Spare Time News
Check back here often to get the latest news from all of our centres.
COVID-19 Update May 22 share
Dear Spare Time families,
The Vancouver School Board is entering the next phase of the COVID-19 response and has announced plans to reopen schools June 1. Your school has sent out surveys regarding whether your children will be participating.
Kindergarten to Grade 5 students will be scheduled for 2 consecutive days of instruction per week at school, and Grades 6 and 7 students will be scheduled for 1 day of instruction per week at school. If you are an COVID-19 Essential Service Worker, you may choose to have your child scheduled for up to 5 days of instruction per week at school.
Starting June 1, all child care services provided by school age child care operators in VSB schools will be limited to before and after-school care only. May 29 will be the last day we will be providing full day child care, as of June 1 we will offer before and after school care at all our facilities.
All our registered families and Essential Service Workers attending our home schools have the option to enroll for before and after school care in June, for the days that correspond to your child attending school. If you don’t register for child care in June, you will not lose your child care space. All our registered families will have their spaces held until Sept 2020.
Placements for children of essential service workers based on the following priority:
• Tier 1 (highest priority): employed in Health and Health Services, Social Services, Law Enforcement, First Responders, and Emergency Response. For child care, Tier 1 also includes children approved to access care at a designated Young Parent Program, referred to child care by MCFD or a Delegated Aboriginal Agency, and/or children of teachers and support workers providing care to children of essential service workers or students who would benefit from additional supports.
• Tier 2 (second priority): all other occupations not included in Tier 1 that are listed in the Essential Service Workers list.
• Tier 3 (third priority): all other families not employed in an occupation listed in the Essential Service Workers list.
Next week you will receive summer program registration information, we will be offering 9 weeks of care, June 29-Aug 28.
Fees for June 2020:
Before and After school care, 7:30-9 am, 3-6 pm
Fees for June 1-25:
Gr. 6-7, 1 day per week $20, $80.00 for the month
Gr. K-5, 2 days per week $40, $160.00 for the month
ESW multi grade, 5 days per week, $100.00, $380.00 for the month
Spare Time continues to follow health and safety guidance issued to us by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry for Children and Families, to prevent transmission of COVID-19 and maintain safe and healthy environments for children and staff.
COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for Child Care Settings
Please contact your centre directly to register for June.
We look forward to seeing you,
Astrid Visscher
Administrator
Spare Time Child Care Society
astrid@sparetimesociety.org
COVID-19 Update March 30 share
Community Update March 30, 2020
The Ministry of Health has advised that all parents who can, should care for their children at home. Spare Time will be keeping Centres open to provide child care for parents in essential service-related positions with no alternative solution beginning on March 30.
If you are an essential worker, require temporary emergency childcare, and are not registered in any of our programs, please contact the West Coast Child Care Resource Centre for an online referral. https://www.wstcoast.org/
We are offering spaces for emergency care in 3 communities: Spare Time Clubhouse- Riley Park/Little Mountain, Spare Time Bobolink- Fraserview, and Spare Time II-Marpole.
Our programming has shifted to an essential services model which will enable us to operate our centres with lower numbers and allow for the extra cleaning and attention to safe interactions, which are among our highest priorities right now. This is possible due to support provided by the Ministry of Children and Families.
For the safety and care of our children, families and staff, all Centres follow enhanced cleaning and disinfection guidelines, hand hygiene instructions (children and staff), practice social distancing between adults in the centres (staff and parents) and keep the children in small group sizes.
To minimize the number of adults that enter the buildings, sign in procedures have been moved to the entrances for efficient drop-offs and pick-ups of children.
Daily programs will include school support, indoor and outdoor sports, play, and structured activities.
April Fees:
Monthly: $780.00 (begins April 1)
Weekly: $200.00 (Begins March 30)
3 days/week: $120.00 (Begins March 30)
COVID- 19 Essential Services:
2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) B.C. public health guidance for schools and childcare programs
Questions and Answers on COVID-19 and Childcare Settings
COVID-19 Update March 18 share
Letter to Parents March 18, 2020
March 18, 2020
Dear Spare Time families,
New information and directives regarding the COVID 19 virus are coming to all of us daily, from the Federal and Provincial governments, and the City of Vancouver.
Childcare falls under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Health, therefore we wait for guidelines and recommendations from the Office of the Provincial Health Officer and BC Communicable Disease Control. This is the latest communication we have received:
Childcare falls under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Health, therefore we wait for guidelines and recommendations from the Office of the Provincial Health Officer and BC Communicable Disease Control. This is the latest communication we have received:
As of today, the centres have continued to follow enhanced cleaning and disinfection guidelines, followed hand hygiene instructions (children and staff), practiced social distancing between adults in the centres (staff and parents) and kept the children in small group sizes. We have cancelled field trips and inter-centre events and we are not visiting any busy parks or playgrounds.
Many of you have withdrawn your children from Spring Break care, and I would like to assure you that we understand and support your decisions and will refund your fees.
What we do not know at this time is whether we will be able to continue to operate after Spring Break. The Vancouver School Board has not yet informed us of their intentions regarding the buildings. I believe there is a joint task force now examining how childcare in Vancouver can continue to safely operate under the current circumstances.
For regularly enrolled families who will temporarily withdraw children from our programs at this time for reasons related to the pandemic (ie; working from home, isolation, etc.) , or if we are directed to close down our centres, you will not lose your child care space when we resume regular operations. Your postdated cheques for April, May and June will be returned to you, and you will still be considered as registered in the program.
We intend to keep the centres open throughout Spring Break, however, if too many children are withdrawn, we may be unable to operate (financially) without support from outside sources. We are exploring solutions for this possibility.
I will continue to keep you updated.
Sincerely,
Astrid Visscher Administrator
Spare Time Child Care Society
COVID-19 Update March 17 share
Office of the Chief Medical Health Officer
#800–601 W. Broadway Vancouver, BC V5Z 4C2 604-675-3800
March 17, 2020
Dear Childcare Licensees/Managers:
Re: Update on COVID-19 (novel coronavirus)
We are writing to give you updated information on the novel coronavirus causing respiratory illness (COVID-19) and inform you of new measures and guidance.
While a number of infections were previously reported among returning travellers, and international travel remains a risk factor for COVID-19 infection, local community transmission in BC has also been observed at low levels.
Our knowledge of this virus and outbreak continues to grow, and we are using new information to adjust our public health recommendations. While most people (particularly children) experience mild illness, COVID-19 virus can cause a range of symptoms, and it is possible that people will not recognize symptoms that are very mild. During this time, people can reduce the chance of spread by limiting contact with others.
Generally, children with colds may attend childcare facilities. Because children with COVID-19 are expected to have mild-symptoms, children or staff with any respiratory illness (including colds) must be sent home. Symptomatic staff and children should isolate for 10 days from the onset of symptoms.
Public Health advice for children/parents and staff
- The BC Ministry of Health recommends against all non-essential travel outside of Canada, including the United States.
- Effective immediately, anyone who chooses to travel outside of Canada will be asked to self- isolate for 14 days upon their return, staying away from settings including work, school and child care.
- Children or staff who have been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 are asked to stay home for 14 days after their last encounter. Individuals should monitor themselves daily for symptoms including fever, cough, shortness of breath and sore throat.
- Children or staff who develop symptoms should stay home and self-isolate for 10 days from symptom onset. COVID-19 testing for mild symptoms is not required as it will not influence how people are treated. People with severe or rapidly progressing symptoms should call their health-care provider or 8-1-1 for a phone assessment.
- If there has been a COVID-19 exposure in a child care setting, public health will contact the relevant facility to discuss next steps.
- It is not necessary to cancel childcare facility events, outings or field trips to public locations that are still open. (Note that in BC, gatherings with over 50 people are not allowed at this time.)
We would also like to take this opportunity to provide the following recommendations to enhance protection for your facilities at this time:
- Immediately begin enhanced cleaning of high touch surfaces, at least two times per day in line with typical practices during an outbreak of respiratory illness (examples include door knobs, tables, faucets, etc.).
- Handwashing is the best way to prevent infection and should be routinely practiced by children and staff, particularly before eating.
If you have concerns, including those regarding an individual case, please contact a Medical Health Officer at 604-675-3900 or the dedicated BC COVID-19 information line 1-888-COVID19 (text 604-630- 0300).
Additional information can be found at:
BC Centre for Disease Control
http://www.bccdc.ca/Health-Info-Site/Documents/COVID19_schools_childcare_guidelines.pdf
Vancouver Coastal Health
http://www.vch.ca/about-us/news/vancouver-coastal-health-statement-on-coronavirus
Sincerely,
Michael Schwandt, MD MPH FRCPC
Medical Health Officer, Vancouver Coastal Health
COVID-19 Update March 11 share
March 11, 2020
Dear Spare Time families,
I would like to update you on the preventative measures we are taking regarding the COVID-19 virus.
We take direction from our licensing body, the Ministry of Health, and we are following the recommendations provided to us by the Office of the Provincial Health Officer and BC Communicable Disease Control’s publication: 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) B.C. public health guidance for schools and childcare programs.
http://www.bccdc.ca/Health-Info-Site/Documents/COVID19_schools_childcare_guidelines.pdf
We are promoting hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette by:
- supervising and assisting proper handwashing when the children arrive at the centre, before eating and when they come in from the outside.
- reminding children how to sneeze into at tissue or a flexed elbow and having them wash their hands after they dispose of tissues.
We are maintaining and increasing cleaning and disinfecting by:
- daily cleaning and disinfecting of high touch objects and surfaces (such as door handles, tables, toys)
- Removal of soft toys
- Disinfecting high touch areas in our vans and busses
We are planning to operate our spring break programs, but as new information is emerging daily, we may have to change some of our field trip plans, for the safety and well-being of the children and staff. We were told in a communication on March 10 from the office of Chief Medical Health Officer that “It is not necessary to cancel childcare facility events, outings or field trips to public locations.”
We have considered alternate activities that will keep us based at the centres and will make changes based on future directives from the Ministry of Health and inform you of any such changes. As of today, there is no plan to close schools.
If you decide to remove your child from care during the Spring Break, you will be refunded and there will be no penalty, but we ask that you please cancel by Friday March 13, or Friday March 20 for the week ahead.
Sincerely,
Astrid Visscher
Administrator
Spare Time Child Care Society
Snow Closure Policy for all Spare Time Centres share
Dear Families,
On snowy days check the media outlets below for information about school closures.
If the schools are closed, our childcare programs and pre- school will also be closed.
Any district-wide closure will be decided by 7:00 a.m., and details of district-wide or individual school closures will be announced on the
Vancouver School Board district website front page
and through these media outlets:
CKNW 980 AM, CKWX 1130 AM, Fairchild 1470 AM, CBC 690 AM- 105.7 FM
Global BC, CBC TV, CTV BC, City TV
Please click on the Snow Closure Notice link below for more information.
Spring Break 2019 Programs!! share
We are excited to offer Spring Break programs that are packed with hands-on activities and field trips at each of our centres for children ages five to twelve! Download your centre’s calendar to see what’s been planned.
Enrolled family registration ends February 15th and community registration begins on February 19th, 2019.
For inquiries, please contact the centre supervisor.
Summer 2017 Programs!! share
Our Summer Programs are now available!
Summer Program Registration has begun for currently registered families. Currently enrolled families can return their registration forms to their centre.
Community and Public registration begins May 26 and is accepted in-person at your centre of choice.
Click here for more information. Here
Summer Break Programs 2016 share
Our Summer Break Program is now ready! We have fun-filled summer holiday activities and programs! Visit our Programs section for more information Summer Break Programs.
Play, Learn and Discover at Spare Time This Summer share
CHECK BACK MAY 2ND FOR SUMMER BREAK 2016 DETAILED CALENDARS
Play, learn and discover at Spare Time this Summer. Each centre has planned fun hands-on activities, field trips and variety of learning opportunities and experiences for children ages five to twelve (entering kindergarten to entering grade eight.)
You may download your centre’s registration package and program calendar to see what’s been planned!
Centre hours: 7:30 am – 6:00 pm, Monday – Friday.
KEY REGISTRATION DATES IN MAY
Summer programs registration starts on May 9th for enrolled families, and on May 27th at 7:30 am for the community at all centres except for Spare Time Clubhouse and Spare Time Connection (see details below). Forms are accepted in-person only for all centres.
New families enrolling to Spare Time are also required to complete the Spare Time Registration Documents once they are accepted into the program. These include contact information, centre-parent agreement, photo/video consent and more.
For Spare Time Clubhouse and Spare Time Connection only:
Registration for community families attending David Livingstone and General Wolfe schools begins at 7:30 am on May 26th.
Registration for all other community families begins at 7:30 am on May 27th, in person at Spare Time Clubhouse, General Wolfe School only.
Spare Time Clubhouse/Connection Summer Flyer 2016
FEE SCHEDULE FOR SUMMER BREAK 2016
Summer Fees (Summer 2016): $237.00 per week (No daily rates available). $190 for the holiday week August 2-5.
Lunch, snacks and all activities and field trips are included in the fee. On all field trips, children are well supervised and ride in our Variety Club vans and buses driven by qualified, licensed class 2 and 4 drivers.