Arrival and
Departure Procedure
Parents are urged to hold their
child's hand all the way from the parking lot or bus stop
to the gate of the Children's Center. Vehicular traffic
in the area of the Center is sometimes heavy, often includes
trucks and maintenance vehicles, and cannot be trusted to
watch out for quick, small, tender beings. Watch carefully.
Use the east gate, all crosswalks, sidewalks, and hold
even the most mature child by the hand firmly.
Upon arrival, please take your
child directly to the assigned classroom and be sure that
the teacher in charge, or a familiar assistant sees your
child and is able to greet him/her. You may also have a
Health Screen or other note for the teacher. If your child
is in the youngest group (The Nest), you will need to sign-in
in the classroom according to the procedures there as well
as in the lobby.
After your child, or children, is delivered to classes,
you must sign-in in the Lobby. Check your mailbox and leave
a "Parent in a Different Place" form if you will not be
at your usual places today. If someone different will be
picking up your child, be sure to leave that information
too on the "Change of Location" form.
Important Considerations
about Dropping Off
- Our Staff Must Say Hello. Be
certain that your child has been noticed...don't let him/her
slip in without a greeting.
- Always Say Goodbye. NEVER leave your child without clearly
saying "good-bye"...if separation causes tears,
we can accept the tears.... But don't make the mistake of
causing mistrust and confusion by disappearing
without the good-bye hug or kiss or whatever is traditional
for your child. Children sometimes fret a whole day because
they missed that good-bye kiss.
- Don't Drag It Out Too Long. It is helpful for the parent
to show their confidence in the child's ability
to adjust by making a comfortably brief departure. Sometimes
a child feels the need to prolong the morning's
parting, and can work up quite a lot of sad feelings in
the process, but is quick to adjust once s/he
understands that the parent is leaving.
- Worried? Phone Us! Parents are welcome to call the Center
at any time to ask how a child's feeling; we
will gladly give you a report on your child's adjustment
and present situation. We'll let you know if
s/he has worked through the upsetting feelings.
Departure Procedure
Parents are asked to complete sign-outs,
paperwork, and office communication before picking up their
child from the classroom. It's just easier!
Please help your child bring their day at the Children's
Center to a meaningful end by allowing them to finish, briefly,
what they are doing, and to say goodbye to a few friends
and their teachers. You are welcome to set a time limit
on the departure! Some children will want to drag it out,
and this can be wearing on both of you. So, allow a short
time to adjust to leaving, and be sure to say good-bye.
Teachers always need to know of departures, so do allow
for a good-bye hug or at least a wave across the yard.
Please do not stay longer than 15 minutes waiting for your
child. Although we encourage you not to rush, all of the
children will be affected by departures that take too long.
If your child is sleeping or eating, you won't want to interrupt;
we have several places where you can relax and read. Please
do not stay in the classroom to wait.
Please note that you are expected to pick up your child
no more than 15 minutes after the scheduled time. Our mealtimes
are arranged to take this into consideration, and unscheduled
children cannot be accommodated at lunch, snack, or supper.
If your child is hungry at pick up time, be sure to provide
for that by having something to eat in the car. Extra food
is not available from the Kitchen unless it is on the counter
in the lobby.
At closing time, we do ask that departure be prompt rather
than prolonged; our staff have other commitments after we
close. Pick ups after closing will be billed $20 for the first 10-minute period, and $5 for each 5-minute period thereafter.
The possibility that the wrong person, a stranger, might
try to pick up your child is not totally ruled out in this
setting, so we must also ask your cooperation to guard against
this unthinkable situation. If someone other than a parent
is to pick up your child, please bring a written note (including
your signature) to the Office. We will check their ID.
Safety Precautions
1. Allow your child to say hello
and goodbye to the teacher in your presence, or be a role
model by doing so yourself if the child isn't ready.
2. Be certain that a teacher or intern, who knows you, has
seen you arrive and depart. Take No Chances.
3. Go out of your way to get to know the staff. Don't be
shy! Know their names and talk with them so they will know
you well. This really helps.
4. Bring a written note to the Office if someone "different"
is going to pick up your child. (They'll need to bring identification
so we know who they are.)
5. If you have a court restraining order or other official
documentation limiting someone from picking up your child,
bring a copy to the office.
Thank you for helping us do all we can to keep your child
safe.
Impaired Adult
The Center will not release a child
at any time to a parent or designated individual who is
visibly impaired due to alcohol consumption, substance abuse,
prescription drugs or other substances. In the event a parent
or designated individual is impaired, the Center's administrative
staff will telephone individuals on the Child Information
Card to arrange for the child to be released. If a parent
or designated individual is impaired and insists that their
child be released in his or her custody, the Center's administrative
staff will immediately telephone the appropriate law-enforcement
officials.
Determining whether or not to release a child in this situation
is difficult for the parent, the child and the staff member.
Our primary obligation, however, is to protect the safety
and well being of the child. The Campus Police stand ready
to assist us if necessary. If a parent finds him/herself
in this situation, he/she should stop at the reception desk
before going to the classroom to ask to use the phone or
to have a call placed for them.
Grace Period for Pick-Ups
and Drop Offs
There is a built in "grace period"
to the scheduled arrival and departure times. We assume
that you may be up to 15 minutes early for a drop-off and
up to 15 minutes late for pick-ups. Use this grace period
only if you must. We cannot accommodate everyone without
being over our capacity. If you expect to be more than 15
minutes late, please CALL.
Late Pick-Ups
If a parent is unable to come for
their child on time, it is essential to call the Center
to let us know when you will be able to return for your
child.
Closing Times:
1:00 p.m. Friday pick-ups must be completed by 1:15 p.m.
4:00 p.m. Friday pick-ups must be completed by 4:15 p.m.
6:45 p.m. pick-ups on Monday thru Thursday must be completed
by 7:00 p.m.
Pick-ups later than closing time cause a problem. Parents
who pick up after closing will be billed $20 for the first 10-minute period and $5 for each 5-minute period thereafter.
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