Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question not answered here? Contact us.

About KidSpace
  • Who runs KidSpace? [read on...]
  • Is KidSpace affiliated with the Payson Park Church or with the Payson Park Nursery School? [read on...]


Visiting and Joining
  • How much does it cost to visit KidSpace? [read on...]
  • Do I need to be a Belmont resident? [read on...]
  • What determines Kidspace regular hours? [read on...]
  • When will Kidspace not open or close early? [read on...]


What should I know about KidSpace before visiting?
  • What is the policy for sick children? [read on...]
  • Can I drop off my child/children with a nanny or babysitter? [read on...]
  • Can I bring my older children with me to KidSpace? [read on...]
  • How do you keep KidSpace clean? [read on...]
  • Is there a place to park strollers? [read on...]
  • Can we bring food into KidSpace? [read on...]
  • Is food for sale at KidSpace? [read on...]
  • Is there an area to change diapers? [read on...]
  • Does Kidspace rent space for birthday parties?[read on...]


Volunteer shifts
  • What are some ideas for working at KidSpace with my young children? [read on...]
  • How do I sign-up to take a shift? [read on...]
  • Do I have to sign-up for all 3 shifts at once? [read on...]
  • It's my first time taking a shift, what do I do? [read on...]
  • How do I cancel my shift? [read on...]


Other ways to participate

 

About KidSpace

Who runs KidSpace?
Belmont KidSpace is operated by the Belmont Parent’s Network, a volunteer-managed, non-profit organization. The Belmont Parent’s Network was founded in 2003 by a group of parents who recognized the need for a community-based indoor facility where kids could play during the winter months and where parents could get to know one another in a kid-friendly environment.

Since opening its doors, KidSpace has served hundreds of families from Belmont and surrounding communities. Based on this tremendous success, KidSpace reorganized as a cooperative in 2005. As a cooperative, each member family is asked to fulfill three 90-minute shifts over the course of the season.

Is KidSpace affiliated with the Payson Park Church or with the Payson Park Nursery School?
No. The Belmont Parent's Network rents the gymnasium and the dining hall from the church for KidSpace, and the Payson Park Nursery School is an independent operation of KidSpace. However, the Nursery School is currently sharing climbing structures and equipment with KidSpace, and the church has been instrumental to the growth and success of KidSpace.

Visting and Joining

How much does it cost to visit KidSpace?
As a cooperative, every KidSpace family is a member, which allows unlimited entrance for the entire KidSpace season, November through April. The membership fee has been kept very low -- $50 for 6 months -- by asking each family to volunteer for a few shifts during the season.

There is also a drop-in option: Pay $10 at the door for that session and if you later decide to join, what you have paid to date will be applied to your membership.

Do I need to be a Belmont resident?<
No. KidSpace cooperative membership is open to the general public -- Belmont residents as well as residents of neighboring towns.

What determines Kidspace regular hours?
The Payson Park Nursery School is located on the same level as KidSpace, and uses the space in the mornings for program activities. Other activities such as dance and music classes, and church groups, also share the same space.

When will Kidspace not open or close early?

WEATHER – If the town of Belmont declares a snow emergency (i.e. no street parking is allowed), KidSpace will be closed. If Belmont schools are closed but there is not a snow emergency, KidSpace may be open. Call KidSpace at (617) 484-8697 to see if it is open before you come. An email will be sent from info@belmontkidspace.org in the event of a closing.

LACK OF VOLUNTEERS – Unfortunately, it occasionally happens that volunteers cannot be found for every day of operation. In this case, KidSpace will be closed. Every effort will be made to post the closing on the KidSpace bulletin board, but last minute volunteer changes might make that impossible. If the door is locked on a regularly scheduled day of operation, feel free to sign up as the volunteer and open and close KidSpace according to normal procedures. Members should not use KidSpace if no one present is willing to sign up and take responsibility as the volunteer for the shift.

CONFLICT WITH PAYSON PARK CHURCH SCHEDULE – It also occasionally happens that the Church has a special event or activity which conflicts with the KidSpace schedule. You will be informed of these closings via email from info@belmontkidspace.org.


What do I need to know before I visit?

What is the policy for sick children?
All parents are asked to use good judgment when brining their kids into KidSpace. Please do not bring your child to KidSpace if he or she has had a fever in the past 24 hours or if they have a contagious illness.

Can I drop off my child/children with a nanny or babysitter?
Yes. However children must be accompanied and supervised at all times by a parent or other adult caregiver. In addition, the caregiver must be able to provide the name of the primary contact in the system to ensure the family is registered.

Can I bring my older children with me to KidSpace?
KidSpace was designed with pre-schoolers in mind, and there are not a lot of activities or equipment for older children. If your child does accompany you to KidSpace, please make sure they are not being too physical in an area where there are younger children, or using equipment which is not designed for their age group. In many cases older children have been a big help setting up blocks with younger kids or helping them with puzzles.

How do I help keep KidSpace clean?
To keep street dirt out of the Kidspace area, please (adults and kids) take off your shoes before going inside. Shoes and coats can be stored in the cubbies or under shelves outside the Kidspace front gate.

Wipes will be provided; if your child mouths something, please wipe it clean afterwards.

Diapers can be changed in the restrooms down the hall from Kidspace. However, PLEASE do not put dirty diapers in the restroom trash cans. They should be brought back into Kidspace and placed in the diaper pail at the front desk.

Is there a place to park strollers?
If you bring a stroller, please bring it downstairs and leave it in the long hallway by the restrooms. Please do not block access to the elevator either up- or down-stairs.

Can I drop off my child/children with a nanny or babysitter?
Yes. However children must be accompanied and supervised at all times by a parent or other adult caregiver. In addition, the caregiver must be able to provide the name of the primary contact in the system to ensure the family is registered.

Can we bring food into KidSpace?
Yes. Parents are allowed to bring in food or drinks for themselves and their children. This year, KidSpace will be a PEANUT FREE environment, to address the concerns of many parents of children with peanut allergies. Parents are asked to clean up after their lunch and wipe down the tables.

Is there an area to change diapers?
Both the Women's Room and Men's room adjacent to KidSpace have changing stations. Please bring plastic bags to dispose of dirty diapers and deposit in the marked diaper bin in the KidSpace dining room. DIAPERS CANNOT BE LEFT IN THE BATHROOM TRASH CANS AND DIAPERS SHOULD NOT BE CHANGED IN KIDSPACE.

Is food for sale at KidSpace?
There are light snacks (goldfish, crackers) and drinks (juice boxes, water) available for a nominal price (generally 75 cents per item). Coffee and tea is available for adults and is 75 cents per cup

Does KidSpace rent out the space for birthday parties?
No. Our contract with Payson Park Church allows us the use of the space during KidSpace hours only.

 

Volunteer Shifts

What are some ideas for working at KidSpace with my young children?
Each family, based on the ages and temperaments of their child/ren, will have a different experience working the registration desk in KidSpace. Many parents are able to keep an eye on their kids while working the desk. Others find that they need a different strategy. In the past, parents have:

  • Kept their children near the registration desk (only appropriate for some families)
  • Volunteered when a friend, spouse or caregiver was available to watch the kids in KidSpace
  • Volunteered with a friend at KidSpace to help keep an eye on each other's children
  • Volunteered on a weekend day when they could come alone and leave the kids at home

Also, if you are a new volunteer and you feel you need more information before working a shift at the registration desk, please contact volunteer@belmontkidspace.org. Finally, if you are unable to find a way to work three shifts at the registration desk, you can fulfill one of your volunteer commitments by volunteering for a laundry shift (taking dress up clothes home to wash). (Only once per season.)

Do I have to sign-up for all 3 shifts at once?
No, you may sign up for your shifts one at a time.

It's my first time taking a shift, what do I do?
It's easy. There are detailed instructions in the handbook and if you still have concerens, contact us about partnering you with an experienced parent.

How do I cancel my shift?
Locate your shift in the schedule (click here) and edit by removing your name and email address (set email to '-select-').

If cancelling within 24 hours of your shift, please contact info@belmontkidspace.org. (cancellation this late should only be in an emergency, e.g. sick child). If cancellation is around the time of your shift, please also call the front desk at 617-484-TOYS (8697) to let the on duty volunteer know.

If cancelling within 7 days, please send an email to volunteer@belmontkidspace.org

Help KidSpace!

How can I help KidSpace grow?
The Belmont Parent's Network is a non-profit organization, and gladly accepts donations of money, toys and volunteer assistance. The Network is always looking for new funding opportunities through neighborhood grants, and would appreciate learning about these through local parents. For more information about helping, please contact.

How can I donate toys to KidSpace?
If you have toys in that might be useful to KidSpace, please send an email to info@belmontkidspace.org. Toys that are especially useful are Cozy Coupes, "ride-on" vehicles for older children, tricycles, dress-up clothes, and Thomas/Brio type wooden trains. KidSpace could also use pre-school size play tables with chairs. All equipment should be in good, safe condition. If the toys you would like to donate are not useful for KidSpace, (too many small parts, or duplicates of toys already in use, for example), the toys will be put in the "yard sale" table, and sold to parents visiting KidSpace. These funds are directed back into KidSpace operations.