Uniform Standards & Personal Hygiene
UNIFORM STANDARDS & PERSONAL HYGIENE
Dress, grooming and personal cleanliness standards contribute to the morale of all
employees and affect the image TOPP KIDS Out of School Clubs/Foundation presents to
parents and their children, visitors and guests. Our philosophy is to provide a culture that
allows staff to dress in a style which presents a neat, clean appearance and that promotes
confidence and professionalism to the public. We expect you to accept the responsibility of
dressing appropriately for your position or situation. With that in mind, the following dress
code will be implemented and enforced at all times.
All employees MUST wear TOPP KIDS Lanyards that include picture and
name, comfortable pants (not including sweatpants), and comfortable
shoes, such as: tennis shoes or runners. All employees must wear TOPP
KIDS shirts on field trip days.
During leader led activities, there are uniforms for each portfolio activity.
The employee running the Physical Literacy portfolio can wear the
referee jersey and whistle. The employee running the STREAM
portfolio can wear the lab coat and goggles. The Arts & Expression
portfolio can wear the art smock. The purpose of this is to
enhance the fun for the children. Uniforms must stay clean and are
the responsibility of the leader of that particular portfolio.
Jewelry should be conservative. Be conscious of length and potential risks as you anticipate
the activities and type of environment you will be in.
Shoes must be neat and in good repair at all times. Tennis shoes or flats are best. Since you
are expected to engage the children in activities on the playground the shoes should be
appropriate for the situation. Open toe shoes and flip flops are allowed but will be worn at
the employee’s own risk. If injury results from wearing open toed shoes, TOPP KIDS will not
be held responsible. A separate pair of running shoes should be left at the program to change
into when wearing open toe shoes.
Remember you are an Early Childhood Education professional, dress as such.
Clothing should be clean and in good repair at all times. You are hired to work with children
and being down on the floor frequently is part of the job responsibility. Clothing must be
appropriate to engage with children in all types of activities throughout the day.
Jeans, shorts, or Capri’s are allowed: however, must have no holes or lavish accessories. All
shorts must follow the “finger tip” rule – they must come down at least where your fingertips
touch the side of your legs. Use a conservative outlook when deciding upon apparel.
Underwear must not be showing. All employees must be ready for play!
Tops must not show cleavage. Tank tops are permitted if they have a thick strap on them – at
least three fingers wide. All tops must be appropriate with what they say on them and must
cover your stomach.
Special Dress-up Days tend to happen every couple of months. This would include pajama
day, wacky hair day, cultural day, Halloween, etc. On these days, it is MANDATORY for
employees to participate.
Note: Employees who report for work inappropriately dressed will be sent home and directed
to return to work in proper attire. Under such circumstances, employees will not be
compensated for the time away from work. Consult your Program Coordinator if you have
questions as to what constitutes appropriate dress.
PERSONAL HYGIENE
As many schools and venues are “Scent Free Zones” due to allergies and sensitivities, all
employees must be conscious of perfumes, colognes, hygiene products, smoke, and body
odours.
Employees are expected to always maintain a high level of personal hygiene and failure to
do so will be discretely brought to an individual’s attention by their Program Coordinator.
Body and mouth odours should be addressed by being freshly showered and the use of
odourless deodorants daily and practicing oral hygiene.
Where a medical condition is the cause of a personal hygiene issue TOPP KIDS can support
the employee through referral to its Occupational Health Provider