Safety & Security

The safety and security of your child is of utmost importance to the University Children’s Learning Center. Therefore, the Learning Center has very specific processes and procedures that are adhered to for any individual that is going to be in or around the program.

Facility Security

UCLC is located in a secure building that requires authorized access. Parents must submit to a background check completed through the UND Police Department before they are issued a FOB allowing them access to the building. Teachers and volunteers are not granted access until they complete their background check process.

Hiring and Background Checks

The University Children’s Learning Center wants families to be assured that a background check is completed on each person (teacher, caregiver and volunteer) that may be in contact with children. The following process is completed with each hire, including caregivers:

• The individual must complete the Criminal History Records Check Authorization form. UND completes a background check BEFORE an individual is authorized to be hired.
• Before being allowed into UCLC’s secure space, the individual must be fingerprinted and complete:
  • ND SFN 829: Personal Authorization for Criminal History Record Information Inquiry
  • ND SFN 60688: Criminal History Record Check Request Form
  • ND SFN 836: Fingerprint Identity Verification
  • Additional forms, state specific, if the individual has lived outside of North Dakota in the past 5 years.
• The fingerprints and appropriate forms are submitted electronically to the Department of Health and Human Services Criminal Background check Unit from an approved fingerprinting location in Grand Forks. The fingerprints process through the ND Burequ of Criminal Investigation as well as the FBI. An individual does not begin onsite work with children until the results are received.
• Criminal background checks, with fingerprints are repeated every 5 years.

While the background check process is extensive it is not a guarantee that a person is always going to behave appropriately and make safe choices with regards to young children. Therefore, it is the exception for a staff member to be alone with a child. For children's protection and for our teacher’s and caregiver’s protection, teachers and caregivers work together in full view of one another, and are rarely, if ever, alone with a child. All the classrooms are open. Everyone is able to see into each classroom and hear what is occurring as well. The bathrooms are located between two classrooms, and the half door on the changing rooms allows for the person in there to be seen and heard by others.