CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION

Child abuse is an unfortunate reality in our society. Moss Street strives to reduce risks by: keeping all areas open and accessible, screening staff, obtaining background checks, always scheduling more than one staff in a classroom , teaching children about safe touch , and training staff in abuse recognition and prevention.

As defined by state statute, all Moss Street staff are mandatory reporters and are required by law to report any suspected abuse to Child Protective Services. It is not within our purview to be investigators in such instances; that is the responsibility of other agencies and individuals.

 

ACCIDENTS

An Accident Report Chart is posted in each classroom , and all accidents that occur are recorded by classroom staff. This information includes the date, what happened and treatment, if any. Every effort will be made to inform you if your child has an accident, and you are encouraged to talk to the Lead or Assistant teacher about anything you do not understand. Parents are responsible for keeping emergency information updated.

First Responder Packets are distributed to inside and outside areas of our facility. They include gloves, gauze, a bandage and instructions in a zip-lock bag.

Teachers are also trained in procedures to reduce the spread of blood borne pathogens, including HIV and Hepatitis B.

SAFETY

We believe that children need a safe environment in which to grow, learn and feel comfortable. Moss Street’s environment is structured in a way that allows children to safely explore. Our rules are intended to ensure everyone's safety. They are simple because rules that are too complex or numerous create confusion. Some of our rules are:

• Children must walk while indoors , including hallways and breezeways.
• Children must refrain from climbing on furniture and stair handrails.
• Children must use inside (quiet) voices while inside.
• People are not for hitting .

You will be informed of other applicable rules posted in your child(ren)’s individual classroom(s).

 

SCHOOL AGE TRANSPORATION

During the 4 J school year Moss Street Children’s Center will share after school transportation responsibilities with the Vivian Olum Center. Because we’ll be coordinating our pick-up schedules with 14 schools, we’ve set up some guidelines to help make the bus runs go as smoothly as possible. In addition, other children are transported to MSCC by District 4J personnel.

• If your child will not need to be picked up, or will not be coming to MSCC, please call us the day before, or the morning of, to let us know. If you call us close to pick up time, you may get an answering machine, but please still leave a message and we will alert staff not to wait for your child.
• Please do not have your child relay messages to the drivers or other staff that he/she will not be riding the van or bus that day, or that you are on the way. Children sometimes misunderstand the message. Also, your child will not be able to leave with another child and/or parent unless we hear of these plans from you. We will pick up your child unless we hear from you.
• If your change in transportation involves other people picking up your child at school, we will not release your child to anyone without your authorization. Please help us avoid uncomfortable situations such as these by letting us know in advance.
• Please know that delays in transportation will occur if you do not call in your changes ahead of time. If the driver needs to wait and call around to locate your child, other children along the 14 stop route may also be delayed. We have quite a few children who are the only ones we pick up at a particular school at a particular time. Please don’t send our drivers to your school unnecessarily.
• Because of the cost of staff time and associated problems involved in calling you or the school to find out why your child is not at the pick up point, we will apply the following:

1. First Time – warning.
2. Second Time – parent will be assessed one week full time transportation fee of $15.00.
3. Third Time – parent will be assessed two weeks full time transportation fee of $30.00.
4. Fourth Time – meeting will be required with MSCC Director and Mentor Teacher; possible discontinuation of transportation service.

We take seriously your child’s transportation. If your child is not at the pick up site, our drivers are instructed to stay at the site until all possible avenues have been exhausted in finding out where your child is. Additionally, drivers will insist that your child come on the bus and be taken to MSCC if there is no message from you stating otherwise.