Teen Parenting Center TPC Substitute Orientation 2010

Mission Statement  To provide teen parents, who cannot access alternative child care, the opportunity to complete their high school education.  Within the on-site child care, the parents and their children experience realistic and practical opportunities in which to explore the decision making process as it applies to their needs, wellness, and self-esteem.  Members of the staff and Advisory Board serve as a support system for the parents and also act as advocates for the students within the school and community at large.

Center Opens 7:30 TPC opens (some students arrive early and are admitted by Mrs. Eddy). Teen Parents complete the daily chart (each has one located on a clipboard on top of the cubby) documenting last feeding (time and amount) as well as last diaper change time. Teen parents may go get breakfast once the form is complete and have checked in regarding the child’s night.

Attendance 7:45 Document attendance in Power School (or call Tina Langlois, attendance clerk) and keep a list of any absent teen parents or children. The Teen Parenting Center must have an accurate record of attendance for the school and for child care licensing and voucher program. Record any absent parents/children on the daily log notes section. If parents or children are dismissed or enter tardy, please document this and save paperwork.

Meals 8:00 Breakfast, 11:30/12:00 Lunch, 1:30 Snack – menu is on the refrigerator and CACFP (Child Food Program) serving amounts guide is located behind the cupboard door (cupboard where the formula is held). Infants eat according to their own schedule and needs, typically every 2-3 hours. Formula/other dietary needs are listed in the folder located on the emergency evacuation crib (first crib on the left). Please check with Teen Parenting Center educational technician regarding food requirements, feeding schedules, and feeding amounts for each child. The Teen Parenting Center provides all of the food for the children. Do not serve food brought from home.

FEEDING If parents are in the center, it is expected that they will feed their child. Infants must be held for bottle feeding, ensuring an appropriate hold angle. Prop feeding is not accepted. All food must be properly stored and labeled (food type, date and time opened). Write with marker on masking tape to label food. Bottles must be labeled with child’s name, time prepared, time consumed, and date. Bottles not fully consumed in one hour must be discarded. Baby food can be kept refrigerated for 2-3 days. Prepared bottles (that have not been eaten off of) are good for 24 hours when properly refrigerated.

Bottles Parents need to make sure there are at least 3 clean bottles for the day. Bottles are provided by the teen parent. Bottles can be washed prior to the start of the school day OR during the parent’s time in the Teen Parenting Center. The TPC has extra bottles, nipples and pacifiers as needed.

Diapering All children are to be diapered as needed, or at least every two hours. Parents provide diapers and wipes, which are stored in the cubby space above the changing table. Wear gloves when changing diapers. Sanitize the mat or changing table with Lysol, set the timer for 15 minutes before re-using. Dispose of the diaper in the diaper pail, located underneath the changing station.

Sleeping All children set their own sleeping schedule. See daily charts for toddlers’ typical schedule. Don’t wake a sleeping baby. Infants and toddlers (up to 18 months) sleep in designated cribs. Toddlers 19 months+ (when parent gives ok) sleep on nap mats. Bedding must be washed and changed weekly.

Play Time Children engage in free play throughout the day. Organized activities including: painting, drawing/coloring, play dough, music, gross motor/hallway play are done as the children’s individual schedules permit. Toys for hallway play are located across the hall in V113

Prevent Illness and Injury Use stools to lower children into cribs. Make sure there is one First Aid and CPR trained teacher in the room at all times. If an injury occurs, please document it in writing. Contact Cathy Liguori, school nurse and child care health consultant. Emergency numbers are found near the phone. Wash your hands: – After entering – Before and after feeding – After diapering – After any exposure to coughing or sneezing

Licensing Rules Please take a few moments to review the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Child Care Licensing Rules located at: Follow this link to “Rules”

Fire Drills/Emergency Evacuation In case of a fire drill or emergency evacuation, place children in evacuation cribs- no more than 2 per crib. Place similarly-aged children together. The first crib on the left contains evacuation/emergency contact information that may be needed to contact family. You may need to recruit a helper or students from the adjoining room, V122, to wheel one of the cribs. Evacuate out of the V wing, through the cafeteria and out to the upper faculty parking lot (by the gym). Secondary evacuation route is through the V wing and out the front entrance of the high school. In case of a long-term evacuation, children may need to be transported to the YWCA on East Avenue.

Volunteers LHS students, age 16 +, are allowed to volunteer in the Teen Parenting Center. Volunteers are allowed to play with, hold, rock and feed children; volunteers are not allowed to diaper or to walk around with the children in their arms. Volunteers are allowed to take walking children in to hallway to play. Door to the room must stay open.