Safety and Security
"If my child attends Discovery Station Learning Center, how can I be sure that they are truly safe?"
It's a difficult but all too necessary question that parents ask themselves every day about their child's caregivers. We understand that Trust, from both the parents and their children, is something that needs to be earned. Discovery Station Learning Center is dedicated to earning your trust as quickly as possible by implementing safety and security measures unmatched by our competition. As professional caregivers, it is our goal to make sure your child is exposed to positive role models every day so that the learning process can flourish. In addition to the state mandated Virginia State Criminal History Report that we obtain prior to hiring any employee, Discovery Station also subjects potential employees to a thorough United States Criminal History Report, which provides us with any crimes committed or pending within the United States. We also request a comprehensive Child Protective Services Central Registry Report for each state. By doing this, Discovery Station exceeds Virginia State Licensing Standards, which only requests checks within the state of Virginia.
"Comprehensive background checks sound good, but how can I be sure my child is being cared for properly throughout the day?"
At Discovery Station, we are pleased to be able to provide parents with the capability to check in on their children throughout the work day, from the convenience of their desks! Each classroom is equipped with video camera monitoring, that is available through a secure sever webcam via the Discovery Station website. Parents are provided with a unique pass code that allows them to view their children's interactions within the classroom to help give peace of mind that Discovery Station caregivers are treating children with love and respect at all times.
Update: Discovery Station has partnered with Watch Me Grow to provide personalized secure webcam service throughout the school.
"Are you able to monitor who enters and exits the school?"
Drop off and pick up times can often be the most hectic periods of our day! Discovery Station Directors are diligent about acknowledging each and every parent that walks through our door. Parents and other approved contacts are provided with a numeric code on their child's first day of school that allows them access through the front doors of the school. This is the only entrance that may be used for drop off and pick up purposes. The reception area is staffed at all times by an administrator to allow access for guests and to request identification from visitors.
"What happens if I'm unable to pick up my child at the last minute and my emergency contact is unavailable as well?"
Every parent encounters emergencies that can make picking up their child on time difficult. We encourage you to contact persons from the approved pick-up list that you will provide for us upon enrollment of your child, as required by Virginia State Licensing. If no one is available from your list, and you find the need to fall back on another friend or neighbor, don't worry! At the time of your child's enrollment, we will ask you to provide us with an emergency pick-up password. We will ask for your password should you contact us to give information about alternate pick-up arrangements. By giving us the correct password, we can be confident that you are not making the request for an alternate pickup under duress and that your child can safely be released. Should a problem be indicated to us, law enforcement will be notified and protection provided. In any case, if anyone other than a parent or appointed guardian arrives to pick up your child, valid photo identification must be provided upon entrance to the building. Only then will we allow them to escort your child off of our property.
"Do the teachers really know where my child is at all times?"
Keeping track of energetic children is one thing our teachers truly excel at! By having your child assigned to a Core Care Giver or Primary Educator, the ability for teachers to monitor the children is greatly enhanced. Care Groups do not change day to day, ensuring more one-on-one experiences with your child. Teachers are also trained to carefully check their roll call sheets against the children that are present before transitioning to different locations and before shift changes. These precautions ensure that all children are accounted for before entering and leaving our Discovery Labs, the gym, and before, during, and after outdoor play. When children are picked up for the day, the roll call sheet reflects that they have been released to an approved pick-up and the initials of the teacher that witnessed the child's departure from the class.
At Discovery Station Learning Center, we take the issue of safety and security of our staff and our children very seriously. Failure to adhere to the Safety Policies outlined within the Family Handbook or Employee Handbook will result in immediate action and dismissal.