We ask that all families wash hands before the beginning of every day before entering, after all toilet breaks, and snack and meal times. POP Staff will facilitate periodic hand washing times throughout the day and sing songs to make hand washing fun!

Our low price model works when we are able to keep staffing lean, which only is possible when our playgroups stay together. We do have members who are here for a full day, therefore, we have a mandatory rest time for our toddler and preschool playgroups from 1pm - 3pm daily. While children do not have to sleep, and will be offered books and puzzles, they must stay quietly on their cots and be non disruptive to other children. Since we cannot staff extra staff to supervise a few children who do not want to rest, parents will be called to come get your child and help put them to sleep or to come work in our play-space with your child under your supervision while they play if they will not lay quietly on their cots after 20 minutes.

In order to keep our playgroups as peaceful as possible and give every child the best possible experience, we have instituted a separation anxiety reduction policy.  Children who do not come consistently more than 2 days per week as well as children between 6-9 months or 15-19 months can suffer from separation anxiety, a healthy and normal part of development. Symptoms may include exhibiting fear and excessive crying or aggressive behavior towards other children or themselves.  Not all children suffer with separation anxiety and jump right in and play, and your child may do fine as well.  For those children that do suffer, it is the recommendation of the American Pediatric Association to taper off the time between leaving your child, slowly teaching your child you come back.
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Due to this recommendation, we require all flex clients to work in the playrooms with their child until they can play peacefully in the playgroups without excessive crying for 30 minutes at a time. After every two visits to The POP Center, we will prolong the time between notifying you that your child is crying by 15 minutes.
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To help you child overcome separation anxiety, we suggest you:
1) Read stories about separation anxiety to your child before coming.
2) Bring a stuffed animal, pacifier or security blanket for your child with them to the POP Center.
3) Keep your facial expressions positive.
4) Settle your child into a fun activity with other children or a playgroup supervisor before leaving the room.
5) Keep your goodbyes brief and positive, saying: "Mommy/Daddy is going to work now, and I will be back very soon."
6) Leave the room quickly.  
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Your child may cry, but our playgroup supervisors will nurture and comfort your child, and only call you if you're needed.  For any child suffering from separation anxiety, one of our playgroup supervisors will take your child into our nursery where they can receive more one-on-one low-stimulation care and play so they can calm down. If your child suffers for more than 15 minutes, we will alert you and ask you to work in the playroom and set you up a table and chair for you, asking you to step out for 5-10 minutes at a time so that we can teach your child that Mommy/Daddy comes back, tapering the time you're away to 30 minutes at a time during your first two visits, and then every 45 minutes for your third and fourth visits, and then every hour after that.  
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It is our hope that by the 5th time you come to the POP Center your child will be more comfortable; however, every child adjusts at their own speed.  We are committed to ensuring your child has a wonderful experience, and we will do all we can to nurture your child while in our care.

We limit our memberships to ensure everyone has at least 3 feet within the space to spread out to work and play.

Our staff change their uniform shirts between the morning and afternoon sessions as well as adhere to our sick-day policies, not returning to work until they have been symptom-free for 24 hours without the use of medications.

We use child-safe, CDC-approved disinfectant to kill coronavirus along with all of the other common illnesses. POP Center staff thoroughly cleans the playrooms twice a day, everyday.

We have implemented a toy rotation in place to make sure toys are disinfected before placing them back into the play area between the morning and afternoon sessions. Children will play just as they do normally, and staff will continue to place wet toys that are finished being played with into separate bins for disinfecting.
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We use the lunch break between sessions in order to fully disinfect the play area and co-working spaces.

Mask wearing is optional for all of our participants, and everyone is encouraged to make the best choice for their comfort level and health needs.  We ask everyone to respect our community's personal choices. Speaking openly about your choice or opinion about masks in our space is discouraged.

Vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccination, are optional for all of our staff, members, and children participants.  We encourage you to speak with your doctor about the best choice for your child and family.  Speaking openly about your choice or opinion about vaccines in our space is discouraged.

We have hand sanitizer provided throughout our space.