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ARRIVAL
The Center opens at 7:30 am. Please sign your child in when you arrive and sign out when the child is picked up.
In the Full-Day Rooms children have their own cubbies in which to put outdoor clothes and other articles from home.
BRINGING ARTICLES FROM HOME
It is easiest for all if children leave their own toys at home. Children may bring a cuddly toy or blanket to serve as a comfort object. Also, individual rooms may provide a "sharing time" so that children can show their treasures. Please do NOT bring in toy guns, gum, candy, money, or toys with many small pieces.
LATE PICK-UP POLICY
The Drop-In Children's Center closes at 5:30 pm. Please plan to pick up your child and leave the building by 5:30 at the latest.
It can be frightening or at least stressful for a child to be left behind when all the other children have gone.
Our staff have families and other responsibilities to get to after 5:30.
For these reasons, to encourage families to pick up children on time, the Center charges a late pick-up fee of $5 for every 5 minutes late. If you are late, your child's Caregiver will have you sign a late pick-up slip when you pick up your child. You will then be billed for the late fee (please pay any late fee with a separate check or cash).
Repeated lateness will be considered cause for terminating your child's space in the program.
If a child is left at the Center for more than 2 hours after closing and none of the child's parents or emergency contacts can be reached, we will have to consider the child abandoned and make a report to the Child Protective Service of the Department of Social Services.
PARENT/CENTER COMMUNICATION
Good communication between parents and Caregivers is essential. Caregivers try to exchange information at drop-off and pick-up times, but these are often rushed and busy conversations. There are a few other ways parents and staff can communicate:
- Sign-in sheets have a space for special information.
- There are diaper changing information sheets in the infant and toddler rooms.
- Caregivers or the Program Director can be reached by telephone. Parents can call and speak to their child's caregiver at a time that is convenient for them both.
GUIDING CHILDREN'S BEHAVIOR
SETTING LIMITS:
Appropriate limits help children to develop self-control and provide a sense of security. Limits grow out of a set of simple behavior guidelines designed to protect the rights of everyone in the DICC community so they are free to learn and grow.
The Drop In Children’s Center has developed a three component approach to dealing with challenging behaviors. The first is the “DECA” checklist, which is a simple but comprehensive list to identify the areas of greatest emotional need. The second is a newly designed behavior support plan which identifies the frequency and time of day when challenging behavior presents itself. The team then develops a plan of action to reduce and eventually eliminate the difficult behaviors, and successfully create a means for the child to express emotions. The third component is a nationally recognized program called “Second Step” which provides children with the skills to find solutions themselves when they are feeling upset or out of control. It also helps the children develop empathy for the feelings of their classmates and better understand the effect their behavior has on others. All of these programs involve close cooperation of parents and family members.
BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES
Children are taught these guidelines as soon as they are developmentally ready.
We use positive reinforcement of good behavior. Negative behaviors are redirected in a positive manner and never punished.HOW TO GET YOUR CONCERNS HEARD...
CONFLICT RESOLUTION AT THE DROP-IN CHILDREN'S CENTER
Even with every intention of doing our best for you and your child, there are sometimes concerns, misunderstandings or, occasionally, real problems. If problems do arise, please follow the guidelines below in order to help us resolve problems and meet your needs.
- If there is a problem with a particular Teacher, the first step is to make a time when children are not present to speak with the Teacher directly. This can be done in a phone call if necessary. Speaking to other Teachers will not help resolve the problem and they will advise you to speak to the Teacher directly.
- If there is a problem with an Assistant, a substitute or a volunteer, please speak directly to the person and tell the Teacher in your child's room.
- If speaking with the Teacher does not resolve the issue, or if you cannot bring yourself to speak directly with the Teacher, bring the issue to the Program Director. She will help you to speak with the Teacher and do whatever else is necessary to resolve the issue.
- Usually any problems will be resolved in the first or second step, however, if the problem is still unresolved, bring the issue to the Program Committee Chair or Board Chair. Board member names and contact information is posted on the large bulletin board in the Large Motor Room.
Each staff member signs a Conflict Resolution Agreement when they are hired in which they agree to resolve problems in a professional way. To ensure that the Drop-In Children's Center is a cooperative, respectful environment for our children please follow the above process and communicate respectfully with all staff. Swearing, shouting or ongoing rudeness on the part of any adult may result in that person being barred from the program.
