The Co-operative

 The primary purpose of the Parents’ Child Development Co-operative is to maintain and improve the quality of childcare provided to our children. We operate an independent, non-profit Child Care Centre and thus have full and direct responsibility for its continued operation.

As a co-operative, we collectively have the following responsibilities:

• To provide adequate funding for the operation of the Centre
• To work toward improving childcare services in Saskatchewan

 Membership in the Co-operative is required in order for a family to use the services of the Centre. All members have voting privileges at the Annual General Meeting and in this way are able to participate in the decision-making processes of the Centre.

All applicants for membership in the Co-operative are interviewed to determine their need for childcare and their acceptance of the responsibilities of membership. 

These responsibilities include the following:

​

• Participation in the affairs of the co-operative

1. Attend general meetings.
2. Serve on committees.
3. Participate in elections to the Board of Directors.
4. Provide assistance of various kinds when needed.

• Observe the rules of the Day Care Centre

​​

• Team effort, co-operation and ongoing communication between staff, families and Board Members.

​

Any person who is willing to accept the responsibilities of membership in the Co-operative is eligible to become a member. There is a non-refundable membership fee of $1.00 per membership. It is expected that all parents be actively involved in its day-to-day business. One person in every family is responsible for contributing at least 3 hours of their time each month. This parental involvement is crucial in maintaining high-quality childcare at a reasonable cost. 

Monthly “Co-op Time” schedules are posted at the Centre, and parents then volunteer for the activities that best suit their interests and capabilities. Examples of activities include, but are not limited to:

​

• Serving on the Board

• Contributing individual talents and skills (possibly during circle times)

• Contributing supervisory time for trips and excursions

• Becoming a member of a committee

• Attending the Annual General Meeting and any general meetings as required by the chairperson of the board

 In lieu of contributing 3 hours of time each month, families have the option of donating an item on the wish list or paying a $10.00 cooperative fee. 

Parents are asked to make themselves familiar with the Parent Handbook which states the Centre’s policies and procedures.

This Centre supports an “Open Door” Communication Policy, which means:

​

• Parents are welcome to drop in and observe the program at any time as staff welcomes the interest and concern of parents on any topic.

• Telephone and email communication is encouraged. Please check with the staff in your child’s room regarding mutually convenient times.

​

• Parents can expect ongoing communication with staff concerning their child’s progress, program activities and child care operation.

​

• Staff can expect ongoing communication with parents concerning home routines and other information pertinent to the care of your child.

​

• Parents can request individual parent/caregiver meetings.

​

• Parents can expect relevant educational opportunities, to help them understand their child’s development and the program offered at the Centre.

​

• Parents may expect information on community resources available to them at the Centre.

​

• Parents concerned with the care of their child, or any incidents in the Centre, are urged to speak with their child’s caregiver, the Centre Manager or the Executive Director. If satisfaction is not forthcoming, please follow the procedure outlined in the Grievance Procedure.

•  Parents are welcome and encouraged to volunteer time within the centre. Parents may contribute individual talents and skills (possibly during circle times), volunteer for field trips, etc.

​

• Volunteers will not be counted in staff-to-child ratios but may be included in adult-to-child ratios (ie: for field trips)

​

• Volunteers will not be left alone with the children

​

• All volunteers are required to have a completed criminal record check prior to volunteering. If the new volunteer already has a Criminal Record Check, it must not be more than 6 months old at the start. There is no cost for a volunteer to have a Criminal Record Check. A volunteer letter is required and that can be picked up from the centre..

 Licensed childcare centres and homes are governed by the Ministry of Education, Early Years Branch. Each centre / home is assigned a Program Consultant. The role of the Program Consultants is to enforce the Child Care Act, The Child Care Regulations, 2005 and to promote the high-quality care of children. 

Early Years Branch, Ministry of Education

8th Floor, 122-3rd Avenue North

Saskatoon, SK S7K 2H6

(306) 933-6071