1. Purpose of the Internal Rules

These Internal Rules define the operating principles of Micro Cosmos Chania, as well as the conditions for welcoming children and families and participating in its activities.

Their purpose is to ensure a safe, caring, inclusive and respectful environment, where every child can play, explore, create, develop their independence and build relationships with others.

Registration and participation in Micro Cosmos activities imply that parents or legal guardians have read and accepted these Internal Rules.

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2. Organisation of the Service

Micro Cosmos welcomes children and their families at different times of the day and under different arrangements.

Morning – Children & Parent Space, ages 0–5

Young children attend accompanied by a parent or responsible adult. Free play, exploration and workshops may be offered throughout the morning.

The parent or accompanying adult remains responsible for their child for the entire duration of their time in this space.

Afternoon – After School, ages 5–12

Children aged 5 to 12 may attend Micro Cosmos without their parents as part of the activities offered by the centre.

During this time, they are under the responsibility and supervision of the Micro Cosmos team.

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3. Child Registration

Before a child attends Micro Cosmos for the first time without a parent, the family must provide all information necessary to ensure the child's safety and appropriate support.

The registration file includes, in particular, the contact details of parents or legal guardians, details of the people authorised to collect the child, as well as relevant information concerning the child's health, allergies, any medical treatment or additional needs.

Parents undertake to inform Micro Cosmos promptly of any changes to this information.

Micro Cosmos welcomes children with respect for their individuality and needs, within the centre's conditions of care and available resources.

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4. Arrival and Collection

Families are asked to respect their booked times in order to ensure the smooth running of the centre.

When a child attends without a parent, the child must be handed directly to a member of the Micro Cosmos team. A child must never be left alone at the entrance or elsewhere on the premises.

At the end of the session, the child will only be released to their parent, legal guardian or another adult who has been authorised in writing in advance.

The team may request proof of identity if they do not know the person collecting the child.

In the event of a delay or absence, parents must inform Micro Cosmos as soon as possible.

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5. Child Health

Parents must inform the team of any important information concerning their child's health or safety, including allergies, medical treatment, additional needs or any other information that may affect their child's care.

If a child develops symptoms that may be incompatible with participation in a group setting, Micro Cosmos may ask the family to collect the child.

In the event of an accident or sudden illness, the team will provide the necessary immediate assistance, inform the parents as soon as possible and contact the emergency services when required.

As a general rule, medication is not administered by the Micro Cosmos team, except in exceptional circumstances, in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations. Where medication must exceptionally be administered, a valid medical prescription, the medication in its original packaging and written parental authorisation are required.

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6. Safety and Supervision

When children attend Micro Cosmos without their parents, they remain under the supervision of the Micro Cosmos team throughout their time at the centre.

No activity involving children attending independently will take place without the presence of a responsible professional.

Access to the centre is restricted to registered children, their parents or legal guardians, members of the Micro Cosmos team, authorised professionals and previously authorised visitors.

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7. Respect for the Child and Life within the Group

Micro Cosmos considers every child as an individual in their own right, with their own pace, personality, emotions, abilities and needs.

Physical, verbal or psychological violence, humiliation, threats or degrading punishment are not tolerated within the centre.

The team approaches conflicts between children from an educational perspective: helping children put their emotions into words, understand what has happened, establish appropriate boundaries and gradually find suitable solutions.

Children are supported in developing their independence without being placed in situations that are beyond their abilities or being forced to participate in an activity.

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8. Relationship with Families

The relationship between families and the Micro Cosmos team is based on trust, dialogue, respect and the sharing of relevant information to support the child.

Parents are encouraged to share with the team any information that may affect their child's day, well-being or behaviour.

In return, the team may share relevant observations with parents regarding their child's time at Micro Cosmos.

All discussions concerning a child are confidential and must respect the privacy of both the child and their family.

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9. Behaviour, Emotions and Challenging Situations

Micro Cosmos recognises that children’s behaviour is also a form of communication. Anger, crying, opposition, difficulty following instructions or difficulty interacting with others will therefore not automatically result in punishment or exclusion.

The team will first seek to understand the situation and the child’s needs. The environment, instructions, transitions, pace or support provided may be adapted accordingly.

When a difficulty is recurring or significantly affects the well-being of the child or the group, the team will discuss the situation with the family in order to find appropriate solutions together.

A gradual approach will be prioritised:

Observation → discussion with the family → adaptations → support → reassessment.

However, when a child’s behaviour presents an immediate risk to their own safety, the safety of other children or that of professionals, the team will intervene to protect everyone concerned and may ask the parent or legal guardian to collect the child.

If, despite the adaptations put in place and discussions with the family, sufficiently safe conditions cannot be guaranteed, the child’s attendance arrangements may be reassessed together with the family.

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10. Inclusion and Additional Needs

Micro Cosmos aims to welcome every child with respect for their individual needs and abilities, within the centre’s capacity to provide appropriate support.

Parents are encouraged to inform the team of any additional needs that may affect their child’s experience at Micro Cosmos.

This information enables the team to work with the family to consider appropriate adaptations, such as visual supports, adapted transitions, access to a quieter environment, adjustments to certain activities or individualised support where possible.

When a child’s needs require adaptations beyond the centre’s usual capacity, a discussion will be arranged with the family to assess the conditions required to support the child appropriately.

A diagnosis or disability does not, in itself, constitute grounds for exclusion.

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11. Clothing and Personal Belongings

Children should wear comfortable clothing suitable for the activities offered.

Activities at Micro Cosmos may include painting, sensory play, water play, gardening, creative activities, physical activities and outdoor play. Clothing may therefore become dirty.

For children attending without their parent, depending on their age and needs, families are advised to provide:

a complete change of clothes, as well as any personal items the child may need during their time at the centre.

Personal belongings should, whenever possible, be clearly labelled with the child’s name.

Micro Cosmos cannot guarantee the safekeeping of valuable items brought into the centre. Jewellery, electronic devices, expensive toys and fragile objects are therefore discouraged.

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12. Food, Drinks and Allergies

Parents must inform the team at registration of any allergy, food intolerance or specific medical dietary requirement concerning their child.

Any changes must be communicated to the team promptly.

When food is provided as part of a workshop, snack or activity, the team will take into account the information provided by families, within the centre’s possibilities.

For safety reasons, families must not distribute food to other children without prior agreement from the team.

Children must have access to drinking water during their time at the centre.

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13. Photographs, Videos and Image Rights

Photographs and videos may be taken during activities at Micro Cosmos.

Any use of an image in which a child can be identified for communication or promotional purposes — including on the website, social media or Micro Cosmos presentation materials — requires the prior consent of the child’s parent or legal guardian.

Registration at Micro Cosmos does not automatically constitute consent for the use of a child’s image.

Families may refuse to provide such consent without this affecting their child’s attendance or participation at Micro Cosmos.

Consent that has previously been granted may also be withdrawn in writing for future use of the child’s image.

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14. Bookings, Absences and Late Arrivals

Bookings are made according to the procedures offered by Micro Cosmos and are subject to availability.

Families agree to respect their booked times.

In the event of an absence or delay, families are asked to inform the team as soon as possible.

An absence does not automatically entitle the family to a refund or replacement session.

Where a replacement session is possible, this will depend on availability and the conditions applicable to the service or package booked.

In the event of repeated late collection of a child, Micro Cosmos will contact the family to discuss the situation and find an appropriate solution.

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15. Prices, Passes and Memberships

The applicable prices are those communicated by Micro Cosmos at the time of booking or purchase.

Payment may be made using the payment methods offered by the centre.

Unless otherwise agreed, participation in activities requires payment of the corresponding fee.

The specific validity conditions of Passes, Hour Cards and After School memberships are provided at the time of purchase.

Unused hours or sessions do not automatically entitle the customer to a refund.

Refunds are provided in accordance with the applicable commercial conditions and current legislation.

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16. Outdoor Activities and Trips

Some Micro Cosmos activities may take place in the centre’s outdoor areas or, where planned, outside the centre.

Families will be informed whenever the nature of an activity requires specific arrangements or authorisation.

For any outing requiring children to leave the Micro Cosmos premises or usual activity areas, the necessary parental authorisation will be obtained in advance.

Children should have clothing and equipment appropriate to the weather conditions and planned activity.

The team may modify, postpone or cancel an outdoor activity if weather conditions, safety considerations or organisational circumstances do not allow it to take place under suitable conditions.

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17. Respect for the Premises and Equipment

The spaces and equipment at Micro Cosmos are designed to be used, explored and handled by children as part of the activities offered.

Children are gradually supported in learning to respect the equipment, the premises and their environment.

Micro Cosmos recognises that accidents or unintentional damage may occur as part of normal play and exploration.

However, deliberate or repeated damage will be discussed with the child and their family in order to understand the situation and prevent it from happening again.

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18. Respect for Others

Micro Cosmos is a place where children, families, professionals and external facilitators should be able to interact in a respectful environment.

Violent, threatening, humiliating, discriminatory or insulting behaviour towards a child, parent, professional or facilitator is not accepted.

In the event of a difficulty or disagreement, families are encouraged to speak directly with the centre manager so that an appropriate solution can be found.

Cooperation with families is based on trust, dialogue, respect and the sharing of information in the best interests of the child.

 

19. Responsibility of Micro Cosmos

Micro Cosmos assumes responsibility for a child attending without their parent from the moment the child is directly handed over to a member of the team until the child is returned to their parent, legal guardian or authorised adult.

During parent-and-child activities, the parent or accompanying adult remains responsible for supervising their child throughout their time at Micro Cosmos.

When a child attends without their parent, they remain under the supervision of the Micro Cosmos team throughout their participation in activities.

In the event of an emergency, Micro Cosmos will take the necessary measures to protect the child and will contact the parents and, where required, the emergency services.

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20. Changes to the Internal Rules

These Internal Rules may be amended to reflect changes in the operation of Micro Cosmos, its activities or applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

Families will be informed of any significant changes.

The applicable version is the current version communicated to families by Micro Cosmos.

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21. Acceptance of the Internal Rules

These Internal Rules are made available to families before or at the time of registration.

Parents or legal guardians are required to read and accept the Internal Rules through their Micro Cosmos member account.

Acceptance is recorded electronically, together with the date of acceptance and the version of the Internal Rules accepted by the parent or legal guardian.

By accepting the Internal Rules, the parent or legal guardian confirms that they have read, understood and agree to comply with them.

If significant changes are made to the Internal Rules, families may be asked to review and accept the updated version.