Access and Equity Policy

Guiding Principles

• Parents, staff and community partners are integral to a successful inclusive and equity process.
• A natural inclusion of children in PLASP programs reflects the community at large.
• PLASP responds to the individual needs of each child and provides the conditions and interventions needed to help the child succeed.
• All children are supported equitably through the identification and removal of discriminatory barriers where possible, that limit the child’s ability to achieve their full potential.
• PLASP promotes a sense of belonging, contributing to every child’s sense of well-being.
• All children, families and PLASP staff will be treated with dignity and respect.
• All children have the right to be cared for in environments within their own community that can meet their needs and help them grow and develop to their fullest potential.
• Families have equitable access to PLASP programs. PLASP’s policies, procedures and practices reflect and comply with the principles of the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
• Communication with families are sensitive, inclusive and non-discriminatory.

Policy Statement

The Board of Directors and staff of PLASP Child Care Services believe that every child deserves a safe, warm and caring environment. A place where children are respected, and understood and barriers are removed that prevent children from actively participating. PLASP is committed to fostering each child’s self-esteem and feelings of self-worth and value through positive caregiving and stimulating activities that will promote their emotional, physical, social and intellectual growth and development.

Every child is entitled to be given the opportunity to develop personal responsibility and social skills, to learn to problem-solve and to learn about the uniqueness of others. Each child is recognized as a unique individual who brings his or her own gifts to the program and deserves to be given encouragement and space to try new things, explore new ideas and develop their own creativity.

Children enrolled in PLASP programs, and their parents, are expected to demonstrate respectful and responsible attitudes towards other children, staff, volunteers, equipment and facilities. Actions which could endanger themselves or others, including physical or verbal abuse or violent actions, fighting, or abusive language are not permitted.

Please refer to the PLASP Withdrawal of Care Policy for further information.

Accountability

• This policy is reviewed by staff annually and when revisions are made to the policy and related procedures.
• Reference to the Access and Equity Policy will be included in the Parent Handbook and on the PLASP website.