Here in Manitoba there is a legal requirement for any child under the
age of 12 to be supervised (hence, babysitters must be at least 12
years of age).  Any adult dropping younger children off at our
institution for a casual visit is breaking the law.

All staff encourage parents to directly supervise their children at
all times while at the museum/planetarium/science centre.
Unsupervised children are put into contact with a security officer,
who either locates the parents/caregivers or police (although I don't
believe this has ever happened).  At a nearby Children's Museum, they
have a clear policy of contacting the police or Child and Family
Services department if children are left unsupervised (more of a
problem there, I understand, as they are right next to a large
shopping complex).

Children that are dropped off for pre-registered programs are
supervised by Museum staff or trained volunteers (all of whom are at
least 15 years of age, usually they are adults).  In this case, the
museum is responsible for their care and safety.  For our programs,
clubs, camps, etc., at least one staff member greets the child at the
door (or at curbside, depending on the weather) and takes over
supervisory responsibility directly from the parent/caregiver.  The
child is directly handed over to the parent at the end of the session.
And, yes, we have had a number of forgetful parents, whose children
remain with the staff until they are contacted and appear for pickup.

We have not had any major problems; these measures are precautionary.
We haven't yet had to seriously consider barcoding or UV coding of
parent/caregiver to child (as some local recreational centres have
done) to prevent the child leaving with the wrong adult.

George Wurtak
Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature/Planetarium/Science Centre
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Glen Moore <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>How do Science Centre and Museums treat the situation where a adult drops off
>children at a museum and leaves?

>Is there an age below which a child would be refused admission without a
>supervising adult? Or do you have a minimum age for the supervisor?

>For example:
>A 15 year old with a 3 year old ?
>What about a 10yr old with a 3 yr old?
>What about a 6 yr old?

>What rules do you have in place?

>Glen Moore
>Director
>Science Centre and Planetarium
>Wollongong, AUSTRALIA
>[log in to unmask]  fax: 61 42 836665