Waiver & Kindness Policy

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Our main focus is making our visitors feel like part of the family here. We're all about providing a safe and welcoming space where families can bond, recharge, and feel thrive in their journey through parenthood.

We are equally committed to creating an environment where our staff feel respected, valued, and connected with the families they serve. Sometimes the Wi-Fi may go down, reservations may be lost, the latte might not turn out perfect and need to be remade, or another child may be having a bad day. Please exercise grace, patience and kindness if any issues arise during your visit. Give us the opportunity to problem-solve and address issues with and for you instead of escalating things in ways that can frighten and worry young ones in the space. We are a family-run business created out of a passion to serve the community–we want things to be great for you and are not driven by cold corporate policies–please keep lines of communication open and honest so we can create the idea space we have dreamed of offering to the community. To that end, we ask all customers to agree to our Kindness Policy–we take this policy as seriously as our Safety Rules & Policies.

We take our commitment to kindness seriously and reserve the right to ask guests who break this code to leave. Let’s create a community that we can all be proud of!

Creating a Community of Respect and Empathy

Kindness Policy:

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At STEMSpot], we believe in fostering a warm and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. Our commitment to kindness extends to every interaction within our playspace, whether it's between staff members, visitors, or the little ones who grace our space with their laughter and curiosity. We kindly ask that all visitors abide by the following kindness policy to ensure that our playspace remains a welcoming haven for all:

We expect all visitors to treat our staff and fellow visitors with kindness, empathy, and respect. Every individual, regardless of age, background, or ability, deserves to feel safe and valued within our community.

1. Respect for All:

Little ears are listening! As adults, we understand the profound influence our actions have on young children. Therefore, we strive to be exemplary role models by demonstrating kindness, patience, and empathy in our interactions. We avoid behaviors such as name-calling, bullying, profanity, and any other actions that may negatively impact others.

2. Positive Role Modeling:

In the event of disagreements or conflicts, we encourage open communication and respectful dialogue. Our staff is always available to help mediate disputes and find amicable solutions that uphold the principles of kindness and mutual respect.

3. Conflict Resolution:

Our playspace is a sanctuary where children can explore, learn, and play freely. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for any behavior that compromises the safety or well-being of others. This includes physical aggression, harassment, or any form of discrimination.

4. Creating a Safe Space:

Our staff members are dedicated to creating a nurturing and supportive environment for all visitors. We lead by example, embodying the values of kindness, compassion, and inclusivity in every interaction. This is a large part of our staff training and a key characteristic sought for in our hiring process.

5. Leading by Example:

We recognize that fostering a culture of kindness requires ongoing effort and commitment. Therefore, we welcome feedback from our community members and are dedicated to continually improving our practices to better serve the needs of all who enter our playspace.

6. Continuous Improvement:

By adhering to our kindness policy, we can collectively create a community where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and embraced. Together, let's cultivate a culture of respect, empathy, and kindness that enriches the lives of all who walk through our doors.

Thank you for being a part of our STEMSpot family!

FAQ

What age is STEMSpot designed for?

STEMSpot is best suited for ages 7 and under, however, we leave it to the discretion of parents if their children ages 8-10 will enjoy the space. Children over the age of ten may not enter the play area and must remain in the café. We have activities for older children to borrow-read more here.

STEM learning can start early and we have thought carefully about how to safely engage the curiosity and excitement that little ones have about figuring out the world around them. There are large gross-play structure oriented spaces in the area for older children as well, so we have purposefully decided to focus on this age group. Read our blog here about the benefits of STEM learning at an early age.

What if I have older children or visiting family with older kids?

We have board games, card games, STEM activities, and craft supplies available for children over 7 who are accompanying younger siblings or friends to the space. Older children can borrow our “Explorer Bins” from our front desk and try the activities in the café just as adults may use the space for co-working. Children over 7 are welcome to choose one of our older kid activities and enjoy them on one of the tables in the café table. If the older sibling would like to assist their younger sibling or play more of helper role, they are welcome to be in the play area. We simply ask that if they’d like to play–they limit play to the café area so they can keep the play area safe for our younger guests.

What’s the food policy? Do you accommodate allergies?

As parents, we know that figuring out what to eat can always be a fun adventure given whatever phase your kiddo is currently going through. We’ve got you covered—if you want to pack food that you know are winners for your kiddos, you’re welcome to bring them. Please just remember that we strive to be a nut-free facility, so please respect our community and check ingredients before you pack.

We offer kid and parent friendly items at our café as well–view our menu here. We just ask that you don’t bring outside espresso/coffee drinks since we’ve worked hard to curate a café experience for you and would love for you to try what we offer! Also, please note outside cake, cupcakes or other large desserts cannot be served in our public café area for an impromptu party—imagine how hard it would be for other little guests to not get to share the sweet treats and festivities. Please check-out our birthday packages if you’d like to celebrate with us or reserve our “mini” package if you just want to play and cut cake with family. Guests that bring birthday items without booking will be asked to leave items in the car–and that’s just awkward and tough on your kiddo, so please do us a favor and don’t try to do a birthday without a reservation in our space.

Can we visit the café area without children?

Guests visiting without children are welcome to purchase a drink or snack to-go or swing-by to browse and shop our retail section for unique gifts. However, the STEMSpot seating/tables are designed as a safe space for children and their caretakers. Because of this, only guests accompanied by children can visit our playspace. The only exception is parents who are staying on-site during their child’s dance class at the dance studio located in our building above. They are welcome to come grab a café bar seating spot to work/enjoy their café drink while they wait for their child’s dance to finish. We reserve the right to kindly ask anyone to leave to make sure we have room for the customers we are designed to serve.

What if my child feels sick and I already reserved a time to play?

At STEMSpot, the health and safety of all our guests is our top priority. We kindly request that if your child is unwell, displaying symptoms of illness, or has been recently sent home from school due to sickness, please refrain from visiting our playspace. We believe in creating a safe and healthy environment for everyone to enjoy. Coming to the playspace when sick can potentially spread illness to other children and families, and we want to avoid any unnecessary risk. We understand that sickness can't always be predicted. That's why we offer the flexibility to reschedule your open play reservation for another day at no extra cost.

My child’s school is making him/her stay home but they are feeling better, can we come play anyway?

Coming to the playspace when sick (even if not showing symptoms anymore) can potentially spread illness to other children and families, and we want to avoid any unnecessary risk. We reserve the right to ask if your child is visiting after being told by their daycare/school/childcare facility that they must stay home (e.g., for 24-hour fever free, for pink eye, lice, etc.). If we feel you have given your child medicine to conceal a fever or symptoms and are using our space as “back-up” childcare while home from school, we reserve the right to ask you to leave. We want to create a trusting, respectful community at STEMSpot–a big part of that is keeping each other safe.

Zero Tolerance Policy:

We have a zero-tolerance policy for individuals who knowingly bring children to STEMSpot when they have been asked to stay home by daycare and/or another childcare/school setting. We reserve the right to ask if your child is visiting after being told by their daycare/school/childcare facility that they must stay home (e.g., for 24-hour fever free, for pink eye, lice, etc.) and/or if you are using medicine to conceal a fever/symptoms.

Please do not use STEMSpot as a “back-up” childcare venue when your child is not allowed to return to school/daycare. We appreciate your cooperation and trust our guests to be respectful and honest members of our community. Let's work together to prioritize the well-being of all our guests, and to ensure everyone can have a fun and worry-free experience at STEMSpot.

What are your hours?

Our Café is open for you to work or enjoy a drink/snack daily–see our schedule HERE.

For Play Sessions, you can see times and reserve ahead to guarantee a spot HERE.

For Classes, see our schedule HERE

To book birthday party slots, see HERE

Do I have to make a reservation?

You don't need a reservation to join us for a play session! However, to ensure a calm and safe environment, we limit our capacity. Reserving your spot ahead of time guarantees you'll be able to play. If we reach capacity, you're welcome to relax in our cafe area until space opens up in the play area. If the cafe is also full, we kindly ask you to wait in your car. We'll text you as soon as a spot becomes available. We understand how tough it can be for little ones to be turned away from play. To avoid tantrums and ensure your child's excitement is not ruined, please reserve your spot ahead of time. You can always cancel if something comes up. Let's make sure every visit is filled with smiles and laughter!

What happens if you have to cancel your reservation?

We totally get it! As parents, we know how plans can change in the blink of an eye. If something comes up and you can't make it, don't worry – simply cancel on our website or app, or give us a quick call to let us know you can’t make it. If you cancel, you will receive a voucher to play another day. If you do not cancel AND do not show, you will be charged the full price for admission, as it takes away the opportunity for another kiddo to reserve the spot and play. The purpose of this policy is to allow as many children in our community to play as possible, not to make money on cancellations, so please take a second to let us know if you can’t make it. Thank you!

Why are shoes not allowed in the playspace?

Shoes can be worn in the bathroom and café areas, however, we require socks in the play area for adults and children. You can wear your own grip-socks that keep you protected while playing, or you can purchase STEMSpot grip socks at our front desk. As for why–well, shoes can bring in dirt, debris, and small objects that could pose a hazard to little ones crawling on the floor. Also, in New England with our wide range of weather, we don’t want to be tracking in salt, slush, mud, etc! If you do not want to remove your shoes, you can still hang-out with your child in the café area but will not be permitted to enter the plays area.

Is this a childcare facility?

No, we're not a certified daycare or school and we do not offer childcare. Parental supervision is required at all times. Our space is dedicated to providing educational hands-on STEM activities and a cozy co-working café space for caregivers. Our highly trained staff are here to keep the space safe and help guide play when needed, but children are free to use the space with their caregivers as they would like, following their curiosity and interests.

Parental Supervision and Comfort:

Our space is designed with parents and caregivers in mind. From our café area and tables, you can keep an eye on your child at all times while you work or socialize with friends. Additionally, we offer seating options within the play area so you can stay close to young infants and toddlers.

Please note that parents and caregivers are responsible for the safety and actions of their children while in our playspace. We provide a diaper changing station and extra supplies in our bathroom for your convenience.

If you have any further questions, feel free to ask us during your visit or reach out at hello@stem-spot.com!