Drop in to PALS!
This is a place for you and your young child to enjoy together. Inside, you will find many different materials and activities to explore. Based on the premise that children learn best through multi-sensory hands-on activities, this environment is designed to provide play-based learning opportunities. Playgroups here are fun, interactive programs where social, emotional, and communication skills are embedded in our daily interactions.
Our philosophy is that the best programs are those in which both the staff and the parents work together to ensure a successful experience for all. We are always open to your suggestions and ideas. It is our goal to provide the best programs possible for you and your children. With this in mind, we incorporate some common values to guide our groups.
Playgroup Values
- Kindness to others in play and conversation
- Respect for different cultures, beliefs, and abilities
- Safety, a place where children may explore with a caregiver’s guidance and monitoring
- Connecting caregiver and child as well as family to family
- Engaging parent and child together in play
Do Be a Good Friend!
- Be respectful of other people’s feelings
- Be generous & share- you’ll make new friends!
- Be safe- feet on the floor & hands to yourself
Routines and Recordkeeping
- Please sign in each time on the attendance sheet, and once each year complete a registration form.
- Please give your child a snack at the snack table, at the designated snack time, if possible.
Infants may be fed at any point. - We recommend that you bring a change of clothes, and if appropriate, diapers and wipes, for your child each week. We use paints on the easel and water on the water table.
- Please restrict cell phone usage to urgent needs. This is your time to enjoy your child!
Health and Safety
- Supervise your child(ren) closely at all times. Almost any material can be dangerous if used incorrectly. –
- Please put anything that a child has mouthed or soiled in the bucket labeled “to be washed”
- Accompany your child to the restroom at all times.
- If your child is contagious, please keep them at home. PALS staff may ask you to leave if your child is unwell. This includes the first 48 after your child has been placed on an antibiotic for a communicable condition.
- No candy, gum, nuts, or hot beverages are allowed.
Your PALS Staff
Play and Learn in Sandwich (PALS) is an initiative of the Sandwich Partnership for Families, a program of the Sandwich Public Schools. The Sandwich Partnership Program Coordinator is Lauren Galvano.
An Early Childhood Educator since 2003, she has worked in many public and non-profit early education programs, including 10 years working with child care programs in the southeastern region of Pennsylvania to help improve the quality of care provided to families.
Lauren joined our staff in 2018 as an early childhood specialist. Many will remember her children hanging out to play while mom worked with other caregivers and children. Lauren rejoins our staff after spending a year as an ESP in the integrated preschool at Forestdale.
Our Play and Learn space is currently under renovation at the Forestdale School. We hope to open our doors permanently later this fall! Input on program offerings, messages, or inquiries may be directed to 508-477-6600, ext. 4711, or by email to lgalvano@sandwich.k12.ma.us.
All registered playgroup attendees will have the opportunity for an individual Ages and Stages Assessment completed for their child. This screening provides a “snapshot” of your child’s current growth and strengths and provides insight into the next phase of development. We will help you identify your goals for your child, and suggestions to achieve them. If, at any time, you would like to review your child’s progress, or have any concerns, simply ask your Playgroup Leader.
The number one priority of PALS is to assure all children and families have the support they need to grow healthy, safe, and happy. If we are concerned about the safety and/or well-being of your child, we will follow the Sandwich Public Schools protocol as Mandated Reporters to the Department of Children and Families. We would, of course, work with you to remedy the situation, address the concern, and refer you and your family to community services.