Parent’s Responsibilities
Parents are encouraged to:
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Speak with staff briefly at drop-off and pick-up.
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Provide feedback about the program.
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Volunteer or assist when possible.
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Share aspects of their culture.
Parents must:
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Inform staff of any medical conditions, special needs, allergies, court orders, custodial arrangements, or other situations affecting their child or the program.
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Call ahead if their child will be absent or picked up from school by someone other than program staff.
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Pick up their child by 6:00 p.m. each day.
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Provide their child with the following (weather permitting):
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A nutritious lunch (if required) and daily snacks
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A reusable water bottle
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Warm clothing (hat, mittens, jacket, snow/rain pants, and boots)
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A hat, sunscreen, and insect repellant
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Indoor shoes to be left at the program site
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Bring their child to the program appropriately dressed.
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Keep registration details, credit card information, program fees, and subsidy renewals up to date.
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Give 30 calendar days’ written notice before withdrawing their child.
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Follow all program policies and procedures.
Communication
At Dalhousie Out of School Care (DOSC), we value open, respectful, and consistent communication with families. Strong communication builds trust, supports children, and strengthens our programs. We create a welcoming environment where parents feel informed, heard, and valued.
Verbal Communication
Staff connect with parents daily at drop-off and pick-up. Parents can book a private meeting or phone call for longer discussions or specific concerns. Staff maintain a professional, respectful tone and expect the same from parents.
Written Communication
We share program updates, schedules, events, policy changes, and reminders through:
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Emails
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Monthly newsletters
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Posted notices or website updates
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Parent handbooks or memos
We ask parents to check emails and notices regularly to stay informed.
Parent Involvement
At the Dalhousie Community Association (DCA), we view families as vital partners in each child’s learning and development. We actively encourage and value parent involvement in our Dalhousie Out of School Care (DOSC) and Community Preschool programs.
Parents can participate by:
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Sharing cultural traditions, languages, or family celebrations
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Volunteering for field trips or special events
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Offering ideas or feedback to improve programming
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Joining program surveys or informal conversations with staff
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Taking part in program meetings or parent advisory opportunities (where available)
Together, we strengthen the bond between home and program, build community, and support every child’s growth with respect and care.
Your voice matters—and your involvement makes a difference.
Confidentiality
At the Dalhousie Out of School Care (DOSC), we protect the privacy and dignity of all children, families, and staff. We collect only the information needed for safe, high-quality care and store it securely, with access limited to authorized staff.
We share personal information only with written consent, or when required by law or in medical emergencies. Within the program, details are shared only when necessary for a child’s safety.
All staff, volunteers, and students sign an Oath of Confidentiality and receive training on respecting privacy and handling records responsibly.
Parents and guardians may access their child’s records at any time. Information is released only to legal guardians unless written consent allows otherwise.
Change of Information
Parents must keep their child’s information up to date throughout the year. Submit any changes in writing by email to the DOSC Director at doscdirector@dalhousiecalgary.ca or Assistant Director at doscassistant@dalhousiecalgary.ca. Changes may include, but are not limited to, phone numbers, address, email, doctor, health information, component of care, emergency contacts, or authorized pick-up persons.
Notify the program immediately of any credit card updates by emailing doscfinance@dalhousiecalgary.ca.