About the Center

The Parent/Child Center provides a warm, welcoming place where families can connect with others in the same stage of life and find support in the challenging job of raising young children. Since it was founded by early childhood professionals in 1983, our program has been based on the idea that providing support and education at this early stage of family life helps to build a secure foundation for the future.

The morning drop-in program is open to families with children from birth to age 4; parents or caregivers stay on site while children are provided with safe, nurturing experiences under the care of experienced professional staff. The center is open to all, regardless of ability to pay or geographic location.

HOURS
9:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday – Friday

LOCATION
330 Laurel Avenue, Highland Park 60035
The center is located in the lower level of the Highland Park Presbyterian Church. Parking is available in the parking lot across the street from the church.
(VIEW map)

FACILITY
The Center has two well-equipped children’s playrooms, a room for parents and infants, a comfortable Parent Lounge, a large gym, a bathroom, and an office. The church and center are accessible to persons with disabilities. There is a ramp to the left of the front entrance to the church, and an elevator.

PARKING

• Please park in the church parking lot at the northeast corner of Laurel and Linden.  Parking is now allowed in 3 rows in the parking lot – only the west side, near Linden Avenue, is reserved for permit parking.
• If you have several young children or some other extenuating circumstance, it is legal to park on the south side of Laurel Avenue east of the handicapped spaces in front of the church; however, in response to neighbor requests, we ask that you use the parking lot whenever possible.
• Please do not use nearby driveways to turn around.
• Strollers may be parked in the upstairs side hallway, on the right before you come down to Family Network. If you wish to use the elevator, you may bring your stroller into the gym, and park downstairs in the Family Network hallway.

FEES
First visit is free
(VIEW Parent/Child Center Fee Schedule)

CONTACT INFORMATION
Terry Beem, Program Coordinator
847-433-0377, extension 308
EMAIL

back to top

Policies and Procedures

ATTENDANCE POLICIES:

• For health, safety, and insurance purposes, one parent or caregiver per family must remain on the premises at all times.
• Family Network parents may bring only their own children to the Parent/Child Center on a regular basis; if an emergency arises, parents must give written permission for someone else to bring their child, and the Program Coordinator must be consulted.
• If a caregiver will regularly be bringing your child to the center, a parent must fill out the “Caregiver Registration Form”, discuss the plan with the Program Coordinator, and accompany the caregiver and child to the center for an initial orientation visit.
• Our programs and space are designed for children from birth to age 4. When your child is approaching his/her 4th birthday, please consult the Program Coordinator. We try to accommodate the individual needs of families whenever possible.
• On very busy days, we may occasionally have to limit attendance in the children’s rooms for safety reasons.

PARKING:

• Please park in the church parking lot at the northeast corner of Laurel and Linden.  Parking is now allowed in 3 rows in the parking lot – only the west side, near Linden Avenue, is reserved for permit parking.
• If you have several young children or some other extenuating circumstance, it is legal to park on the south side of Laurel Avenue east of the handicapped spaces in front of the church; however, in response to neighbor requests, we ask that you use the parking lot whenever possible.
• Please do not use nearby driveways to turn around.
• Strollers may be parked in the upstairs side hallway, on the right before you come down to Family Network. If you wish to use the elevator, you may bring your stroller into the gym, and park downstairs in the Family Network hallway.

EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURE:

• At the sound of the fire alarm, Sunshine & Rainbow Room teachers will immediately take children outside through the nearest designated exit, with the help of parents who are present. Parents should also exit immediately; to avoid confusion, please do not try to go to your child’s room if you are not already there!
• Parents in the Baby & Me Room exit with their infant, and may be asked to help carry any infant whose parent/caregiver is not present.
• The Program Coordinator or her designated substitute will check all rooms before exiting the building, and when outside will match the sign-in sheet with each parent/caregiver and child. Please do not leave the outdoor assembly area until directed by the Program Coordinator or Fire Department staff.
• PLEASE FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH POSTED EXIT DIAGRAMS IN EACH ROOM. 2 planned emergency evacuation drills will be held each year.

PARENT LOUNGE GUIDELINES:
We hope you will be able to relax and enjoy some time with other parents in the Parent Lounge, once your child is comfortable with his/her teachers. We very much hope that you will feel welcomed - and that when new parents arrive, you will help them to feel welcome. In this diverse and informal setting, please be respectful of the feelings of others.

• During morning drop-in hours, please do not bring your child into the Parent Lounge on a regular basis once he/she is actively moving around and exploring; if your child needs you, please come out into the hallway or into the children’s rooms. When there is a speaker in the Parent Lounge, you may bring a small infant in with you, but please be considerate of others when you try this option!
• Please do not bring children into the Parent Room for snacks; the donated baked goods are meant for parents and caregivers. If your child is hungry before his/her group snack time, you are welcome to bring a snack from home, but please take your child out of the classroom if you wish to do this. Cheerios are always available if needed!

HEALTH GUIDELINES:
Please do not bring yourself or your child to the center when he/she:

• is vomiting
• has diarrhea
• has a fever/has had a fever in the past 24 hours
• has a contagious cold or cough
• has a runny nose with greenish or yellowish mucus
• has conjunctivitis (this must be checked with your doctor)
• is in the first 24 hours of taking antibiotics for a contagious illness such as strep throat
• is in the first 7 days of chicken pox
• has head lice
  

If your child contracts a contagious illness or condition (strep, chicken pox, head lice, etc.) and may have been contagious while at the center, please inform the staff so the information can be shared with other parents. Please be sure to let the staff know if you or your child has allergies or other medical conditions which could affect you while you are at the center.

These health guidelines have been developed to protect you and your children (as well as our staff) as much as possible from contracting contagious illnesses. We know that parents are not always sure whether their child is contagious, nor can they always predict how an illness will progress. Please follow these guidelines, and ask or call a staff member if you are not sure what to do. We want to support you as a parent, but must also keep in mind the welfare of all our families.

SOCIAL WORK SERVICES
The Family Network Social Worker, Geri Greenberg LCSW, is available to meet with parents during morning drop-in hours, either informally in the parent room and children’s rooms, or for confidential private consultations in her office. Appointments can be made with her in person or by phone (433-0377, ext. 306). Geri is also available to help with referrals to outside resources when needed.

FAMILIES WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Family Network is committed to including all families in our programs, and the staff is happy to meet with parents to develop plans to accommodate any special needs. The staff meets regularly with the Program Coordinator and Social Worker to plan for the needs of all participating children and families. All information shared with staff is confidential. If it is necessary to share information with outside professionals or agencies, parents will be requested to sign release of information forms.

PARENT/STAFF COMMUNICATION:
Staff members are always available to discuss questions, concerns, or plans with parents or caregivers. Although this is sometimes possible during drop-in hours, often it is best to schedule a mutually convenient time to talk before or after drop-in hours, or we can call you at home. If you would like to speak with any of the staff, please leave a message at the FN office.

back to top

Testimonials

Testimonials (from current and past "Parent-Child Center" parents - will rotate below).

Survey Responses - “What do you see as Parent-Child Center's strengths?”

back to top