OUR POLICIES

PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF

The parking lot speed is 5 miles per hour. Please drive around parked cars not between parks cars. Park your car in the lined spaces in the parking lot. Cars should not be parked in the fire lane or on the driveway next to the playground.


Morning Drop-Off:


  • Children enrolled in our full time program should arrive no earlier than 7:00am and no later than 9:30am. Have your child hang up his/her jacket and backpack and wash their hands before heading to your child's classroom. Teddy Bear children should be brought to the Chipmunk class if a Teddy Bear teacher has not yet arrived for the day. Chipmunk and Butterfly children can go directly to their classroom.
  • Children enrolled in our three-quarter day program should arrive at 9:00. Upon arrival at school, please have your child hang up his/her jacket and backpack and wash their hands before bringing your child to their classroom
  • Please call or email if your child will arrive late or if your child will be out for the day. If your child is ill, please let us know what the ailment is.


Afternoon Pick-Up:


  • Your child may be playing in the playground, back field, fairy garden, or driveway.. Please let your child's teacher you have arrived for pick-up before leaving with your child. 
  • During inclement weather, please ring the doorbell at the entrance door and a teacher will bring your child out to you. 
  • Please email, call or write a note if someone other than you will be picking up your child. Staff will ask for that person's ID to make sure it matches the name given. 
  • Children enrolled in our three-quarter day program must be picked up no later than 3:00pm
  • Children enrolled in our full time program, must be picked up is no later than 6:00pm.
  • Children will not be released to anyone under the age of 18.

HEALTH

Children are excluded from the Center if they have had one or more of the following symptoms within the past 24 hours. If one or more of these symptoms develop while your child is at the Center, your child will not be able to attend the next day.

  • Fever of 100 degrees or higher
  • Persistent Cough
  • Sore Throat
  • Difficulty Breathing
  • Nausea, Vomiting or Diarrhea
  • New Loss of Taste or Smell
  • New Muscle Aches
  • Unknown Rash and/or Swelling
  • Eye Redness and Discharge

These symptoms, in combination with other symptoms, may be cause for exclusion:

  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Runny Nose or Congestion
  • Any other signs of illness
  • If a child is not able to participate in the classroom schedule, activities and routine

We strongly recommend COVID testing if your child has any of these symptoms.

 

Staff will monitor children during the day for signs of illness. If symptoms develop, children will be isolated and family will be called to pick up without delay.

 

IMPORTANT REGARDING FEVER REDUCING MEDICATIONS: 

  • Children may not attend if given a fever reducing medicine within the past 24 hours.
  • Children must be fever free (without the aid of a fever reducer) for a MINIMUM of 24 hours before returning to the Center.


Children must not vomit or have diarrhea for a MINIMUM of 24 hours before returning to the Center.

 

PLEASE NOTE: If your child is prescribed medication, they must be on that medication for 24 hours before attending FACE.

 

UNKNOWN RASHES: Families must provide a pediatrician’s note that the rash is not contagious before returning to the Center.


Please refer to the following procedures and policies:


Lead Poisoning Information

  • Lead screening is extremely important because even very low levels of lead can cause permanent problems in learning and behavior. Serious poisoning can occur in any household in any community. Massachusetts regulations require that all children be screened between the ages of 9 months and 12 months and again at the ages of two and three. Children attending FACE must show evidence of the lead test on their medical forms. Please verify with your doctor that your childs three-year screening is recorded on the medical form.  All doctors and clinics will screen children for lead when you request it. Many Board of Health facilities provide screenings at no cost.


Procedure to be Followed in Case of Illness
When a child becomes ill while at the Center:

  • The child's parent is called.
  • The child is taken to the office to rest and wait for a parent. A staff member waits with the child. Parents are expected to pick up the child as soon as possible. The child will be provided a quiet place and given books, puzzles, games, etc., while they wait for his/her parent. The staff will do their best to make the child comfortable.


Procedure to be Followed in Case of Minor Injury
When a child is injured while at the Center:

  • A teacher administers first aid to the child. An Injury Report is written for the parent detailing how the injury occurred and the type of first aid given.
  • Parent signature on the Injury Report is required. The parent will receive one copy and the other copy will be filed in the office Injury Log.


Procedure to be Followed in Case of Emergency
In the case of that an emergency occurs while the child is at the Center:

  • The teacher comforts the child and administers first aid in the office.
  • The staff member in charge calls for an ambulance and the child's parents.
  • The Director or teacher in charge accompanies the child in the ambulance, taking along the child's health file.


When a parent (or guardian) cannot be reached, the emergency contact person(s) is called.


Administration of Medication Policy 

[Documentation]

  • Parents are required to fill out a medication form for any medication to be administered at FACE Children's Center.
  • All medication administered will be documented on the child's record. The following information will be included: the name of the drug, the date and time of dosage, and the signature of the teacher giving it.


The following is required for Prescription Medication

  • Written parental authorization
  • Written order of physician (the label on the medication is acceptable)
  • All medication must be kept in its original container labeled with the child's name, the name of the drug, and the directions for its administration and storage.


The following is required for Non-prescription Medication


  • A signed statement from the physician listing the name, dosage, and criteria for administration of the medication (valid for 1 year from the date it was signed)
  • A signed statement from the parent authorizing administration in accordance with the written order of the physician (valid for 1 year from the date it was signed)


The following is required for Topical Non-prescription Medication


  • A signed statement from the parent listing the specific topical non-prescription medication to be administered and the criteria for administration (valid for 1 year from the date it was signed)
  • Must be administered according to the directions on the original container unless authorized to do otherwise by a written order of the physician

NUTRITION

It is the policy of FACE Children's Center to provide the principles of nutrition education to the children and their families. Therefore, we provide healthy, nutritious meals and snacks following the USDA Bureau of Nutrition guidelines for portions. We also act in accordance with the Massachusetts Department of Education Child Nutrition Programs. The weekly menu is posted on the entrance bulletin board as well as in each classroom.


Parents must supply meals for children with allergies, or because of religious and/or lifestyle beliefs.

  • Menus are planned with the majority of the children's likes and dislikes in mind. The idea of the food program is to encourage children to eat, try new foods and to make healthy choices about food. We follow the Bureau of Nutrition guidelines for portions, nutrition and food credits.
  • All required food is put on the child's plate at the beginning of the meal. Teachers will sit at the tables with the children, encouraging them to eat their meals and enjoy each other's company. Teachers will make sure that children's hands are cleaned before lunch and faces and hands are cleaned after lunch.

TOILETING

When entering FACE Children's Center toilet training is not an eligibility requirement for enrollment. Velcro sided pull-ups are allowed in our preschool classes, especially at rest time. Parents provide their child's Velcro sided pull-ups and wipes and develop a plan with staff for times when they should be used throughout the day. For children, no longer in diapers, if toileting accidents happen teachers will help the child change clothing. No child shall be punished for soiling, wetting, or not using the toilet. We are happy to offer families guidance and support if they choose to toilet-train their child. When children are not toilet trained and attend during the summer months they can use the sprinklers and water table for water play, but can not use the wading pools.


The children are allowed and encouraged to go to the bathroom at any time throughout the day. Classes also schedule group trips to the bathroom during the day.


Children should wear comfortable clothes so they can easily pull down and pull up their pants. Teachers will help with difficult snaps, buttons, and fasteners. All children should have an extra change of clothing in their backpacks every day. Children will wash their hands with soap and running water after going to the bathroom.

TOYS

At FACE Children's Center, one goal is to introduce children to many experiences through art, cooking, music, and play. During our free time, we like the children to use our educationally sound games, toys, and dress-up areas. We encourage them to be creative inventing games, have fun while learning, and develop friendships. After discussion and looking back over the years, we have decided not to allow toys from home.


Our reasoning is simple:

1. Home toys get lost and broken.
2. Home toys are not always appropriate for school settings.
3. Home toys are difficult to share.
4. Home toys can cause upsetting situations between child and parent at drop-off times.

EVACUATION

In the event that the center loses heat or electricity, parents will be called to pick up their children at FACE.


If the Center has to close due to extreme emergencies (fire, gas leak) the Natick Fire Department will evacuate children to the Cole Recreation Center at 179 Boden Lane in Natick. Parents will be notified and are expected to pick up their children immediately. In the event of an emergency, the Center defers all evacuation decisions to the Natick Fire Department. Center staff will notify families of any changes to information.

SNOW DAYS

You will receive an email from the Executive Director at 6 am if the center will not be opened or will be having a delayed start time

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