Parent Resources
Welcome
Welcome to Lakeside Childcare, where your child’s well-being and development are our top priorities. We understand that choosing the right childcare facility is a significant decision for your family—because we’ve been in your shoes making the very same choices for our children.
We provide a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for your little ones to learn, grow, and thrive. Our team of dedicated and caring professionals is committed to ensuring that your child’s experience with us is both enriching and enjoyable.
We’re here to support and guide you every step of the way.
Our Staff Qualifications
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Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs)Qualified individuals who have completed the mandatory 2-year course in Early Childhood Education and registered with the College of Early Childhood Educators. RECEs must complete 20 hours of Continued Professional Development annually.
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Early Childhood Assistants (ECAs)Individuals involved in childcare who may be studying for their ECE, exploring the field, or beginning their journey to become an RECE. They provide support to RECEs in the classroom.
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All Staff RequirementsNegative police/vulnerable sector checks and Level C First Aid/CPR certification.
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Nourishing Bodies and Minds
Nutrition plays a pivotal role in fostering healthy minds and bodies. Children have the unique chance to develop a positive connection with food by actively engaging in the entire process of growing vegetables and herbs, from cultivation to harvesting, and ultimately, savoring the produce they’ve nurtured.
Lillo
Through Lillio, you have a direct line of communication with your childcare center’s director and teachers. Use the Parent app’s Messaging module to Send and Receive Messages from your childcare center, and keep up-to-date on your child’s learning progress!
Guide to Common Childhood Infections
Lambton County Public Health’s expectations for parents, caregivers, and childcare centres as it pertains to common childhood infections. This resource outlines exclusionary periods and symptoms for various common illnesses.
Parent Handbook
Lakeside Childcare’s Parent Handbook gives you all of the details you need about our team, centre, pedagogies, policies, and procedures. Parents are heavily encouraged to review this handbook prior to enrolment at Lakeside Childcare.
Fees / Subsidy
Lakeside Childcare is happy to accept subsidy provided by The County of Lambton. If childcare costs affect your ability to receive high quality care, please explore this resource.
Duty to Report
All staff at Lakeside Childcare are mandated to at on their duty to report in the case of suspected child abuse or neglect. Parents are highly encouraged to read understand the duty to report.
Mental Health Services
If you, your child, or someone you know seems to be struggling with their mental health, review this resource to explore assistance. SafeTalk Suicide Prevention Training is provided to Lakeside Childcare Administrative staff, and they are able to speak with you in times of need.
Pathways
Pathways Health Centre for Children accepts requests for support with developmental and cognitive concerns as well as much more as it pertains to your child. This request for service form may be filled out by a parent/guardian, or brought to your childs educator to be completed in collaboration.Frequently Asked Questions
What Does My Child Need to Bring to Childcare?
Lakeside Childcare recommends parents pack various items to ensure their child has a successful day at care. You may bring;
- Water Bottle
- Diapers, Wipes, Diaper Creams, etc.
- Comfort items for rest time (soother, blanket, etc)
- Extra Change of Clothes
- Seasonally Appropriate Clothing (bathing suit for water play, snow suit, rain coat, etc.)
Why is Risky Play so Important in ECE?
Risky play is any form of play or activity that sees children testing their bodies' limits by ways of “rough and tumble”, high speed, and reasonable risk taking such as climbing, jumping off of objects like low stumps and benches, building tall towers, etc. This type of play is important because it teaches children self confidence, bodily/personal boundaries, physical literacy, adaptability, and much more.
How Do Educators Facilitate Risky Play?
Our Early Childhood Educators are trained and proficient in seeking out risks and arranging classrooms in a way to best facilitate this type of play and learning. Educators may rearrange furniture, position their bodies in ways to best monitor and supervise, and encourage children to problem solve by using descriptive language and physical support when needed to assist children in their tasks.
Why is Messy Play so Important in ECE?
Play that involves children getting messy in paint, mud, etc allows children to explore open ended materials and engage their natural curiosity at a level that is developmentally appropriate to them. Messy play encourages This type of play also encourages creativity, self regulation, and beginner concepts of topics such as literacy, math, etc. Parents are encouraged to bring extra changes of clothes on a daily basis. If the change of clothes is dirty or soiled, they will be sent home in a plastic bag.
Can I Visit In-Class With My Child Prior to Starting?
Lakeside Childacre understands that leaving your child for the day can be stressful for a first time parent, or parent of multiple children. In attempts to alleviate this stress, our orientation process allows for up to 3 visits of up to 1 hour long where parent and child can get to know the educator, the routine, and activities and experiences offered. It is recommended that parents take this step, and stagger their visits to see the routine.
What Does it Mean To Be a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) and an Early Childhood Assistant (ECA)?
Registered Early Childhood Educators are qualified individuals who have completed the mandatory 2 year course on Early Childhood Education, and registered themselves with the College of Early Childhood Educators. RECE’s must obtain 20 hours of Continued Professional Development on an annual basis, keep their registration with the College of ECE up to date, and maintain all ECE Standards of Practice and adhere to the Code Of Ethics.
Early Childhood Assistants are individuals who are involved in the childcare sector, but do not have registration with the College of ECE. They may be in school for ECE, exploring their interest in the field, or beginning their journey to be an RECE. They provide support to RECE’s within the classroom setting.
Both RECE’S and ECA’S are required to have a negative police/vulnerable sector checks and Level C First Aid/CPR prior to beginning enrolment at Lakeside Childcare.
Ready to enroll?
Schedule a visit to see our outdoor play areas and classrooms, meet our educators, and learn how Lakeside can support your child's growth.
Contact Us