At Exploration Station, we hold ourselves to high standards while recognizing that every child develops at their own pace.

1. Our Commitment to Families

Exploration Station Early Learning Center is committed to providing:

A safe and nurturing learning environment
Respectful and professional communication
Developmentally appropriate activities
Consistent classroom routines
Positive guidance and behavior support
Clean and well-maintained learning spaces
Appropriate supervision
High-quality learning experiences
Respect for children and families
Open communication between families and staff
Necessary classroom supplies
Meals/snacks as described by the center’s current program and menu
A professional and accountable staff

We expect the same level of respect and professionalism from families that we provide to them.

2. Program Ages

Exploration Station serves children approximately 3–5 years of age, subject to licensing requirements, available enrollment, classroom capacity, and the individual child’s needs.

Children will be placed in developmentally appropriate groups according to age, enrollment, staffing, and applicable Indiana requirements.

Indiana rules establish specific staff-to-child ratios and maximum group sizes based on the youngest child in a group. The center will maintain ratios required by applicable Indiana law. (Indiana Government)

3. Enrollment & Screening Process

Enrollment at Exploration Station is based upon available space, program requirements, classroom capacity, staffing, and the center’s determination that the program can appropriately meet the child’s needs.

Two-Week Introductory/Trial Period

New enrollments may begin with a two-week introductory period.

This period allows:

The child to become familiar with the classroom and routines
Teachers to observe the child’s adjustment
The family to become familiar with the center
Staff to determine whether the program can safely and appropriately meet the child’s needs
The center to establish an effective communication relationship with the family

The two-week period is not a guarantee of continued enrollment or services.

Continued enrollment is dependent upon the center’s ability to provide safe, appropriate, and consistent care within its licensing requirements and program standards.

Screening for Program Fit

Exploration Station may use an enrollment/screening process to determine whether the program is an appropriate placement for a child.

Screening may consider:

Developmental needs
Communication needs
Behavioral needs
Safety considerations
Ability to participate in group activities
Ability to follow basic classroom routines
The child’s adjustment to the environment
Staffing and classroom resources
Whether the center can safely meet the child’s individual needs

A child will not be denied care based on a protected characteristic. Decisions will be based on legitimate program, safety, licensing, enrollment, and service-capacity considerations.

4. Behavior & Positive Guidance Policy

Exploration Station recognizes that preschool children are still developing emotional regulation, communication, impulse control, and social skills.

Staff will use positive, age-appropriate guidance strategies such as:

Redirection
Modeling appropriate behavior
Clear and simple expectations
Positive reinforcement
Calm-down or regrouping opportunities
Choices
Natural and logical consequences
Individual conversations
Communication with parents/guardians
Classroom routines and visual supports

Physical punishment, humiliation, threatening behavior, or degrading treatment will not be used.

Persistent or Serious Disruptive Behavior

If a child’s behavior presents an ongoing safety concern or significantly interferes with the ability of staff to safely supervise the classroom, the center may:

Document the concern.
Communicate with the parent/guardian.
Develop an appropriate behavior-support plan when feasible.
Monitor the child’s progress.
Reassess whether the placement remains appropriate.
Consider suspension or termination of enrollment when permitted by applicable law and program policy.

The center reserves the right to take immediate action when necessary to protect the safety of the child, other children, or staff.

5. High Standards & Quality Expectations

Exploration Station maintains high standards for:

Safety
Cleanliness
Professional conduct
Communication
Classroom supervision
Child development
Staff accountability
Family relationships
Nutrition and food safety
Confidentiality
Documentation
Emergency preparedness

ELI is a licensed child care center, so we extend our services and accreditations beyond day care to providing a dependable early-learning environment where children can explore, learn, and be inspired.

6. Supplies & Food

Exploration Station strives to make the child-care experience convenient for families.

Unless otherwise communicated by the center, the program will provide the classroom supplies and materials necessary for daily learning activities.

Food and beverages will be provided according to the center’s current food program, menu, enrollment agreement, and applicable requirements.

Parents/guardians must provide accurate information regarding:

Food allergies
Medical dietary restrictions
Special dietary needs
Medication
Relevant health information

Families should notify the center immediately when a child’s dietary or medical information changes.

7. Communication With Families

Excellent communication is a core expectation at Exploration Station.

Families can expect communication regarding:

Their child’s daily experience
Significant behavior concerns
Injuries or incidents
Health concerns
Schedule changes
Center announcements
Closures
Classroom activities
Important policy updates

Parents/guardians are expected to maintain current:

Phone numbers
Email addresses
Emergency contacts
Authorized pickup information
Medical information
Address information

Families should notify the center as soon as possible when contact information changes.

8. Respect for Time & Pickup Policy

We understand that families have busy schedules, and we also understand that our teachers and staff have responsibilities outside of the center.

Pickup times must be respected.

Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring that their child is picked up by the center’s stated closing time.

Late Pickup Fee

A late pickup fee of:

$1.00 PER MINUTE

may be charged for pickup after the center’s designated closing time.

The late fee begins according to the center’s official closing time and continues until the authorized adult has arrived and completed the required pickup process.

Repeated late pickups may result in:

A parent conference
Written notice
Additional enrollment requirements
Suspension of services
Termination of enrollment

Repeated Failure to Pick Up

If a child is repeatedly left beyond the center’s closing time or staff are unable to reach the parent/guardian or emergency contacts, the center may take appropriate action under its emergency and child-safety procedures.

When circumstances create a reasonable concern for a child’s safety or welfare, the center may be required to make a report to the appropriate authorities, including the Indiana Department of Child Services, consistent with applicable law.

9. Authorized Pickup

Children will only be released to:

A parent/guardian; or
An adult specifically authorized by the parent/guardian and documented in the child’s records.

The center may require identification before releasing a child.

A staff member may refuse to release a child when there is a legitimate safety concern or when the person attempting pickup is not authorized.

10. Attendance

Parents/guardians are responsible for notifying the center regarding:

Absences
Expected late arrival
Early pickup
Changes in pickup arrangements

Daily attendance records will be maintained as required.

11. Health & Illness

To protect all children and staff, children who are ill may need to remain home according to the center’s illness exclusion policy and applicable requirements.

Parents/guardians should notify the center when their child has:

A contagious illness
Fever
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Significant respiratory symptoms
An unexplained rash
A diagnosed communicable disease
Another condition requiring exclusion under applicable requirements

The center may contact a parent/guardian when a child becomes ill during the day.

Parents/guardians are responsible for arranging timely pickup when requested.

12. Medication

Medication will only be administered according to the center’s written medication policy and applicable requirements.

Required authorization and documentation must be completed before medication can be administered.

Parents/guardians should not send medication in a child’s backpack or leave medication in an area accessible to children.

13. Safety & Supervision

Children will remain under appropriate supervision throughout the program day.

Exploration Station will maintain required staffing ratios and supervision practices applicable to the program.

Indiana’s current requirements include direct supervision and specific staff-to-child ratios/group sizes. The center will follow the applicable requirements for its licensed program. (Indiana Government)

Safety procedures may include:

Classroom supervision
Attendance checks
Head counts
Authorized pickup procedures
Emergency drills
Safe storage of hazardous materials
Cleaning and sanitation procedures
Emergency communication procedures

14. Emergency Procedures

Exploration Station maintains emergency procedures for situations such as:

Fire
Severe weather
Lockdown/security emergencies
Medical emergencies
Evacuation
Utility emergencies
Other situations affecting the safety of children and staff

Parents/guardians will be notified as soon as reasonably possible when an emergency affects the center or their child.

Emergency contact information must always remain current.

15. Child Abuse & Neglect Reporting

Exploration Station takes the safety and welfare of children seriously.

Staff members will follow applicable Indiana requirements concerning the recognition and reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect.

Staff training includes recognition and reporting of child abuse and neglect as part of Indiana’s health and safety orientation requirements. (Indiana Government)

A report is not an accusation or determination of guilt. Reports are made when required by applicable law and are handled by the appropriate authorities.

16. Confidentiality & Privacy

Information concerning children and families will be treated confidentially and shared only as permitted or required by law and center policy.

Parents/guardians should respect the privacy of other children and families and should not photograph, record, or post images of other children without appropriate authorization.

17. Employee Files & Staff Standards

Exploration Station maintains personnel records and professional-development documentation for employees and other applicable caregivers.

Employee files may include documentation such as:

Employment application
Job description
Emergency contact information
Required background-check documentation
Required health documentation
Training records
Orientation documentation
Professional-development records
Certifications
CPR/First Aid documentation when applicable
Required state forms
Performance documentation
Policy acknowledgments

Indiana requires applicable child-care staff to complete background-check requirements, including fingerprint-based checks on the required schedule and annual Indiana Child Protection Index and Sex Offender Registry checks. (Indiana Government)

Indiana also requires documentation of applicable health-and-safety orientation training in the professional-development file. (Indiana Government)

18. Staff Professional Conduct

All employees are expected to:

Treat children respectfully
Maintain professional boundaries
Protect confidential information
Follow safety procedures
Maintain appropriate supervision
Communicate professionally
Follow center policies
Follow applicable Indiana requirements
Report concerns appropriately
Maintain a clean and safe environment
Work cooperatively with families and coworkers

Employees who do not meet center standards may be subject to corrective action, up to and including termination of employment.

19. Parent & Family Responsibilities

Parents/guardians agree to:

Provide accurate enrollment information
Keep emergency contacts current
Follow arrival and pickup procedures
Pay tuition and applicable fees on time
Communicate schedule changes
Follow illness policies
Provide required health documentation
Treat staff respectfully
Follow center policies
Keep the center informed of significant changes affecting their child
Pick up their child promptly
Maintain respectful communication with staff

20. Parent Concerns & Conflict Resolution

We encourage parents to communicate concerns directly with the center.

The preferred process is:

Step 1: Speak with the classroom teacher when appropriate.

Step 2: Contact the director if the concern is not resolved.

Step 3: Request a formal meeting when necessary.

Our goal is to address concerns professionally, respectfully, and as promptly as possible.

21. Tuition & Fees

Tuition rates, registration fees, late fees, payment schedules, discounts, and other financial policies will be provided in the center’s enrollment agreement.

Failure to maintain an account in good standing may result in suspension or termination of services according to the center’s written policies.

22. Enrollment Is Not Guaranteed

Enrollment and continued services at Exploration Station are subject to:

Available space
Licensing requirements
Staffing
Classroom capacity
Child safety
Program compatibility
Required documentation
Payment requirements
The center’s ability to appropriately meet the child’s needs

Completion of the two-week introductory period does not guarantee continued enrollment.

The center may review enrollment when circumstances change.

23. Nondiscrimination

Exploration Station Early Learning Center is committed to treating children and families with dignity and respect.

The center will follow applicable federal, state, and local nondiscrimination requirements.

Enrollment and program decisions will be based on legitimate program, safety, licensing, capacity, and service considerations and not on unlawful discrimination.

24. Parent Handbook Acknowledgment

I acknowledge that I have received and reviewed the Exploration Station Early Learning Center Parent & Family Handbook.

I understand that:

I am responsible for following center policies.
Pickup times must be respected.
A $1.00-per-minute late pickup fee may apply.
Repeated late pickups may affect continued enrollment.
My child’s enrollment includes an introductory/two-week period when applicable.
Continued enrollment is not guaranteed.
The center maintains high standards for safety, communication, supervision, and professional conduct.
I am responsible for keeping my child’s information current.
Policies may be updated when necessary to comply with applicable laws, licensing requirements, or program needs.

Child’s Name: __________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Name: __________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature: ______________________________

Date: ______________________

Center Representative: __________________________________

Date: ______________________