New Families

We extend a warm welcome to new families joining our program. We sincerely hope that your experience at our daycare will be positive and meaningful.

First Day Checklist

Please bring these items your child’s first day.

  • Hard copies of the intake forms completed (except PAD and Parent Agreement). We apologize, but if forms are not received, your child will not be able to start daycare.
  • Diapers (please bring a box of diapers and we can store it), wipes and diaper cream. Unfortunately, we cannot accept cloth diapers. You may send pull-ups if your child is toilet trained, in which case the pull-ups must have velcro on the sides.
  • Tooth brush (plastic only) and tooth paste.
  • Rain coat, boots, waterproof rain pants, and muddy buddy (to be left at the daycare).
  • Waterproof gloves and mittens, winter hat, snow boots (winter).
  • Sun hat, sunscreen SPF 30 or higher, water shoes (summer).
  • Crib size bed sheet/warm blanket large enough to cover child’s whole body. Stuffed animal and soother, if necessary (both must be cleaned after each use). Please refrain from sending sleep sacks.
  • Child size lunch kit with an ice pack inside (please send the main meal in a child size glass container and fruits/vegetables/snacks in separate plastic containers).
  • Two changes of clothes (extra shirt, pants, socks) to be kept at the centre, in case your child needs to be changed.
  • Water bottle.
  • Large reusable shopping bag (to be taken home with your child’s belongings and returned to the daycare).
  • Family photos (1), child’s face photos: medium size (4), small size (2).

Downloadable Forms

Gradual Entry

Starting at the Centre is an important event in your child’s life. For some children, this will be their first large group experience. For children who have been in a daycare before, a new situation can still be a significant change. This approach maximizes your child’s chances of a positive experience in a group environment. It is mandatory that you allow time in your schedule for this procedure, as we will follow the gradual entry according to the description below.

*Our hours of operation are 8:15am -5:00pm.

Day 1

The child arrives between 9:00 and 9:30 am. Pick-up is at 11:00am. 

Day 2

Arrive between 9:00 and 9:30 am. Pick-up is at 11:30 am, during outside play.

Day 3

Arrive between 9:00 and 9:30 am. Pick-up at 12:00 pm, which is after lunch.

Day 4

Arrive between 9:00 and 9:30 am. Child stays for their nap and is picked up at 2:30 pm.

Day 5

Child stays for most of a regular day: 9:00/ 9:30 am to 4:00 pm. After the 5th day, if your child responds well to all the changes, 15 minutes can be added per day (6th day – 4:15pm; 7th day – 4:30pm and so on), until 5:00pm, if that is your desired pick-up time.

PLEASE NOTE: A family member must be available for pick-up at any time during the gradual entry. The goal of gradual entry is to allow children to develop a sense of security and trust with the daycare staff and should be a positive experience for them. We require your collaboration in order to ensure that this process is successful and welcomed by your child. We kindly ask you to say a quick goodbye to your child when leaving the centre and to explain to them that you will be back later.  Staff will be discussing if any changes to the gradual entry are required based on your child’s individual needs.

© 2025 West Point Grey Daycare Society