BabySpace Coachella Valley Group Guidelines

What do I need to bring to group? 

Bring a pair of socks for yourself and whatever else you and your baby needs to be comfortable during class. Purses, phones and shoes are all left outside of the playroom during group time. During group, all participants in the playroom sit on the floor around a big sheet. There are a few chairs available should you prefer a chair. BabySpace Coachella Valley provides toys, rattles and felt balls for exploration. Sheets and toys are cleaned after every group session.

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 playroom. Beverages and food can be consumed outside of the playroom at any time.

Diaper Changing:

There is a changing table available to use as needed.

Class size:

The maximum number of participates in our Mommy & Me class is 14 moms. 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.

Photography/Recording:

Photos are welcomed and encouraged after the end of each group session. Cameras, phones and other recording devices are not permitted in the playroom during group sessions. While it is fine to take pictures of your baby in the playroom after a group session has ended, we do ask that you check in with the other parents before photographing their child. For privacy purposes, we do not permit the recording of group discussions.

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 group sessions are not possible.

Can I attend remotely?

The group you are currently signed up for is an in-person weekly group.

What should I do if I need to miss a class? 

You can always let your group facilitator know ahead of time if you know you will be missing a particular group session.

Can a caregiver attend class in my place?

This is a group for parents (Mommy & Me is for moms only and toddler groups are for moms and/or dads/partners). The emphasis is on guiding parents through the early years while helping you build your circle of support. Our goal is that parents share their experience with other parents while also getting education and encouragement. For this reason, we do not allow caregivers to attend group in your place.

Do you refund for missed classes?

Since we are paying your group facilitator, holding the time slot in the playroom each week and managing the groups, you are essentially paying for your spot in the group. We are not able to give refunds for missed group sessions. Unfortunately, offering these groups would be prohibitive for us without this policy.

What if my baby is napping and I’m late for class?

You’re welcome to arrive to group at any time, even if for the last ten minutes! Do what feels right for you and your baby.

What is your policy regarding visitors?

In order to maintain the safest environment possible, BabySpace Coachella Valley does not permit any visitors to attend during group but they are welcome to attend at the end of group. Please speak to BabySpace Coachella Valley for more clarification.

Siblings:

Please note that our Mommy and Me groups are designed for you and your new baby. The class is not equipped for older or younger siblings to attend as well.

Please note:

Your group facilitator is a licensed mental health practitioner, and while the group you are attending is designed to be educational and informational, it is not considered psychotherapy. In participating in the group, you acknowledge that you are attending for educational and informational purposes, but that no patient-therapist relationship is being formed between you and your group facilitator. In addition, BabySpace Coachella Valley is not able to provide you with any letter or record of group participation for any reason.

Confidentiality: 

After your group meets for the first time you will receive a roster to the entire group with your name, baby’s 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. If you do not want this information shared please contact BabySpace Coachella Valley directly to inform them. 

While not a formal therapy group we do respect each other’s privacy. In addition, because your group facilitator, 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 group member threatens to harm herself/himself, your group facilitator 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 group facilitator would be required to warn the intended victim and report this information to legal authorities.

• Abuse of Children and Vulnerable Adults: If a group member were to state or suggest that she/he is abusing a child (or vulnerable adult) or has recently abused a child (or vulnerable adult), or a child (or vulnerable adult) is in danger of abuse, your group facilitator is required report this information to the appropriate social service and/or legal authorities.

Please note that these circumstances are extremely rare in Mommy and Me groups. If such an instance should occur, your group facilitator would make every reasonable effort to discuss the situation with the group member first before taking any action.