| |||||||||||||||||||||
PARENT HANDBOOK
Introduction | Philosophy | History | Staff | Parent Participation | Visitors | Health Information | Nutrition | Daily Schedule | Calendar | Bad Weather | Observation Room Policy
Click
here for a printer-friendly version
of the Parent Handbook in PDF format. You'll need to have Adobe Acrobat on you
computer. Free download:
The Children's Center at Purchase College is a childcare center located on the
Purchase College Campus. The center is licensed by the Office for Children and
Family Services and accredited by the National Association of the Education of
Young Children (NAEYC). We provide full-time childcare for children between 18
months and 5 years of age.
A full-time staff of teachers, a director,
an assistant director, and an administrative assistant provide the core staff.
Because of the college affiliation, there are also student assistants with regular
hours during the academic year. In addition to paid student staff, some students
come to the center to augment their coursework in psychology, social science,
education, and related fields.
Another result of the affiliation with the
college is that the center's schedule derives from the schedule of the college.
Extended schedules are available for families needing care beyond the academic
calendar.
The Children's Center at Purchase College, Inc. (NAEYC accredited) is a campus-based
early childhood center and instructional facility. The families served are those
of students, faculty, and staff of the college and of the community at large.
The primary commitment of the professional staff of the Children's Center is to
provide high quality child care in a safe, healthy, happy and stimulating learning
environment. Designed to facilitate each child's social, emotional, physical,
and cognitive growth, the program emphasizes gender equity and the development
of a positive self-concept. These goals require that all members of the staff
respect and maintain open, positive
communication with the children, their
parents, and each other.
Purchase College students utilize the center in conjunction with course work, independent study, field experience, and senior projects. The Children's Center also pays particular attention to the needs of the community by offering parents invaluable informational resources, referrals, seminars, and conferences. The Center tries to be responsive to issues that face communities as a whole, such as public health, child nutrition, teacher training, and mainstreaming.
A very important part of our curriculum focuses on the integration of campus resources and early childhood practices. The children visit the Neuberger Museum for a diversified cultural and ethnic experience. We utilize the dance and music buildings to experience sound, rhythm, and movement through the performing arts. The children learn about science through our nature walks and outdoor activities.
In an open environment setting, the Children's Center provides children with developmentally
appropriate activities, ongoing assessment of the children's development, and
an anti-bias curriculum emphasizing inclusion and anticommercialism.
Play - the universal language of childhood - is used at the Center to foster the
growth of elementary concepts of time, space, number, and color. Games, painting,
construction, modeling, dance, outdoor play, and music are used to sharpen cognitive
and perceptual processes, as well as to allow children to interact constructively
with others. The purpose of these exercises is to create an atmosphere of self-respect
and self discipline, and to provide numerous opportunities for teachers to guide
the children as they learn to make their own choices and decisions.
Back
to top
Our Philosophy in Practice-
Children's best understanding of new ideas comes through hands-on learning, which
is most effectively accomplished during play. While children are playing, they
are developing knowledge, skills, dispositions, and feelings that will influence
them for the rest of their lives. As they develop, children's play becomes more
elaborate. Interactive dramatic play is a very sophisticated form of play which
children reach around the age of three and become highly skilled at during their
prekindergarden year. Children accomplish a great deal during this imaginative
role play. Because they must interact with their peers, they learn to regulate
their behavior. In fact, in a play setting, children can display more self-regulation
than in other settings, readying them to extend their self-control to "real
life" situations. Imaginative play also fosters important cognitive development.
The use of one object to represent another in an imaginary scenario is a step
toward the separation of thought from objects - a separation that becomes crucial
in later academic pursuits. Therefore, although formal academics are inappropriate
for children of this age, their play is perfect preparation for the abstract thinking
introduced later in school.
The environment of the Children's Center
is designed to reflect the important role of play in children's development. The
physical arrangement of the classroom and the schedule of the day are carefully
considered ingredients in the learning environment. There are distinct spaces
for different types of toys. Children's physical development is encouraged by
active outdoor play and large-scale blocks for large motor skills and by small-scale
manipulatives for fine motor skills. Props such as dress-up clothes, telephones,
plates, pots and pans, and dolls are offered for role-playing. Art supplies from
pencils to crayons to paints and more are all used. All areas of the classroom
provide opportunities to gain knowledge and to develop skills through the use
of materials and the interactions with peers and teachers.
The daily
routine is consistent enough for comfort, but also flexible. Lunchtime, naptime,
and, in the older groups, circle time are full group activities. The rest of the
day is usually divided between indoor free play and outdoor free play. During
this free play, the teachers are both observers and facilitators. They watch to
learn about each child's strengths and needs, and they step in to provide guidance
when appropriate. They guide children in negotiating resolutions to conflicts,
and they suggest directions to children's play which will help them to grow beyond
what they can accomplish on their own. They may suggest activities and work with
children individually or in small groups. They select materials and introduce
them in ways designed to foster each child's continuing development.
The principle of respect is employed in the way in which teachers interact with
children. A limit placed on inappropriate behavior is generally accompanied by
a set of acceptable options. Positive, warm encouragement comes frequently.
The Children's Center was founded in 1973, making it the oldest full-time campus childcare facility in Westchester County. It was founded by Sybil Barten, and the first director was Patricia Loveday. In the first year there were eight students in one class group, and they were housed in a dormitory.
By 1979, the Center had grown large enough to require the addition of a second teacher, and in 1980 Ellen Wolfe took over from Pat Loveday as director. Ellen Wolfe died in 1983, and so the directorship changed again, passing this time to Linda Lattimer. During her time as the director of the Center, and with the guidance of the president of the advisory board, Suzanne Kessler, and the treasurer, Richard Nassisi, the Center made two major accomplishments: a greater level of financial stability, and, in 1987, a move to its current space in the Butler Building.
When Linda Lattimer died of cancer in June of 1990, Mirella Timms became the assistant director and she and the secretary, Virginia Genussa, oversaw the operation of the Center until the fall, when Patricia Amanna became the new director.
In 1992, the Children's Center was accredited by NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children). From its modest beginnings in 1973, the Children's Center has become the model campus childcare center in Westchester County.
Director
- Dr. Patricia Amanna
Assistant Director/Head Teacher – Harriet
Mendl
Administrative
Assistant - Virginia
Genussa
New
York State Childcare Approved Head Teachers:
Annie Pellerito - Yellow Room
Susan Cannon- Green Room
Cheryl Seeley - Purple Room
Harriet Mendl - Blue Room
Assistant Teachers:
Chrissy Brown - Yellow Room
Tom Benevento - Green Room
Andrew Balsam - Purple Room
JoAnn Edwards - Blue Room
Full Time Assistant:
Student Assistants
Movement Instructor - Wen-lin Murray
Accountant - Robert Conklin
Each head teacher plans the classroom program with an assistant teacher and may also be assisted by Purchase College work study and practicum students. There are approximately 25 - 30 student assistants with scheduled hours during the academic year. They come at consistent times to assure continuity for the children. Students may also be placed at the center as psychology interns, to do senior projects, or as volunteers. All students are interviewed, and are required to have medicals, NYS clearance checks, and training sessions.
The Children’s Center at SUNY Purchase tries to address many of the needs of its children, but this goal cannot be achieved without parent participation. Parent involvement is considered an integral part of life at the Center. Parents and teachers interact by sharing their observations, immediate concerns, and long range goals for their children. When desired, we are able to arrange parent sessions with Dr. Marilyn Cooperman, Psychologist and additional lunch time sessions with center staff. Parents organize and run fund-raising events and serve on the Board of Directors. Parents are encouraged to contribute to the program by sharing their expertise and talking to the children about their work, cultural practices etc. A parent-teacher partnership such as this significantly enhances each child’s overall growth and development.
Visitors must check in at the administrative office. At that time they will be expected to sign in.
We
work hard to limit the transmission of infection. We have concentrated on the
physical set-up of the classrooms. Diapering areas are separate from eating areas.
Both staff and children wash their hands frequently, and always before handling
food and after using the toilet or changing a diaper. Ventilation, heating, and
lighting are all factors that are crucial to the control of infection. Despite
these precautions, all children get sick sooner or later. They will get sick whether
or not they are in day care, but in a day care center diseases can spread easily
because large numbers of children from different families spend hours together
swapping germs every day.
When we are ill, our bodies repair tissues and cells
while we sleep or rest. We often find that children need a bounce back period
- time to be at home with a little more rest and quiet. After an illness, our
immune system is weakened, making us more susceptible to reinfection. This is
not an ideal time to return to school where the child is put into an active environment
with other children (and other children's germs).
Indications
of illness to check for in your child include:
1. Fever: one degree higher
than normal may indicate illness.
2. Change in behavior: may be an increase
or decrease in energy level. This is often the first symptom we see: be alert
to your child's unspoken symptoms.
3. Pain
4. Change in appetite
5.
Vomiting
6. Diarrhea
7. Rashes
8. Respiratory Symptoms: Sneezing,
watery eyes, runny nose, cough, wheezing, and/or shortness of breath. One of the
most difficult illnesses to evaluate is cold or upper respiratory infection. (URI)
Here are some guidelines:
If the child has a normal body temperature, is normally active and has a normal appetite that child should be allowed to engage in normal activity and play.
Some children with colds get better very quickly, others have persisting symptoms for many weeks. Still others will wind up with ear infections. This happens because of the nature of the particular virus and the individual's basic genetic disposition to secondary problems.
We cannot and should not isolate a child with a cold. If we did, most two to five year olds would not see another human being all winter long. However, some children with common colds may feel irritable, sleepy, or have a fever. These are the children that should be kept at home, where they can rest and get extra Tender Loving Care.
Droplets pass from one child to another easily as young children are not adept at covering their mouths or using Kleenex. Encouraging this practice at home helps; encourage independence in nose wiping and proper disposal of Kleenex.9. Drainage: of any type from eyes, ears, wounds, etc.
What
you can do to help:
1. Use the above as a guide in assessing whether your
child is able to attend school. If you have reservations, it's best not to send
him/her. If your child becomes ill during the school day, we will send the child
home. Your quick response to our calls about a sick child is important.
2.
Keep the staff informed of your child's moods, behaviors, falls, aches, etc. when
you drop him/her off. This is helpful in determining a change in a child and noting
signs of illness quickly.
3. Please notify staff if your child has been taking
medications. Some medications may cause symptoms that normally indicate illness.
4. Reactions to immunizations are not contagious, but children are often listless
and uncomfortable enough to warrant sending them home or keeping them at home.
5. Familiarize yourself with the Center's health policies.
The best way to be prepared for unavoidable illnesses is to plan ahead. Think ahead as to what your choices are:
- If you work during the day, find out your employer's sick leave policies.
- If
it is difficult for you to take time away from work, find an alternative caregiver.
This might be a relative, neighbor, friend, or other dependable adult you could
call when your child is too sick to be at the Children's Center.
1:
Health Care Philosophy
It is the philosophy of The Children's Center at
Purchase College that good health is a basic necessity for a child's success and
happiness. Based on this, we believe in and encourage every effort to provide
the children, staff, and parents with the support needed to prevent illness and
maintain optimum wellness.
The Children's Center at Purchase College will
serve
§ Toddlers
§ Well Children
§ Preschool
§ Children taking Medication (program will administer medication)
2.
Employee Health Policies
Before the start of employment, all staff and
volunteers are required to have a physical.
A physical exam is then required
every two years. The employee is given the physical examination form one month
prior to the exam due date to allow time for scheduling an appointment. It is
the responsibility of the Administrative Assistant to keep employee health records
up to date and advise the staff when physicals are due.
The physical must include a test for tuberculosis. N.Y. S. licensing regulations now requires a Mantoux (PPD) test. A staff member who has had a positive tuberculin test in the past is required to have a annual chest x-ray that shows he/she is free from communicable disease and an annual doctor's statement that the employee if free from symptoms of tuberculosis. After 3 consecutive negative chest x-rays the time between x-rays may be extended upon the documentation of the staff member's doctor
The records of all physical exams, tuberculin tests, and chest x-rays are kept on file in the general employee folder. In addition, staff emergency information - doctor's name, nearest relatives, pertinent medical information - is kept in the employee's folder
3. Child Health Policies
Immunizations:
At the time of registration and/or receipt of the Health History the Administrative
Assistant or Director will check the child's immunization status. Children will
need to follow the CDC recommended childhood immunization schedule. Those children
who are up-to-date but still need additional immunizations are reminded of their
appointment dates so that they will be in compliance with the NYS Public Health
Law #2164.
Illness:
If a child comes to school when he/she is not feeling well, he/she will be vulnerable to infection. It is in the best interest of the other children and staff of The Children's Center at Purchase College to send the child home when he/she is ill. A child needs to be well to participate in the program.If a child has an elevated temperature he/she should not come to school. In order for the child to come back to school the child must be fever free for 24 hours. If a child is well enough to come to school, we will expect him/her to go outside with the class, weather permitting. If a child becomes ill while at school, the parents will be notified to pick the child up promptly.
If a child is sent home because of an infectious disease, he/she will need a doctor's note to return to school.Parents are informed of The Children's Center at Purchase College's illness policy at time of admission into the program and in the Parent Handbook.
Medication Plan:
The responsibility of administering medication at The Children's Center at Purchase College program will be assumed when necessary. If a child needs medication, parents are asked to have their doctor schedule the dosage for home administration. If this is not feasible, the school will administer the medication to his/her child. If necessary, other plans regarding medication administration will be made on an individual basis with the assistant director and parent.Procedure for the safe administration of medication during the time a child is attending The Children's Center at Purchase College
Over-the-Counter Medication (OTC)
Over-the-counter ointments may be given on an infrequent, non-routine basis under written signed instructions from the parent. Topical ointments may be applied as needed for protection against the sun or diaper rash with written signed parental instructions (consent form in back of this section).Orally administered over-the-counter medications may not be given without written signed instructions from the child's health care provider and parent (consent form in back of this section).
Prescription Medication
Prescription medication may only be given upon written signed order of the child's health care provider stating that The Children's Center at Purchase College may administer such medication and specifying the circumstances, if any, under which the medication must not be administered, accompanied by written signed instructions from the parent (consent form in back of this section).Prescribed drugs must be in the original container and have the original label.
The label should show: 1) Child's name
2) Current date
3) Name of the medication
4) The dose, route, and frequency (times) of
administration
5) Special storage instructions, if any (e.g. keep
refrigerated, keep out of direct light, etc.)
6) Expiration date if the medicine is for repeated use
7) Physician's name and license numberThe physician's consent form should include (all of the above and the following)
1) The reason for the medication
2) Specific time limits, if any, (e.g. antibiotic x 7 days)
3) Specific instructions, if any (e.g. before meals, give with food)
4) Possible side effectsMedication should be supplied in the smallest quantity required and the program will ensure that the parent does not give up the portion that is needed for home administration.
A medication check list will be completed before any medication is accepted
Medication will be received by the medication trained staff or the assistant director from the parent/guardian and returned to the parent/guardian for disposal when medication is no longer needed.
Medication will be stored in a locked box.
The OCFS MAT certified staff member will administer medication.
Medication will always be administered when the center is expected to do so. If for some reason the medication is not given because the child refuses to take it or the child is too ill to take it the parent will be informed that day by phone call or written note. Contact with the parent will be documented on the Log of Medication Administration (sample form in the back of this section).The name of the person administering the medication, the dose, and the time of administration must be recorded on the child's individual medication form to assure that a permanent record of medication administration is maintained. This form also contains a section to record any side effects noted and how and when the parent/guardian was notified if a side effect occurred. The Log of Medication Administration also accounts for the administration of PRN medication and parent notification of it being given.
Records will be kept on an individual basis, reviewed by the director or assistant director, and filed in the child's health folder when the course of the medication is completed or on a monthly basis.
If a medication error occurs, the parent, the health care provider, and the Office of Children and Families will be notified.
The OCFS will be notified within 24 hours of the medication incident using the Medication Special Incident Forms given with the MAT training course (sample form in the back of this section).A Physician's Desk Reference is also available at The Children's Center at Purchase College as a resource for information on drugs.
4:
Infection Control:
An early childhood center is a place where germs can
spread easily. Children come in close contact, sharing airspace, toys, and sanitary
facilities.
Handwashing has been shown to be an effective way to help minimize germ transmission and prevent unnecessary sickness.
Staff, volunteers, and children wash their hands with soap and running water at the following times:
(i) after using the toilet;
(ii) before any food related activity such as setting the table, food
preparation, food handling, or consumption;
(iii) whenever hands are contaminated with blood or other bodily fluids;
(iv) after handling pets or other animals;
(v) after sneezing or coughing;
(vi) after outdoor play.
Staff and volunteers also wash their hands with soap and running water:
(i) before and after giving medications;
(ii) before and after bandaging a wound. Nonporous gloves are available in each classroom and will be worn if there is the chance of contact with blood or blood-containing bodily fluids.
Hands must be washed even after wearing gloves.
(iii) after assisting a child with toilet use.
Gloves: Nonporous gloves must be worn by the staff when they are in contact with spills of blood or other visibly bloody body fluids. Gloves are in each classroom, in the director's / assistant director's office, in first aid kits and they are present with the teachers on the playground and on class trips.
The Children's Center has a Blood Borne Pathogen Exposure Control plan found in the Health Policies and Procedures Manual; universal precautions are reviewed with staff at the beginning of each school year and within 6 months of hire for new employees. Spills of bodily fluids (e.g., urine, feces, blood, saliva, nasal discharge, eye discharge or any fluid discharge) must be cleaned and disinfected immediately in keeping with professionally established guidelines. These OSHA (Occupational Safety Health Administration) guidelines are in the Blood Borne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan These guidelines are also given to the employee as part of the new employee packet at the time they are hired.
Any
tools and equipment used to clean spills of bodily fluids must be cleaned and
disinfected immediately. Other blood-contaminated materials must be disposed of
in a doubled plastic bag with a secure tie.
Diapering: The Children's Center
has adopted sanitation and hygiene procedures for diapering that adequately protect
the health and safety of the children served by the program and the staff.
The following should be followed by all staff members:
- wear gloves when diapering
- assemble all supplies in advance - disposable diapers, pre-moistened towelettes, clean clothes if necessary
- diaper on a nonporous surface used only for this purpose. Cover this non-porus surface with a disposable under pad,
- situate the diaper changing area as close to hot and cold running water as possible. This water source may not be used for toothbrushing, food preparation or dishwashing.
- be mindful of contamination risks, taking precautions to minimize those risks.
Both
adult's and child's hands should be washed after diapering.
Soiled diapers
must be disposed of immediately into an outside trash container or put in a tightly
covered plastic-lined trashcan in an area inaccessible to children until outdoor
disposal is possible.
Diaper
changing surfaces must be cleaned with a germicidal solution after each use; a
1:16 bleach solution made up daily will meet these requirements. The cleansed
surface should be allowed to air dry.
Under pads must be discarded after
each use.
5. Daily Health Checks: Teachers are aware of their responsibility to do physical appraisals of the children in their care on a daily basis. Upon arrival they observe the child for general appearance, posture, and condition of hair, teeth, and skin. Children are checked for visible bruises on arrival. Any deviation from the norm is reported to the assistant director and/or director. Their findings are documented on the Incident Form. The Director follows up with a phone call to the parent. If child abuse is suspected, CPS will be informed immediately. Teachers and staff have annual in service training on Child Abuse, Basic First Aid, and an Infectious Disease Overview.
THE CHILDREN'S CENTER AT PURCHASE COLLEGE
EMERGENCY TREATMENT PLAN
1. The Director/ Administrative Assistant will obtain signed authorization by parent or guardian at time of admission for emergency treatment. This permission is kept with the child's health record. A sample of this form is in The Children's Center at Purchase College Health Policy and Procedure Plan.
2.
Practical application of First Aid is renewed annually with the American Red Cross
staff by the site assistant director. There is a first aid certified staff member
at each site.
3. When an injury occurs, the head teacher, assistant teacher,
assistant director or staff member in charge should:
1)
Assess the injury.
2)
Administer first aid as needed, i.e. cleanse the abrasion, cleanse and cover an
open wound etc. First Aid instructions are posted in each classroom.
3)
The staff member taking charge will remain with the child until the parent assumes
responsibility or until treatment is obtained.
Her assistant will:
A. Notify parent of the injury. Use emergency contacts if parent is unavailable. Emergency numbers- blue cards are kept by the family worker.
B. Request parent's preference for treatment at emergency room or private doctor if time permits.
C. Transportation: Parents may transport child to obtain treatment or child may be transported via ambulance to hospital emergency room. The local police must be called-91 1- to request transportation via ambulance. A staff member will stay with the child until a parent arrives.
D. Assistant will obtain child's health record and authorization for emergency room treatment. Staff member in charge will bring complete health record to doctor or emergency room with the injured child.
4) The adult present at the time of the accident will complete the accident report.
5) The Children's Center will be notified in the event of serious injury or death.
6) The Children's Center will immediately notify the Office of Children and Family Services upon learning of the death of a child enrolled in the center if the death occurred while the child was in the care of the center or was being transported by the center.
Minor
injuries are noted in an accident report, a copy of which is given to the parent.
When a child suffers serious illness or injury while at the Children's Center,
the head teacher sees to it that the child (and the child's file with the Emergency
Health Care Permission and Medical Forms) is taken to the college Health Services.
The parent is called and told of the illness or injury, and the teacher will stay
with the child until the parent can come to take custody. If an ambulance is needed,
the director or a teacher calls 911 or campus security.
CAMPUS EMERGENCY
NUMBERS:
College Doctor - 251-6380
Purchase College Security - 251-6900
A breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack are provided based on US Department of Agriculture guidelines for balanced meals. The menu cycle is posted at the front of the center. A licensed dietician certifies the menu once every two years.
MORNING
8:00-9:30 CHILDREN ARRIVE: Please have your child here no later than 9:30. Free
play periods in classrooms; teachers greet children and parents.
8:30-9:30
BREAKFAST : Children eat as they arrive in the morning.
8:30-10:00
FREE PLAY: Children select from one of the interest areas:
Art; Blocks; Library
Corner; Table Toys; Computers; House Corner; Sand and Water.
10:00-10:15 CLEAN-UP:
Children put away toys and materials: as they finish they prepare for group time.
10:15-10:30 GROUP TIME: Conversation and sharing time; music,
movement, rhymes,
fingerplays
10:45-11:45 OUTDOOR PLAY: Children select from climbing activities,
wheel toys, balls, hoops, sand and water play, woodworking, gardening, and child-
initiated games.
11:45-12:00 CLEAN-UP: Children prepare for lunch
**The
length of group and story time varies with the ages of the children. A group of
three-year olds, or three and four- year-olds with limited group experiences may
have difficulty participating in a 15-minute group time. A shorter activity will
be planned and lengthened during the year as children's abilities to interact
with the group expand.
LUNCH & REST
12:00-12:45 PREPARE FOR LUNCH,
EAT LUNCH & CLEAN UP:
As children finish lunch, they go to the bathroom
in small groups and
then read books on their cots in preparation for nap
time.
12:45-1:00 QUIET ACTIVITY PRIOR TO NAP: Story, quiet music, or story
record.
1:00-3:00 NAPTIME: As children wake, they read books or play quiet
games such as puzzles or lotto on their
cots; children who do not sleep or
who awaken early are encouraged to do quiet activities.
AFTERNOON
SCHEDULE
3:00-3:30 SNACK AND PREPARATION TO GO OUTDOORS
3:30-4:30
OUTDOOR PLAY: Children select from climbing activities, wheel toys, balls, hoops,
sand and water play, woodworking, gardening and child-
initiated games.
4:30-5:00 FREE PLAY: Children select activities requiring minimum clean- up time.
5:00-5:15 PICK UP TIME: Remaining children are brought to the main entrance to await the arrival of their pick up person. We have found late pick-ups to be disruptive to your child's routine and sense of security. There will be a $5.00 charge for every fifteen minutes beyond scheduled pick-up time.
Arrival
in and departure from the center are risky times of the day. In order to reduce
the likelihood of accident, we ask that you follow the procedures outlined below
when bringing children to the center in the morning and picking them up in the
afternoon.
Upon arrival, we ask that parents bring their child into the building,
escort him or her to the classroom, and confirm that s/he is under the supervision
of the teacher before leaving. When picking up the child, the adult escort should
make certain that the responsible teacher has been told that the child is leaving
for the day. As part of this process we ask that you sign your child into the
center upon arrival and sign out at departure. There is a book posted next to
the classroom door for this purpose.
For safety reasons, we ask also that
you closely supervise children in the driveway, lobbies, and elsewhere in the
center. In addition, we must also ask that you help your children continue to
follow the center guidelines regarding walking (rather than running) while in
the center. We recommend that children exit from cars on the curb side of the
driveway and be offered a hand to hold while approaching the entrance. When departing,
children should wait for their adult escort before exiting the center.
Back
to top
Please notify the Center if your child will be out for an extended period of time. An absence of more than two weeks without notice may result in that space being given to another child.
Bad
Weather Information-
1. The Purchase College weather hotline is 914-251-7500.
If the college closes, we must also close.
2. If the weather is bad, we will
open the doors as soon as the first staff person is able to get here, which will
be as close to 8:00 a.m. as possible.
3. If bad weather develops during the
day, please make arrangements to leave work early. We don't want children and
staff stranded at the Center.
4. If we call you during the day to say that
the Center is closing early due to serious weather conditions, you need to pick
up your child by the designated time. If you will not be in your office or home,
please be sure to leave a telephone number where you can be reached during the
day.
5. We take the children out to play in the snow. Please send your child
with snow pants, boots, hat, mittens and a warm jacket. The extra clothes are
important in case clothing gets wet.
The
observation room is designed to provide a laboratory school environment within
the Children's Center. The room is used primarily by psychology students and other
Purchase College students. The one-way windows and the sound system allow students
to collect data for research projects. Under special circumstances, the Director
may invite parents to observe their child, especially during the child's early
adjustment to the Center. At all times, access to this space is considered a privilege,
and the rights to privacy of staff, parents, and children must be respected.
Procedures for Use of Observation Room
1. Request permission from the Director
or the Assistant Director.
2. Sign in/out of the log book (maximum time -
20 minutes).
3. Staff (both classrooms) must be notified that the room is
being utilized.
4. Information gained from observations is confidential.
5. All observations must be supervised by the Director or the Assistant Director.
