Umbrella's 14th Annual School Age Conference This year's School Age Conference is set for Saturday November 3, 2018 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School 3176 St. Clair Avenue East.

Reasonable Risk Includes Risky Play - Brianna Merith

Children thrive in programs where they can engage in vigorous physical play in any environment that encourages "reasonable" risk. Keeping in mind risk is not the same as hazard. "While these environments need to be safe, it is also important for them to provide children with interesting opportunities for a reasonable degree of risk taking." (How Does Learning Happen p. 29)

This session will encourage deeper conversation on the following:

1. How can the indoor and outdoor environments be arranged to encourage children to engage in activities that involve an element of manageable risk (appropriate for children’s varied capabilities and age group)?
2. How might you assess the benefits of risky play when considering experiences for children?
3. How might you empower children to consider their own safety and well-being in play?

If you have already registered for the conference and would like to revise your workshop session schedule to include the new Risky Play workshop, email us at director@umbrelladayare.com or call the office at 416-686-9869 and let us know.
 

Click here to download the Information Guide and the Registration Form

Click here to download the just the Registration Form

Umbrella's Fee and Salary Survey Now Available

Umbrella’s 2018/2019 Fee and Salary Survey results have been sent to all centres who filled in and returned a survey questionnaire.

The goal of the survey is simple. It answers the most asked questions in the child care field: what everyone else is charging, paying, or being paid!

This valuable survey includes statistics on parent fees, staff salaries, and statistics on vacation credits, sick days and benefits such as health and dental plan coverage, and much more.

The survey is extremely useful for Board members when deciding what fees to set and salaries to pay. Many centres also use it for interested parents when they enquire about day care costs in their area. Also, E.C.E. graduates often use the figures in this survey to set realistic salary goals.

Free survey results are available to centres who participated in the survey. Cost is $55.00 to all others.

Email Umbrella or call at 416-686-9869 for more information.
 

Mandatory Health & Safety Awareness

Occupational Health and Safety Awareness and Training Regulations now require mandatory occupational health and safety training for all employees and supervisors to ensure that workers are aware of their involvement, rights and duties while on the job.

Click here for more info or here to visit the Ontario Ministry of Labour's Safe At Work website

Reminder to Make use of the Umbrella Library and Resources Facility

In case you're not aware, the Umbrella office has a wealth of resources and information at your disposal. Don't overlook this valuable resource and repository. Whether you're looking for a way to entertain kids or researching an aspect of your field, you're likely to find what you need. Click here to learn more !

Board of Director's Manual

The Umbrella Board of Directors Manual is easy to read and a must-have for child care boards!

It covers topics such as accountability, bylaws, Board Job Descriptions, Meetings, Recruitment and Orientation, Committees, Employee Relations, Board Training, Confidentiality, Conflict of Interest, Parliamentary Rules, and much, much more.

Cost is $75.00 plus $11.00 to cover postage and handling for Cerlox bound copy or $85.00 plus $13.50 for a binder.

For more information contact Umbrella, 1220 Kingston Road in Scarborough at 416-686-9869 or by email.