Terms and Conditions
1.Not Licensed
I understand that STEMArt Montessori Academy is not a licensed childcare program, extracurricular program, independent from Trillium Bilingual Montessori.
STEMArt Montessori leases TBM facilities during TBM off hours. STEMArt operates 1 hour classes for children 2- 6 years old.
2.Teachers/Assistant Teachers
STEMArt hires freelance teachers and assistant teachers as animators for its classes. As freelancers, teachers and assistant teachers are responsible for their own lesson planning, production of materials, providing any supplies needed and ensuring the overall success of each class.
All adults (supervisors, teachers and assistant teachers) must provide a vulnerable sector check to STEMArt Montessori Academy in order to teach. All freelancers must have experience or/and certifications pertaining to working with young children.
Parents should address any concerns directly with the class teacher or assistant teacher before communicating with STEMArt Montessori Academy supervisors.
A STEMArt Montessori Academy supervisor will be onsite for the duration of all classes to facilitate conflict or concern resolution.
3.Release of Indemnity
STEMArt Montessori Academy is not responsible for any lost or stolen items. This agreement may be signed by several counterparts and electronic signatures are acceptable and deemed binding. We protect and respect your privacy. Your personal information is used only for the purposes stated on or indicated by the form. Your email and name will be used for all communication from STEMArt Montessori Academy.
STEMArt Montessori Academy promotes safe, secure practices. In the event of a serious injury, or illness we authorize staff to seek required medical treatment, with no liability on the part of the drivers, or STEMArt and its agents. I hold STEMArt, and their agents harmless from any and all claims, damages, or liabilities for injuries to my child that are not the result of negligence of STEMArt or their agents, or its patrons, or are entirely beyond the control of this program, their agents or employees.
Trillium Bilingual Montessori is in no way associated or responsible for STEMArt Montessori Academy, its agents or patrons. TBM’s only association is as a leasing agent of its facilities, furniture and material to STEMArt Montessori Academy and its agents.
4. Fees, Refund and Withdrawal Policy
Fees must be paid in full at registration. Withdrawal up to 2 weeks (14 calendar days) before the start of the first class will receive a full refund, minus a $25 processing fee. Withdrawal between 13 days before and up to and including 2 days before the start of the classes will receive 50% of the registration fees. No fees will be refunded within 48 hours before the start of the classes or for partial months. STEMArt reserves the right to dismiss children, without notice, who are violent or are a danger to the safety of others or if a parent is not adhering to STEMArt Montessori Academy’s Diversity and Inclusion Policy.
5. Diversity and Inclusion Policy
“STEMArt seeks to accept and include a diversity of children and their families. In this manner, STEMArt will ensure that any freelancer, child and their family (i.e. those of ethnic minorities, LGBT+ people, people with a disability etc.) will have equal opportunity to obtain a freelancer contract or to join our classes. STEMArt therefore expects all of its freelancers and customers to promote diversity and equal acceptance.
STEMArt explicitly bans disrespectful behaviour, discrimination, bullying, or harassment based on the 9 protected characteristics as set out by the Equality Act: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.”
Any freelancer acting in direct opposition to STEMArt’s Diversity and Inclusion Policy will result in the immediate termination of their contract.
Any customer acting in direct opposition to STEMArt’s Diversity and Inclusion Policy will result in the immediate removal from the current class and/or any other remaining classes. No refund will be issued in part or in full.
6.Sick/Absenteeism
Sick, vacation, closure* and absent days are non-refundable and no credit will be issued, however, whenever possible, a replacement class may be offered at a later date.
*Closures are defined as “out of STEMArt’s control”, such as a natural disaster, a pipe/water burst, fire, provincial or federal imposed closures due to medical reasons (Covid).
7.Building/Program Closure
Programs may be closed due to unsafe weather events in extreme cases where the local, provincial or federal authorities have deemed driving unsafe or if the building is closed due to unsafe situation, lack of usable facilities or washrooms, classes are non-refundable and no credit will be issued, however, whenever possible, a replacement class may be offered at a later date. Parents will be advised via email of any changes of regular scheduled classes.
8.Holiday Closure
STEMArt does not offer classes on statutory/civic holiday weekends. Classes are not scheduled on those days and are accounted for in the 6 week program. Please ensure you check the calendar when holidays are scheduled on a weekend or close to a weekend to confirm if classes will be canceled or not. Fees are not charged on days where no classes are scheduled.
9.Class Cancellation
In the event that a class is canceled by the teacher or by STEMArt, a replacement class will be added without additional cost to the parents or a refund will be issued if a make-up class is not offered.
10.Children 2 & 3 years old
Children 2 & 3 years old must be accompanied by an adult (18 years old and up) for the full duration of every class. Depending on the activities and the class, parents may be invited to join the children in the activities to assist and support them or at times, parents may be asked to stand back and observe. The presence of a parent or an adult is a mandatory provision for all non-licensed daycare programs, in accordance with the Ministry of Education.
11.Accompanying Parent or Adult
-one adult per child will be allowed in the room
-if an adult is accompanying more than one child, they must be in the same class and they must be from the same family (Example: Mom is with her twin boys, Dad is with his daughter and son)
-it would be preferable to have the same adult with the same child for the duration of the 6 week program, but not mandatory
-the responsible adult must be present for the duration of the whole class (60 minutes) and should not be leaving the room
-if the adult must leave the room for a washroom break, please either take your child along or advise the teacher to ensure the child is adequately supervised during your absence
-do not use the classroom washrooms (there is no privacy stalls and we cannot guarantee that other children and adults won’t see or walk in), please use the staff washrooms in the hallway for yourself or for your child in order to avoid any awkward situations
-unlike the program teachers who have had to provide a police check (Vulnerable Sector Check), we do not demand accompanying adults/parents to provide one, therefore cannot guarantee that everyone is a “safe adult”, so not child should be left unsupervised
-children shouldn’t be left alone in the room (unless you have advised someone)
-when going in and out of the room, please ensure that other children are not close to the door or leave the room
-keep the door closed and latched
-though it is not necessary for the accompanying adult to speak or understand English fluently, please advise the teacher if you need additional support, we will gladly do our best to speak slower, clearer and repeat as needed
-every adult in the classroom is expected to adhere to STEMArt’s “Diversity and Inclusion” policy, failure to do so will result in you and the child having to leave the group and have a different adult attend with the child
-adults are expected to respect the teacher’s directives and rules
-please do not discipline other parents’ child, instead address your concern with the teacher and they will in turn speak to the child or parent
-physical discipline will not be tolerated in the classroom, even if it’s your child
-every child is expected to respect the other children, the adults in the room and the material, please assist the teacher by ensuring your child uses kind words and actions towards everyone
-let your child do the activities and problem solve independently as much as possible, don’t take over or aim for perfection, that is not the goal
-any competitions in the program are friendly and should remain fun for the children
-remember to have fun, children are learning how to interact, how to act in a social group, developing their communication skills and their problem-solving skills… it’s not perfect and they need adult’s gentle guidance
At any time, the teacher or the program supervisor may ask a parent and a child to leave the class if the other's safety or well-being are threatened as a result of the adult or the child’s actions.