Family Resource Hub

We are excited to welcome your child to our center! Enrollment is based on the date the family or caregiver completes an application an the availability of an opening that matches the child's age and preferred time slot. Children may arrive at any time during their scheduled hours, though we ask families to inform staff of the expected arrival time. 

Our center is committed to fostering an inclusive environment that promotes access to enrollment for all children. We take pride in accommodating children from diverse racial, cultural, ethnic, and economic backgrounds. Additionally, we are dedicated to supporting children with developmental differences, varying behavior regulation needs, and specific medical requirements. We work closely with families to identify and provide the best supports and resources to meet each child's needs. 

We understand that each child adjusts differently to a new environment. Some children may show initial comfort but experience discomfort or regression in the following weeks. Our teachers work closely with families to help each child feel secure and supported during this transition. 

We encourage families to communicate openly with staff about any changes observed at home or specific concerns. Together, we can ensure your child feels comfortable, cared for, and ready to thrive in their new environment.

We look forward to partnering with you and your family make this transition a positive and successful experience for your child!

For children of all ages, starting at our center is a significant transition that requires thoughtful planning. To ease the adjustment and reduce anxiety, we follow a gradual enrollment process. Families or caregivers are encouraged to spend time in the classroom with their child during the initial entry period. The length of this transition depends on the child's age, temperament, and previous experience with separation.

Typically, children begin with shorter visits of a few hours during the first couple of days, with a family member or caregiver present. This gradual approach helps build the child's trust in their teachers and creates a strong foundation for future separations. 

Creating Connections is open year-round, Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We encourage families and caregivers to check-in with staff daily during drop-off and pick-up times to foster communication and ensure a smooth routine for your child. 

To ensure a safe and seamless transition into the program, we ask families to follow these guidelines during morning drop-off:

• Signing In: Upon arrival, sign your child in and follow your established drop-off routine, which includes handwashing, putting away personal belongings, talking with teachers to share updates, and completing your goodbye routine.
• Door Safety: For security reasons, only adults are permitted to open doors within the building.
• Supervision: Children must remain within sight and sound of an adult at all times, including in the parking lot and inside the building.

We encourage families to allow enough time during drop-off to communicate with staff. Sharing updates about your child's life at home helps us better support their needs, and we will provide information about their day in care.

To maintain a secure environment for all children, we have established a strict policy for departures with adults other than custodial parents. 

• Authorized Pick-Up List: At enrollment, families must provide a list of authorized individuals who may pick up their child.
• Verification: Teachers may request photo identification if they are unfamiliar with the authorized adult picking up your child.
• Signing In and Out: Each child must be signed in and out of the program daily by a custodial parent or an authorized adult. 

These procedures ensure that each child is safely accounted for and only released to approved individuals. Your cooperation in following these procedures is essential to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all children in our care.

Thank you for your partnership in ensuring the well-being of your child and the entire Creating Connections community!

Families have the following parking options during arrival and departure times:

• Drop-Off and Pick-Up Parking Lot: The parking lot located next to the center is designated for drop-off and pick-up only. (Please note: Availability will be confirmed when the center opens.)

We appreciate your cooperation in using these parking options to ensure a smooth and safe drop-off and pick-up process.

If your child will be absent, taking the day off, or on vacation, please inform the classroom staff in advance, either prior to their scheduled drop-off time or by calling the center. Teachers typically contact families if a child has not arrived within an hour of their scheduled drop-off time. Staff schedules are carefully planned to meet state-mandated child-to-teacher ratio, so timely communication is essential. 

To ensure consistency and proper staffing, it is important to drop-off and pick-up your child within their scheduled hours of care. 

If you need to adjust your child's arrival or departure time, please follow these guidelines:

• Approval for Changes: Any changes to your child's regular schedule must be approved by the classroom staff at least 24 hours in advance.
• Early Drop-Off: If you need your child to arrive earlier than scheduled, we kindly ask that you adjust their pick-up time accordingly.
• Late Drop-Off: If your child will arrive later than their regular drop-off time, please discuss the possibility of extending their drop-time with the classroom staff.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe, well-staffed environment that meets the needs of all children in our care.

The center is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Families are asked to select a regular schedule and adhere to it closely to ensure proper staffing and smooth operations.

If you are unable to pick up your child at the end of your regularly scheduled time, please contact the center immediately to discuss one of the following options:

1. Allow your child to remain for a brief period.
2. Arrange for an authorized adult on your child's pick-up list to pick them up. 
3. Create an individualized pick-up plan.
4. Notify the program of the agreed-upon departure plan.

While occasional delays are understandable, frequent or ongoing issues with adhering to the scheduled pick-up time will prompt a discussion with the classroom staff to explore alternative plans. Chronic tardiness beyond the scheduled 9-hour care period may result in a written reminder of the center's policy. Excessive tardiness may lead to dismissal from the program.

If a child remains at the center after 5:00 p.m., the teacher in charge and another assigned staff member (both 18 years or older) will stay with the child until they are picked up. If no contact is made with a parent, guardian, or authorized pickup person by 6:00 p.m., the Department of Children and Families and the Waterford Police Department will be notified. At that time, the child will be placed in their care. 

The center is staffed with highly-trained professionals who possess extensive knowledge, professional degrees, and certifications in early childhood education. We value ongoing professional development, as continuous training enhances both program quality and the field of early childhood education. All staff members participate in annual professional development through workshops, conferences, and other training opportunities.

Each classroom typically has two staff members assigned, with schedules designed to meet state child-to-teacher ratio requirements. Classrooms often work collaboratively and may be combined during early morning and late afternoon hours. During these times, children usually have breakfast together and socialize with peers.  

The center is overseen by a site coordinator, who, along with the assistant director, aligns the center's operational and financial goals with those of LEARN and integrates these goals within the broader early childhood community. The site coordinator is the primary point of contact for staff assignments, family and caregiver interactions, and child-related questions or concerns. 

The site coordinator ensures the center adheres to state requirements regarding curriculum, quality, and assessments. They are available to both staff and families to address questions or concerns about departmental policies or child-related matters.

A head teacher is responsible for managing classroom activities, including designing and maintaining daily records, planning the classroom environment, developing curriculum, conducting child assessments, coordinating conferences, and communicating with families.

Support staff work within classrooms or serve as floaters throughout the center. They actively participate in daily classroom functions and collaborate with the head teacher, teacher, or site coordinator to ensure smooth operations and effective family communication. Support staff may also assist with curriculum planning, staffing schedules, and parent communication, such as conferences. 

All support staff hold at least a Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate or an equivalent credential. Teachers at the center hold a minimum of an associate's degree or an equivalent qualification in early childhood education.

We value your input about your child's experiences at home, their progress, and any concerns you may have. Sharing significant events in your child's life, such as a family member being away, the arrival of a new family member or pet, or a loss affecting your child, helps us better understand and care for them. 

All staff members are accessible by phone or email. Each classroom has its own phone, and every staff member has a dedicated LEARN email address. You are welcome to call your child's classroom during the day to speak with your child or their teachers. The best time to discuss your child's day is typically during nap time, between 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. If you call and the group is out of the room, the call will forward to the office where we will take a message.

Please let us know the best way for your child's teachers to communicate with you. The office will send emails with announcements, event information, and flyers, so it is important to provide your preferred email address. You are always welcome to visit the program. 

Staff members greet families during drop-off and pick-up times to support smooth transitions between home and school. Communication about your child's experiences happens in various ways, including phone calls, emails, and conferences. Classrooms also provide daily notes that highlight activities your child participated in during the day. 

It is essential that we can reach you at all times. If your phone number, emergency contact information, or availability changes, please notify your child's teacher or the office immediately. 

When arriving or departing, please check the following areas for updates:

• Sign-In Area: Important notices may be posted here.
• Classroom Bulletin Board: Includes in-room notices, snack menus, and more.
• Family Communication Board (Main Entrance): Displays program-wide announcements and updates.

Your partnership and communication help ensure a positive and supportive experience for your child.

All employees are trained on the importance of maintaining confidentiality. The following measures are in place to ensure the protection of child and family information:

• Secure Storage: Child files are stored in locked cabinets to prevent unauthorized access. 
• Emergency Contact Information: Family phone numbers and emergency contacts are kept in classrooms for quick access during emergencies but are not visibly displayed.
• Information Sharing: Child-specific information is shared only with the child's parents or custodial guardians.
• Classroom Communication: Any classroom or program-related communication, such as illness reports or incident notifications, does not include identifying information about specific children.
• Electronic Data Security: Access to electronic information and data is password-protected to ensure security.
• Confidentiality Standards: Personal information about families and children is considered highly confidential and is shared only with relevant classroom teachers and the center's administrative office staff. 
• State Reporting: Child and family data required for grants or other documentation are reported securely through the state-operated database, the Early Childhood Information System (ECIS).
• Document Retention and Disposal: State-required documents, such as accident reports and child health information, are stored in locked cabinets for a least the minimum required retention period (typically two years). Private documents scheduled for disposal are shredded in compliance with state guidelines.

These practices ensure that child and family information is handled with the highest level of care and confidentiality. 

The center offers a range of family education opportunities throughout the year. These discussions cover various topics, such as:

• Child health, including dentistry and vision screenings
• Literacy and family literacy
• Nutrition
• Behavioral topics, such as toilet training

In addition to educational discussions, the center provides families with information about community events and resources. These may include:

• Literacy programs
• Museum and cultural events
• Parenting workshops
• Job training and adult education opportunities

If you would like specific resource information, feel free to request it from the office or your child's classroom.

Throughout the year, the program hosts a variety of events designed to support both families and the center. Invitations and details for each event will be shared with you in advance via memo. We encourage your participation in these events to strengthen the connection between home and school.