Child Watch Guidelines

CHILD WATCH

Child Watch provides a playful, engaging option for children and is a service for YMCA Full Privilege Members and their dependent children living in the same household only. Our staff will care for and supervise your child(ren) while you are in a YMCA program or using one of our program areas. Due to space, we cannot accommodate those caring for extended family members or other children. During peak hours when demand is high, we will not register children of members who are watching another child in a class or program.

HOURS OF OPERATION
Check with each Branch for hours of operation, as these may differ based on demand. Call or stop by the Front Desk to register your child. Due to limited space, the service is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

TIME LIMITS/CAPACITY
Children may participate in the Child Watch program for a maximum of two hours per day. This includes time in the morning, evening and when using the locker room and showers.
Maximum size limits are in place to maintain health and safety for everyone. Call your individual branch for details. All children must be picked up on time. The staff are required to have all areas secured
before they leave, so please be considerate of time. A late fee of $5 will
be charged for each child not picked up by the close of Child Watch.

REGISTRATION
While the Child Watch Program is a drop-in service, registration must be completed at the Courtesy Desk prior to each use. Children must be signed in and out of the Child Watch program area each time the service is used by a responsible parent/guardian. The parent/guardian dropping off the child is responsible for picking up the child unless prior arrangements have been made and the proper authorization has been granted. The Child Watch staff will not release a child to another person other than the person signing the child in, without written authorization. All unknown persons picking up will be asked to show proof of identification.

WHAT TO BRING
Favorite toys/blankets are permitted, but discouraged and are not the responsibility of the YMCA staff. (Please mark all items clearly with the child’s name). Children should be fed prior to coming to the room. We ask that no food accompany your child, but a water bottle for your child is welcome and should be marked with their name.

ILLNESS
Children with visible signs of infection will not be permitted to attend the Child Watch program until the infection is cleared. Examples include: green runny nose, fever over lOOF, vomiting, pink eye, diarrhea, excessive cough or rashes. If your child appears ill in the Child Watch room, you will be immediately called to pick up your child. The staff and Director on duty will determine if the child is too sick to remain in the service.
The staff is not authorized to dispense medication or to perform special medical procedures other than those in a medical emergency. In cases of communicable diseases, a doctor’s note may be requested before a child can return to the Child Watch program.

DIAPERING/BATHROOM USE
Parents are responsible for diaper changes. Please make sure your child has a clean diaper when dropping him/her off. If your child requires a diaper change during their stay, the staff will call you. We request adults escort your toilet educated child to the restroom prior to utilizing the Child Watch program. This greatly reduces the time staff leave the program area, but should the need arise, children will be escorted and supervised by a member of the staff to the closest restroom.

BEHAVIOR
The YMCA reserves the right to revoke Child Watch privileges in cases where a child’s behavior or actions threaten the safety and welfare of staff, the child, or other children. When repeated efforts by program staff to modify child’s behavior, along with a parents interventions are still resulting in disruptive or unsafe behavior, the child may be dismissed from the program.