Penobscot Bay Medical Center
Creative Learning and Childcare Center

THE FIRST FEW DAYS
Your child may be quite apprehensive on the first few days of childcare. Tears are not uncommon. We encourage parents to help us get your child settled at one of the different activity centers. Once your child is busily occupied, we suggest that you make a loving, but quick good-bye. This will help to minimize your child’s concern over separation. If your child does cry at the point of separation, try not to worry. They will seldom cry for more that a few minutes. On the occasion that your child has an "extra hard" time separating, a phone call to your child’s classroom to touch base with the teacher is always welcome. We will comfort tearful children by talking quietly with them and guiding their attention to something interesting in the room. We will let the children know through our actions that childcare is a safe, interesting and love-filled place.

Starting childcare is an exciting experience for a young child. It can also be a difficult one. Whatever the personality of the child, however eager he/she may seem for the new situation, there may be a moment when they suddenly realize that Mom or Dad is not there. The apprehension that accompanies this realization is a normal reaction. Most children have little difficulty adjusting to childcare after they have made the initial visit with their parents. Nevertheless, it is important that we are sensitive to each child’s potential anxiety so that we can make their first separation as easy as possible.

ARRIVAL and DEPARTURE
When bringing your child, please speak with your child’s teacher to share any special information about the health or activities of your child and family. If your child is having difficulty separating, please let one of your child’s teachers know when you are ready to go and they will assist you in whatever manner you feel to be most beneficial. Such information helps the staff to better understand your child and respond to his/her needs.

When picking up at the end of the day, again, please touch base with your child’s teacher to gain information about your child’s day. When departing to the parking lot, we ask that you hold your child by the hand to ensure their safety, as the parking lot and nearby road can be busy. Also, please call the center if you are going to be delayed in picking up your child due to an emergency. A late fee may be assessed.

ATTENDANCE
If your child will not be attending childcare for any reason, please notify your classroom teacher and/or the office in advance so we can best prepare for the day. Tuition will not be prorated for days your child is not in attendance

SECURITY SIGN IN and SIGN OUT
Signing in and out are our record of who drops off and picks up a child, as well as their time of arrival and departure. This is recorded through the PIN pad located in the front entryway. Parents and authorized pick-ups are assigned individual PIN numbers. Your PIN number is CONFIDENTIAL. Please do not give your PIN to anyone. If you need to add a new authorized pick up, please stop by the office and we can assign him or her their own PIN number. Upon entering your PIN number, you will confirm you are signing your child in or out; pressing the final "OK" you will release the lock on the inside front door. (A staff member can help you with signing in/out the first few times.) To exit, push the green button to the left of the inside door. Please do not allow children to push any buttons on the PIN pad or the green button on your way out.

AUTHORIZED PICK-UP
No child will be released to anyone other than a parent unless notification of such an arrangement is made. The Center should be given a list of two or three names and phone numbers of people to contact in the event of an emergency and we cannot reach you, or whom you authorize to pick up your child. Parents are responsible for updating this list. Please leave written notification in the morning if someone else will be picking up your child. When that person arrives, they will be required to submit a photo ID for identification purposes. In situations involving child custody, information including a copy of the court order stating conditions of custody must be given to the Center. We cannot deny a non-custodial parent from picking up his or her child without court documentation.

updated: 7/1/09