CAN I RESERVE A SPOT IN ADVANCE?
First come, first served basis. No reservations required, but measured capacity limits will be set. Three-hour time limit per child.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
Snacks/food will not be distributed in Child Watch. We strongly discourage bringing toys and other personal items from home.
WHAT ARE THE SAFETY PROCEDURES?
Our staff follow a strict cleaning protocol that ensures our facility and equipment remains clean and safe. High traffic areas, including check-in areas, playgrounds, changing areas, and restrooms, are cleaned on a frequent basis.
All plush toys have been removed and toys/personal belongings brought from home are not allowed in Child Watch.
To ensure the safety of all children in Child Watch, we follow the intake screening and assessment below:
- Child’s temperature is taken at home
- Parent/guardian confirms there is no illness
- No medication has been given to suppress a fever
If a child becomes ill while in Child Watch, a parent/guardian is required to pick them up immediately.
GENERAL
- Children must be signed in and out of Child Watch by an adult (18 & up).
- Children need to be signed out of Child Watch by the same person who signed them in, unless prior arrangements have been made.
- If you are babysitting another child, you may only bring that child with written permission from the parent or guardian. Rates will be assessed for that child dependent on whether his or her parent/guardian is a YMCA member.
- A photo ID is required for pick-up of children from Child Watch.
WELLNESS
Child Watch staff cannot accept a child in to Child Watch if they have had the following symptoms within the last 24 hours:
- Fever
- Diarrhea and/or vomiting
- Communicable diseases (including pink eye)
- Rash
- Open sores
- Yellow or green runny nose or eyes
- Excessive cough
- Has been in contact with someone suspected of or confirmed with having COVID-19 in the last 14 days
If your child appears ill, we will contact you and ask you to take your child home. If your child stayed home from school because he or she is not feeling well, they should not be in Child Watch. In order to return to Child Watch, a Doctor’s note may be requested at staff discretion.
Employees may not administer medicine, including diaper cream. Please do not bring prescriptions or over-the–counter medicine to Child Watch.
We ask that you notify Child Watch if your child has come down with a contagious disease and were in Child Watch during the incubation period.
Communicable disease notification will be posted in Child Watch for seven days to alert parents of possible exposure.
Open wounds or skin irritations must be covered while in Child Watch. Please ask an attendant if your child needs a bandage.
EMERGENCIES
You will be notified immediately of any emergency or potentially serious injury concerning your child. You will be updated on any other situations when you pick up your child. Appropriate first aid or comforting techniques will be used for each particular situation.
LATE PICK-UP
If you repeatedly pick-up your child after closing time OR exceed the 1 hour time limit, you may be subject to suspension from Child Watch services.
CLOTHING
Proper clothing and undergarments are required in Child Watch. The temperature inside may vary so prepare by dressing your child in appropriate clothing.
FOOTWEAR
• All mobile children must wear shoes or socks. Bare feet are not permitted in Child Watch.
• Wet shoes or boots are not allowed in Child Watch. Please bring a dry pair of shoes to change into during inclement weather.
BATHROOM PROCEDURES
- Children who are being toilet-trained will be directed to use the bathroom.
- Children should be able to use the bathroom without assistance.
- Staff will give minimal assistance with bathroom functions and with changing or adjusting clothes.
- Parents will be called to assist their child with any difficulties.
DIAPERING
- Please bring your child in a clean, dry diaper.
- Disposable diapers will be changed for children as needed.
- Please bring diapers and wipes for your child. We will retrieve you if you do not have diapers. We cannot apply diaper rash cream of any kind.
- We encourage the use of disposable diapers, but cloth diapers are allowed. However, we are unable to rinse soiled diapers or rubber pants: all soiled items will be placed in a bag and returned to you.
- Diaper bags must be labeled on the outside.
BEHAVIOR
For everyone in Child Watch to have a safe and positive experience, we utilize the following behavior management approach:
- If a child is misbehaving, we will redirect the child to an appropriate activity. We will suggest several alternatives.
- A Behavior form may be completed and discussed with the parent to address inappropriate behavior.
- If inappropriate behavior continues and becomes a safety issue for your child or other children, we will ask that you remove your child from Child Watch for an amount of time determined by staff.
- For the safety and well-being of all children using Child Watch, inappropriate behavior (i.e., spitting, biting, inappropriate language, harm to self, harm to others or property) may lead to a loss of Child Watch privileges for your child or family.
EMOTIONAL NEEDS
If a child is upset and inconsolably crying in Child Watch, staff will make every effort to calm and comfort the child and help them acclimate to the Child Watch environment. After 15 minutes of crying, the staff will locate the caregiver to pick up the child.
SPECIAL NEEDS
If your child has any special needs please inform the staff, coordinator or director prior to check-in. The YMCA will make every effort to accommodate your family. We recommend that the caregiver sit down for a conference with the Child Watch Coordinator and Camp & Family Director prior to the first visit to ensure a successful partnership between the staff and family.
VOLUNTEERS
Opportunities to volunteer are available in many areas of the YMCA. Ask for an application at the front desk.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
We believe in providing membership and program services to all who desire to participate. The YMCA's financial assistance program, supported in part through contributions to our Annual Campaign, provides membership and program scholarships for those in need.