What do I need to bring to class? Bring whatever you and your baby need to be comfortable during class. We sit on the floor in back jack chairs around a big sheet. We provide toys and big bouncy balls. Sheets and toys are cleaned after every class.

Food: You are welcome to feed your baby breast milk, formula or water during class. In addition, we encourage you to bring water for yourself. Due to safety concerns as well as our desire to limit the potential of exposing babies to life threatening food allergies, we kindly request that you do not bring food or beverages other than the ones listed above into the classroom.

Diaper Changing: During the initial sessions before the babies are crawling, you are welcome to change your baby at your spot in the circle. We do ask that you bring a changing pad to place over the class sheet. Once we have crawlers in the class, we kindly ask you to use our designated changing station. Little crawlers have been known to view a dirty diaper as an interesting “toy” to grab and explore!

Class size: The maximum number of participants in our Mommy & Me class is 14 mommies. The maximum number of participants in our My Parents & Me class is 8 couples. If your group has less than that number at the start of class (or when it is time to re-sign for the following session) please be aware that new people may be added to your group. For session renewal, priority is given to current group members.

What is your policy regarding visitors? We respectfully ask that you do not bring any visitors into the classroom with you (i.e., your mother, mother-in-law, visiting friend, nanny, etc.). Some discussions are of a very personal nature, and we want to make sure that our classes are a safe-space and judgement free zone for all parents who participate in the program.

What are your Wellness Protocols:

• Please do not come to class if you or your baby have a fever, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, pink eye, or a cold. Call your pediatrician’s office if you are unsure. Your pediatrician can help you determine whether you or your baby are contagious.
• Classrooms and floor coverings will be cleaned after each class.
• Each classroom will have hand sanitizer available, as well as an air purifier. Windows and door will be open where possible.
• Toys that are developmentally appropriate will be provided. As we have always done, toys are sanitized after each class.
• Covid guidelines: Based on CDC guidelines masking is optional. If you think that you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 at any time we ask that you follow the guidelines as set forth by the CDC – see Link Here. Guidelines are subject to change based on updated Department of Health Guidelines. In the event of any other government-initiated lock-down or "safer at home" order all classes will be moved to Zoom.
  

Photography/Recording: While it is fine to take pictures of your baby in class, we do ask that you check in with the other parents before photographing their child. We also ask that you do not share photos of other parents or their babies without their permission. For privacy purposes, we do not permit the recording of class discussions.

Scarves for Attendees: In every Mommy & Me or Parent & Me group, we’ll be distributing a bag of 6 new multi-colored scarves to each new family joining in Session 1 and Session 2. We ask that every family take their scarves home and wash them alone 1-2 times so as to minimize the bleeding of certain colors. The scarves are for parents to use for developmental activities during songs and not for babies to touch or put in their mouths. When we use them for visual coordination and tracking the scarves are held 12 to 18 inches above the babies in order to engage babies’ visual tracking left to right, up and down. They are not to be used close to baby faces. They are also used for peek-a-boo and held in front of mommies’ faces during songs and peek-a-boo games and not in front of babies’ faces where they might be close enough to grab. As long as the scarves are for “parent use” only, any random bleeding of the dye will not be an issue for babies.

Do you offer trial classes or make-up classes? Due to the specific ages in each class and the creation of a cohesive group setting, trial and make-up classes are not possible.

Can I attend remotely? The class you are currently signed up for is an in-person weekly group. However, if you are unable to attend one week due to you or your little one being exposed to Covid, sick, or traveling, you do have the option to attend remotely. You will be sent a zoom link each month that you can use to join the class. We ask that you let your instructor know at least 3 hours in advance that you plan on joining remotely. We have a camera and a directional microphone in the classroom, so you will be able to observe the class. Your camera and microphone will be muted. If you have any questions for your instructor during the class, please reach out to her via email. She will respond to your questions in a timely manner.

What should I do if I need to miss a class? As stated above, if you are unable to attend class due to you or your little one being exposed to Covid, sick, or traveling, you do have the option to attend remotely. Please refer to, Can I attend remotely? If you are not able to attend remotely, it’s helpful, although not required, to let your class leader know if you need to miss a class. You are welcome to come about 10 minutes early the following week. Your class leader will be setting up the room and is happy to give you a recap of last week’s topic. You can also email your instructor with any questions you may have on the discussion topic that you missed. Reading any handouts for the class you missed will help as well.

Can a caregiver attend class in my place? This is a class for parents (mommy & me is for moms only and my parents & me is for moms and/or dads). The emphasis is on guiding parents through the first year while helping you build your tribe. Our goal is that parents share their experience with other parents while also getting education and support. For this reason, we do not allow caregivers to attend class in your place.

Do you refund for missed classes? Since we are paying your class leader, holding the time slot in the classroom each week and managing the classes, you are essentially paying for your spot in the class. We are not able to give refunds for missed classes. Unfortunately, offering these classes would be prohibitive for us without this policy. Please see solutions above for how to make up for what you missed. Note that we do make an exception to our refund policy for religious holidays. Please contact the Pump Station program manager if this is the case for you.

What if my baby is napping and I’m late for class? You’re welcome to arrive to class at any time. Do what feels right for you and your baby.

Second-time mommy & me classes: Please note that our second-time mommy & me class is designed for you and your new baby. The class is not equipped for older siblings to attend as well.

Scheduling of classroom and instructors: You will be assigned a class leader that will stay with your class throughout your session, and more than often when you move to future sessions you will keep the same instructor. All our class instructors are psychotherapists that specialize in maternal mental health and parenting. On the occasion that your instructor is sick or on vacation, another Pump Station instructor will sub for your class. In the event that we are unable to obtain another instructor and we need to cancel the class, we will extend the session dates by one week in order to make up for the missed class.

Instructor observation: On occasion, a member from our Pump Station staff (e.g. the program curriculum director, the program manager, a lactation educator, team member, etc.) may drop in to observe an instructor leading her class. We periodically like to do this because it helps us to pull each instructor’s strengths into our program making it the best it can be for our parents. In addition, it helps to assure quality and consistency in our parent & me programs.

Please note: All of our instructors have a master’s degree or higher in the fields of mental health or education and have extensive experience in facilitating groups. While the class you are taking is designed to be educational and informational, it is not considered psychotherapy. In participating in the class, you acknowledge that you are taking the class for educational and informational purposes, but that no patient-therapist relationship is being formed between you and your class leader. In addition, The Pump Station is not able to provide you with any letter or record of class participation for any reason.

Confidentiality: After your group meets for the first time our instructors will send out a roster to the entire group with your name, babies name and your phone number. We gather this information and share so that you can all reach out to each other and setup play dates. Your baby’s information is used on Graduation Certificates. If you do not want this information shared please let your instructor know.

While not a formal therapy group we do respect each other’s privacy. In addition, because your class leader, by the nature of her profession, is a mandated reporter, there are a few specific circumstances that if she were made aware of, she would need to report. The following is a list of those circumstances:

• Harm to Oneself or Others: If a class member threatens to harm herself/himself, your instructor may be obligated to seek hospitalization for her/him, or to contact family members or others who can help provide protection. If a class member were to disclose intention or plan to harm someone else, your instructor would be required to warn the intended victim and report this information to legal authorities.
• Abuse of Children and Vulnerable Adults: If a class member were to state or suggest that she/he is abusing a child (or vulnerable adult) or has abused a child (or vulnerable adult), or a child (or vulnerable adult) is in danger of abuse, your instructor is required report this information to the appropriate social service and/or legal authorities.

Please note that these circumstances are extremely rare in teaching situations. If such an instance should occur, your class leader would make every reasonable effort to discuss the situation with the class member first before taking any action.