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

The Housing Building where UCLC is located is 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.
• On or before their first day of employment the individual must complete an ND SFN 508: Authorization for Child Abuse and Neglect Background Check. This form is immediately submitted to Grand Forks County Social Services. Upon receipt, a child abuse and neglect record is completed for Grand Forks County. A State of ND check is completed following this.
• On or before their first day of employment a ND and/or MN State Court website check is completed by the director.
• Within one week of being hired, the individual must be fingerprinted and complete ND SFN 831: Personal Authorization for Criminal History Background Check Inquiry – Early Childhood and SFN 377: Criminal History Background Check Address Disclosure/Release of Information. The fingerprints and appropriate forms are submitted by the director to the Dept of Human Services Criminal Background Check Unit. The fingerprints are processes through ND Bureau of Criminal Investigation as well as the FBI. An individual is NEVER left unsupervised with children until the letter with the fingerprint results are returned to the Learning Center.

In addition to this initial background check process, all UCLC personnel complete the SFN 508 on an annual basis. The director completes a State of ND Court website check annually on each individual that works at UCLC. Every teacher and caregiver must resubmit the fingerprint background check paperwork every five (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.