Q. What is accreditation?
A. SHED and KID'S CLUB are accredited by the National School-Age Care Alliance, which symbolizes a commitment to quality school-age care. SHED/Kid's Club met or exceeded NSACA's requirements for accreditation based on 144 Quality Standards for Quality School-Age Care. These standards describe the best practices in after school programs. They are focused on 6 Keys to Quality: Human Relationships, Indoor Environment, Outdoor Environment, Activities, Safety, Health & Nutrition, and Administration. We were particularly recognized in our NSACA Accreditation Report for our exce3llent staff, family and community relationships. We were also recognized for our low staff to child ratio, which allows us to offer attentive supervision and responsiveness to the needs of individual children. It is because of these strong relationships and your continued commitment to SHED/Kid's Club that we are able to offer your children the highest quality care.

Q. Is transportation provided from neighborhood schools?
A. Each public school teacher at each of the neighborhood schools will have a master list to identify which children are attending SHED/KID'S CLUB and on which days. Just as the teacher is responsible for placing children in the correct bus line for home, he/she will place the SHED/KID'S CLUB children in a SHED/KID'S CLUB line. When the child reaches SHED/KID'S CLUB, the home-base teacher immediately checks attendance to be sure all children are accounted for. In the event that an expected child is absent, the Director immediately contacts the public school to find out if the child was absent or had missed the bus. If the school cannot be reached, the parent is contacted. To avoid this anxious situation, it is imperative that when a child is absent or when there is any kind of a schedule change, SHED/KID'S CLUB MUST BE NOTIFIED; we prefer notification in writing, although a phone call. The public school should also be notified. If a child should miss his/her bus to/from the neighborhood school, Linda Shottes-Bouchard, Kid's Club Director, Dina Hurley, Assistant Director or Beth Lynch, Shed Director, would go to pick him/her up.

Q. How do parents report absences to SHED/KID'S CLUB?
A. It is imperative that if a child is absent from school, the parent must phone both the school and SHED/KID'S CLUB. The SHED program phone number is: 978-623-8460. The KID'S CLUB program phone number is: 978-623-8462. If you fail to notify SHED/ KID'S CLUB of your child's absence more than 3 times during the school year, there will be a $10 fee assessed each time the staff has to track your child's whereabouts.

Q: What if my child needs to be given medications?
A: If the label indicates the child's name and a Medication Consent Form is signed, SHED/KID'S CLUB may administer Prescription medication. Non-prescription medication requires a written doctor's order and parental authorization. Instructions from the physician must appear on the label or on a separate sheet of paper. If your child requires frequent medicine for a chronic problem, you may obtain a doctor's note allowing SHED/KID'S CLUB to administer the medicine at our discretion, which will cover you and us for the entire year.

It is always helpful information for the teacher to know if your child is taking any medication so she can be aware of any side effects reflected in his/her behavior (drowsiness, irritability, excitability etc.)

ALL MEDICATIONS MUST BE HANDED TO A TEACHER AND AN AUTHORIZATION FORM MUST BE SIGNED IN ORDER FOR SHED/KID'S CLUB TO ADMINISTER ANY MEDICATION. NEVER SEND ANY MEDICATION IN YOUR CHILD'S LUNCH BOX OR POCKET.

Q: What if my child has allergies?
A: The staff should be informed in writing of any allergies (food, medication, bee sting etc.). An antidote may be left with the staff following the procedures described above.

Q: Does SHED/KID'S CLUB provide snacks and what are they?
A: SHED/KID'S CLUB will provide a nutritious snack for your child every day. The snack consists of a pure juice or water and a choice of crackers, cereals, fruit or vegetables. Often there is cream cheese, a dip, jelly or butter to spread. The choice varies daily; it is amazing what children will try in a group of their peers and under no pressure. Often the snack is prepared with the help of the child and is incorporated into the lesson plan.

Because we have some children enrolled in SHED/KID'S CLUB with life threatening peanut and tree nut (walnuts, cashews, etc.) allergies, SHED/KID'S CLUB does not provide any snacks that contain tree nuts or peanuts. We are also asking that if you send any treats into SHED/KID'S CLUB that they not contain any type of peanuts or tree nuts. If you do bring any food items into SHED/KID'S CLUB, please bring them to your child's teacher and inform him/her about the ingredients. Tree nuts and peanuts are contained and sometimes disguised in many foods; it is very important to check ingredient labels.

Q: What are the emergency procedures at SHED/KID'S CLUB?
A: In the event of a severe accident:

If a parent CAN be reached:
1. Administer first aid
2. Parent picks up or SHED/KID'S CLUB secures medical treatment and/or sends child to hospital of choice, if advised by parent.

If a parent CANNOT be reached:
1. Administer first aid
2. Secure medical attention as needed and transport by ambulance to hospital of choice, if warranted.

The child's SHED/KID'S CLUB file and a SHED/KID'S CLUB teacher would accompany the child to the hospital.

Q: What is the pick-up policy at SHED/KID'S CLUB?
A: Parents are expected to pick up their children by 2:45 PM or by 6:00 PM. Only those authorized to pick up a child will be allowed to do so. If there is a situation where someone specific is NOT ALLOWED to pick up a child, this should be made clear to the SHED/KID'S CLUB staff both verbally and in writing.

Q: What is the late pick-up policy at SHED/KID'S CLUB?
A: Parents are expected to pick up their child(ren) by 6:00 PM. Only those authorized to pick up a child will be allowed to do so. If someone other than an authorized person is to pick up, SHED/KID'S CLUB must be notified. If someone comes to pick up a child that DOES NOT have an authorization on file or a phone call from the parent, that child WILL NOT be allowed to leave. If there is a situation where someone specific is NOT ALLOWED to pick up a child, this should be made clear to the SHED/KID'S CLUB staff both verbally and in writing.