Greetings! 2024 Welcome Edition of FOCUS

My warmest welcome to you!

Whether you’re new to Family Day or have been with us for a while, we are happy that you chose Family Day. I hope you have had a wonderful summer and enjoyed some down time with your family and those in your circle. We are so pleased to have you with us and look forward to being a partner in your child’s development and well-being. The fall season often marks a change, we see this change in nature and also as we settle into new routines. For some children it will be their first time being cared for outside of their home, some will be entering public school for the first time and they will each face new experiences and expectations. their own personal and family stresses. While not all stress can be avoided, in our 2024 Welcome Edition of FOCUS, we’re pleased to share some practical coping tools that may bolster resilience and mental health.

As a mom myself, I recall the emphasis on feeling the need to ensure my child was prepared for their day. I know firsthand how overwhelming this can be. Each child will approach the new school year in a unique way, with many different feelings ranging from excitement to nervousness to worried to anxious—and everything in between. However, your child may be feeling, it’s a natural reaction to their own personal and family stresses. While not all stress can be avoided, we’re pleased to share some practical coping tools that may bolster resilience and mental health.

As we transition back into the traditional school year, it’s always important to focus on nutrition and healthy eating. In a recent Family Day parent survey, the importance of serving their children healthy meals and snacks was front and centre in the feedback. Did you know that all of our centres adhere to Menu Planning Guidelines standards that are based on current Child Care and Early Years Act regulations, Canada’s Food Guide, and our own definitions of healthy food? The Act states that all meals, snacks and beverages provided to children must meet requirements detailed in Health Canada’s food guidance documents and that drinking water must be available at all times.

Family Day menu planning guidelines will be reviewed and/updated to ensure they align with any changes/updates to Canada’s food guidance for children under the age of 12.

Foods are from a variety of ethnic backgrounds and reflect community cultures in each unique location. Lunch entrée items are easily adapted to meet dietary/cultural needs of individual children.

Whenever possible, all children (including those with dietary restrictions) eat the same meal; where that’s not possible, the entrée is to bemodified to meet dietary restrictions, but is served as similar as possible to the original menu item.

Here’s to a smooth, satisfying Fall transition for everyone!

Diane Daley
CEO