Dear Parents/Caregivers,
Welcome to Project Connect Family Center-Attleboro CFCE playgroups! We are looking forward to another fun year! We’d like to take this opportunity to tell you a little about our philosophy on playgroups.
We believe that playgroup is a social and interactive program where children can make sense of their world through play. Play is a child’s work! Through the experiences at playgroup, with a combination of structured and unstructured environment, children learn to play, share, communicate, develop listening skills, learn, and build social skills. It is also a time for parents to share ideas and develop relationships that may become resources for each other. Children have the freedom to play and experience new people with the security that a parent or caregiver is nearby in the same room.
By attending playgroup, parents will be introduced to developmentally appropriate STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) activities, and interactive and dialogic book reading. Parents can continue to practice and expand on these activities outside of playgroup. Playgroups can be an avenue for parents to connect and expand their support systems beyond the program.
As always, it is our pleasure to support and serve families. It is our objective to continue to uphold the ideals of providing the kind of quality programming our families have come to enjoy.
Sincerely,
Project Connect Family Center-Attleboro CFCE Staff
THE ENVIRONMENT
Our environments afford parents and caregivers the opportunity to interact with their child/ren and model desired behaviors and skills such as listening and participation. Although all playgroups have the same basic components, it is important to note that each one is unique in that each facilitator has their own way of teaching. We believe this makes for a rich program full of ideas and enthusiasm.
Also at playgroups, we offer parents the ASQ-3 and ASQ:SE-2 screenings. These are questionnaires about your child's development in the following areas: speech, physical ability, social skills, and social emotional behavior. The questionnaire’s purpose is to make you aware of typical development based on the age of your child and to see if he or she is meeting developmental milestones. If you would like more information about ASQ, please see a parent educator.
· Choice Time: Children choose which center they would like to explore. We encourage parents to follow their child’s lead.
· Gross/Fine Motor Time: Children may choose from a variety of activities, such as riding toys, tunnels, balls, puzzles, building structures, etc.
· Clean up Time: We all work together to clean up after every playgroup. Mouthed toys are to be placed in the “Mouthed Toys” bucket and are washed at the end of each group.
· Snack Time: Snack offers the opportunity for developing social skills and self-care. When necessary or needed we provide an allergy-free snack. Parents are encouraged to donate water and a snack to share.
· Circle Time: Parents and children participate in activities such as singing songs, finger plays, creative movement, and story time.
Within our play centers, you will find various activities that encourage the development of your child from infancy to 5 years of age. These include:
· Dramatic Play (kitchen, dress-up, dolls, vehicles)
· STEM (blocks, magnetic boards, water & sand table)
· Literacy Nook
· Art Area
· Infant Area
All components and centers provide opportunities to enhance all domains of development.
Our playground is shared with The Children’s Center. We have worked out a schedule so that each program has time on the playground.
NOTE: The Children's Center is a licensed program, we are not allowed to be on the playground at the same time. Please do not enter the space when it is being used by the child care program.
Project Connect families must sign a waiver of liability to use the playground. No food or drink is allowed on the playground due to children’s allergies.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
We ask that when you register for a playgroup, you make a commitment to attend. Your child will benefit from regular attendance. We understand it’s not always possible to attend due to illness, prior commitment, etc. We ask that you call the Center at 774-551-8251 or call/email the playgroup facilitator if you will be absent. After two unexplained absences, the next family on the waitlist will be given your spot. If you are no longer able to attend the playgroup series, please let us know so we can offer your spot to another family. Please make every effort to be on time, this allows your child ample time for choice time before clean-up and snack times.
DONATIONS
Inside our playgroups, you will find a list asking for donations of supplies. These are items for craft and snack supplies. Your donations are essential and very much appreciated!
· Gift cards – Dollar Store, BJ’s, Market Basket, Target, Walmart, Stop & Shop, Amazon
· Paper products – cups, napkins, plates, bowls, paper towels, tissues
· Extra supplies – baby wipes, Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer
· Playdough ingredients – flour, salt, cream of tartar, food coloring, and gallon-size zip lock bags
PARKING
Parking is available in Lot B. Parking during the school day and year is limited. We ask that you are mindful of this and plan accordingly:
After 8AM, visitors may park in any available visitor spot
After 8AM, visitors may park in any available numbered spots EXCLUDING those facing the road (Rathbun Willard Drive).
All parking spots and sections marked RESERVED ARE OFF LIMITS AT ALL TIMES.
Parking is NOT allowed along the curb in the designated fire lane. Parking is also permitted in the lot in front of the high school entrance.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
Cancellations: If Attleboro Public Schools are cancelled due to inclement weather, groups are cancelled at Project Connect Family Center—Attleboro CFCE.
Delays: If there is a school delay, we will cancel the first playgroup of the day.
We will also post any closing or delays on our Facebook page. If you are in doubt as to other days with questionable weather conditions, please call the Center at 774-551-8251.
HEALTH POLICY
Illnesses are easily transmitted because we play in close contact and share common playthings. Though we do make a sincere effort to disinfect commonly used objects, the best possible protection from illness is to keep you and your child home when symptoms of illness are present. Here are some guidelines for you to follow. Please stay home if you or your child:
· Has evidence of a fresh cold (running or stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing). The greatest period of contagion of the common cold is the first 2-3 days after the onset of symptoms
· Has had a fever within the last 24 hours
· Has suspicious rash
· Has apparent skin infection
· Has discharge from eyes
· Has had an upset stomach within the last 24 hours with vomiting and / or diarrhea
· Has started on an antibiotic for potentially contagious illness within the last 48 hours. Give the medication time to reduce the threat of contagion and relieve the child’s symptoms
When in doubt, please consult your child’s pediatrician.
PLAYGROUP GUIDELINES FOR A SUCCESSFUL EXPERIENCE
At Project Connect Family Center-Attleboro CFCE, we believe that the best programs are those in which both the staff and the parents work together to ensure a successful experience for all. Playgroups are no exception! Because of this, we have created these guidelines to help you better understand your role and responsibilities in this partnership in playgroup. We are always open to your suggestions and ideas.
· Children must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver who is responsible for that child at all times
· Please sign in all adults (first and last name) that accompany the child /ren as well as the child(ren). This applies to both on site and off site groups
· Parents must be actively involved in their child’s activities and discipline if necessary. If your child needs a place to calm down, you may take him/her into the hallway to work through it together
· We respectfully request cell phones not be used during group
· Health rules must be followed. If there is a contagious illness in your household, please stay home
· Please do not bring food or drinks for your child(ren), some groups offer snack
· Snack may be provided at the snack table at the designated time. Parents are encouraged to donate a healthy snack and / or water
· Do not bring hot beverages of any kind. They can cause serious burns if accidentally spilled over by little hands!
· Smoking is prohibited on any school property
· Any group offered will need a minimum of five families enrolled during signup week to remain on the schedule. Groups with low interest will be cancelled, this is necessary to maximize our limited resources
· All educators and school employees are among the professions mandated by law to report child mistreatment
INCIDENT ACTION PLAN
(Behavioral Incidents)
To provide a safe environment and experience for all playgroup participants, Project Connect—Attleboro CFCE has instituted the following Incident Action Plan regarding Behavioral Incidents involving children in the program.
When an incident occurs (an intentional aggressive action by one child towards another child) an incident report will be completed by the staff person facilitating the group and signed by all affected parties.
1. As a result of the first incident, the offending child will need to leave immediately for the day.
2. Second incident, the child will be sent home and miss the following two weeks. To return, the caregiver must have the ability to shadow the child (remain by the child’s side) during the entire playgroup, without siblings present.
3. Third incident, the child will not be allowed to participate in programs for the remainder of the playgroup series and for two additional series to allow the child to mature.
Upon returning after the third incident, if there are any further occurrences, the child will be subject to #3 of the policy listed above.
PLAYGROUP PLEDGE
I pledge ---
· To follow my child’s lead at play and be an active participant
· To encourage appropriate circle time behavior through modeling and participation
· To share in the community clean-up of our playroom
· To be considerate of playgroup’s time frames and not to arrive or leave during structured activity
· To encourage healthy eating habits of all the children in playgroup by providing a nutritious snack that is consumed at snack time/snack table
· To support my child’s needs by staying home when we are not well
· To enjoy my child’s development, praise achievements and provide loving support with their struggles
· To lend a hand to the facilitator, another parent, or a child if necessary
· To regard all my words and conversations as precious to children’s ears and to choose them accordingly
· To fully enjoy this treasured time since we pass through childhood with our children only once
· To read and review my playgroup packet
