Hoover YMCA
Child Watch Parent Handbook
Ages:
8 weeks-walking
Walking-8 years
8 years and up
Regular Hours:
Infant Room: 8am-12pm Mon.-Fri. and 3:30-6:30pm Tues. & Thurs.
Child Watch: 8am-12:30pm Monday-Friday
3:30pm-8pm Monday-Friday (close @ 6pm Fridays)
8am-12:30pm Saturday
1pm-5pm Sunday
Kid Zone:
8am-11am Saturday
Ratios:
1:3 Infants 8 weeks-12 months
1:6 1-3 years
1:10 3-8 years
1:12 8-13 years
(Please understand that we will not exceed these ratios. For that
reason, a waiting list may be started once ratios are met.)
Infant Room (requires reservation)
Child Watch
Kid Zone
Rules:
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Child Watch is for member use while in the facility. Please do not leave the
facility while your child is in our care. A parent must be on the premises at all
times. Please use our drop n’ go option if you need to leave the building.
You are required to fill out a registration form for each child being cared for
in Child Watch. Be sure to list allergies, special instructions, and updated contact
information.
For each visit, you must sign your child in and out of Child Watch. Please fill
out the sheet fully and notify us of any special instructions.
If your child is not potty trained, we ask that you bring them in a clean
diaper. You must provide diapers and wipes for your child.
We will do all we can to assist your child in potty training. However, please
keep in mind that with our large volume of children coming in and out, it is difficult
to keep track of which child needs assistance. Please remind Child Watch staff on
each visit of your child’s individual pottying needs. If your child uses pull-ups, please
provide extras as well as wipes in case of an accident. It is always a good idea to
send a change of clothes.
Please wash your hands and your child’s hands before entering Child Watch.
We want the Child Watch area to be as sanitary as possible, and hand washing cuts
back drastically on germs that cause illness.
Please make sure your child is fed prior to entering Child Watch. We are not
equipped to serve meals.
When sending drinks, please use a labeled bottle or spill proof cup. No glass
containers permitted.
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We are willing to give an infant a bottle for soothing purposes with your
permission. Please notify staff if you wish for your baby to be fed while in Child
Watch. There will be no spoon feeding/meals. We are not equipped with
refrigeration, bottle warming, etc.
Please label all of your child’s belongings.
We must be able to reach you while your child is in our care. Please keep
your cell phone close by and listen for the YMCA intercom in case the Child Watch
staff should need you for any reason.
We require a reservation for all infants 8 weeks to 10 months (or walking).
Reservations must be made within 24 hours and the time limit is 1.5 hours.
The time limit for children walking to 8 years is 2 hours. Once that time limit
is met, you will be charged Drop n’ Go charges for any additional time in Child
Watch. Please don’t make it a habit to exceed the 2 hour time limit without a Drop
n’ Go reservation.
Please do not open the Child Watch gate yourself. For safety reasons, please
allow a staff member to assist you.
Do not bring toys from home. We provide fun, safe, and age appropriate toys for
all ages. We are never responsible for lost, stolen, or broken belongings.
Please remind us of any allergies your child might have upon each visit to
Child Watch.
Discipline is handled on a case by case basis according to the age and
maturity of each child. Redirection and time out, as well as reiterating the 4 core
values of the YMCA (caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility) will be our main
methods of discipline. We may ask you to reinforce the discouragement of undesired
behavior at home. Should a child have consistent behavior issues that affect the
safety of other children or themselves, they will not be permitted in the Child Watch
area until the issue is fully resolved. A parent conference may be requested.
No strollers are allowed within the Child Watch area. Car seats, baby carriers,
etc. are permitted.
When you sign your child in, both you and your child(ren) will be stamped
with the same letter. You must present that letter when picking up your
child to verify that you are their parent/guardian. Please be careful not to
wash your letter off. If you do, be prepared to present a photo ID when you pick up
your child. If another parent/guardian is picking up, be sure to notify the Child
Watch staff. They will be required to present a photo ID as well and must be on the
approved list.
No sick children will be permitted in the Child Watch area. If your child has a
fever, cough, rash, green mucus, diarrhea, tummy ache, or anything else potentially
contagious, they may not attend Child Watch.
If your child cries, screams, or is clearly anxious or distraught for longer
than 15 minutes, you will be paged. We want all of the children to enjoy their
experience in Child Watch. However, it can be traumatic for some to leave their
parent. We will do all we can to soothe your child and make them comfortable and
we are willing to work with you and your child to make their experience an enjoyable
one.
Child Watch Handbook Receipt
Thank you for reading and complying with these important policies. They are for the safety
of each child we serve.
YMCA Mission: To put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build
healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
Please sign below stating that you have received, read and understand the Child Watch
Parent Handbook for the Hoover Family Branch YMCA.
Member/Parent/Guardian Signature
Member/Parent/Guardian Printed Name
Child(ren)’s name
Date
Hoover Family Branch YMCA
Child Watch Registration Form
Child’s Name
______________________________________________________________
(Last)
(First)
(Middle)
Birthdate
____ /____ /_______
Home Address ___________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name ______________________________________________
Cell Phone
______________________
Other Phone
____________________
Parent/Guardian Name ______________________________________________
Cell Phone
______________________
Other Phone
____________________
Other Adults Authorized to Pick-up Child:
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
Name
Name
Phone
Phone
List anyone who is NOT to authorized to pick-up your child under any circumstances:
_______________________________________________________________________________
Medical Information:
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Is your child on medication?
No
Yes
please list _________________________
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Does your child have any special needs, physical or mental limitations that may affect group
participation? No Yes
If yes, please explain:
__________________________________________________________________
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Please list any allergies: _______________________________________________
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Is your child up to date on all immunizations? No Yes If no, please explain:
___________________________________________________________________
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Child’s Physician ______________________ Phone _______________________
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Preferred Hospital ____________________________________________________
A person responsible for this child will stay on the Hoover YMCA premises at all times.
If I cannot be found in the event of an emergency when medical assistance is required for my child, I grant
permission to the YMCA staff to secure proper medical and/or emergency treatment including but not limited to
injections, anesthesia, surgery, or emergency transportation for my child named herein. The Birmingham
Association YMCA, Hoover Family Branch and/or personnel assume no liability for any accident.
_________________________________________________ ______________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
Date
_________________________________________________ ______________________
Name Printed
Member ID #