Playgroup Policies

Member Responsibilities

The mission of the Children of the World Co-op is to provide a nurturing, safe and fun environment where international and American families come together in Baltimore to join in friendship, cooperation and mutual support while building a sense of community. We offer an early-education playgroup program that is affordable, promotes tolerance and celebrates cultural diversity.

In order to maintain the high quality of the program, Co-op members are required to participate in the running of the Co-op in various ways. When you join the Co-op you take on obligations and responsibilities to support the Co-op through participation in its day-to-day operation. For example, members take turns bringing the juice for snack time and assisting with the snack set-up and clean-up. Another way in which members participate is by taking turns as an art project helper who makes sure that all craft supplies are put away properly (brushes washed, glue bottles closed, etc.) Each family is also asked to bring in a package of napkins, paper towels, baby wipes or paper cups. In addition, the Co-op is managed by a Board of Directors made up of members. Volunteers are needed to serve on the Board as Officers and Member Representatives. Fundraising is a necessary part of keeping this Co-op going and all members are required to help plan and participate in fund-raising activities. In recent years, these activities have included a Book Fair in the fall and an International Dinner/Raffle in the spring.

All members are required to attend one Members’ Meeting each session. The Fall Members’ Meeting is also the Annual Meeting for the corporation, during which the Board of Directors is elected, changes to the By-laws are voted on and any other business of the corporation is addressed. The purpose of the Members’ Meeting is to inform members of issues and concerns as well as get ideas from members about what you would like to see happening at the Co-op.

In addition to the tasks mentioned above, members are encouraged to volunteer their talents in a variety of ways. In the past, members have shared cultural traditions through songs, stories or art projects. Our toys and play space are kept clean and in good repair with the help of many hands on occasional Saturday mornings. This is the kind of participation that keeps the Co-op thriving and that is expected of members, both new and old.

Welcome to a wonderful playgroup! (back to top)

Parking

We have been asked by the Cathedral Church of the Incarnation NOT to park in their parking lot. Park instead on St. Paul St. and enter the Undercroft through the black double doors on St. Paul Street near University Parkway. (back to top)

Safety Issues

Please remember that this is a cooperative playgroup, not a daycare center or preschool. The Playgroup Leader is there to facilitate the morning’s activities. YOU, (OR YOUR CAREGIVER), ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF YOUR CHILD WHILE AT THE CO-OP. While the playgroup space is set up to allow the adults to interact, you must also supervise your child’s play at all times. It is up to you to always know where your child is and to make sure that he/she is safe. This is true both indoors and in the outdoor play space. For everyone’s health and safety, SMOKING IS NOT ALLOWED in the play space or on the playground. (back to top)

Discipline at Playgroup

This is a mixed-age playgroup, so you need to expect that children will be in a variety of developmental stages. It is important that you help your child to manage the sharing of toys and equipment. If a child grabs a toy or hits your child, please remove your child from the situation and help him/her to feel better. DO NOT DISCIPLINE SOMEONE ELSE’S CHILD BECAUSE THIS IS A MULTICULTURAL GROUP AND WE RECOGNIZE THAT MANY APPROACHES TO DISCIPLINE EXIST. HITTING BY CHILDREN OR ADULTS IS NEVER ACCEPTABLE AT THE CO-OP; NOR IS RAISING ONE’S VOICE TO A CHILD. (back to top)

Sick Child Policy

Children catch colds and other infections from one another easily and it is an inevitable and normal part of childhood. However, please be considerate of other children’s health and keep your child home if:

  1. The child has had a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher during the past 24 hours.
  2. The child has been ill and on antibiotics for less than 24 hours.
  3. The child has had diarrhea or vomiting in the past 24 hours.
  4. The child has had any contagious disease with rash.
  5. The child has a bad cold with a lot of coughing and a very runny nose.
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Snack and Personal Items

Some children at the Co-op have a severe, life-threatening allergy to peanut and tree nut products. The Co-op will provide a snack that is safe for our children with these extremely serious allergies. PLEASE DO NOT BRING ANY FOODS FROM HOME TO THE CO-OP. Food and drinks at the playgroup are limited to snack times. This is the only way that we can be sure that all of the children remain safe. Also, it is easier on everyone if personal items and toys are left at home. (back to top)

Caregiver Policy

If your child will be attending with a caregiver, you are the member and your caregiver participates on your behalf. Please be sure that he/she reads this form and understands what is expected, as YOUR CAREGIVER IS BOTH RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFETY OF YOUR CHILD AND FOR FULFILLING YOUR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES WHILE ATTENDING THE CO-OP IN YOUR ABSENCE. Parents whose children attend with a caregiver must arrange to visit the Co-op to approve of where their child will be playing. The Program Director reserves the right to contact parents if there are any safety issues regarding the caregiver and the child, or if a caregiver is not fulfilling his/her responsibilities to the Co-op. (back to top)

Snow Closing Policy

Listen to the news, and IF BALTIMORE CITY SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED OR OPENING LATE, THE CO-OP IS CLOSED. Snow days will not be made up by adding days to the end of a session, but you are welcome to participate on another morning if the Co-op was closed on your regular day. DO NOT CALL THE CATHEDRAL FOR CLOSING INFO. (back to top)

© 1989-2010 The Children of the World Co-op, Inc.