Parents Handbook

Contents

Life Time Nursery Profile

Life Time Nursery Policy & Procedures

1.Admission

2.Guardians

3.Fees & Payment

4.Holidays

5.Days and Hours of Operation

6.Unscheduled Attendance

7.Absences

8.Receiving and Dismissing Children

9.Enquiring About the Children

10.Parent/Guardian Involvement

11.Clothing

12.Required Supplies for Children

13.Toys and Valuables

14.Labeling

15.Meals and Snacks

16.Suggestions, Feedback & Complaints

17.Activities & Entertainment

18.Birthday Celebrations

19.Trips/Outings

20.Special Educational Needs

21.Illness and Medication

22.Safety Precaution & Security

23.Equal Opportunities

24.Confidentiality

25.Environment

26.Pets and Other Animals

27.Smoking

28.Financial Aid, Donations & Sponsorship

29.TERMINATION OF RATE CARD CONTRACT

Life Time Nursery Education

1.Class Breakdown

2.Course Descriptions & Syllabus

a.Baby School

b.Group 2,3 & 4

Life Time Nursery Profile

Life Time Nursery (the Nursery hereafter) was established in December 2003 under the ownership of International Independent.

Life Time Nursery Values

We all want a better world for our children. It is our responsibility to improve the quality of education and to take care of our children’s health and nutritional needs at the same time.

Life Time Nursery Mission

Life Time Nursery was created to provide the best health care and learning environment for children. We want our children at all times to feel safe, comfortable, valued and respected; an environment where successful learning promotes positive attitudes.

Life Time Nursery Vision

We aim to be recognized as leaders in children’s education and health care in Qatar by offering superior health and nutritional programs with the highest possible standards in Early Childhood Education.

Life Time Nursery Aims

  • To create a comfortable, safe and happy environment for children of the same age group.
  • To develop the individual personality and the potential of each child, within the frame work of the high standard curriculum.
  • To provide high standard of health and medical care.
  • To build self-esteem, creativity and motivation while learning.
  • To develop positive attitudes.
  • To develop the child’s independence.
  • To provide a dynamic approach to teaching and learning so as to nurture spiritual, moral, social and cultural awareness.
  • To promote mutual respect and disciplined behavior.
  • To develop the child socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically.

Life Time Nursery Quality Policy

  • To continuously improve and comply with Qatar and International standards and regulations for the education of children and healthcare.
  • All members shall continuously strive to provide a high level of educational quality and healthcare.
  • All programs shall comply within safety regulations.
  • Our quality policy is communicated to all levels and is understood.
  • Regular reviews for suitability shall be conducted.

Life Time Nursery Policy & Procedures

1.Admission

All parents are encouraged to enquire about Life Time Nursery, to see how it is different from other nurseries, and to see to what extent it meets their requirements.

  • Children are accepted from 2 to 36 months.
  • All placements are based on our Waiting List Policy complying with the Equal Opportunities Policy. .
  • There is a waiting list for the Nursery where applications are dated on receipt. Parents will be informed about placement vacancies by the Nursery’s administration. If the parent does not confirm placement by payment within seven (7) days of being informed, the next child on the waiting list will be eligible for the vacancy.
  • The class of admittance will depend on the individual child’s physical and mental development based on the class structures.
  • The number of children in each class will be strictly controlled so as not to exceed the Nursery’s maximum number of children per class and the stated adult to child ratio will always be maintained.
  • All forms in the application folder, including medical forms, must be completed and on file at the Nursery before any child may be admitted.
  • Vaccinations and immunizations must be up to date. No exceptions will be made.

An application package should be requested by the parent/guardian by contacting the Nursery.

All forms in the application package should be completed and submitted to the Office Manger along with the following:

  • Original birth certificate together with a photocopy
  • 4 recent color passport photographs
  • A copy of the immunization card
  • Any court orders involving custody of children where applicable
  • Original passports together with a photocopy of each
  • Father’s passport and Residence Visa if available
  • Child’s passport and Residence Visa if available
  • Relevant registration fee as stated on the Rate Card

IMPORTANT

In case of accidents or other emergencies, parents/guardians must give the names of three persons to be contacted and their contact number(s). If these sources cannot be contacted the child will be taken to the hospital specified in the application form.

NB: The Nursery must be immediately informed of any changes of phone numbers.

2.Guardians

If the Nursery will be dealing with a child’s legal guardian rather than his/her parent, then evidence of the guardianship must be presented to the General Manager or Office Manager at time of admission.

3.Fees & Payment

All fees are to be paid in advance in Qatari Riyals at the beginning of each term/month and non-scheduled day. All contracted fees are to be paid by 2nd of every month. There will be additional fees charged as stated in the Rate Card for late pick up fee (after one hour) and for retaining a child’s place in the Nursery.

The registration fee is non-refundable and to be paid only once per child when he/she first applies.

Life Time Nursery offers a 10% discount for the 2nd and 3rd siblings who are registered here at the Nursery.

Life Time Nursery offers:

25% discount for full day attendance

4.Holidays

Please note that Life Time Nursery will be closed on the following days:

- Eid Al FiterGovernment holidays as per Qatar law

- Eid Al AdhaGovernment holidays as per Qatar law

- Independence Day December 18th

- Winter breakDecember 24th, 25th and January 1st

- Spring BreakEaster Sunday

The Nursery may accept to open for babysitting on the above days if prior arrangement is made and on a case by case basis depending on the demand and the availability of staff. This decision, however, will be at the General Manager’s discretion and should not be assumed.

5.Days and Hours of Operation

The Nursery’s days and hours of operation are:

6:30am–2:00pm, Sunday to Thursday

6.Unscheduled Attendance

Life Time Nursery offers an unscheduled day where parents can bring their child at the daily rate stated in the Rate Card. We will accept the child for the day if there is vacancy in the classroom, on first come first serve basis. The General Manager, Office Manager or Morning/Evening Session Supervisor will inform the parent over the telephone, if there is a vacancy for that particular day. Parents are not allowed to bring their child without calling first. The daily rate has to be paid on the same day.

7.Absences

Parents/guardians are required to call the Nursery’s Office Manager or Morning/Evening Session Supervisor to inform us of any reason their child is absent from the Nursery and approximate period of absence. If the nursery has not heard from the parents/guardians, the General Manager, Office Manager or Morning/Evening Session Supervisor will call parents/guardians to enquire about the child.

If the Nursery has still not heard from the parents/guardians after one week, we reserve the right to de-enroll the child and offer the place to someone else.

As Life Time Nursery holds a spot for registered children on a daily basis, there is a “no refund” or adjustments policy in place. In order to hold a seat for a child in the class or day-care over a long period of time (e.g., due to a long holiday), Life Time Nursery charges a retainer fee as per the Rate Card to be paid in advance. This fee is not refundable and will not be deducted from future fees upon the child’s arrival back to the Nursery.

8.Receiving and Dismissing Children

It is essential that parents always notify a member of staff of their arrival and departure. On arrival at the Nursery parents will be expected to hand over their child to a nursery Staff who will then ensure that each child is “signed in” in the registry book by the Office Manager or the Morning/Evening Session Supervisor.

On departure of the Nursery parents will be expected to inform nursery Staff who will then ensure that each child is “signed out” in the attendance book by the Office Manager or the Morning/Evening Session Supervisor.

The Nursery will only release the child to his/her parent/guardian. If another person will be picking up the child, we must have either a phone call or a signed letter from a parent/guardian stating the date of pick up, time of pick up and the name of the person who will be picking up the child. We will then call the parent/guardian to confirm the letter and/or the phone call. This is for the child’s protection and no exceptions will be made.

Staff will wait thirty (30) minutes for parent/guardian to collect child after the end of each session. If the child is not collected by then, the supervising class staff will inform the Morning/Evening Session Supervisor who will contact the parent/guardian to enquire about pick-up time. All children to be picked up late will be placed in a supervised playroom where they can safely wait to be collected. If, however, the Morning/Evening Session Supervisor is unable to contact parents/guardians or come to an agreement on collection of the child, the Morning/Evening Session Supervisor, Office Manager or General Manager must inform the police to escort the child home.

There will be a late pick up fee, as stated in the rate card, for each hour parents/guardians are late to collect their child.

9.Enquiring About the Children

Parents should feel free to call the Nursery on 4551010/4551212 at any time. If no one is able to answer the phone, parents may leave a message. A staff member will return their call as soon as possible.
Parent/Guardian Involvement

Being the main nurturer and educators of their children, parents/guardians are encouraged to get involved in the Nursery’s activities. Parents are welcome to spend some time in the nursery with their child, prior to starting, to enable their child to settle in and feel comfortable with the new environment. Once the child has settled in, it is recommended that the parents/guardians keep their “goodbyes” short to spare the child any prolonged stress due to separation anxiety. Parents may set up a meeting with their child's teacher or the GM at any time to discuss any special concerns they may have.

Parents will receive a daily report form detailing their child’s activities and will receive weekly and monthly reports updating them about the children’s developments and health. All monthly and weekly reports will be given to the parents at the end of the week in the Child’s Home File, which must be returned to the Nursery at the beginning of the following week.

Please note, however, that any other childcare person (e.g. maids, nannies and drivers) will not be allowed to stay in the classrooms. If the parents/guardians insist on their presence, they may remain in the reception area and be called upon if a need arises or the child refuses to settle down.

Life Time Nursery Binder

All parents will receive a Binder in which all reports, child’s paintings & drawings, leaflets (health, nutrition, recipes), photos and other documents given by the nursery can be filed and stored. This binder can serve as a special memoir of the child’s nursery experience.

10.Clothing

Parents should dress their children with comfort, safety, and fun in mind. Clothes that are too loose or have draw strings that may get caught up/entangled while playing should be avoided.

Unfortunately in the Nursery, with such young children, accidents do often happen during the day. Children spill food, craft materials, or they forget that they need to go to the bathroom. It is therefore very important that each child has a set of spare clothing, including underwear and socks at the nursery with him/her at all times. These can be left with the class teacher or teacher’s assistant. Parent should ensure that these clothes are labeled with the child’s name. Although we attempt to use only washable materials, the Nursery will accept no liability for clothing damaged while the child is at the Nursery.

During winter, children may play outside and should be dressed for warmth. Children will not play outside if the weather is extremely cold or hot.

11.Required Supplies for Children

Parents must supply the following items for each child:

  • Spare clothing
  • Sufficient disposable diapers and wipes for children not yet completely toilet trained
  • Pull-ups or underwear (if applicable)
  • A small sheet, blanket and, if required, pillow that will be sent home on a weekly basis to be washed or whenever required
  • Hand towel, face cloths, wipes, tissues…etc.
  • Child’s small plate, spoon, cup and if applicable, feeding bottle
  • Sufficient baby food, milk/formula, snacks and lunch
  • Sun screen for older children who will get the opportunity to play outside during cooler weather

The Nursery will maintain a backup supply of essentials such as disposable diapers, wet wipes formula and baby cereal. Before they are used, the Morning/Evening Session Supervisor or Office Manager will call parents to question the brand to ensure that the child has no allergies to the specific product if so requested in the Rate Card Contract. However, if parent/guardians continuously fail to sufficiently provide essential supplies, even after the Office Manager has consulted them, it will be regarded as lack of cooperation from the parent/guardians (not to mention neglect) and termination of Rate Card Contract will be considered.

12.Toys and Valuables

Children should not bring toys, games and valuables into school. Such items are easily lost or broken at play times, which understandably, cause distress for the children. The Nursery will not be responsible for any personal belongings being lost or damaged.

13.Labeling

To protect the belongings of each child, we request that parents write the name of their child using a permanent black marker pen on the following objects:

  • Bags, diaper packet, wet wipes
  • Lunchboxes
  • Clothing

14.Meals and Snacks

Children should be provided with water, milk and nutritious snacks, lunch and/or dinner where applicable, by their parents.

Nannies will encourage the children to eat their food but they will not force them to eat.

Suggested snacks and meals:

Time / Meal/Snack
8:00am – breakfast / milk/formula
cream cheese sandwich
baby cereal
peeled fruit
10:00am – snack / milk/formula
fruit juice (unsweetened)
fruit
fruit cake (sweetened with concentrated fruit juice) biscuits/crackers
fresh plain yogurt
12:00pm – lunch / cream cheese sandwich
cooked vegetables and meat (lamb/beef/chicken)
fruit
fruit juice (unsweetened)
2:00pm – snack / milk/formula
fruit juice (unsweetened)
fruit
fruit cake (sweetened with concentrated fruit juice) biscuits/crackers
fresh plain yogurt
5:00pm – dinner / cream cheese sandwich
cooked vegetables and meat (lamb/beef/chicken)
7:00pm – sleep / milk/formula

The above meals and snacks are suggestions only. If you require additional information on child nutrition, please feel free to consult the Nursery’s resident nutritionist.

Children should NOT bring fizzy drinks, chocolate, candy bars, sweets, chips, chewing/bubble gum, fruit gums and nuts (or products containing nuts) to the nursery as they are either not considered nutritious or are highly allergenic.

Please pack each child’s food individually. It will be appropriately stored, and will not be shared with any other child.

15.Suggestions, Feedback & Complaints

Co-operation and communication between the Nursery and parents/guardians is considered essential for the smooth running of the Nursery. Should any parent/guardian need to make a complaint or suggestion, they should feel free to do so to the management team at any time. All complaints and suggestions will be recorded in the Complaints and Suggestions book and will be addressed promptly and appropriately by the Management.

16.Activities & Entertainment

Life Time Nursery offers a wide range of activities by using books, videos, audio cassettes, play dough, painting and coloring materials (Arts & crafts), games, toys and computers. These activities help children to: