Programs

Children's Centre Program

The Children’s Program is licensed under the Child Care Services Act of the Department of Health & Community Services, Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Daybreak can provide programs for up to 59 children between the ages of 24 and 84 months.

Daybreak is not a regular child care centre; it is a parent child centre. Focus is on “supporting the entire family”. Staff is available to assist your family in a way that is helpful to you.

Many of the children, but not all, enrolled in the Children’s Program have complex and challenging needs. Some may have delays in one or more areas of development.

The Children’s program can vary from year to year depending on the needs of the children and their families. Children do not spend full days at Daybreak but attend for shorter more intensive programs.

The Resource Unit is an extension of the Children’s Program. It is comprised of two staff that provide consultation and support to the Home Room Teacher. The Resource Unit develops and implements programs based on the individual needs of the child. For example; teachers may make a referral to the Unit for a sensory program for a child. Some of the programs facilitated by the Resource Unit include Floor Play, Play Dates, Cognitive Based Programs, Sensory Programs, Compliancy Programs and Home Visitation. The Unit develops and implements individual programs for children and group programming with parents and caregivers. Training and consultation services are also provided by the Unit.

All children enrolled in the Children’s Program have a written Child Development Service Plan that outlines the development of the child and his/her individual needs. The plan is developed by the teacher in consultation with the Resource Unit. It is then implemented in the home room.

The Staff of the Children’s Program work with families and other professionals to develop a team approach to child programming. Each week child/family meetings are held to discuss achievements, strengths, goals and future programming for your child’s family.

The Children’s Program is designed to provide children with experiences to promote his/her development. The staff of the Children’s Program offers a High Scope enriched environment. High Scope is a comprehensive educational approach that strives to help children develop in all areas. This approach means that children learn from direct hands on experiences with people, objects, events and ideas. We believe that children learn best by pursuing their personal interests and goals therefore children are encouraged to make choices about materials and activities throughout the day. As they pursue their choices and plans, children explore, ask and answer questions, solve problems, and interact with classmates and adults. In this kind of environment children naturally engage in activities that foster developmentally important skills and abilities.

Referral to the Children’s Program may come from:

• Self – referral
• Family and friends
• Child Youth & Family Service
• Public Health Nurses
• Doctors/Specialists
• Janeway Child Development & Learning
• Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre
• Professionals including Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech & Language
• Early Childhood Educators
• Direct Home Services

Admissions to the Children’s Program are overseen by an Admissions Committee compromised of 6 staff members. This includes staff of the Children’s Program and Parent Program. Referrals are accepted throughout the year and in the spring the committee will meet to review all referrals for the next year. Each year children start in September. During the year the committee meets monthly to review any new referrals.