Our Policies

All staff are required to have up to date criminal reference checks before being employed with the school. There is a qualified Montessori Directress in both the Toddler and Primary Classes. All of our Assistants have extensive experience working with young children. We require all our staff to be certified in First Aid and CPR for children and adults. Staff are required to have their certification up to date.

Your child must wear the school uniform everyday. Payment for uniform orders must be made at time of order.

Students wear the uniform to take the focus off their clothing and put it on the work they do. Children can dress themselves without worrying about what matches, as all uniform pieces are complementary colours. When selecting tights and socks for your children, please choose white or navy. A pair of soft soled black shoes are to be kept at the school and worn daily, as well as a pair of running shoes for gym days (Primary Class Only).

All clothing must be labelled. Please label your child’s shoes, coats, gloves, scarves, hats and boots. Please make sure your child is dressed for the weather. We will be going out almost everyday. It’s important to provide extra clothing for your child to change into if the need arises. Lost and found items are put into a box near the entrance. Please note
that the school is not responsible for your child’s clothing. Items in the lost and found are held for one month and then donated to a charity

We have made exceptions for children in the Toddler Class who are in diapers or in the process of being Toilet Trained. Once your child is wearing underwear on a regular basis, they will need to be in Full Uniform.

In keeping with the Montessori Philosophy allow your child to remove their own coat and put on their indoor shoes. Exercise extreme caution in the Parking Area; children are at times difficult to see.

Prompt, regular attendance supports your child’s development of responsible, disciplined work habits. Arriving outside of regular drop-off and pick-up times is disruptive to the classroom, so please make every effort to be on time. Please notify the school as soon as possible if your child will be absent from school. If your child will be leaving during school hours (e.g. For a doctor’s appointment) please notify his/her teacher.

The Queensway West Montessori School has sign-in sheets for the parents to record their child’s drop-off and pick-up times, which are used for attendance and extended care purposes. We ask that you sign-in each time you bring or take away your child. This is for the safety of your child.

Please pack your child a healthy lunch and include an ice pack to keep the lunch cool. Sugar type snacks will be sent back home (eg. Fruit roll-ups, cream filled cookies, chocolate, etc.). Please pack a lunch that will provide your child with long-term energy. Nut Free granola bars or yoghurt make great deserts after lunch. We encourage you to use labelled re-usable containers in your child’s lunch.

Some tips for lunches:

• Please avoid carbonated soft drinks.  Juice or water are better choices.
• The “Lunchable” type of pre-made lunches are not recommended – they are generally high in fat, usually are not nutritionally balanced and the children tend to throw away a lot of the food.
• Popcorn, pretzels, dry cereal, raisins, sunflower seed, homemade trail mix are healthier choices rather than potato chips or Cheezies.
• Small containers of dip can make vegetable sticks more interesting.

Please dress your child appropriately to go outdoors on a daily basis. Even in cold weather we will go outside for a short period. If the temperature is extremely high we will set up the gym for indoor exercises. If your child is too ill to go outside, please keep them at home until they are able to participate in normal activities, as it is impossible to change our program to suit one child.

The playground will be checked daily for harmful objects before the children go into the yard.

Children are not allowed to leave the school with anyone not known to the school unless specific written arrangements are made in advance. Even if the school knows the person, you must fill out the “Permission Form for a Release of a Child to an Alternate Adult”, prior to the date. Please advise this person to have a picture I.D. with him/her. For the safety of your children, the doors to the building will be locked during the school day. If you arrive late or early to pick your child up, you will need to ring the door bell to let us know of your arrival.

Fire Drills are held monthly throughout the year and at various times during the day.

Classes start promptly at 9:00 a.m. As a consideration to all the children and the teachers, please arrive by 8:50 a.m. No child will be allowed into the class after 9:15 a.m., unless prior arrangements have been made with the office. Consistent lateness will result in a meeting with the administrators.

To assist your child’s teacher in staying with the regulated staff to child ratios and to maintain a safe environment for the children remaining, we ask that parents picking
up children at the end of their school day do so in a prompt and orderly manner. We understand that open communication with our parents is essential, to that end, our staff are more than willing to schedule a time for parents who wish to discuss issues pertaining to their child’s well being or matters of concern. It is important to remember that this is not the time to socialize with each other or staff members as their focus is on the children.

If a child is picked-up after school hours (5:30 p.m.) for unforeseen reasons, there will be a late charge of $5.00 for every 5 minutes or portion there of, immediately payable to the staff member present.

Please be aware that after three late pick-ups, you will lose the privilege of our Extended Care Hours.

We follow the Ontario Health Department’s Standards, which state that your child should be kept home for at least 24 hours after the last occurrence of a temperature, diarrhea or vomiting. If your child has a communicable disease or a condition such as: Diarrhea, Impetigo, vomiting, Strep Throat, Conjunctivitis (pink eye), Scabies, mouth sore, skin rashes (not diaper), he/she should be kept home for 24 hours after the first dose of antibiotic or until your doctor has given a written statement that your child may return to school. If we feel that your child is sick or has a fever, we will call you promptly. Please come and get your child right away. Your prompt arrival will reduce your child’s anxiety and discomfort, especially when he/she is ill.

Teachers may only dispense medication to your child upon written request by the parent or physician. Teachers are not allowed to dispense over the counter drugs such as aspirin or cough syrup. Prescription medication must be in the original prescription container. The prescription number and directions serve as a written statement from your physician and we can only give the exact amount prescribed.

A “Medication Authorization and Administration Form” must be filled in, signed and dated by you and accompany the medication.

Please note that if the above policy is not followed, we cannot and will not administer the medication. Also please be sure that the medication is with your child at pick-up time.
All medication will be kept in a locked container.

The City of Ottawa Public Health Department requires that parents/guardians of children attending a school in Ottawa provide that school with a complete record of their child’s immunization. Any child who has lived outside of Canada for longer than three months in the last five years cannot be permitted to attend school until the Health Department has received these records and the parents/guardians can produce a “Certificate of Immunization For School Entry”. Forms are available at the office.

The City of Ottawa Public Health Department requires that parents/guardians of children attending a school in Ottawa provide that school with a complete record of their child’s immunization. Any child who has lived outside of Canada for longer than three months in the last five years cannot be permitted to attend school until the Health Department has received these records and the parents/guardians can produce a “Certificate of Immunization For School Entry”. Forms are available at the office.

If a child is to be withdrawn before the end of the school year, 1 month written notice must be given. Otherwise, a payment equal to 1 month’s tuition is required. Post dated cheques will be returned for the remainder of the school year. The non-refundable Registration Fee will not be returned. (Please fill out Withdrawal Form in the office)

We work together with the children and parents so that each child feels comfortable in their new environment. We will schedule meetings with the parents of a child who is having a difficult time or with other children in the program . If we do not come to a reasonable solution regarding the incidents discussed, the Queensway West Montessori School reserves the right to require immediate withdrawal of a student. In such an instance the school will refund any outstanding tuition fees. Withdrawal of a student will be necessary to preserve the integrity and welfare of the students in the class.

We work together with the families so that everyone feels comfortable in the environment where your child spends their day. All staff members will be treated with respect at all times. We expect you as parents to adhere to all of the policies and procedures of the Queensway West Montessori School. Meetings will be scheduled if the school has any concerns regarding your behaviour with these policies. If we do not come to a reasonable solution after three meetings, the Queensway West Montessori School reserves the right to require immediate withdrawal of the family.

Refunds will not be given if a parent chooses to take holidays during the school year (September – June). A parent has the option to withdrawal at this time but your child’s space will not be held. We will require a one month written notice and the remainder of your school fees will be returned to you.
If you choose to return within the school year, a registration fee will apply.

 

Fees Due at Registration
Registration Fee of $185.00/Toddler and $200.00/Primary (non-refundable)
1 month of yearly fees (non-refundable)
Post dated cheques for the remainder of the yearMarch Break and Summer Camps will be offered depending on Student Enrolment. This is not part of the regular school year fees. Please note we do not offer an extra program during the Christmas Break. The school will be closed for P.D. Days, P/T Interviews and Statutory Holidays.Toddler Program
Half Day – $510.00 per month
Full Day – $960.00 per month
(7:30 – 9:00 a.m.)- $125.00 per month
(8:00 – 9:00 a.m.)-$95.00 per month
(4:00 – 5:00 p.m.)-$95.00 per month
(4:00 – 5:30 p.m.)-$125.00 per monthCasual Half Day
Toddler Program – $40.00 per day

Casual Extended Hours
Toddler Program – $8.00/hour

Primary Program
Half Day – $460.00 per month
Full Day – $860.00 per month
(7:30 – 9:00 a.m.)-$105.00 per month
(8:00 – 9:00 a.m.)-$85.00 per month
(4:00 – 5:00 p.m.)-$85.00 per month
(4:00 – 5:30 p.m.)-$105.00 per month

Casual Half Day
Primary Program – $35.00 per day

Casual Extended Hours
Primary Program – $7.00/hour

* If a child is picked-up after school hours (5:30 p.m.), there will be a late charge of $5.00 for every 5 minutes or portion there of, immediately payable to the staff member present.

There will be a fee of $75.00 to the parent if a child changes from Full Day to Half Day during the school year.

Spaces Available:
Toddler Class – 12 Full Day, 3 Half Day
Primary Class: 24 Full Day, 8 Half Day

There is a maximum ratio of one adult per five children in the Toddler Classroom; one adult per eight children in the Primary Classroom.

We will be preparing the snack in the classrooms with the children every morning. If your child is half day please choose one of the following options to bring at the beginning of each week: 3 fruit or vegetables, cheese or crackers.

If your child is full day please choose one of the following options to bring at the beginning of each week: 4 fruit or vegetables, cheese or crackers.

Your child’s birthday will be acknowledged in the class on the school day nearest the birthday. We celebrate with the “Sun Ceremony”. It is common, but by no means necessary, for you to bring in a snack for the class. Please remember the following guidelines:

• The snack should be simple and nutritious.
• Avoid Popsicles, chocolate and donut holes.
• Snacks must be in individual servings.
• NUT FREE
• The snack rules of NO chocolate, icing or candy apply.
• Celery sticks and cheese, fruit and dip, carrot or banana loaf (cut-up without icing) are great choices.

It is necessary for children to have a change pad in their baskets for diaper changes. It needs to be taken home by the parent each Friday to be washed. The parents provide the diapers and wipes for their own child. The Teacher will inform you when more supplies for your child is needed.

When your child is ready to be Toilet Trained it will be necessary to have many changes of clothes left at the school daily. The Head Teacher will talk to you about this process, when we see that your child is ready.

Once a child reaches 2 1/2 years they may be ready to transition to the next class. This process can be difficult for children and stressful for parents. When your child is ready to enter the next class the teachers will speak to you about the transition process. Your child will visit his/her future classroom for short periods to become familiar with the surroundings, teachers and students. After this process your child will then start full time in their new classroom.

The field trip Consent Form must be filled out by the parents/guardians, allowing the Queensway West Montessori School to take your child to local places of interest that reinforce our class themes.

There are two Parent/Teacher Interviews for the year. They are held in November and May. Please see the School Calendar.

There will be two performances during the school year, as well as a Parent Appreciation Day.

General communications about school events, special notices, policies and procedures are an important part of the relationship between the school and parents. Please feel free to speak to your child’s teacher anytime. The notice board and cubby system is set up for the school to provide information to parents. A School Calendar is provided before the start of each school year.

The administrators are always pleased to see the parents/guardians of the children. In the event that you wish to discuss something specific with the administrators or teachers, or simply visit a classroom, we ask that appointments be arranged ahead of time for a mutually convenient time.

All information you give to the school about your family is kept confidential. In keeping with this commitment we do not publish school or class phone lists. It is essential that you provide the school with current contact information. Please keep us informed of any changes. It is your responsibility to make sure this information is correct and complete at all times.

In cases of separation or divorce, if any changes are to be made to either parent’s access to the child, please notify the office immediately.

Tax receipts are issued for each Calendar Year (January – December). These receipts are available to parents by the end of February for the past year.

There will be a 10% discount on tuition for each sibling registered at Queensway West Montessori School.

If the need arises for evacuation the emergency shelter is the St. Stephen’s Residence located a 2825 St. Stephens Street. Parents will be contacted by a staff member when everyone has reached this location.

Any cheques returned to Queensway West Montessori School “non-sufficient funds” will be subjected to an NSF cheques charge of $35.00 (and could result in a loss of chequing privileges).

• Application For Admission (signed by both parents)
• Tuition Agreement (signed by both parents)
• Field Trip Consent Form (signed by both parents)
• Photo Consent Form (signed by both parents)
• Consent for Website Photos
• Copy of Consent to Hospital
• Completed City of Ottawa Public Health Department School Entry Immunization Form
• Photocopy record of Immunizations
• Sign-off Sheet for Policies and Procedures (signed by both parents)
• Payment – Registration Fees, lump sum or posted dated cheques

Child Care Supervision for Volunteers and Students