Welcome to the “Parents in Touch” Childcare Program. This is our third year and our program is getting bigger. We hope to keep the children separated by three age groups and participating in age-appropriate activities. This should definitely reduce the boredom of the older children and the anxiety of the younger ones (not to mention the anxiety of the parents!) Please read over the rules below to help make best use of this program:

ALL ROOMS:

• The workers will arrive by 9:15am . Drop-off time is 9:20-9:30am .
• Doors close by 9:40am . Please be aware that a late drop-off is a disturbance to the children and workers in the rooms. We strongly discourage late drop-off. If you must, please arrange ahead of time to have one worker from your room meet you outside the appropriate room at a specified time. This would also work for early pick-up.
• All children must be signed in and out. Permanent nametags will be provided and will be attached to the child’s back. You will receive a vibrating pager – the childcare worker will buzz you if needed.
• Please label all bottles and/or sipper cups. Preschoolers (3-4+yr olds will get apple juice/water in small cups).
• Snacks: a “cracker type” snack will be provided for Toddlers & Preschoolers. If your child has allergies from particular foods, PLEASE notify your childcare worker. Parents of babies and/or children with allergies, please provide your own snacks.
• Parents of babies: please bring your stroller, a blanket & anything else to make your baby comfortable.
• All items left with your child (bag, coats, hats, etc.) should be labeled – a nametag will be attached to diaper bags/backpacks, etc
• Please do not bring toys from home.
• Pick up your children at 11:30am . You can bring them back to the meeting room and talk with other parents if desired.

Your littlest children may cry when you try to leave. Leave as quickly as possible and do not check back. Our workers will not let your child cry excessively. Be assured that they will get you if necessary. In most cases, children stop crying within seconds after you leave.

Children not potty trained should have a diaper bag left with them. It should include diapers and wipes. We have an emergency set just in case.

Toddlers and Preschoolers will have an outside playtime (weather permitting) whenever possible. Please make sure your child has clothing for the cool weather.

Preschoolers will have a craft time each meeting. The crafts will be simple and the workers will allow the child to do as much as possible. In the case of the younger preschoolers, the worker and child may elect not to participate in the craft.

IMPORTANT NOTE : Sick children are not allowed in the rooms. Use these symptoms as a guideline: Vomiting within the last 24 hours; unexplained diarrhea within the last 24 hours; temperature over 100 degrees; runny nose that is not clear; or any unknown contagious disease.

BACK-UP CHILDCARE SIGNUP SHEET : Occasionally, our regular childcare workers, as well as our substitutes are unable to work for us. Therefore, we ask that our parents help us out when a substitute cannot be found. There is a sign up sheet that every parent is asked to be a backup in these situations. Please pick a date and make a commitment to attend that day to help if needed.

Lastly, please be respectful toward our childcare workers. They provide a wonderful service to us for which we are most grateful. Without them, we would not have a program. If there are concerns, address them with Pat Freitas until a Childcare Coordinator or Irene Bachman (one of our Preschool Teachers). We will do our best to consider your comments, answer your questions, or talk over your concerns. It is always our goal that the “Parents in Touch” and children are happy being here!