Ministry Guidelines BAS
school board requirements bas?
To ensure the provision of before and after school programs in each elementary school in Ontario for students in kindergarten to grade 6 where there is sufficient demand/viability. -Legislation compliance falls under: 1. Education act 2. CCEYA Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014
CCYEYA EXEMPTIONS ?
Subject to fewer requirements than those programs operating more than 6 hours a day -When located in a publicly funded school, they are exempt from meeting certain requirements that have already been met by the school -Space requirements for: 1. Eating and resting 2. The preparation of food 3. Storage for beds and linen4. A staff rest area 5. Storage for outdoor play equipment 6. Office area 7. Outdoor play (Space and playground requirements) 8. Washing, dressing and toileting 9. Storage for toys, indoor play materials and equipment 10. Storage for food11. Storage for required records12. Storage for medical supplies, cleaning materials, and equipment and other poisonous or hazardous substances Exemptions Cont’d -The requirement that rooms be on the first or second story -Artificial illumination requirements -Site plants are not required – floor plans are -Compliance with local by Laws:1. Zoning requirements 2. Building requirements 3. Fire code requirements 4. Health approval is required
SPACE CONSIDERATIONS INCLUDE??
Programs should ensure spaces are clean and in a good state of repair 2. Environments should be inviting and designed together with students based on their abilities and interests, allowing for a variety of activities that are responsive to individual development 3. Spaces should allow for both independent and small group experiences as well as opportunities to participate in larger groups 4. Furnishings and materials should support a range of interests that provide for learning, creative expression, recreational activities, and relaxation
CONSIDERSATIONS WHEN PLANNING THAT ARE UNIQUE IN BAS PROGRAMS?
Age grouping is large, therefore developmental abilities range is large◦Interests will vary greatly and should be key to your planning
◦Remembering that the younger children may be interested in thesame topic as the older children, but they need to learn about a different aspect of the topic (or a simpler concept)◦Also offer materials that may provide a new inquiry for them or spark a new interest◦Continuation of the learning that took place during their day at school –extending their learning◦“Children in after-school and recreational programs outside school require environments that complement but differ from those at school”(Think Feel Act – Empowering Children in the Middle Years 2018)◦Set up learning environment to encourage independent and group exploration (a range of ages) of classroom materials◦Offer the materials and tools to inspire children’s learning in all areas of growth and development & cross all domains◦Projects that can carry over from morning to afternoon until the child brings it to completion – a great way to offer consistency in programming and encouraging children’s interests
BAS programs within the school board aim to?
Play a critical role in the child-care and early years sector -Provide an environment where services can be co-located and integrated for the purpose of reducing transitions, building cohesion, and aligned across early years pedagogy -Build stronger connections between children, families and early years and school professionals and educators-Are vital to support comprehensive and continuous education that supports children from birth to adulthood-Can be directly operated by the School Board (Extended Day) or can becontracted through a Third Party -Are supported by parent fees to cover the cost -Have access to Child Carefree Subsidy
PRORGAM ELEMNTS IN BAS
. Active play -30 mins minimum during program time Activities should be: -Developmentally appropriate -Accommodate for a range of fitness levels -Based on children’s interests -Emphasize participation and enjoyment
-Sports, dance, free gym time, active games 2. Unstructured time to allow children to develop interests, engage with their peers, play independently, and make choices and decisions for themselves 3. Academic assistance or time for students to complete schoolwork 4. Arts and cultural activities that promote inclusion, knowledge of other cultures, or creative pursuits5. Personal health and wellness education 6. Community involvement 7. Providing snacks for students participating in the program, hands-on activities about nutrition
AUTHORIZED RECREATIONS AND SKILL BUILDING PORAGSMS INCLUDE?
As an alternate to a BAS program, School Boards can enter into an agreement with an authorized recreation and skill building program such as: -Boys and girls club of Canada -YMCA -Parks and rec -A friendship centre that is a member of the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres -A provincial sports organization -ROM/Ontario Science centre
THINK FEEL ACT EXPLAINS?
Think Feel Act: Empowering Children in the Middle Years: pg 4-7 Helpful Conditions of the Setting 1. Providing a calm, uncluttered space 2. Provide un-hurried time 3. Providing conditions that allow children to generate ideas 4. Opening up a taken-for-granted script for action 5. Providing materials that support ideas 6. Listening to children’s ideas, expressing interests, and relating to the ideas without trying to control them 7. Connecting children’s activity to community places 8. Facilitating through indirect means instead of through direct instruction
BAS CCEYA PROGRAM HOURS AND AGES?
Ages 4-11 -Up to 6 hours/day – 3 in the morning before school, 3 in the afternoon/early evening after school -Will depend on the start/end time of the schoo
STAFFING REWUIREMNTS TO LEAD PORGRAMS INCLUDE?
a minimum of 1 adult to lead the program who meets one of the following criteria 1. is a member in good standing with the CECE2. is a member in good standing with the OCT (Ontario college of teachers)3. Has a diploma or degree in child and youth care 4. Has a diploma or degree in recreation and leisure services5. Has a diploma or degree in social work, psychology, sociology, kinesiology with a focus/experience working with children aged 4 to 12
HOW TO CONNECT WITH FAMILIES/TEACHERS WITHIN THE PROGRAM?
Important to build a relationship with families and teacher -Bas programs can act as the glue between home and school by sharing information with the teacher as they head off to school in the morning and then receiving information from the teachers as they finish school and end their day with you. Then finally ensuring that parents are aware of each of these elements as they head home -Becoming a member/ or part of the school environment is key – attend school events, be available to have discussions during parent teacher conferences
WHAT ARE THE STAFFING REQUIREMENTS AND RATIONS OF BAS PROGRAMS?
Must meet staffing requirements outlined in the Ed Act/CCEYA -1:15 ration with a max group size of 30 in one space-Minimum of 2 adults on site at all times-Children less than 9 years of age – staff qualifications is 1 RECE min to lead the program unit-9 years of age or older, this qualified staff could include: 1. A diploma or degree in child and youth care, OR2. A diploma or degree in recreation and leisure services, OR3. Is a member in good standing with the Ontario College of Teachers, OR 4. Is a member in good standing with the CECE -Certified in first aid -Vulnerable sector clearance
REQUIRED POLICIES AND PROCEDURS WITHIN BAS PROGRAM?
Anaphylactic -Sanitary practice -Serious occurrence-Medication
Supervisor of volunteers and students -Program statement implementation -Staff training and development-Criminal reference/vulnerable sector check -Fire/Evacuation -Policies and Procedures for Monitoring Compliance and Contraventions -Waiting list policy, if applicable -Parent issues and concerns policies and procedures -Emergency management policies and procedures