YMCA MISSION
The YMCA’s mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. Our programs are open to all children regardless of their race, creed, religion, sex or national origin.
PROGRAM GOALS
Our Y BASE program has the following goals in mind:
- Learn an appreciation of others through the YMCA’s core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility
- Develop new skills and interests
- Gain an appreciation of the world around us
- Provide an opportunity to exert leadership skills
- Develop an appreciation of self-worth
- Provide a safe, fun place for all children
PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY
Each child will be guided to develop at his or her own unique rate by encouraging skill development and frequent leadership opportunities.
Second only to human relationships, a well-planned curriculum will help define a child’s experience in our program. Curriculum affects all aspects of a program: its overall quality, parent perceptions, and the outcomes and benefits on individual children. Our innovative after school program is centered on nine research-based core components to keep children active and engaged.
RESEARCH BASED CORE CURRICULUM COMPONENTS
Tutoring and Mentoring
- Work one-on-one or in small group settings to hone math, literacy, and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) skills.
- Opportunity to explore peer-to-peer and youth-to-adult mentoring
Arts Education
- Explore drama, photography, drawing, painting, music, and creative writing
- Value process over product
- Learn about problem solving and creative risk taking in supportive endorsements
Leadership Development
- Become leaders at the Y and in their community
- Develop writing, speaking, presentation, and conflict resolution skills
- Partner with High School Clubs and YMCA groups to develop mentoring relationships
Global Awareness & Inclusion
- Create global citizens through interaction with international foods, music, language, and culture
- Value all perspectives and diversity
Health and Wellness
Service Learning
- Opportunities to “give back”
- Exploration of community resources to create positive, lasting change
Family Engagement
- Parent newsletter and family activities and events
- Effective and efficient communication
21st Century
- Learn to be contributing citizens through group work, conflict resolution, and innovative skills
- Knowledgeable of current events
College & Career Exploration
- Opportunities to explore the interests and talents that allow them to be successful
- Interaction with high school, college, and university volunteers
PROGRAM AVAILABILITY
Dates
Our school year programs are in session for the duration of the school year and coincide with the respective school district’s calendar. School’s Out Fun Day programming will be offered on School District off-days and inclement weather.
Full-day, Summer Day Camp opportunities will be available at your local YMCA.
Times
Care is available both before and after school when the School District is in session. Care is also provided on early release days when applicable.
Registration
- Children in 4K (must be toilet trained) through 6th grade are welcome. Check with your location for the specific ages their program covers.
- Program availability varies based on each site’s licensed capacity. Capacities will be posted at each licensed location.
- Parents must keep the information on all forms updated and notify us immediately of changes.
Forms
All submitted registration information will be kept confidential and will only be shared with necessary Y staff. When necessary, Y staff will be informed and updated on each child’s special health needs; all information will be shared in a private setting.
Actions required for enrollment:
Actions required by first day of attendance:
TUITION PAYMENTS
- Payment must be made in full no later than the date listed on the tuition sheet, prior to service.
- Late payments and returned checks will both result in a $15 charge.
- No refunds will be given.
- There are no multiple child discounts or referral bonuses.
- Supplementary fees may be added to your regular payment upon request.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Individuals and families may apply for financial assistance for School Age programs. Assistance is based upon a number of factors, including total household income and number of dependents. The process is confidential and application forms and brochures about the program are available online or at the YMCA Business Office.
WISCONSIN SHARES CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE
Families in the Waterford Graded School District are able apply for Wisconsin Shares Child Care Assistance through the Department of Children and Families. Contact your Wisconsin Shares office for approval as you must have authorization before we can register your child for Y BASE Programs.
County Contacts
Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties: 1-888-947-6583
YMCA of Greater Waukesha County Provider Number: 4000558914
Location Numbers
Waterford Schools
Locations TBD
ARRIVAL
- Upon dropping off your child, you must sign him/her in to the Y’s care. Children must be escorted by an adult to their Y BASE location.
- To best serve your child’s needs, please communicate any necessary, daily information about your child to the Y staff.
- If there is a custody agreement, the YMCA is legally bound to respect the wishes of the parent with the legal custody. The Y BASE Director may ask for a certified copy of the most recent court order. If there is no court order, the YMCA will not accept responsibility for deciding which parent has legal custody.
DEPARTURE
- A list of persons authorized to pick up your child must be noted on the enrollment form.
- For your child’s protection, only authorized persons may sign a child out of the program. Anyone unfamiliar to Y staff will be asked for photo identification. There are no exceptions.
- No child will be released to the care of anyone less than 16 years of age.
- Upon picking up your child, you must sign him/her out of the Y’s care. EXCEPTION: If a child is to sign him/herself out of Y BASE, a signed alternative arrival/release form must be on file.
- Y Staff will, at minimum, verbally communicate with the authorized pick up person an update on your child’s progress.
- If you are running late, please call us so we can plan appropriate staffing and reassure your child.
- A fee of $1 will be charged for every minute after 6:00 PM that your child is not picked up.
- Chronic late pickups will be grounds for dismissal.
- If your child has not been picked up by 6:30 PM, or 30 minutes after the program he/she is in ends, the local authorities will be called.
Impaired Pick Up
In the event that the authorized pick up appears to be impaired, Y staff will ask the adult to make an alternative arrangement. If the adult is unwilling to do so, the matter will be referred to local authorities. The Y recognizes that this is a stringent policy, but we are morally and legally responsible if we release a child to an impaired adult.
ABSENCE POLICY
- Please notify us if your child will not be attending on a normally scheduled date. Please be sure to state your full name, your child’s full name, and their school on the message.
- Due to the varied arrival schedule for our morning programming, Y staff will give a list of absent students to each school’s administration by 9:00 AM. From that point it will be determined which party follows up with the absent students.
- For evening programming, each school’s administration will share with Y programming the list of absent students. Both the school and Y programming will make every effort to know the whereabouts of children enrolled in that day’s programming.
- Credits/refunds will not be given for an absence.
SUBMITTING SCHEDULE CHANGES
- If you wish to make a change to your child’s schedule, two weeks written notice is required.
- You may need to complete additional paperwork.
- No refunds or credits will be issued for days not attended.
SCHOOL’S OUT FUN DAYS
We offer School’s Out Fun Days on most of the days that your child’s school is closed. Parents will be notified of these programs in advance and allowed to enroll for an additional fee. This program is separate from our regular before and after school program. Children must bring a healthy bag lunch and a backpack along with a change of clothes, water bottle, swim suit, towel, and appropriate outdoor attire. The Y will provide two healthy snacks.
EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSINGS
Y BASE is closed when your child’s school closes due to inclement weather. School’s Out Fun Days may be offered, but only at the YMCA. If your child was scheduled for care on that day, you will be given a $15 credit towards the cost of a School’s Out Fun Day.
If your school district has an Early Closure or after school activities are canceled, we will operate an After School (PM) program at the discretion of the YMCA and school district. We ask that parents pick up their children as soon as possible due to deteriorating weather.
PROGRAM WITHDRAWAL
The YMCA reserves the right to withdraw a child from the program if, at the Y’s discretion, the enrollment of the child negatively affects the integrity of the program and/or the Y’s legal obligations through and under the Division of Children and Family Services.
At Parent’s Request
- Two-week notice of withdrawal is required in writing to the Y BASE Director. Verbal notice is not acceptable.
- No refunds or credits will be issued.
- Your signature on the enrollment form verifies your agreement and understanding of this policy.
At Y’s Request
Notification period prior to withdrawal is not required if the withdrawal is requested by the Y program. Withdrawal will be in writing. The Y reserves the option to withdraw a child for any of the following reasons:
- Non-payment of fees as agreed upon.
- Repeated failure of parents to pick child up on time.
- Failure to provide program with forms or current medication information as stipulated by state licensing and the parent handbook.
- Hostility by parents towards Y staff/volunteers.
- Chronic disruptive behavior by the child (Please see Child Guidance section).
ILLNESSES
The Y does not provide sick care. Please do not bring a child that is ill to the program. Upon arrival at the program, each child will be observed for symptoms of illness which include but are not limited to:
- A fever 100º F or above
- Congestion, nasal discharge or coughing serious enough to hinder the child from participating in normal routines
- Any rash or sore throat that is undiagnosed
- Eye inflammation
- Uncontrollable, inconsolable crying or lethargy
- Suspected lice or ringworm
- Stomach flu, vomiting or diarrhea
- Any other suspicious signs which might indicate the beginning of illness
If a child is prescribed antibiotics, they cannot return to the program for at least 24 hours without a health professional’s authorization. If a child has a fever, they cannot return to the program until they have a fever less than 100º F for 24 hours, uncontrolled.
Illness Onset During Programming
If your child becomes ill while in the program, the child will be kept isolated, within sight and sound of an adult, and we will notify you and/or the emergency contact. Because we are not licensed to provide sick care, a parent or authorized pick up must pick up the child within one hour of being contacted.
To ensure proper staff/child ratio, ill children may not stay inside during outdoor play time.
If your child leaves school early and they are enrolled in our after school programming, please follow our absent child policy.