About Us

Our Mission

At The Olive Daycare Center we work to promote the health, safety, and well-being of our children. They grow up in strength, knowledge and understanding when well nurtured. We strongly believe that exploration, curiosity, and inquiry are crucial in the learning environment and providing constructive, positive and caring conditions facilitate each child’s education and development. We seek to encourage positive and professional interactions within the community.

Our Values

Christian Atmosphere

At The Olive Daycare Centre, we believe the staff, parents/guardians and children each play an integral part in developing a respectful and diverse community. Our foundation and faith in Christ guide us to believe that everyone involved in the centre has important roles to create an admiring and positive environment for early childhood development and learning.

We strive to encourage and facilitate the following commitments:

History

The Olive started out as a vision in early 2016, and has come a long way. Founder, Jenny Osawe, had recently graduated from the Early Childhood Education Diploma Program at Conestoga College and was recently hired by the Montessori School of Guelph Wellington.

In early 2017, Jenny prepared detailed plans for The Olive Daycare Center, approached key financial and community stakeholders, and brought The Olive Daycare to life. From vague concept to licensed, sole-proprietorship in two years, The Olive had not yet realized its final form.

In August 2019, The Olive was recognized as a not-for-profit in order to better serve the community. A board of directors had been appointed to assist Jenny with both day-to-day and financial operations of the organization, as well as to support community outreach and support efforts.

Our Facility

Toddler Room

Our toddler program has a 5:1 ratio, which means 1 teacher takes care of 5 children as regulated by the Ministry of Education

Preschool Room

Our preschool program has an 8:1 ratio, which means 1 teacher takes care of 8 children as regulated by the Ministry of Education.

COVID-19 Guidelines

Protocols for Daily Living at The Olive Center

In order to enhance monitoring of COVID – 19, The olive center will require all adults to wear a face covering. We will also require only one adult to drop off their child at one time, and the next guardian and child will be physically distanced by 2 metres until that child is in the center. Each child will be screened daily for symptoms of the virus. This will include questions regarding symptoms and the temperature to be taken prior to entering the facility. Each child will wash their hands before taking off outdoor clothing and brought to the designated space. All staff will also be screened daily and wash hands and surfaces prior to their shift by the floating staff. Similar protocol will be held at the end of day as children go home. Each child washes their hands before leaving and only one guardian may approach to pick up their child.

a)      Enhanced Sanitary Practices

Cleaning and disinfecting protocols during the COVID–19 outbreaks will be heightened from the norm. Only disinfectants with a drug identification number or low-level hospital grade will be used in the center.  At the moment the center has Alcohol sanitizer 70 and Virex 11 256 as cleaning and disinfectant product. The disinfectants will be used by following the manufacturer instructions and allowing enough contact time for the product to kill germs. All surfaces that come in frequent contact with any user within the daycare (staff or child) will be sanitized repeatedly throughout the day or as often as necessary to prevent spread. i.e. light switches, sinks, tabletops. Other common items will be disinfected between each use. This can include but is not limited to: toys play items, high chairs, outdoor equipment. We will keep a daily disinfecting log to track the cleanliness of room surfaces, and daycare items.

b)      Infection Prevention Practices

 The guidelines for control and prevention at The Olive will include but are not limited to:

o   Washing and sanitizing hands regularly

o   Avoiding contact with eyes, nose, and mouth as well as people who have symptoms

o   Using a face covering and physical distancing

o   Visible signage of policies and additional training to all staff on premises

o   Logs describing tracking information for possible confirmed cases of COVID – 19

o   Setting play spaces that can be distanced by 2 metres and distancing activities is encouraged where applicable i.e. snacks, dressing times etc.

o   Removal of all toys and activities that cannot be distanced and sanitized i.e. play-dough

o   Mouthed toys will be immediately sanitized, and personal items of the child cannot be shared

c)       How The Olive Center will Respond to Symptoms of COVID-19/ Confirmed Cases of COVID-19

Any child attending The Olive Daycare Center showing symptoms that are associated to COVID-19 will be isolated from the group and supervised by a staff member. The supervisor will contact all the divisions outlined on page 13 of the Wellington COVID-19 operating guidelines. The supervisor will then fill out a COVID-19 contact sheet and inform parents and staff of the case. For each specific case, the center supervisor will refer to WDG Public Health for direction. If the symptoms are exhibited by a staff member all the same rules apply, and the staff member will leave work, receive testing, and follow up with reporting of changes to their health. All surfaces and equipment will be disinfected immediately in both situations where a possible case of COVID-19 is present. In the scenario of a confirmed case, the center will be temporarily shut down for at least 14 days and deep cleaned by Enviro-Master Services - Specialists in Disease Prevention, which have been put on retainer in case of any outbreak. Further action will be directed by Public Health guidance.

d)      Isolation Policy and Procedure

The policies surrounding isolation are to be enacted when a child or staff demonstrates symptoms of illness. The child is to be separated from peers, preferably in another room or with a minimum distance of 2 metres from others. The child will be supervised by a staff member wearing full personal protective equipment and continued to be assessed for suspected symptoms. The area will be equipped with sanitizer, tissues, PPE, and comforting items for a sick child that can be washed after the child is picked up. After isolation period is over, disinfecting area and properly disposing of PPE will be done by the floating staff.