Common House Use Guidelines for Children and Teens |
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Common House Team
Revised 08/29/20
Heartwood, in an effort to maximize everyone’s enjoyment of and safety in the Common House, establishes this policy regarding child supervision.
Ages 0-10 years
Ages 11-12 years
Heartwood children may be in the CH unsupervised AND may supervise younger children in the CH provided the following:
Children in this range may NOT supervise children that are not members of Heartwood in the CH. For example, if a 10 yr old has friends from outside Heartwood, an adult must be present. Non-Heartwood children in this range will need to be supervised by an adult or teenager/sitter who is present in the CH.
Ages 13 – 18 years
Heartwood teenagers may be in the CH unsupervised AND may supervise younger children in the CH provided:
Only at this age range can Heartwood teenagers use the CH kitchen and exercise room unsupervised.
What to do if these policies are not being followed?
It is usually best to take responsibility and talk directly with the child and or parents involved. If that doesn’t work, please bring it to the CH team and we will talk with them. If still no response, we will talk to P & C or obtain a mediator.
Revised 08/29/20
Heartwood, in an effort to maximize everyone’s enjoyment of and safety in the Common House, establishes this policy regarding child supervision.
Ages 0-10 years
- MUST be supervised to be in the Common House (CH). Supervision means that their parent, teenage sitter, or another adult who has agreed to be responsible for them is present in the CH. The adult is also checking in with the child(ren) regularly, making sure the rules of the CH are being followed, including picking up.
- If children in this age range are found in the CH without supervision, any member over 12 may escort them out of the common house.
- Children in this range may NOT come in to use the bathroom or get a drink of water. They are expected to go to their home, bring water with them, or stop at a friend’s house.
Ages 11-12 years
Heartwood children may be in the CH unsupervised AND may supervise younger children in the CH provided the following:
- They MUST have their parents permission.
- Their parent/sitter is in the cluster and they know how to contact each other quickly.
- They are following all of the CH rules.
- Children under 12 need adult supervision for kitchen and exercise room use.
- They are treating the CH, the items and people within it with respect.
- They do 2 mini jobs or cook or clean-up for the community once a month. These jobs will be small, like setting or clearing tables, vacuuming the rec room, or picking up the rec room.
Children in this range may NOT supervise children that are not members of Heartwood in the CH. For example, if a 10 yr old has friends from outside Heartwood, an adult must be present. Non-Heartwood children in this range will need to be supervised by an adult or teenager/sitter who is present in the CH.
Ages 13 – 18 years
Heartwood teenagers may be in the CH unsupervised AND may supervise younger children in the CH provided:
- They are following all of the CH rules.
- They know who to contact in an emergency.
- They have the maturity to contact an adult if they need help with younger children.
- They continue to do 2 mini jobs or are signed-up to cook or clean-up for the community once a month.
Only at this age range can Heartwood teenagers use the CH kitchen and exercise room unsupervised.
What to do if these policies are not being followed?
It is usually best to take responsibility and talk directly with the child and or parents involved. If that doesn’t work, please bring it to the CH team and we will talk with them. If still no response, we will talk to P & C or obtain a mediator.