We practice guidance to help children learn appropriate behaviours. Our goal is to assist children to develop self-control, confidence, and sensitivity to others by using a positive approach.

These are the guidelines we follow:

* Providing an appropriately sized, organized play space which will allow children to play in a relaxed manner and avoid conflicts that arise from crowded play areas.

* Follow a flexible routine so that children can feel trust and security.

* Provide a variety of toys and activities which will stimulate cognitive, physical, and emotional growth.

* Approach children with concerns in a calm and controlled manner.

* Recognize a child’s feelings before discussing the behavioural limits.

* Focusing on fixing the behaviour, not the child.

* Letting children work out incidents on their own with the skills they know, and helping out where necessary. Encourage children to problem solve with each other.

* Discuss acceptable behaviour and setting limits with children, using easy to grasp terms so that they can understand.

* Focusing on what children can and should to instead of what they can’t or shouldn’t do (“You can do this” instead of “Stop doing that”).

* Encouraging relationships between children, and working to develop a relationship with each child.

* Redirect children to other activities when it is the best way to resolve a conflict.

* Remind children of limits when needed.

* Encourage children to make positive choices.

* Use logical consequences (if they dump a bin of toys, they will be expected to clean it up).

* Use time reminders before transitions from one activity to the other to rapid changes. (e.g. In 5 minutes we will clean up our toys and wash our hands.)

* If children are in an unsafe situation, or if they are putting other children at risk we will remove them from the unsafe situation first, and then guide them. This may include picking them up (e.g. if they leave the daycare, or the group), or removing them from under a table/desk, or sitting with them if they need to calm down.

We do not practice any forms of corporal punishment (slapping, shaking, or spanking). We do not cause children to be humiliated, confine them (time outs), or deprive children from meals, snacks or toilet as a form of discipline. We ask that parents refrain from these tactics while in the daycare.

At Discovery House Day Care we believe that meal and snack times are the perfect time for children to build healthy eating habits through positive eating experiences. We encourage this by making healthy food fun and tasty.

We empower children to make healthy eating choices by providing a variety of healthy foods and letting them choose which they will eat, if any, and how much they will eat. We provide a morning snack at 10:00 am and afternoon snack at 3:00 pm; children will also be allowed to eat food from their lunch at this time. We do not allow eating between snacks and meals, unless there is a reason a child would be hungry (e.g. child came without breakfast, missed a snack time to go to an appointment).

Parents provide lunch for the children. We are able to re-heat food in the microwave, provide plates and cutlery if necessary, and cut up fruit or vegetables for the children. We do not encourage bringing candy, or other sweet treats, as children tend to fill up on them and not have room for the healthy food in their lunch. We do not restrict children to eat certain foods in their lunch first. We may ask children to finish things they have already opened (such as yogurts) to reduce waste. We encourage parents to send fruit and vegetables instead of juice, and water will be provided throughout the day. We will often cut up half of a fruit at a time to reduce waste.

There is a fridge available and we encourage parents to put lunchboxes in it if they contain any spoilable food, and if they do not have an ice pack in them.

If we have children with allergies we will implement changes in our program as needed.

250-847-0036

We offer government licensed child-care for children 30 months to 5 years of age.

Children will be encouraged to learn through play.  Our comforting environment and friendly staff make each day a chance to learn and grow with both planned and spontaneous activities.

After School Program

We offer pick-up of children ages 5-12 after school or kindergarten. They will be met at the school  and walked or driven to Discovery House.

Our focus is to have fun while we encourage new friendships, support problem solving and strengthen social skills.

Summer Program

As an extension of our after-school program,we will be offering a summer program for 6-12 year olds five days a week for July and August.  Come and join us full time, part-time or even occasional days.

We promise lots of fun and the chance to make some great friends.

Prices

Full day                      $35                                         3675 Alfred Avenue

Half Day                    $20                                          Box 254

After School            $15-$17                               Smithers   BC  V0J2N0

NI Days                     $30                                         Phone 250-847-0036

Summer     6-12     $30                                        Fax: 250-847-3926