discovery child care in barrie earns international recognition for ...

ChildcareTODAYTHE ASSOCIATION OF DAY CARE OPERATORS OF ONTARIOADCOBUSINESS MAGAZINE • SUMMER/BACK TO SCHOOL 2012DISCOVERY CHILD CARE IN BARRIEEARNS INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITIONFOR OUTDOOR CLASSROOMADCO Members Raise $65,000 ForOntario’s Children’s HospitalsThinking About Selling Your Centre?Read This First — Part 2000727386041611040

Ontario’s Childcare IndustryBoard of DirectorsKim YeamanCo-PresidentSimcoe CountyWendy MarshallCo-PresidentBolton–PalgraveKaren EilersenTreasurer ~ BarrieGreg HumphreysPeel RegionHolton HunterTorontoErla McCaigWaterloo–HaltonKerri WhitakerMarkamCarol SiderisOrangevilleADCO At Your ServiceMembership InformationTo become a member of ADCO,please visit www.adco-o.on.caWalkathon InformationTo learn more about the ADCO “KidsHelping Kids” Walkathon and howyou can participate, please contactwalkathon@adco-o.on.caOther EnquiriesMedia, corporate and other ADCOenquiries may be directed to:ahannen@adco-o.on.caA publication of the Association of DayCare Operators of Ontario.Publications Mail Agreement000727386041611040Published QuarterlyWinter / Spring / Summer / FallPublisher:.Andrea HannenAssociate Editor:.Greg HumphreysAdvertising Coordinator:.Kathy Filoadvertising@childcaretoday.caGraphic Design:.Engine CommunicationsAdvertising enquiries, addresschanges, and questions about theproducts or services you’ve read aboutin this magazine may be directed to:Childcare Today6 Davidson StreetSt. Catharines, ON L2R 2V4Toll Free: 1.800.567.7075Fax: 705.733.2154e-mail: admin@childcaretoday.cawww.childcaretoday.caYour privacy is important to us,and we are committed to protecting andsafeguarding your personal information.We do not rent, sell, or trade our membershipmailing lists, but rather use themto keep members informed about ADCOactivities, seminars, and programs. Pleasecontact the office if you would like to updateyour information or be removed fromthe mailing list. For a copy of our PrivacyPolicy please contact the ADCO office.Is your e-mail address current?ADCO members whose dues are in goodstanding receive regular email updates,special offers and other valuable information.If your email address changes,please let us know. Simply send anemail to admin@adco-o.on.ca or call1-800-567-7075.INSIDE THIS ISSUE CO-PRESIDENTS'.......3MESSAGE As I See It..............5Thinking About Selling YourCentre? Read This First - Part 2 POLICY WATCH.........7 KIDS HELPING KIDS.WALKATHON...........9 COVER STORY ........ 10Discovery Child Care In BarrieEarns International RecognitionFor Outdoor Classroom FEATURE STORY...... 13Creating Safe, Fun AnimalEncounters In The Classroom ADCO membership.programs . . . . . . . . . .15What Could a Data or PrivacyBreach Cost You? HEALTH, SAFETY &.NUTRITION. . . . . . . . . . .17For A Healthier Diet,.Just Add Water MARKETPLACE ....... 19 ADCO MEMBERSHIPINFO.................. 20Disclaimer:All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproducedwithout the written permission of the publisher. ADCOmembers in good standing may, however, photocopy specificarticles for free distribution to the parents and communitiesthey serve. Opinions and comments contained within reflectthose of the contributor and not necessarily those of the Associationof Day Care Operators of Ontario, or its members.SUMMER/BACK TO SCHOOL 2012 • ChildcareTODAY 1

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Ontario’s Childcare Industryco-presidenTS' MESSAGEBy: Kim Yeaman & Wendy MarshallKEEP CALM AND CARRY ONOne of the best things aboutworking with children andfamilies every day is howit helps you maintain your perspectiveabout what is truly important inlife. No matter how tough things are,a few minutes playing alongside thechildren makes all of the stress meltaway and gives you the motivationand encouragement you need tokeep going even when the going getstough. Working with ADCO membersthis summer, we have been humbledby their tremendous inner strengthand the many ways they’re copingwith the rapid roll-out of the Provincialgovernment’s Early Learning Program(ELP). There are many valuablelife lessons in what we’ve observed.Almost every independent licensedchild care program has facedsome kind of challenge as a result ofthe ELP. For some owner/operatorsthese challenges have been insurmountable.The financial viabilityof their programs has been underminedby such an extent they’vehad no choice but to close theirdoors. Others have made the choiceto sell their operations to larger companies,as a means of continuing toserve the families that have come torely on them every day. Still othershave shelved expansion plans, orsought to limit their vulnerability tofurther government policy changesby reducing the number of familiesthey serve who are in receipt of feesubsidy. These are just some of theunintended consequences of theProvince’s current policy direction.Others include the rapid expansionof some of Ontario’s largestchild care companies, primarilythrough the acquisition of strugglingcentres that have been negativelyaffected by the ELP. Yet, within theADCO membership, there are ahandful of smaller programs thathave gone from being single-siteoperations to having three or morecentres in less than two years. Inobserving and working with thesemembers, it’s clear that their successisn’t just a matter of location or accessto capital, although both play arole. What these programs have incommon with one another is thattheir owner/operators have adoptedfive specific behaviors. They can besummed up as follows: They stay focused on doingwhat they can to meet the currentand future needs of familiesin the areas they serve, alwayslooking for new opportunitiesto expand their relationshipswith their existing clients andto expand their service area.; They stay connected with otherchild care owner/operators forencouragement and support,and to better understand anytrends that may be emergingin their areas or in the licensedchild care sector as a whole. They make it a point to allocatea portion of each day to workingon their programs, ratherthan in them, making theircentre’s growth potential theirtop priority. They maintain ongoing contactwith their MPs, MPPs and municipalcouncilors, advocatingstrongly on behalf of the familiesthey serve, sometimes evenmobilizing the families themselves. They don’t take the actions ofgovernment personally.Membership in ADCO offers licensedchild care owner/operators,both commercial and non-profit, avariety of resources to help them followthis powerful example. Thanks toa keynote address by futurist and authorRichard Worzel, the ADCO FallConference scheduled for Friday, November2 will offer ADCO membersthe opportunity to deepen their understandingof the trends that will affectthe families they serve. This sameevent will also give ADCO membersan important chance to connect withtheir peers from across the province.Membership in ADCO also providesyou with many other peer supportand mentoring opportunities. Ifyour program is ever struggling withan issue or challenge and you aren’tsure where to turn, we invite you tocall the ADCO member care centre at1-800-567-7075. In addition to seekingout documents, professional contactsor other information that maybe of help to you, ADCO’s membercare team may be able to put you intouch with another ADCO memberwho has faced a similar challengewho is willing to offer you additionalinsight and advice. Alternatively, youcan post your question or concern inthe “members only” discussion areaon ADCO’s web site for a responsefrom other discussion area users.Additionally, ADCO develops anddelivers a variety of print and onlineCo-President’s Message continued on next pageSUMMER/BACK TO SCHOOL 2012 • ChildcareTODAY 3

Ontario’s Childcare IndustryCo-President’s Message continued from page 3publications that allow its membersto learn from one another and fromexperts in other fields about management,leadership and growth. Membershipin ADCO also means that youautomatically receive the backgroundinformation you need to anticipate,understand and respond to potentialchanges in government policy.While we encourage all ADCOmembers to be proactive in their advocacyby keeping their elected officials,the families they serve and theirlocal media informed about the realimpacts of government policy, oneinsight that we sincerely hope thatall ADCO members will gain is theimportance of not taking changes ingovernment policy personally. TheELP is not the first time that Provincialpolicy has wrought dramatic changesupon Ontario’s licensed child careowner/operators and the familiesthey serve and it won’t be the last.Within the last decade, we’ve seenresponsibility for the funding andregulation of child care shuffled fromone Ministry to the next: from Communityand Social Services, to Childrenand Youth Services and mostrecently to Education. We’ve seen theProvince download responsibility formanaging most components of Ontario’slicensed child care system tothe municipalities and prior to that,we saw a Provincial administrationfocused on eliminating all privatelyowned licensed child care programsand attempting to seize their assets.Through it all, independent licensedchild care owner/operatorshave continued to deliver the affordable,high quality early learning andchild care services Ontario’s familiesneed most. We’ve had no choice.Our livelihood depends on our abilityto stay relevant to families andkeep expanding and enhancing ourprograms to serve more of them. Asan industry and as individual owner/operators,Ontario’s independentlicensed child programs listen tofamilies, respond to their needs, anticipatewhat they might want inthe future and do everything in ourpower to provide it.As a result, Ontario’s independentlicensed child care owner/operatorsare the experts in increasingaccess to high quality early learningexperiences in this province.We were doing it long beforegovernments even recognized EarlyChildhood Education as a professionor began paying lip service tothe value of play-based learning.Delivering high quality experiencesthat strengthen family life in Ontariois more than a job to us. It is ourreason for being. We’re trained forit. We’ve dedicated our lives to it andmost of us can’t even imagine doinganything else. It would be greatif the Government’s ELP and childcare modernization initiatives capitalizedupon our experience and expertise.We sincerely encourage youto get involved and see that it does.The fact remains, however, that thevast majority of us will continue tobring much needed advancementsto the fields of early childhood developmentand non-parental careno matter what. It’s what we do.4 ChildcareTODAY • SUMMER/BACK TO SCHOOL 2012

Ontario’s Childcare IndustryAs I See ItTHINKING ABOUT SELLING YOUR CENTRE?READ THIS FIRST, PART IIBy: Ernest Kockeritz, DTZ Barnicke.If you own a licensed child care program thatoperates in leased premises and you decideyou’d like to sell it, you face a number ofunique challenges. While almost any real estate transactionruns more smoothly when the seller providespotential buyers with as much information as possible,this is even more important when the enterprise youare selling does not include land or a building. Fromthe standpoint of a potential buyer, there may be aheightened sense of risk in the transaction. Being aswell prepared and transparent as possible is critical ifyou want to ensure a timely sale and smooth transitionto a new owner. It helps if set the goal of doingeverything you possibly can to help ensure the newowner’s success.The following tips and ideas are designed to orientyou to this and serve as a mini-survival guide. Thereare four main compnents to the sale of a child careprogram: preparation; marketing; due diligence andtransition. Proper attention to each helps minimize theeffect of any of the speed bumps you might encounter.At all points in the process, you want to be able to respondspeedily and professionally to a query from apotential buyer.PreparationThe most important decisions you will make takeplace in the preparation phase of the process. Thisphase includes the following steps: Choose your agentIn addition to being a critical member of the TEAMyou will need to complete the sale of your centre,your agent must be regarded by prospective buyersas someone in whom they can place their trust andconfidence. To earn this level of credibility, youragent must possess industry knowledge of issues,challenges, key DNA provisions, licensing, operatingprinciples affecting class size, safety and efficiency,etc. Be prepared to conduct in-depth interviewswith several agents before making yourfinal decision Establish your TEAMYour TEAM of experts needs to include a real estateagent, an accountant and a lawyer. Introducethem to one another sooner rather than later. Thereneeds to be significant information flow among thefour of you. Establish a valuation for the businessUsing your TEAM members, establish a valuationfor the business. Be realistic. Heed industry normsand formulate and understand where your centresits on the hierarchy of desirability. You will need todiscuss openly the annual Net income you receive asan owner. Ensure your financial statements are currentFinancial statements rarely reveal the Net incomeof the business. Be prepared to identify the exact lineitems where your salary, dividend, bonus, food supplyand car rental are to be found. An accurate Net incomeis required for valuation and marketing. Pleasebe aware that audited statements are preferable to aNotice to Reader. Be prepared to finance the saleIt is highly probable that a buyer will be unable tofinance the purchase via traditional banking sources.Many will look to you for Vendor financing via a VendorTake Back Mortgage. Work with your TEAM to decide inadvance the amount you are prepared to finance andfor what term. Make sure you understand the tax benefitsassociated with this.As I See It continued on next pageSUMMER/BACK TO SCHOOL 2012 • ChildcareTODAY 5

As I See It continued from page 5 Understand the difference between a Share PurchaseAgreement and an Asset SaleA Share Purchase Agreement means your licensecan be transferred. An Asset Sale results in license termination.Since these two approaches are very different,work with your TEAM to become knowledgeableabout the impact of each upon things like capitalgains, change of control application, operating approvals,and retiring allowances. Make your lease as attractive as possibleProspective buyers tend to ask about the leaseterms, conditions and costs shortly after saying “hello,”so part of the preparation phase of the sale is to ensurethat your lease is as attractive as it can be. Your leaserate or future arrangement must be acceptable and atleast one five-year option must be included. Two suchoptions are preferable. If negotiations with the landlordare indicated, do so before an offer is received.MarketingAsk your agent to describe his or her proposedmarketing program for your centre and ask to viewany promotional material before it is put to use.Remember, a stealth marketing campaign may beessential, as it is usually best not to reveal to staffand clients that the centre is for sale. Since thisrules out mentioning the centre’s name or specificlocation in print or digital media, your agent willneed to use a personal and direct approach afterusing fairly generic marketing appeals to generateenquiries from potential buyers. Specific informationabout the centre should only be revealed afterhe or she receives an executed ConfidentialityAgreement.Also, be careful about how you and your agentschedule inspections by potential buyers. Typically, theywill need to take place in the evenings or on weekends.Just be sure cleaning staff is not present.Ask that your agent provide regular updates, butbe prepared for a cycle lasting one year.Due DiligenceOnce you have accepted a Buyer’s ConditionalOffer, you may be confronted with a lengthy list ofitems the Buyer wishes to see before waiving conditionsand making the offer firm and unconditional.This list may include things like T4 Summaries,enrolment data, wage and child subsidy information,contracts, purchase of service agreements, articlesof incorporation, etc. This portfolio of informationshould have been prepared with the helpof your TEAM during the marketing phase of thesales process.At this point, you should also be prepared for informationleaks, as parents and/or staff members mayhave heard rumours of an impending sale. Have yourresponse ready and in writing well in advance of whenyou need it.TransitionYou have sold your centre and staff and parentsknow about it. Throw a party and invite everyone involved.Introduce the new owners. Send out your introductorynotice listing the new owners’ achievementsand plans for the centre. Inform staff and parents themof your plans to be available to consult with the newowners for the next six months. Do everything you canto help the new owners be successful. If you have extendedVendor financing, they may need this moralsupport to repay you!Real estate broker Ernest Kockeritz has successfully representedmany for-profit centres operating in leased premises in theGTA. He describes the process as the most demanding, complexand rewarding of any of the types of assets he has marketed.He may be contacted at: Ernie.Kockeritz@dtzbarnicke.com.6 ChildcareTODAY • SUMMER/BACK TO SCHOOL 2012

Ontario’s Childcare IndustryGovernmentpolicy watchBy: Greg Humphreys, Chair,.ADCO Government Relations CommitteeADCO Members Respond toGovernment Discussion Paper onChild Care ModernizationOver the summer, the Province issued a discussionpaper on Child Care Modernization andasked stakeholders to respond to 23 questionsspanning five areas of child care policy: the operatingfunding formula; capital funding priorities; qualityprograms; modernized legislative and regulatoryframework; support for accountability and capacitybuilding. ADCO immediately circulated this paper toits members and asked for their input. ADCO’s governmentrelations committee then developed broadbasedanswers to the 23 questions and asked membersto agree or disagree and weigh in with their commentson each, prior to submitting its final response to theProvince.While ADCO members generally agreed that thefive areas raised by the Province for discussion arethe right ones, there were four additional themesthat emerged as a result of the ADCO member consultation: the need for more avenues of parental input; a greater focus on expanding access to licensed childcare services; a more constructive and accessible approach to licensingand inspection; and formal mechanisms to ensure a level playing fieldfor all licensed child care providers.“When you have one Ministry that now ownssuch a large portion of the province’s child care infrastructureand is also responsible for regulating,funding and setting policy for the rest of it, you needa much higher level of transparency than currentlyexists in Provincial child care policy and administration,”commented one survey respondent. “Thereneed to be formal mechanisms introduced to helpparents to report their concerns and protect theirability to change child care providers as they see fit,without fear that their fee-subsidy eligibility will bein jeopardy,” wrote another.Some members also raised concerns aboutthe rapid expansion of the unlicensed and informalsector, indicating that a more accessible andstreamlined licensing process may allow more newoperators to enter the licensed sector, helping to addresschild care shortages in high-growth areas. Inthe last year, ADCO has seen an unprecedented risein the number of enquiries from informal providerslooking for professional development supportand quality enhancement advice, who have no intentionof ever being licensed simply because theyperceive the cost and time barriers to licensing asinsurmountable.ADCO members also indicated a strong interest ina more constructive approach to inspections, wherebyDNA requirements are stated more clearly and programadvisors are trained to use a coaching approach to helpoperators achieve compliance.Most survey respondents expressed concern overthe politicization of child care licensing issues andwhat they consider to be “profiling” of commercialoperators. In its follow-up correspondence to theProvince, ADCO has called for the modernizationof child care to include clear avenues of redress foroperators who feel they have been victimized thisway by Ministry staff, or their local CMSM/DSSABor school board. ADCO also urged the Province torecognize formally that exemplary and less thanexemplary providers exist in all sectors, noting thatto make assumptions based on auspice puts all childrenat risk.Small, community-based non-profitprograms face uncertain futureOn July 10, Deputy Minister of Education JimGrieve issued a memo introducing the Ministry's intentionto pursue a schools-first capital retrofit policy.Part of the stated intent of the policy is to createPolicy Watch continued on next pageSUMMER/BACK TO SCHOOL 2012 • ChildcareTODAY 7

Ontario’s Childcare IndustryPolicy Watch continued from page 7opportunities for child care operators in communitybasedlocations to relocate to schools. The announcementcontained two main components: direction to school boards and CMSMs/DSSABsto support planning and management of capitalinvestments to repurpose existing child carespaces or space not required for instructionalpurposes in schools to serve children aged 0 to3.8 years; and notification that $113 million over three yearshas been allocated for school boards to helpthem make this transition.Since the announcement, numerous ADCOmember centres located in schools have had theirlease agreements suddenly and immediately terminated.To date, all of the terminated locationshave been run by small, community-based nonprofits.In every case so far, the school boards involvedhave since entered into new lease agreementswith much larger non-profit corporations,some of which use a portion of their child care revenuesto finance a broad range of programs andfacilities unrelated to child care. A letter from Cityof Toronto Children’s Services circulated to childcare owner/operators on August 8 indicates thatsome of the costs these large non-profit corporationswill incur to occupy these privileged positionsmay even be eligible for coverage by taxpayersthrough Toronto’s portion ($5.6 million) ofProvincial revenues allocated for “stabilization” ofthe child care sector.The cases that have come to ADCO’s attention sofar speak to the need for a standardized, open andcompetitive tendering process whereby all licensedchild care programs in a given area are informedof the opportunity to provide school-based servicesand bid on this privileged position. As it stands,there is little evidence that the school boards involvedachieved higher quality or better value formoney through the actions they’ve taken. In fact,in one of the GTA-area cases documented by ADCO,the potentially negative impact on families is notlimited to the families originally enrolled with thesmaller, community-based non-profit. The suddentermination of three of its school-based locationshas left the future of the provider’s other locationsin serious jeopardy. At minimum, some 500 familieswith children enrolled in the other locationswill face a substantial fee hike, but even that maynot be enough to save these sites.ADCO believes there are solutions to these challengesthat would benefit families, strengthen independentlicensed child care programs and contributeto the success of the Provincial Early Learning Program.ADCO stands ready to assist and advise theMinistry of Education in this regard.8 ChildcareTODAY • SUMMER/BACK TO SCHOOL 2012

Ontario’s Childcare IndustryKids Helping KidsADCOTHE ASSOCIATION OF DAY CARE OPERATORS OF ONTARIOADCO Members Raise Over $65,000 forChildren’s Hospitals!walkathon updateAs the last issue of Childcare Today was going topress, the staff, children and families at dozensof ADCO member centres across Ontario weremaking their final preparations for ADCO’s 2012 KidsHelping Kids Walkathon. While monies are still tricklingin, this year’s total is over $65,000! Congratulationsand thank you for achieving such fantastic results forOntario's four regional children's hospitals.In its 25-year history, the ADCO Kids Helping KidsWalkathon has raised over $1 million, which has beenshared by the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto; Mc-Master Children’s Hospital, Hamilton; Children’s Hospitalof Eastern Ontario, Ottawa; and Children’s Hospitalof Western Ontario, London.Almost every ADCO member centre has a specialconnection to one of these four hospitals. Typically, achild who has been enrolled at that centre has receivedcare at the hospital that centre supports. Many havedramatic stories of survival and recovery thanks to thespecialized expertise and facilities available at the hospital.Some centres even use their walk to remember orsupport a child who has been ill. These events are oftenWalkathon day was a big hit with the children and staff of PeekabooChild Care in Kitchener.deeply moving for the families and staff involved—everyonehas a story to tell.Part of the success of this year’s event was the financialand in-kind support provided by ADCO’s networkof suppliers and business partners. As always, thankyou to CCV Insurance & Financial Services and the MySchool program for its ongoing support of all ADCOevents. ADCO would also like to recognize the followingcompanies for their generous in-kind contributions: TheStrategem Group/C Me Mail; The Association Expert;and Credit Bureau Services of Canada.THANK YOU FOR RAISING HOPEYour support has had such an impact on the lives of so many sick and injured children andtheir families. Your generosity helped to provide vital tools for the health care professionalsat Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre and the scientists at Children's HealthResearch Institute allowing them to continue the exceptional care and ground breakingresearch they do for children every day. Your generosity and dedication to children willcontinue raising hope for years to come! Thank you!— Michael Lerner, Chair, Board of Directors and Debbie Comuzzi, President & CEOHannah, age 1Congenital Heart DefectSUMMER/BACK TO SCHOOL 2012 • ChildcareTODAY 9

Cover StoryOntario’s Childcare IndustryDISCOVERY CHILD CARE IN BARRIEEARNS INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITIONFOR OUTDOOR CLASSROOMBy: Andrea HannenBack in 2006, when ChildcareToday first visited DiscoveryChild Care in Barrie,owner/operators Karen and ChrisEilersen had already firmly establishedtheir program as the environmentallyfriendly child care choicefor families in the Barrie area. Theyhad earned a Bell Canada BusinessAward, been officially recognized byEnvironmental Action Barrie, andbeen named “Business of the Year”by the Barrie Chamber of Commerce.At that time, Discovery Child Carewas operating in five locations, twoof which were located in schools.Karen Eilersen is an RECE who receivedher diploma from Seneca College.In 1989, after seven years workingin licensed child care, she begancaring for children in her home andcontinued her professional development.A conference she attendedon the environment and children’shealth was a major turning point forher. She became increasingly concernedabout the impact of environmentaltoxins on children’s health,and about what she saw as the growingdisconnect between children andthe natural world. As she began talkingwith other parents, she realizedshe was not alone in these concernsand the idea for Discovery Child Carebegan to take shape.In 1997, she and Chris had purchaseda two-acre parcel of land neartheir home and began the processof converting and expanding theexisting building to become a fullyequipped licensed child care facility.The large outdoor space allowed thecouple to create perennial and vegetablegardens and set up a compostingstation, so that the children enrolledat the centre could learn aboutgrowing their own food, companionplanting and insect alternatives topesticides, and a host of other environmentallyand socially responsiblepractices. Discovery Child Careopened its Harvie Road location licensedfor 64 and soon expanded toaccommodate 99 children. Within afew short years, the couple opened upanother freestanding location, onceagain on a large parcel of land andonce again focusing on developingchildren’s environmental consciousnessand appreciation of nature.Recognizing that the type of experienceDiscovery Child Care wasoffering children was unique in theBarrie area, the couple formed aseparate not-for-profit corporation in2006. The not-for-profit corporationwas created in response to the launchADCO Members Karen and Chris Eilersenare true pioneers in the field of ecoeducationfor young children.of the provincial Government’s BestStart program and soon entered intoagreements with the local schoolboard to begin offering programs intwo school-based locations. A thirdnot-for-profit location was openedin a church to offer afterschool programming.All three of the not-forprofitprogram’s sites were characterizedby the same thoughtful attentionto detail as the first two, with a heavyemphasis on environmental consciousness,play-based learning, andcontinuous improvement. Together,the five Discovery Child Care sitesregularly participated in a variety ofquality enhancement initiatives.In addition to serving as the ExecutiveDirector for Discovery’s not-“A variety of outdoor structures are needed to facilitate the playbasedlearning experiences that take place in a Nature ExploreClassroom. Chris Eilersen built them all to exacting design standards,ensuring that even the materials used in the structures themselveswould pose no threat to the micro-environment of the centre .”10 ChildcareTODAY • SUMMER/BACK TO SCHOOL 2012

Ontario’s Childcare Industryfor-profit corporation and Presidentof Discovery Child Care Inc., KarenEilersen has served several terms onthe ADCO board of directors and hasbeen its treasurer since 2008. She hasalways thrived on hard work. Priorto earning her ECE diploma, she wasemployed as a kitchen manager andchef in a busy regional restaurantchain. In addition to raising theirtwo sons, she and Chris have alsocontinued on their own journey ofenvironmental education and activism,bringing new levels of awarenessand many innovations to theirfive licensed child care sites.Most recently, Discovery’s HarvieRoad location became the firstlicensed child care in Canada to receivethe prestigious Nature ExploreClassroom designation from the ArborDay Foundation. The Arbor DayFoundation is a non-profit conservationand education organization.Its more than one million membersare dedicated to planting trees andcelebrating ecosystems. The NatureExplore designation recognizes Discovery’semphasis on outdoor activitiesthat encourage learning byimproving children’s ability to concentrate,as well as their problemsolving,cognitive and social skills.A variety of outdoor structuresare needed to facilitate the play-basedlearning experiences that take placein a Nature Explore Classroom. ChrisEilersen built them all to exacting designstandards, ensuring that eventhe materials used in the structuresthemselves would pose no threat tothe micro-environment of the centre.These remarkable outdoor facilitiesprovide the children with opportunitiesto create in a natural art area,build with natural materials, climbon natural structures and practicetheir balance, agility and creativity inspaces specifically designed for musicand movement. They can be usedyear-round, weather permitting. Thechildren typically spend at least twohours per day in the centre’s outdoorlearning areas.Programming for Nature ExploreClassrooms is based on the findingsand recommendations of the DimensionsEducational Research Foundation.The Dimensions EducationalResearch Foundation was formed inBE SURE TOREGISTER!For ADCO’s 2012Fall Conference!Friday, November 2, Delta MarkhamMORNING WORKSHOP OPTIONS What You need to know about employment contractsKelsey Orth, Crawford, Chondon & Partners LLP Adult/Child Interaction: Giving Children ChoicesMary Soundy, Alpha Child Care Building The Winning Team:.A Guide To Hiring, Training And Keeping Great Employees!Michael Lewis, Michael Lewis Training, Motivation & Development Health, Happiness and HumourMary DiCaro, Mary DiCaro Consulting ServicesADCO MEMBER RATE: $195/PERSON + HSTTo register, call 905-646-7311 ext 304For more information please visit www.childcaretoday.caAfternoon Keynote: The Future Of Child Care In OntarioJoin best-selling author and futurist, Richard Worzel for this insightfulpresentation about the forces driving change, how they will affect thechild care industry and how you can prepare your centre for successeven in challenging times.1998 to study how science, math andliteracy learning can be enhanced bythe addition of more visual-spatialactivities into classrooms and homes.For a number of years, the Foundationhas conducted and collected researchon how children best developvisual-spatial skills and how teachersand families can optimally supportthis development.Becoming a Nature Explore designatedprogram is not easy. It involvesworkshops for educators and designersand access to sourcebooks thatoutline the design requirements forthe structures, as well as implementingfield-tested activities and components.The process is most effectivewhen the parents of the children enrolledat the centre are also involved.In 2011, Discovery had a staff trainingfrom the Arbor Day Foundation,which included parental developmentas well as learning about programmingfor use in the physical andnatural environment. The Discoverystaff team has implemented many ofthe Nature Explore principles and activitiesinto the programming offeredat all five Discovery Child Care sites.“By becoming Canada’s firstNature Explore classroom, DiscoveryChild Care Centre is setting awonderful example for other learninginstitutions and organizationsthroughout the country,” said SusieWirth, Nature Explore outreach directorfor the Arbor Day Foundation.Editor’s Note: As this issue of ChildcareToday was going to press, the SimcoeCounty Public School Board opted not torenew its longstanding agreement withDiscovery Child Care’s not-for-profitprogram, resulting in the closure of oneof Discovery’s school-based sites.SUMMER/BACK TO SCHOOL 2012 • ChildcareTODAY 11

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Ontario’s Childcare IndustryFeature StoryCREATING SAFE, FUN ANIMALENCOUNTERS IN THE CLASSROOMBy: Adrian Venier, Critters On The Go!Incorporating regular animal encountersinto your programming provides manybenefits for the children in your care. Notonly does it help children appreciate and respectnature, it may actually help lower their stress levelsand enhance their capacity to empathize with others.Just as important, regular experiences with animalsin the classroom may help children overcome oravoid developing irrational fears about certain typesof creatures, such as snakes or spiders. For children inurban areas, classroom animal experiences are oftenthe only exposure they have to animals, as manyworking families do not have the space or the timerequired to have a pet at home.There are two main ways to bring animals intoyour classroom: keeping a classroom pet and hiringa professional company that specializes in bringinganimals into classroom environments. Keepingclassroom pets can be very rewarding for youngerchildren in that it teaches them responsibility and hasalso been shown to promote social skill development.However, many facilities have restrictions on keepingclassroom pets, mainly due to children’s allergies. Youmay also find it difficult to provide proper care for aclassroom pet 365 days per year. What do you do onweekends or holidays?Having a professional company come into yourdaycare or school allows children the opportunityto learn about a wide variety of animals (includingexotic pets) under the supervision of someone whocompletely understands the care and behaviours ofthese animals. Pertinent information about each of theanimals is given, and questions from children can beanswered accurately and promptly. The presenter canalso demonstrate how to properly hold and pet eachof the animals and assist children to understand thedangers associated with particular types of animals. Heor she may also be able to emphasize environmentalmessages related to protecting animal habitats, oreven help children understand how to better care forany pets they have at home and why some animalsdon’t make good pets.Depending on the types of animals involvedand the capacity and experience of the companyyou choose, animal education shows are possible forchildren as young as six months of age. Typically,however, animal programming tends to work bestfor children between four and ten years old, as thisage group is old enough to respond to and answerquestions and doesn’t tend to be afraid to pet any ofthe animals involved.When choosing a company to do deliver animalrelatedprogramming to your group, always doyour homework. Ask other daycare owners whichcompanies they’ve used in the past, contact a varietyof providers and be sure to interview them. If youcan, see if you can sit in on a program the companyis doing elsewhere and see that you’re comfortablewith what they have to offer. Ask for references fromprevious clients and pay attention to how well theprovider cares for the animals.When you’re making your arrangements, be surethe provider knows the ages of the children and ask fora list of the animals that will be visiting your classroom,so you can discuss them with the children prior tothe date of their visit. Depending on the provider, heor she may even offer suggestions about classroomprogramming you can do prior to the date of the event.Continued on next pageSUMMER/BACK TO SCHOOL 2012 • ChildcareTODAY 13

Ontario’s Childcare IndustryFeature Story continued from page 13Also, be sure to discuss with the provider how you mightmanage any of the allergies (i.e. animal fur) that mayexist within your group. Plan with the provider howbest to organize your time together and if you need tobreak your class down into smaller groups to ensure apositive and engaging experience for both the childrenand the animals involved.In addition to studying the various animals yourgroup will encounter during your classroom “animalday,” there are a few things you’ll need to be ready foron the day of the event. You may need to bring in extrastaff or have parent volunteers on hand to help ensureall children are fully supervised when the animals arepresent. Seat children with allergies close to an adultto monitor for potential allergic reactions and keepthem from over-exposure to source animals. The extraadults can also help facilitate extra hand washing,as children will need to wash their hands both beforeand after touching the animals. Above all, be ready formemorable day that children talk about for months tocome and remember for the rest of their lives.Adrian Venier is a certified teacher. He founded Critters OnThe Go! in 2007, a company that combines his two passions—educating children and working with animals. Critters OnThe Go! caters mainly to daycares and schools and offersprogramming that ties into many sections of the OntarioCurriculum. He may be reached at: avenier@rogers.comIndustry news… Longtime ADCO members Margo Holland and Sheila Tishler have retired after nearly 30 years inthe child care business. Their program, Mother Nature Day Care, had a proud history of servingfamilies located in the Mount Pleasant/Davisville area of Toronto. Simcoe Child Care Services is building a new state-of-the-art facility in Innisfil. The new centre will serveup to 124 children, ages 1 to 12, and is expected to open in the fall of 2013. Joan Willms of Graydon Hall Nursery Schools has retired from the ADCO board of directors. Joanchaired the Walkathon Committee in 2011 and 2012 and did a terrific job. She will be missed byher fellow directors.14 ChildcareTODAY • SUMMER/BACK TO SCHOOL 2012

Ontario’s Childcare IndustryADCO Membership ProgramsWHAT COULD A DATA OR PRIVACYBREACH COST YOU?By: Deborah Gibson, B.A., CIP.Can you quantify thecost to your school’sreputation from the impactof losing confidential informationof your staff, parents orchildren?Statistics will show that 74%of small to mid-size companieswill be targeted for cyber-crime.Some 42% have lost confidentialand private data. A further studyhas shown that 96% of breachescould have been avoided withouthaving difficult or expensiveprotocols in place. The Provinceof Alberta has legislated that abreach be responded to wit noticeto those affected by the breachwhile Ontario has mandated notificationonly in areas of healthdata breaches to date. Bill C-12is a federal amendment to PIPE-DA that addresses a notificationcomponent.Cyber insurance is not justabout PIPEDA! It is about digitalasset expenses incurred as a resultof corruption, damage or destructioncaused by a network securityincident. This type of expense reimbursementcoverage is excludedfrom most policies today.Private schools and childcaresare subject to legislationfrom the Ministry of Education,Human Rights, Health and Safetyas well as professional misconductfrom disciplinary Colleges.When a breach occurs, theremay be written notification requiredto the affected parties ofthe breach.If you are still not convincedthat this is a potential threat toyour school or centre, ask yourselfif the following examples are potentialrisks: Missing, stolen or misplacedlaptop or peripheral containingstaff or students and/ortheir parent’s private informationlike social insurance numbers,credit card information,health conditions or academicperformance. Erroneous mailing, faxing oremailing of confidential informationto another party thatcauses harm or quantifiableconsequences. Improper document or equipmentdisposal or destruction. If parents do not pay by creditcard, where do copies of recordedcheques get stored?Newly introduced, as an enhancementfor 2012 program renewal,CCV Insurance is pleasedto announce cyber insuranceoptions through Northbridge Insurance.An automatic limitwill accompany all renewals inthe Fall of 2012 and options topurchase higher limits will alsobe available. Prior renewals willhave coverage “read in” at theautomatic limit.CCV Insurance & FinancialServices, in partnership withNorthbridge Insurance continueto be at the forefront ofSchool and Childcare insurancesolutions ensuring any potentialbreach does not have to be acostly one.This literature is descriptive only.The precise coverage afforded issubject to the terms, conditions andexclusions of the policy issued. Forfurther information, please contactdgibson@ccvinsurance.com“Cyber insurance is not just about PIPEDA. It is about digital asset expenses incurredas a result of corruption, damage or destruction caused by a network security incident.This type of expense reimbursement coverage is excluded from most policies today."SUMMER/BACK TO SCHOOL 2012 • ChildcareTODAY 15

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Ontario’s Childcare IndustryHealth, Safety & NutritionFOR A HEALTHIER DIET, JUST ADD WATERBy: Maria Dicresce-Niles, Nutritionist, Food For Tots.with files from www.Healthylicious.caWhen summer is in full swing and the weather ishot and humid, it’s easy to remember to makesure young children stay hydrated and getenough fluids during the day. On cooler days, it’s easy toforget, but it is just as important, because children maybe more inclined to be active. Many young children loveto drink juice and milk, which is great, but water is thebest way for both children and adults to stay hydrated.Water is very important for our bodies because it is vitalfor bodily functions – it carries waste away in urine andallows sweating to cool the body temperature down. Thebonus is that it doesn’t contain any empty calories, so itis a safe and wise choice for all children.When children are small, it can be tricky to tell ifthey’re getting enough water. Usually by the time ayoung child says he or she is thirsty, a level of dehydrationmay already be beginning to occur. It’s also importantto understand that young children feel things differentlythan adults, so they cannot always tell they are thirsty.Children may perspire very little or not at all, so parentsand caregivers need to be aware of the warning signsthat a child may be dehydrated. Some of the earlysigns include sleepiness and lack of energy, irritability,crying, dry lips or tongue, constipation, sunken eyes ora sunken fontanel – the soft spot on top of the head ofnewborns. If you or a parent are ever concerned that ayoung child is dehydrated, yet will not drink anything,contact a doctor or pediatrician immediately.You may also wish to share with parents this easyway to tell if a child needs to drink more water as partof his or her daily routine. Tell parents to pay attentionto the colour of their child’s urine. If it is dark yellow, itusually means the child is not getting enough water.Ideally, it should be colourless or a very light yellow andthere should be no odour.In addition to encouraging their children to drinkmore water, parents can make a point of including waterrichfoods in children’s diets. Many fruits and vegetablesare high in water. Cantaloupes and apples are 85% water,spinach is 90% water and lettuce is 95% water. Milk is agood source of water since it contains 88% water. Parentscan also add water to children’s fruit juice. A mix that is50% to 75% water can provide enough fruit flavour toentice children who don’t like drinking straight water.Parents may also try offering children seasonalbeverage options, such as frozen juice popsicles in thesummer and warm apple cider in wintertime. Mostsupermarkets sell fresh-pressed apple cider in theproduce department. It’s naturally sweet, packed withvitamins and can be made a special treat by adding apinch of cinnamon.NO MATTER WHAT THE WEATHER,BE HYDRATION-WISEChildren who are underweight or obese aremore susceptible to dehydration.Some experts believe that low water intake andchronic mild dehydration can be contributing factorsto childhood and adolescent obesity, variousforms of illness and even some types of cancer.Beware of giving children sports drinks, whichtend to be high in sugar and calories. Althoughthey’re often marketed as an essential part ofathletic activity because of their electrolyte content,children may not need them in the quantitiesin which they are packaged. An eightounceserving is generally sufficient to meet thehydration needs of a child exercising at highintensity for 90 minutes.SUMMER/BACK TO SCHOOL 2012 • ChildcareTODAY 17

Book a Supply Staff Today!905-752-8120 • 1-877-STAFF-72www.sentienthr.comRECOMMENDED READINGWho Owns Tomorrow?.Seven Secrets For The Future Of BusinessBy: Richard Worzel, 272 pages, Penguin Canada, 2004.Available in paperback through www.amazon.com, prices starting at: $10.74While changes in government policy and funding are top of mind for many child careowner/operators, they aren’t the only forces affecting the viability of independent licensedchild care programs. This book offers an easy-to-follow overview of the changes inpolitics and technology, management and leadership, demographics and economicsthat are altering the face and pace of business. It also challenges readers to examinethe future and provides a variety of ways to think about and plan for it.About the Author: Richard Worzel is a professional member of the World Future Society, who makes hisliving by helping corporations and industry associations plan intelligently for the future. His client listincludes Coca-Cola, Ford, IBM, Bell, the U.S. Navy Department of Medicine & Surgery and the NationalResearch Council, among others. His blog can be found at www.futuresearch.com.18 ChildcareTODAY • SUMMER/BACK TO SCHOOL 2012

Ontario’s Childcare IndustryThe MarketplaceREFER A FRIENDand get $25 Toward Your FallConference Registration *AcquiringChild Care Centresand Montessori’sSchools in Ontario.We act for the largest child care operatorsin Ontario. If you own a private child carecentre or Montessori school and wish tosell or would like to know your options tosell please give us a phone call at416 824 6837.You may also visit our website atwww.collinsacquisitions.comor send us an email atinfo@collinsacquisitions.com.auSean Collins 416.824.6837For more information on how your business can benefit froman appraisal, visit www.collinsacquisitions.comNo commissions are charged for purchasing your centreINDUSTRY NEWSEDLEUN INCREASESMARKET SHARE BY 12%Find out more at www.collinsacquisitions.comWant to save big on your ADCOFall Conference registration? Tell a friendabout ADCO and encourage them to join!There’s no limit to the number of friends youcan refer or $25 conference credits you canearn. If you tell two friends about ADCO andboth of them join, you’ll earn $50 in conferencecredits. If you tell seven friends about ADCOand they all join the Association mentioningyour name, your 2012 Fall Conferenceregistration is free.Just tell your friends to visit.www.childcaretoday.ca and follow the "joinADCO" link on the front page. Once a friendsigns up and pays for their new membership,you'll both get a $25 conference credit.Congratulations to Denise Vuocolo(Rippleton Roadsters Child Care) and Lucia Shum(Shining Stars Child Care Centre), the first twoADCO members to earn $25 credits for the2012 ADCO Fall Conference.*Some terms and conditions apply. New member must enter referringmember’s name into the appropriate space on the electronic membershipform at time of application. Conference credits will be awardedonly after the new member has paid for his/her centre, individual orcorporate membership. Credits earned after October 19, 2012 may beapplied toward the 2013 ADCO Fall Conference.CALL TODAY: ROBIN HORSFORD phone 416-937-6324fax 905-420-9942 pegasusplay@look.caSUMMER/BACK TO SCHOOL 2012 • ChildcareTODAY 19

Ontario’s Childcare IndustryONLY ADCO MEMBERSHIP GIVESYOU ACCESS TO ALL OF THESE GREATPRODUCTS & SERVICESMembership Fee InformationFees are based on a sliding scale to encourage centres to join. REGULAR MembershipFirst Centre ............................................................................. $250.00(includes magazine subscription, owner/manager access to the "members only"section of the ADCO web site, voting privileges at AGM, discounted pricing forADCO events, eligibility to purchase commercial liability and group benefitsinsurance at special rates through exclusive ADCO programs, and much more.)Each additional centre ..........................................$100.00/centre(includes one magazine per centre and member benefits for each centre)Maximum membership fee: ...........................................$1500.00(includes magazines for up to 12 additional centres, plus member benefits foreach centre)The ADCO membership year runs from January to December. Fees paid by those.joining ADCO mid-year will be pro-rated. Associate Corporate Membership(includes one magazine subscription, advance notice of print and mail advertisingopportunities, advance notice of ADCO events and exhibit and sponsorshipopportunities, invitations to networking events with ADCO members, preferentialadvertising rates and more.)Firms/Persons/Associations that supply goods/services to thechild care industry..................................................... $300.00 Associate Individual Membership(includes one magazine subscription, advance notice of ADCO events, invitations tonetworking events with ADCO members and the option to purchase RECE Errors andOmissions Insurance through the ADCO MY SCHOOL program.)An Individual or ECE interested inmanaging or owning a child care program................. $150.00 Student Membership(Proof of student status required annually. Includes one magazine subscription,discount pricing on ADCO events, invitations to events where you can networkwith child care owners and managers.)An individual enrolled in an ECE degree/diplomaprogram................................................................... $50.00Visit www.adco-o.on.ca and click the Join ADCO.link on the front page of the site.Or, if you don’t have easy computer access, please call 1-800-567-7075and ask one of our operators to help you sign up.All applications submitted electronically before noon on Fridayare processed on Monday, with invoices mailed on Tuesday. Remitpayment as directed on your invoice. Access to the “members only”section of the ADCO web site and letters of ADCO membership in goodstanding are issued only after your membership payment is receivedand cleared by the bank. Please allow up to six weeks for delivery.ADCO is dedicated to helping its members optimize their day-to-dayoperations, enhance their financial performance and grow their centres.Whether you deliver licensed child care services on a commercial or anon-profit basis, joining ADCO is the smartest investment you can make.Here are a just few of the exciting benefits of ADCO membership:Liability & Commercial InsuranceDesigned exclusively for licensed child care centres, the ADCO insuranceprogram offers unparalleled coverage, service and value. In fact, mostmembers say their insurance savings alone more than offset the cost oftheir annual ADCO membership dues.Group Benefits InsuranceThink you can't afford to offer your staff medical or dental benefits, ordisability and long term care insurance? Think again. The ADCO plan offersa flexible range of options designed to suit every need and budget.Childcare Today MagazineAs part of your membership, you'll receive a subscription to ChildcareToday, the only quarterly business magazine exclusively for child careowners and managers.GOVERNMENT UPDATES & ADVOCACY TOOLSWhen you’re involved in a regulated industry, it’s imperative that youmake advocacy part of your regular operating routine. ADCO works witha professional government relations firm to monitor and report on theactivities of the government ministries, departments, agencies andcommittees that most affect your program and your role as an employer.ADCO centre members receive a regular summary of these findings,complete with advice about how you can take action.Affordable Training For You & Your TeamADCO conferences always offer sessions customized to meet the uniqueneeds of owners, supervisors and frontline staff; as well as opportunitiesto meet leading suppliers to the industry, see their displays and learnmore about their products and services.The Kids Helping Kids WalkathonEvery year, ADCO members from across the province mobilize theircommunities in support of Ontario's four regional children's hospitals.Together, ADCO centres have raised over a million dollars for this mostworthy cause.Online Marketing OpportunitiesReach out to parents by being part of the ADCO child care directory. Inaddition to your contact data, you can include photos and informationabout your centre, or a link to your website. You can also use the onlinejob bank to advertise for new staff.Professional & Social NetworkingThe "Members Only" section of the ADCO web site provides members witha private discussion area, where you can share ideas, ask other membersfor advice and participate in ADCO-exclusive online polls that help shapethe policies that govern the child care industry. Additionally, all ADCOevents include ample time for face-to-face networking, relationshipbuilding and the exchange of expertise.20 ChildcareTODAY • SUMMER/BACK TO SCHOOL 2012

YOUR ADCO 2012 SUPPLIER DIRECTORYAccommodations_____________________________Great Wolf Lodge905-353-5638winger@ripleys.comArchitects _____________________________The Ideal Environment416-363-7199carol@theidealenvironment.comBuilders _____________________________JANCON Construction416-255-6412info@jancon.caCatering _____________________________Food For Tots905-752-8115info@fft.caOrganic Kids Catering905-276-1161daycare@organickidscatering.comYummy Catering1-866-34 –YUMMYlcardoso@yummycatering.cacleaning _____________________________& disinfectionAquacharge Inc.705-431-8151rgskinner@rogers.comDay _____________________________Nurseries Act Informationwww.childcarelearning.on.ca416-968-8273ljourdain@tfo.orgFundraising Products &Campaign _____________________________ConsultingBudding Artists519-639-4588info@buddingartists.caFundtastic Fundraising905-873-8033responsible@fundtastic.caLamontagne Fundraising1- 800-567-3435info@lamontagne.caNut Free Gourmet800-806-8966mail@nutfreegourmet.comWorld’s Finest Chocolate1-800-461-1957maryp@worldsfinest.caFurniture, Equipment &Supplies _____________________________Avron School & DaycareSupplies1-800-997-9752brfoss@rogers.comEducational Kids Play1-800-319-2137info@educationalkidsplay.comFlutterbys 2 Dragonflies705-727-4840flutterbys2dragonflies@hotmail.comHeather Child CareSupplies1-800-268-5661heatherchildcare@rogers.comJonti-Craft1-866-333-8020, ext. 206leslie@manndate.comLouise Kool & Galt416-293-0312celliott@louisekool.comNUNU Educational1-866-552-4424nunueducational@rogers.comQuality Classrooms1-888-517-8282atodd@me.comScholars Choice1-800-265-1095jenbancroft@scholars.on.caSonsuh EducationalSupplies1-800-529-5085jamesm@bellnet.caSpectrum EducationalSupplies1-800-668-0600fdasilva@spectrumed.comWintergreen1-800-268-1268carole@wintergreen.caWizKidz1-866-369-4022pyoon@wizkidz.caInsurance _____________________________BrokersCCV Insurance & FinancialServices1-877-422-8467adco@ccvinsurance.comMANAGEMENT _____________________________SOFTWARESmart Office1-800-463-5066sales@thesmartoffice.caResponse IT613-549-5568responseit@responseit.caSandbox DaycareManagement Software1-800-385-7930rwieske@ladderinc.caMontessori Consulting/_____________________________TrainingNorth American MontessoriCentre1-877-531-6665info@montessoritraining.netPHOTOGRAPHy_____________________________Green Apple Studio1-866-883-8966service@greenapplestudio.caPlayground _____________________________EquipmentActive PlaygroundEquipment1-800-463-2361sue@apeplayground.comBlue Imp1-800-661-1462sales@blueimp.comLittle Tikes Commercial905-849-9191gibersonca@yahoo.caNew World Park Solutions519-304-3437mike@newworldparksolutions.caOntario Playgrounds1-800-411-6311sales@ontarioplaygrounds.comPlayground Inspection&_____________________________DesignActive Recreation1-888-682-6222shelley@activerecreation.comAt Home & Play Inspections519-239-9220athomeandplay@gmail.comPegasus PlaygroundServices Inc.416-937-6324pegasusplay@look.caPlayscape Inspection &Consulting Services416-691-5437jzandarin@playscapeinspection.comSafeplay416-402-4957davidd@safeplay.caProgramming Enhancements—_____________________________Art, Music, DanceDr. TouTou1-866-376-4940louis@drtoutou.comU Got Dance416-483-8100ugotdance@ugotinc.comProgramming Enhancements—_____________________________literacyEarly Literacy Station1-800-567-2815robert.dougan@sympatico.caSummer Advantage905-952-7970mlewis1@sympatico.caSAFETY _____________________________INFORMATIONTechnical Standards& Safety Authority416-734-3410bcelis@tssa.orgSTAFF _____________________________TRAINING—FIRST AIDHeartSafe EMS Inc.1-888-322-3791gburke@heartsafe.caTemporary _____________________________Staffing AgenciesSentient HR Services1-877-STAFF-72info@sentienthr.comWater Testing & Drinking_____________________________Water InformationMinistry of theEnvironment416-314-7637pauline.raphael@ontario.ca1-800-567-7075www.adco-o.on.ca