Terms & Conditions

1. INTRODUCTION

These Terms and Conditions govern the enrollment, use of services, and relationship between MERAKIDS Childcare, operated by 2602101 Alberta Ltd. ("MERAKIDS"), and the parent(s) or guardian(s) enrolling a child in our programs. By enrolling your child, you agree to these Terms in full. MERAKIDS is a licensed childcare centre operating in compliance with Alberta's Early Learning and Child Care Act.

2. ENROLLMENT & REGISTRATION

MERAKIDS offers the following licensed programs, Monday to Friday, 6:45 AM to 6:00 PM:

Infant Program — 12 to 18 months (Full-time)
Toddler Program — 19 months to 2.9 years (Full-time)
Preschool Program — 3 to 4 years (Full-time & Part-time)
Pre-Kindergarten Program — 5 to 6 years (Full-time & Part-time)

Enrollment is confirmed upon completion of an Enrollment Application Form, payment of the non-refundable Registration Fee, execution of the Parent-Provider Agreement, and submission of all required documentation including immunization records, emergency contacts, medical information, allergies, and consent forms.

MERAKIDS reserves the right to refuse enrollment or place a child on a waitlist based on program capacity or care requirements. Waitlist placement does not guarantee enrollment. Families will be contacted in order when a space becomes available.

3. FEES & PAYMENT

MERAKIDS participates in Alberta's Affordability Grant program. Eligible families pay the government-regulated flat parent fee:

Full-time care (100 or more hours/month): $326.25 per month
Part-time care (50 to 99 hours/month): $230.00 per month

Families not eligible for the Affordability Grant will be charged fees as outlined in their enrollment agreement. A minimum of 30 days written notice will be provided for any fee changes.

A one-time, non-refundable Registration Fee is due at enrollment to secure your child's spot. This fee is not applied toward monthly childcare fees.

Monthly fees are due on the 1st of each month and are payable in full regardless of child absences, statutory holidays, or family vacations. A late payment fee of $25.00 applies to payments received after the 5th of the month.

An NSF fee of $40.00 applies to any returned or non-sufficient funds payments. Repeated NSF occurrences may require payment by certified cheque or money order.

MERAKIDS may offer optional supplemental services such as field trips or special programming for an additional fee. Participation is entirely voluntary and opting out will not affect access to core childcare services.

4. ATTENDANCE & OPERATING HOURS

MERAKIDS operates Monday to Friday, 6:45 AM to 6:00 PM. The centre is closed on all Alberta statutory holidays. An annual closure schedule will be shared with all families at the start of each calendar year.

Children must be picked up no later than 6:00 PM. A late pickup fee of $1.00 per minute will be charged for each minute beyond closing time. Repeated late pickups may result in termination of enrollment.

Families are asked to notify MERAKIDS by 9:00 AM if their child will be absent. Fees are not reduced or refunded for absences.

5. HEALTH, SAFETY & MEDICAL

Up-to-date immunization records must be provided prior to enrollment and updated as required by Alberta health guidelines.

Children who are unwell should not attend the centre. A child must be kept home until symptom-free for at least 24 hours if experiencing fever above 38°C, vomiting or diarrhea, unexplained rash, or a contagious illness such as pink eye or strep throat. If a child becomes ill during the day, a parent or authorized guardian will be contacted to arrange pickup within one hour.

All known allergies and medical conditions must be disclosed at enrollment. An Individual Support Plan may be required for children with significant medical or developmental needs.

MERAKIDS staff will only administer prescription medication with written parental authorization and in accordance with prescribed dosage instructions. Over-the-counter medication requires a doctor's note and signed parental consent.

6. CONDUCT & BEHAVIOUR

MERAKIDS is committed to a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all children and families. We follow a positive guidance philosophy aligned with Alberta's Early Learning and Care Framework. Physical discipline, verbal abuse, or any form of harassment is strictly prohibited. MERAKIDS reserves the right to terminate enrollment if the conduct of a child or family member poses a risk to the safety or wellbeing of others.

7. WITHDRAWAL & TERMINATION

Families wishing to withdraw their child must provide a minimum of 30 days written notice to management at info@merakids.ca or in person. Fees remain payable in full during the notice period regardless of attendance. Any deposit held on account will be applied to the final month's fees.

MERAKIDS reserves the right to terminate enrollment with written notice due to non-payment of fees, repeated late pickup, provision of false information during enrollment, disrespectful or harmful conduct by a family member, a child's needs exceeding our care capacity, or repeated violation of MERAKIDS policies. In cases of immediate safety concerns, enrollment may be terminated without advance notice.

In the event of an unexpected or emergency centre closure, fees will be prorated or credited for the period of closure.

8. PRIVACY & PERSONAL INFORMATION

MERAKIDS collects and uses personal information in accordance with Alberta's Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). Information is used solely for delivering childcare services, meeting licensing requirements, processing payments, and communicating with families. We do not sell or share personal information with third parties without consent, except as required by law. Families may access, correct, or request deletion of their information by contacting info@merakids.ca.

9. PHOTOGRAPHY & MEDIA CONSENT

At MERAKIDS, we create content to share the joy and daily experiences of our centre, including photos and videos featuring children and staff. To protect the privacy of all individuals, we apply mosaic (pixelation) to the faces of all children and staff in any content published on our website, social media, or other public platforms.

By enrolling your child at MERAKIDS, you acknowledge and consent to the following:

Photos and videos may be taken of your child during daily activities, events, and programming.
All faces of children and staff will be mosaicked (pixelated) before any content is published publicly.
Content is used solely for MERAKIDS' own promotional and documentation purposes, including our website and social media channels.
MERAKIDS will not tag, name, or otherwise identify any child in publicly shared content.
Families may request that their child be excluded from all photography and video by providing written notice to management at info@merakids.ca.
Media consent may be withdrawn at any time in writing. Withdrawal will apply to future content only and does not require removal of previously published mosaicked content.

MERAKIDS is committed to handling all media responsibly and in accordance with Alberta's Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).

10. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

MERAKIDS takes all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of children in our care. However, MERAKIDS and 2602101 Alberta Ltd. are not liable for illness contracted at the centre, damage to or loss of personal belongings, or circumstances beyond our reasonable control including natural disasters, public health emergencies, or government-mandated closures. Families are encouraged not to send children with valuable personal items.

11. AMENDMENTS

MERAKIDS reserves the right to amend these Terms at any time. Families will receive a minimum of 30 days written notice of any material changes. Continued enrollment after the effective date of any amendment constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

12. GOVERNING LAW

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Province of Alberta and the federal laws of Canada. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Alberta.