For parents
Parent Handbook
Everything families need to know about a Building Blocks day: our program statement, arrival and departure, emergencies, field trips and the waiting list. The full Parent Handbook is available to download as a PDF.
Policies are reviewed yearly and the current Parent Handbook is provided before enrolment.
Program Statement
Building Blocks Nursery School nurtures each child's creative, cognitive and social abilities. We see every child as competent, capable and curious, and we support their individuality, well-being, belonging and independence in a warm, caring setting.
Our program is guided by How Does Learning Happen?, Ontario's pedagogy for the early years. Days include dramatic play, free musical expression and movement between learning centres, with active play balanced by quiet time such as story time. Teachers follow the children's lead, supporting child-initiated experiences and using observation and documentation of play to plan what comes next.
- Develop fine and gross motor, sensory, listening and thinking skills
- Help children become confident, curious and cooperative, with strong relationships with peers and teachers
- Promote health, safety and nutrition, with daily health checks and snacks based on Canada's Food Guide
- Support positive communication among children, families and staff
- Provide varied materials that encourage exploration
- Work with community partners and invest in ongoing staff professional development
Arrival and Departure
Children are released only to a parent or guardian, or to an individual the parent has authorized in writing or verbally. At drop-off, staff confirm any change in who will pick up. That person must be on the registration form, or the parent must authorize them at drop-off. If staff do not know the person collecting a child, they confirm with another staff member or check photo identification against the child's file. Under no circumstances are children released to walk home alone.
If your child will be absent, please phone the school before class starts. If a child does not arrive and no change was communicated, staff begin contacting the parent by noon for morning classes or 3:30 pm for afternoon classes, and record the absence in the attendance and daily written records.
- If a child is not picked up at the expected time, staff contact the parent by phone or text, then the authorized individuals, then the emergency contacts. The child stays in our care throughout.
- After closing, the child is given a snack and an activity. One staff member stays with the child while another makes the calls.
- If no one is reached within one hour of closing, staff call Peel Children's Aid Society (905-363-6131, 24 hours a day) and follow its direction.
Emergency Evacuations
Our emergency policy gives staff clear steps for keeping every child safe, accounted for and supervised through three phases: the immediate response, next steps and recovery. Directions from emergency personnel are always followed, even if they point to a different location, and any child with an individualized plan follows that plan's procedures.
- Meeting place: the sign on the grass at the driveway entrance that reads The Church/School.
- Evacuation site, if it is unsafe to return: Paul Palleschi Recreation Centre (formerly Loafers Lake Recreation Centre), 30 Loafers Lake Ln, Brampton, ON L6Z 1X9, 905-846-3270.
- For situations not covered by the policy, the owner, Naheem Ladha, or the working supervisor directs staff on the immediate response and next steps.
- Every emergency is recorded in detail in the daily written record, and the serious occurrence policy also applies.
Unplanned Closures
The school closes when Peel District School Board schools close because of severe weather or other environmental conditions. Fees for unplanned closures are not refunded.
Closure notices are posted in the Parent App newsfeed and sent by email. Local radio and television stations and the Peel District School Board website also carry closure announcements.
Field Trips
We strongly prefer that parents transport their own children on field trips. Anyone driving another family's child must first show a staff member a valid driver's licence, a valid auto insurance certificate and correctly installed child safety seats suited to the child's age and size. No one may transport a child in our care unless those requirements are met or the child's parent has given prior approval.
Field trip volunteers must complete an Offence Declaration, provide a current Vulnerable Sector Check, or both. A Vulnerable Sector Check must be less than five years old; staff view the original and keep a copy on file. If the check is between six months and five years old, the volunteer also submits an Offence Declaration covering the time since. Volunteers are never left alone with children or put in charge of them.
Waiting List
The school year runs from September to June and spots are limited. When classes are full, families may join a waiting list that is valid for the current school year. Children must be at least 2 years and 6 months old to join, and joining is free.
- Apply in person, by email or by phone. You receive a confirmation that serves as proof of your place.
- Check in with us on the first of each month to confirm you are still interested, and attend the spring open house, or your name is removed.
- Vacancies are offered in order of application date and the child's age. You have 24 hours to accept before the next family is contacted.
- Currently enrolled students are considered before waitlisted children for any opening.
Questions about the waiting list: info@buildingblocksnursery.ca or (905) 846-3305.
Daily Reminders
- Classes start promptly at 9:00 am and 1:00 pm. Please keep children in the foyer until a teacher opens the door.
- Take children to the bathroom before class and send a change of clothes every day.
- Undress children on arrival and label all outerwear, footwear, hats, scarves and mittens.
- Pick-up is 11:30 am to 12:00 pm and 3:30 pm to 4:00 pm. Late pick-ups are charged $1.00 per 5 minutes.
- Toys, gum and candy stay at home. Artwork goes home daily from the hallway.
- Tax receipts are issued in December and June. Duplicate receipts cost $25.00.
- Let us know about any change of address, phone number or other contact details.
Come and see us
Come and see a morning for yourself
Book a tour, ask a question or join the waiting list. We would love to meet your family.