Sibling drop-off program launches in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Just for Kids (JFK) Sibling Park is part of a year-long pilot project at the Montreal Children’s Hospital

Dealing with the hospitalization of a sick newborn can make balancing care for siblings difficult. But thanks to the support of our donors, a newly launched pilot project aims to make things just a little bit easier for families in this difficult situation.

JFK Sibling Park is a one year pilot project offering a supervised play area at the Montreal Children’s Hospital dedicated to caring for siblings of patients hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Professional staff and volunteers will be on site to welcome children up to the age 13 to participate in fun activities in a safe and caring environment.

The Park will cater to patient families by focusing on the often overlooked healthy siblings of these tiny patients. This program will provide overwhelmed parents with more time to bond with their hospitalized babies, alleviating the financial and time-consuming stress of securing additional childcare.  Siblings will be able to join their parents at the hospital and be cared for in a warm and welcoming environment, run by a group of childcare professionals. They will be engaged in games and activities and be assisted with homework, to help maintain routine in their lives as their families go through trying times. The Sibling Park will enable bonding time for everyone and allow siblings to feel included in the care of their new baby.  This is an innovative and holistic approach to caring for sick children and their families. 

Location: Child life activity centre BS1.2702 (near the giant teddy bear)

• Hospital phone number: 514-412-4400 
• Room extension: 61016
• Email: [email protected] (please feel free to email for questions, , changes of schedule…)

Summer schedule: July 21 ^st , 2017 to October 1 ^st , 2017

• Monday to Friday: 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday:  9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Fall schedule: October 6 ^th , 2017 to December 17 ^th , 2017

• Friday: 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday:  9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.                                                                                                          

To ensure the optimal functioning of the Park, we ask that parents/guardians of children:

• Remain at the site during their child’s visit to the JFK Sibling Park
• Be reachable at any time by staff members while their child is at the Park
• Accompany the child to and from the Park
• Provide all information needed to better care for their child.
• Change their child’s diapers, if need be, right before coming to the Park. There are 2 changing stations located close by
• Commit to pocking up their child by the agreed upon time and let staff know if someone else will be picking up their child (this person must present photo ID upon drop-off and pick-up)
• Ensure their child is feeling well before entering the Park (children with rashes, cough, fever, runny nose, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or any infectious condition should not be attending)
• Ensure that no food, drinks or personal toys are brought into the play area for allergy and infection control purposes.
• If the child has a health condition (e.g. diabetes), a clearly identified snack can be brought in.

This program is funded by the Just for Kids Foundation.