Inclement Weather & Emergency Closures
Our centres will not operate if schools are closed or transportation is not running due to inclement weather or another emergency.
There may be times during the school year where inclement weather or other situations could cause transportation cancellations or school closures. Information about transportation changes and school closures will be available on the local radio and television stations as soon as it is available.
The centre closes when the Niagara District School Board announces school closures or transportation cancellations due to increment weather and snowstorms. For information on centre closures our staff will do a call out to each family advising of the closure, however parents in both Preschool and Toddler programs are responsible for determining if the child care centre is closed because of inclement weather or unusual circumstances. Regular daily fees are charged for the days your child is sick, for statutory holidays and winter storm closures.
Closure prior to the opening of the Centre:
If inclement or severe weather occurs prior to the opening of the Centre, the board of directors in consultation with the leadership team of the childcare center will make a collective decision based on when the Niagara District School Board announces school closures or transportation cancellations due to increment weather and snowstorms and the specific criteria outlined below. Once a decision has been made to close the Centre, staff will proceed to follow the staff tree to inform all staff and family members of the closure. Management will also update the ‘news and updates’ section on the webpage. Closure announcements will also be made on the local radio stations as soon as possible. The responsibility lies with parents to check the website for updates, or listen to the local radio station.
Closure of the centre during normal operating hours
If the Centre is open and weather conditions quickly deteriorate, the staff and management will ask parents to wait at the Centre until we can ensure that proper ratios are in effect prior to the parents leaving. Management will continue to monitor and assess the conditions and take into account the safety of staff and families in returning home. In the event that Management determines that the Centre must close during normal hours of operation, parents will be called and required to pick up their children as soon as possible.
Please be aware that if the Centre is closed or should close prior to regular closing hours, there will be no reimbursement or credit of childcare fees.
Criteria Used to Determine a Closure
- The Niagara District School Board is closed
- The Buses are not in operation
- Staff are unable to make a safe drive to work
- No power or water at the Centre