Yes, the center is open all year and coincides with the university's schedule. When registering your child, you will receive a list of days the center is closed. Any circumstances that may arise requiring the center to be closed (for example inclement weather) announcements will be made either on the local radio station (WHLM) or will be displayed on WNEP CH 16.

Call the center and make an appointment. At that time, parents must complete:

An Agreement Form

An Emergency Contact Information Sheet

A copy of their work / class schedule

A Child's Health Assessment must be on file by the first date of attendance

The center must be able to reach at least one parent or designated emergency

person at all times. The child will be released to the following persons only:

The name on the sign-up sheet

Names on the registration form

A person who has been designated by the parent in a phone call to the director.

Any person who is unknown to the staff must have a picture identification.

The center opens at 7:45 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. Upon arrival the parent/guardian must sign the Parent/Child sign-up sheet stating who will pick up the child that day and at what time. Failure to do this will require a staff member to estimate the departure time. Not only is it important that you sign-in and out for monetary purposes, but it is a safety measure for the kids.

Keep in mind: If the university cancels classes due to inclement weather, the center will be closed. If the university announces a compressed schedule, the child center will open at 9:45 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. If the schedule has begun and classes are cancelled for the remainder of the day, the center will close.

The double doors on the side of Montour Hall, marked Campus Child Center, are the only appropriate doorways for arrival and departure for parents and their children (including during inclement weather).

The University has designated parking spaces in the Montour/Old Science parking lot for child care drop off/pick up. Please exercise caution in walking to and from the parking lot. Do not allow your children to enter or exit the Center alone. Please escort your child into the classroom and be certain that a staff person accepts them into care.

Age Levels	Staff	Children
Infant	1	2
Young Toddler	1	5
Older Toddler	1	6
Preschool	1	10
Young School-Age	1	12
Older School-Age	1	15

Age levels are defined as:

• Infant - A child 6 months to 1 year of age
• Young Toddler- A child from 1 to 2 years of age
• Older Toddler- A child from 2 to 3 years of age
• Preschool- A child from 3 years of age to the date the child enters kindergarten in a public or private school system
• Young School-Age- A child who attends kindergarten to the date the child enters the 4th grade of a public or private school system
• Older School-Age- A child who attends 4th grade of a public or private school system through 15 years of age

Parents/guardians can choose from hot lunches or packing lunches.

  » Hot lunch is available daily on a full or part time basis during the Fall and Spring semesters. An agreement is done in advance. Payment is made in advance and is due whether or not the child attends. Lunches are provided by Aramark Food Services. Milk and fruit are included.

  » Lunches packed by parents/guardians should be easy for the child to handle, including a cold drink, and a cold pack. Lunches should not require heating or refrigeration. Sharing or exchanging lunches is not permitted.

Yes, the following information can serve as a checklist for you when preparing your child's lunch:

• All lunches must be in a lunchbox clearly marked with their first and last name, along with thermos, cups, etc.
• All lunches must have a coldpack in them.
• All hot foods must be in a thermos.
• If foods require utensils, please send metal, do not send plastic, because they're unsafe for
• small children.
• Infants and young toddlers are required to have written feeding instructions on a daily basis. Bibs are required.
• We're required to throw away formula, milk, juice, etc immediately after a child has finished drinking from the sip cup or bottle. We're not permitted to reuse these items. Because we do not have the proper kitchen facilities to wash cups, we will make sure they are returned to you so you can clean them and return them the next day.
• Once foods have been served they must be discarded.
• To avoid wasting food and drink, please be mindful of the portions you send.
• Styrofoam or glass is not permitted.
• Please understand your child's lunch will be served as you send it! We cannot heat or cut foods.
• Two particular items to take note of: grapes must be cut in half or they will not be served and the children are not permitted to have peanuts at the center

Lunchtime at the center begins around 11 a.m. for infants. Lunchtime for toddlers and preschool begins around 11:30 a.m.

The following will serve as a checklist for you as you prepare for your baby's day with us:

• A general schedule that would describe your child's day. It would include
• information as to when they would nap, general feeding and bottle routine and any particular items that would enhance their day e.g. if they like to be rocked to sleep or prefer laying down awake.
• Bring in two crib sheets.
• Sheets that have been used are required to be taken home weekly to be laundered.
• Bottles and food must be in an insulated lunch bag with ice packs. There is no refrigeration available.
• Include a daily note with specific feeding instructions (this includes bottles and food). Food should be packed in serving size portions. Uneaten baby food that has been opened must be discarded. Do not send in opened baby food jars. They cannot be served.
• Formula, milk or juice must be discarded after a child has finished drinking from the sip cup or bottle, and we're not permitted to reuse these items. Please make sure they have enough individual bottles for the day and check on sip cup information when your child begins to use one.
• Styrofoam is not permitted.
• Please bring in a container of face wipes that can be left in their locker.
• Label everything such as bottles, spoons, bibs, food jars, blankets, crib sheets, clothes, and socks, orajel, baby ointments, wipeboxes, extra bags of diapers, nuks, and toys if you bring them.
• Please include signed and dated written instructions for orajel and baby ointments.

No we do not. Medication should not be left in lunchboxes or cubbies. Medication should not be mixed in food, bottles or drinks.

Please do not leave diaper bags in the center. Extra clothes, diaper ointments, diapers, can be placed in the child’s bathroom cubbie.

Yes, as long as your child is in attendance for five or more hours a day, children under age 3 will have a rest period. Rest time is approximately 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The preschool children will be give the opportunity to nap when needed, otherwise, quiet table top activities, stories, and small group activities will be presented. Children who nap should bring a small blanket from home that is clearly marked with their name. It can be left at the center. Please do not send medication. We're not permitted to administer it, and it should not be left in their diaper bags or lunchboxes.

Rest.

No. However, clothing should be the type that can be managed easily by young, inexperienced fingers. Weather permitting, the children will go out to the playground daily. Please dress them appropriately (i.e. boots, gloves, hats, scarves, etc.). Also, please mark all clothing with the child's first and last name. It's important the child wears clothing that launders easily due to these activities. Barrettes and other small hair accessories present a choking hazard to the children, therefore are not permitted.

We ask that no playthings be brought to the center from home. Because of the number of children, we cannot be responsible for any item that is misplaced or broken. If the child has a security toy, please mark it clearly with the child's full name.

The children will be encouraged to discuss their feelings of anger with the teacher and/or peers. Absolutely no physical form of punishment is allowed. "Take Some Time for Yourself" or "Cooling Down" method of behavior management is used. Positive role modeling and encouragement of appropriate behavior is used.

Please come to the center as quickly as possible and take your children home.

We will be happy to celebrate your child's birthday at the center. If you wish to bring a simple treat (cookies, cupcakes, etc.) for the occasion, please make arrangements ahead of time with the staff for the specific day.

Yes. Please make arrangements in advance. Any help with the following items would be greatly appreciated: Kleenex, paper towels and plastic bags (for soiled clothes). Thank you.