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Program Guidelines / Agreement

 

PHILOSOPHY:

Nature Education Cooperative (NEC) and the Delray Beach Children’s Garden (DBCG) serve families from a wide variety of backgrounds, united by our shared goal of providing enriching educational opportunities for children to connect with science and nature. Nature Education Cooperative (NEC) empowers children to explore academic and real life skills through a combination of inquiry based learning and child-led play. Our eco-conscious nature school offers educational opportunities that are creative, sensory rich, and foster a love for learning and discovery.

  • We encourage children to ask questions and freely explore all the tools and projects.

  • Messy play is encouraged, please bring a change of clothes for your child.

  • We appreciate compassionate and kind conversations when addressing children’s behavioral issues. If any peer-to-peer conflicts arise that have not been mediated naturally between the children and/or parents involved, please bring it to our Directors attention in real time so we can address it with all parties present.

  • Please give children space to create their own open-ended art, accomplish the steps of their science project and to have the opportunity to work independently on their projects at co-op. Often times we see parents doing the activities for their children before they even get a chance to (we know everyone loves the projects - LOL). We encourage all the adults to empower the students to work on their projects as they desire to and let them ask for help if they decide.

Co-Op Flow : 

PLEASE NOTE - Scheduled times are loose guidelines to give our day structure. On Tuesday and Wednesday, our group is divided into two sub-groups (Blue & Green) that will alternate the lessons.

TUESDAY - Science & Nature Studies, Vegan Cooking with Veggie Vero, Arts & Crafts

WEDNESDAY - Apothecary & Plant Powered Food with Project Flourish, Gardening, STEM/Montessori Play

10:00 am - Arrive - Open Play - Please arrive on time so that your children may settle in before the guided lessons begin.

10:15 am - Guided Lesson/Project

11:00 am - Open Play

11:15 am - Guided Lesson/Project

12:00 - Open Play

12:15 pm - Guided Lesson/Project

1:00 pm - End of co-op

 

Parent/Guardian Participation:  

  • Parent engagement and presence is required.

  • If you would like to be a part of/near your child during the lesson, please refrain from having adult conversations during this time.

  • If you would like to chat with the other adults during the lessons, please step away from the group.  

  • It is very important and helpful that adults refrain from cell phone use in the garden. Please step outside the gates to take a call if necessary.  

  • We value input from every member participating and welcome your ideas for educational projects.  

Illness:

In order to protect all of our families, please follow these simple guidelines in regards to illness:

  • If you or your child have been exposed to a person who has tested positive for COVID-19, please do not come to co-op.

  • Individuals must be fever-free with temperature below 99.6 (without tylenol or similar medication) for 24 hours before returning to NEC.

  • Individuals must also be free of the following symptoms for 24 hours before they can be in a class again: Diarrhea or vomiting, severe sore throat, continuous coughing or blowing nose, undiagnosed rash or skin lesions, and red, itching eyes with discharge.

  • Communicable disease: If a communicable disease is diagnosed (strep throat, chicken pox, pink eye, lice, scabies, impetigo, etc.), please notify the class coordinator as soon as possible. Follow physician’s/health guidelines for return to NEC.

Cancellation and Weather Policies:

  • In the event of extreme inclement weather such as a tropical storm or hurricane, class will be cancelled and a make-up date will be scheduled.

  • Notifications will be given in as much time in advance as possible via text and email.

  • Please confirm receipt of a class cancellation email.

  • If we are having moderate rainy weather without lightening, we will be meeting at the garden for class as planned.

  • Please pack rain gear for your child, a change of clothes and a towel.


Fee Policy:

  • Each class is $40 and is sold in session packages

  • Session 2 (WINTER 2024) = $400 per child

  • Siblings ages 2 & under are welcome to play in garden (complimentary). They will not be given a seat at the project table or receive their own project materials.

  • Siblings that are 3 and up must have registered and received an acceptance letter to participate.

REFUNDS:

  • Session payments are non-refundable. Once you accept placement, you have reserved a spot for the entire session.

  • This program is non-transferrable. You cannot give your spot away to a friend.

PAYMENTS:

  • Once you receive confirmation of your session enrollment, Session 2 Class Packages must be paid in full by December 10.

  • If you do not make a payment by end of day December 10, you will forfeit placement and your spot will automatically defer to waiting list families.

Food & Allergy Policy:

  • We are a NUT-FREE zone. We ask that members refrain from bringing nuts to NEC program.  This includes nut butters, trail mix, granola bars, etc.

  • If your child has any allergies, please let us know on the application.

  • All food prepared at NEC is vegan.

  • Please eat your home-packed lunch/snacks at any table other than the two main classroom tables so our team can set up for our next lesson in a timely manner.

Photos:

NEC requires all families to sign the DBCG Waiver which includes a photo release. NEC may take photographs of students and families at organizational functions for use in newsletters, websites, social media, etc. However, names will not appear next to any photographs which may be used on public sites, social media, or e-mails. If you prefer to opt out, please notify us below.

Non-Discrimination Policy:

NEC is an all-inclusive, secular, apolitical cooperative learning environment open to families seeking a respectful and empowering community. NEC does not discriminate against anyone regarding religion, politics, race, gender, age, educational methods, or other differentiating factors. Discrimination of others from any of our members is not tolerated at NEC programs.

Privacy Policy:

By participating in the NEC program, you acknowledge that your name and email address are viewable by other members and that any relevant information, including contact information, may be shared with class coordinators for the activities in which you participate. Your name and email will be a part of the DBCG mailing list which sends a monthly newsletter announcing garden events and information. If you wish to unsubscribe, please email the word UNSUBSCRIBE to info@delraybeachchildrensgarden.org. NEC does not share/sell contact information with third parties outside of what is stated here.

Agreement:

Adult Individuals are responsible for their own actions and are expected to act in accordance to NEC’s policies. I have read and understand the policies and terms listed above. By clicking "I agree" I understand that I am accepting placement for my child(ren) in the Nature Education Cooperative. 

Please also sign our updated liability waiver here:

http://www.delraybeachchildrensgarden.org/waiver