on our whereabouts. Additionally, we will post a sign on the door indicating where we can be found.

For regular pick-up and drop-off at our centre:

• Please ensure timely drop-offs and pick-ups within our operating hours as we do have a Late Fee Policy.

• If someone other than the designated parent or guardian will be picking up your child, please inform us in advance.

We strive to ensure a smooth and secure pick-up and drop-off process for all children in our care. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us.

We welcome parent involvement! 

You can volunteer by first undergoing a police reference check for the vulnerable sector to ensure the safety of all children in our care. Once approved, there are several ways you can contribute:

• Join our Parent Board of Directors: Our parent board of directors meets monthly to review CARE's operations and make decisions. It's a great way to contribute to our community and help shape the direction of our childcare centre. For more information or to express interest in joining, please contact us directly.

• Volunteer for Events: Help organize and participate in fundraisers, trips or and activities for children.

• Share Your Skills: If you have special skills or expertise that could benefit our childcare centre, such as gardening, cooking, or art, we would love to hear from you.