The Briar Patch Child Care Centre
7012 Vedder Rd V2R4E1 Chilliwack, BC, Canada

The actual facts we have been given regarding attendance and cleaning, are the facts I am going by when I open my centre Monday morning. This will change some of the ways the daycare has been running, so please take note of the following: 1. We will accept children of our currently registered families, as long as there are no parents/grandparents, living in the home, that are currently at home to care for them. This means parents choosing to self isolate, or who are current...ly not working. Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, and Annette Dellinger, Regional Manager of Licensing for Fraser Health, have both stated "Parents who can, should care for their children at home". We agree with this statement and have adopted it into our pandemic policy. This will decrease the number of families coming in and out of our centre each day, which should, in turn, decrease the chances of the virus entering the centre. This decreases the risk for staff, the risk to our current families who are going to work, and decreases the extra hours needed for more stringent cleaning techniques. 2. Only one parent will be permitted to drop off a child and they will be asked to stay just inside the main door. We do not want them wandering through the centre. This will also minimize risk. Staff will greet you at the door, welcome your child in, and take over your child's care at this point. No siblings will be permitted inside the centre. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, but it is for the health and safety of our staff and families. 3. Upon arrival your child will have their temperature taken. If there is no temperature present, the child will be permitted to stay. They will then be asked to wash their hands before continuing into the centre. If your child spikes a fever, or has any other symptoms of illness, you will be called to immediately pick them up. If your child has any symptoms of illness please keep them home. Dr. Bonnie Henry has stated that no one, with any signs of illness, should be out in the community at this time. If I need to make amendments to these procedures, I will do so immediately. Please be prepared for more changes over the coming weeks as our entire health care system becomes more aware of the steps needed to curb this virus. We all thank you for your understanding and cooperation at this very difficult time.

I am writing in response to questions, comments, I am receiving from parents of the centre and other friends and family. Unfortunately, the government released a press release, regarding daycare, to the general public at the same time they sent it to daycare owners/operators. They also released it after 6 pm on a Friday night, leaving us nowhere to turn for answers. The letter is very vague and, at this point, we have no idea how they plan to implement the funding, which p...art of our multi-faceted funding will be included, where they get the 75% number from for operating expenses, how we protect ourselves and our current families that are attending when we accept children from the essential services. How do we acquire the necessary cleaning items to continue the extra cleaning measures during this pandemic when we can not simply purchase them at the local stores due to hoarding. There are many questions that need to be answered for me, as an owner, for my staff, for my current families. We will not receive these answers, or understand the true nature of what the province is suggesting, until we have teleconferences at some point this week. I am currently working on some changes to our centre procedures and policies based upon the actual facts we have been given so far. Please read the next post to prepare for the coming days, as this is an ever changing environment and information is continually flowing our way. There may be further changes down the road and these will be shared through this business page, as well as through newsletters to the families we care for.

This wind has destroyed the fence between my property and the field. I am hoping to get it repaired or replaced tomorrow. Please be cautious when coming into the driveway tomorrow, especially if it is windy. I am trying to push it to the side and weigh it down, but the wind keeps pushing it back. If the driveway is not clear, you will need to come through the front car park playground and around through the 3 to 5 playground. Drive slow, stay to the left, and stay safe. Ps...this wind can quit any time now...

Hello everyone, I have been recuperating at home and a little out of the loop. Just received notification of Child Care being added to the Progress business awards. Please vote below in support of our centre, and be entered to win a $500 gift card from Save On Foods! Deadline is midnight tonight. Thank you! https://theprogress.secondstreetapp.com/Enter-A-Li/gallery

Good morning...we are open today! See you soon.