How We Keep Your Kid Safe, Every Session
Every Journey to STEAM instructor is background checked and trained in child protection and mandatory reporting before they meet your child. Small groups, live rosters, headcounts at every transition and authorized-adult pickup. Built by a principal who ran schools for eight years.
Before an instructor meets your child
- Screened. Full background check, criminal history screening, reference checks and credential verification. Preschool instructors enrolled in Oregon's Central Background Registry.
- Trained. Child protection, emergency response, mandatory reporting, first aid and site-specific protocols. Annual refreshers, every year.
- Coached. Lead instructors are observed and coached. Developing instructors support setup, supervision and classroom management before they lead.
- Recognized. The founder checks in during an instructor's first week, and the team names an Instructor of the Month. People who are seen do their best work.
Every session, every site
- Instructor in the building 15 minutes early. Room set, roster open, materials out before the first kid arrives.
- Roll call and headcounts. At the start, at every transition, at pickup.
- Active supervision. Children are never left unattended. Groups are small and grouped by age, with the smallest groups in preschool, and a second instructor is added when a group grows.
- Authorized-adult pickup. Checked against the roster. Written authorization for anyone else, or for walking home.
- Medical and emergency contacts on the roster. Allergies and accommodations confirmed before day one.
- Equipment inspected. Robots, kits and devices checked before use.
- First aid at every site. Kits on hand and designated instructors trained in first aid and CPR.
- Weather and closures. If the school or venue closes, the program is cancelled that day and families are told by email or text as soon as we know.
Inclusion is built in
A familiar support adult is always welcome. We confirm accommodations before a program starts, and instructors are trained to support kids with high needs. Read the full Inclusion and Support policy.
Need-based scholarships in every program mean the class looks like the school. No child is turned away because of finances.
Safety questions
How are instructors screened?
Every instructor passes a full background check before employment, with criminal history screening, reference checks and credential verification. Preschool instructors are enrolled in Oregon's Central Background Registry (Washington: DCYF) before their first class. Fewer than 10% of applicants are hired.
What training do instructors get?
Orientation on policies, safety and culture; mandatory training on child protection, emergency response and site protocols; training on our roster system for medical and emergency contacts; and annual refreshers on safety, mandatory reporting and first aid. Every instructor is a mandatory reporter.
How do you keep track of kids?
Live rosters in enrops with medical and emergency contact information, roll call at the start, headcounts at every transition, and children actively supervised at all times.
Who can pick up my child?
Only the adults you authorize, checked against the roster. Walk-home requires written authorization. Pickup is at the stated end time; a late pickup fee of $1 per minute per child starts 10 minutes after.
What about allergies and medical needs?
You tell us at registration. The instructor has it on the roster before day one, and we confirm accommodations before the program starts.
What if there's an emergency?
Instructors know exits, evacuation routes and safe areas before programs begin. First aid kits are at every site, designated instructors are trained in first aid and CPR, and incidents are reported to a supervisor and to you right away.
Are you insured?
Yes. General liability insurance that includes abuse and molestation coverage. Partners receive a certificate of insurance naming them on request.
How do you handle behavior?
With the same tools a good classroom uses: clear expectations, small groups and instructors trained to redirect. We ask families for a conversation early. In rare cases we may ask a child to leave a program.
Can my child bring a support adult?
Yes. A familiar support adult is always welcome under our inclusion policy, and we confirm accommodations before the program starts.
Questions about a specific site?
Call or text (503) 506-3287, or email getintouch@journeytosteam.com. A person answers.