PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT
The Waynesboro Area YMCA’s Child Care offers a program that promotes the spiritual, emotional, social, educational and physical growth of all of the children enrolled. We believe that all children learn in different ways and at different paces, therefore, we use a variety of instructional techniques in order to offer a developmentally appropriate curriculum. We believe that play is an integral part of a child’s learning and offer the opportunity for growth through Free Choice Time and dramatic play each day. We believe that every child is special and will be treated as such regardless of race, color, religious creed, disability, ancestry, national origin (including limited English proficiency) age, or sex.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
*To expose children to a modified school experience and prepare them for kindergarten *To provide enrichment curriculm for our preschool & kindergarten students *To encourage participation in a variety of small and gross motor activities *To emphasize Christian values *To foster self-esteem and self-discovery through developmentally appropriate practices *To initiate a climate in which parents feel welcome to participate in their child’s child care experience
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Class Sizes: 3 years - Kindergarten- 36 students with two teachers and two assistants.
SCHEDULE
Times: Monday – Friday 6:30 am – 6:00 pm.
**Children may be dropped off no earlier than 6:30 am. ALL CHILDREN MUST BE PICKED UP PROMPTLY by 6:00 PM. PARENTS WILL BE CHARGED $5.00 PER EVERY 15 MINUTES AFTER PICK UP TIME (EXAMPLE: late pick-up @ 6:00-6:15, you will be charged $5.00 late fee//late pick-up @ 6:16-6:30 pm, you will be charged $10.00 etc.). THIS MONEY WILL BE DUE BY YOUR CHILD’S NEXT ATTENDANCE DAY. FAILURE TO REMIT PAYMENT MAY RESULT IN EXPULSION OF YOUR CHILD UNTIL PAYMENT IS RECEIVED.
The YMCA is closed for the following holidays: New Year’s Day Labor Day Good Friday Thanksgiving Memorial Day Christmas Independence Day
***The YMCA closes at 4:00 pm on New Year’s Eve and Christmas Eve. There may be additional days the program may close due to low anticipated attendance. We do not offer credits for holiday closings.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Listen to the following stations for cancellations or delays: WAYZ (104.7), WIKZ (95.1), WQCM (94.3), and WSRT (92.1), WCRH (90.5) or check the Waynesboro YMCA Website www.waynesboroymca.org. When there is a weather related School Closure, Child Care will open at 7:00 am to ensure safe travel for our staff. If the YMCA opens late due to inclement weather, Child Care will open at that time. In the event the YMCA is closed or opens later than 12:00 pm, Child Care will be closed all day and your childs account will be credited for the day the Y is closed.
REQUIREMENTS
Our Child Care program is licensed by the Department of Public Welfare. The regulations from this process require that we use their forms. THE FORMS WHICH ACCOMPANY THIS HANDBOOK MUST BE FILLED OUT COMPLETELY AND RETURNED TO THE YMCA BY THE REQUIRED DEADLINES. YOUR CHILD’S ADMISSION INTO THE PROGRAMS IS DEPENDENT UPON THIS!!! THE EMERGENCY CONTACT/PARENTAL CONSENT FORM, MUST BE FILLED OUT IN ITS ENTIRETY. (THIS INCLUDES AREA CODES, FULL ADDRESSES, INSURANCE POLICY NUMBERS, ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING!!) THE EMERGENCY CONTACT AND AGREEMENT FORMS MUST BE COMPLETED BY YOUR CHILD’S FIRST DAY WITH US. THIS IS CRUCIAL! The Health Assessment Form must be filled out by a physician and turned in no later than 30 days from your child’s first day of attendance. The form is valid for one year. Please note that failure to comply with these regulations will result in the dismissal of your child from the child care program until the proper forms are received. These are the regulations of DPW and must be followed in order for us to maintain our license. Please help us to avoid any complications.
GENERAL ACTIVITIES
Alphabet & Numerals-3 year olds will be exposed to letters and numerals through various tactile and visual techniques. 4 year olds will work on letter and numeral recognition, recitation and writing. According to the expectations of the Waynesboro Area School District kindergarten teachers, each child will master the first letter of his/her first name. Kindergarteners will receive reinforcement and additional reading skills to help enhance their school experience.
Birthdays-Each child may bring a special snack on the day closest to his/her birthday. This day children may bring a special treat to share with friends.
Circle Time-Circle Time will be conducted each day. A typical “circle” shall include weather and calendar discussions, the pledge of allegiance, a book and songs or fingerplays. A great deal of instruction takes place during Circle Time.
Cooking-Some days a cooking activity may replace a craft. These cooking activities will further reinforce the concepts of working cooperatively, counting and measuring.
Craft/Art-Craft/art projects will be conducted on a regular basis. These projects will encourage creativity and knowledge of colors and shapes. Small motor coordination will be strengthened through coloring, cutting, pasting and painting. Many times the childrens’ work will be displayed before being sent home.
Devotional Activities-Classes will meet for Bible Time provided by Child Evangelism Fellowship on a weekly basis. Various Christian songs(ie-”Jesus Loves Me”) may also be sung during circle time. Grace is said or sung before snack each day. There will be a strong Christian emphasis in our program.
Field Trips- Many field trips and special guests will scheduled throughout the year. Tuition covers the additional cost of a bus for our field trips but parents must pay any admission fees associated with the trip. When you sign your Parental Consent/Emergency Contact Form, you will be signing a section giving permission for trips and transportation.
Fire Drills- Fire drills are conducted monthly. This helps children become familiar with the evacuation process should an emergency arise.
Free Choice Time-The beginning and balanced throughout each day the children will have the opportunity to engage in free choice time. This is the time when the children are able to make their own choices as to which activities they would like to participate. Free choice time also works well as a transitional time from home as a foundation for working on language and social skills with peers and adults.
Snack- The YMCA will provide a light morning (8:00 – 8:30) and afternoon snack (3:30 – 4:00). AM Snack includes a variety of items such as: waffles, pancakes, french toast sticks, toast, bagels, pop tarts, muffins, fruit, cereal, sausage/biscuits, english muffins, etc. with milk or juice. PM Snack includes a variety of items such as: fresh fruit or vegtables, chips & salsa, pretzels, cookies, variety of crackers, fruit bars, cheese sticks etc. Snack are served each day with milk, juice or water.
Lunch- Parents are responsible for providing lunch. Children may either bring a packed lunch or purchase a lunch from the school district. Monthly menus will be sent home with your child. Lunch tickets (10/sheet) are available at the Member Service Desk only. We cannot sell individual tickets. On days when school is closed (including the summer) a packed lunch must be provided. Please be sure use an ice pack for any items that must remain cold.
Rest time-Children will have rest time each afternoon. Each child will be provided with a rest cot & blanket which will be washed weekly. Your child may bring a favorite blanket, small pillow & stuffed animal for rest time. Please bring these items home with you weekly for washing.
Physical Education-Activities done in the gym are designed to enhance balance, strength, coordination, body awareness and other physical skills. Safety and ability to participate fully is dependant upon being dressed appropriately. Sneakers or rubber-soled shoes must be worn. If necessary, a change of shoes may be brought.
Science-Various scientific activities will be done in order to aid children in understanding their world and to satisfy their natural curiosity.
“Star of the Week”- Each week we will be showcasing a child in our special “Star of the Week” discovery table. The Star of the Week may bring in anything to tell the class about themselves. After sharing with the class their items will be displayed in the table for the week. Items may include pictures, drawings, toys or other items that are special to them. You will be notified a week in advance when your child is our Star of the wee!!!
PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Parents must ensure that their child arrives and is picked up in the classroom each day. Each child must be signed in and out daily.
2. Parents will be asked to occasionally donate special items for parties and special events. We understand that some parents are unable to volunteer-these parents may wish to find other ways in which to be involved.
3. Parents must alert teachers to any possible health problems such as allergies, ear problems related to swimming, known physical or learning disabilities or temporary problems that may affect behavior or may prevent child from participating fully.
4. If your child is on medication which must be adminstered during program hours, a medicine consent form must be completed daily. All medicines must come in the original container and labeled with the physician’s name, current date, instructions for use, the child’s name, the name of the medication and the dosage strength. Medication may only be administered with a gauged measuring device (graduated spoon, dropper, etc) to be provided by the parent and labeled with the child’s name.
5. Children are released only to parents and those listed on the Parental Consent/Emergency Contact Form in the “Individuals to Whom Child May be Released” section. If someone other than those listed is to pick up your child, you must notify your child’s teacher in writing when you drop off him/her or call the YMCA at 762-6012. The individual will be asked to show proper identification.
6. Each child is required to keep a complete set of extra clothing labled with their name. These extra clothes are used for emergency changes. Parents are responsible for taking home soiled clothing and replacing them with clean extras.
7. If your child is going to be absent from school for more than one day, please call the Y to tell us. When your child returns, please check with the teacher or assistant to make sure that you have not missed any information.
8. A 2-week notice IN WRITING (email or written letter) must be provided when withdrawing your child from our program. At the time your 2-week notice is given, please pay your child’s remaining tuition in full. If your child stops attending without a 2-week notice you will be still be billed for the days missed up to 2-weeks after services are discontinued.
9. If you have any questions or concerns, please speak directly to your child’s teacher. You may call 717- 762-6012 Ext. 137 or email [email protected]. If you are unsatisfied after discussing the situation, you are encouraged to contact the director.
TUITION
Registration Fees: Y members-$20.00 Nonmembers-$25.00 This fee is nonrefundable and holds your space in the class for up to 2 weeks until your first payment is paid.
Tuition: Preschool Care Kindergarten Care
Member Nonmember Member Nonmember 5 days/week $106.00 $118.00 5 days/week $91.00 $100.00 4 days/week $87.00 $97.00 4 days/week $74.00 $82.00 3 days/week $68.00 $75.00 3 days/week $58.00 $64.00 2 days/week $47.00 $51.00 2 days/week $40.00 $44.00 1 day/week $24.00 $27.00 1 day/week $21.00 $23.00
Weekly payments are due the Friday prior to the week of service. An additional $10.00 ($5.00 for part time families or families receiving subsidy) late fee will be applied to any payment not received as of 12:00 pm Monday. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Child Care fees are based on enrollment (a reserved space) NOT on attendance. To maintain a reserved space, fees must be paid during the absence of a child due to illness, vacation, holidays. Or any other reason. Fees pay for our daily operating costs. Reminder: If your child is unable to continue in YMCA Child Care, we must have a two week notice IN WRITING (email or written letter) so that the vacant position can be filled. If two weeks notice is not given, you will be responsible for the next 2 weeks.
Vacation- Each family will receive ONE week vacation per year (based on the school calendar year through the following summer. A 2-week notice IN WRITING (email or written letter) to stop biliing for the week is required. The number of days off will equal the number of days a child is enrolled weekly at the time the request is made.
Financial Assistance- Partial scholarships are available. Ask for a financial assistance application at the Courtesy Desk. Please contact CCIS prior to applying for our “Open Doors” program.
Returned Payment Policy- The YMCA charges a $25.00 fee for returned items.
TAX INFORMATION
Please be sure to keep all receipts of payments made for child care. These along with our Tax Identification number (#231352601) will be needed for your Federal Tax Child Care Credit. You may also request a tax statement from our Finance office by completing a request form at our Member Services Desk.
FLEX SPENDING STATEMENTS
If you participate in flex spending and need proof of payment, please submit your request to the director. We will provide you with a statement from your account to submit. Please provide us with the dates needed. There will be a $2.00 fee per statement. Please allow 2-5 days for processing.
YMCA Child Care Outdoor Activity Policy
The Department of Public Welfare regulation concerning outdoor activity states: “weather permitting; the children will be taken outside daily”. The YMCA Child Care Programs definition of “weather permitting” will be as follows: In the event of extreme temperatures (temperatures or wind chill below 30 degrees & heat indexes above 90 degrees), the children may still be brought outside briefly (5-10 minute maximum) for fresh air. If the temperature or wind chill is below 20 degrees or heat index is above 100 degrees) all children will remain indoors.
Please dress your child for the weather with the following guidelines:
Winter: Heavyweight jackets, hats, gloves, and boots (when there is snow on the ground) Spring: light jackets. Summer: shorts & t-shirts, please have your child bring a water bottle on hot days. Fall: mid-weight jackets, hats & gloves.
Feel free to contact the director if you have any questions or concerns regarding our outdoor activities and/or the weather.
DISCIPLINE POLICY
It is the belief of the YMCA Child Care Staff that good discipline is positive and nonthreatening and works to increase childrens’ respect for self and others. Children are encouraged to take responsibility for their own actions, as well as, to respect the rights and feelings of others. When conflicts do arise, the following steps are taken: 1. The children will be encouraged to resolve the conflict through positive techniques taught. 2. If conflict continues, the teacher may remove or redirect the children involved from the situation. 3. If there is a repeated, unresolved conflict parents will be asked for input on how best to resolve the situation.
It is our policy to never resolve conflicts through the use of physical or psychological abuse. We will not allow others, including the children, to do so either. When a child does inflict physical harm upon another, s/he will receive a written warning. A repeated offense will necessitate a conference with the parents and possible suspension/expulsion from the program.
Join our Facebook group to keep informed of upcoming events & activities!!! Find us at Waynesboro Area YMCA Child Care- Parent Page. For the safety of our children this is a closed group only for parents & guardians of children CURRENTLY enrolled. If there is a grandparent, caregiver or other special person you would like to have added to the group please send a message to one of the group administrators for approval. Group rules:
. Please DO NOT post comments or complaints of a private matter on the group wall. Questions and concerns about your child or the program should be done privately with your child's teacher or director through a phone call, email or private conversation. . Please remember the purpose of the Parent Page is for communication purposes for the Child Care Program ONLY! If you would like to communicate with another parent for any purposes outside our program, please do so through a private message. Thank you!!!
LABELS FOR EDUCATION, BOOK ORDERS & FUND RAISERS
We collect various UPCs and lids from the following: Campbells, Pepperidge Farm, BIC, Pace, V8 Juices, Prego, Post Cereals, Danimals, Emerald, Glad, Swanson, Wolfgang Puck, & Pop Secret. You will receive a complete list of these items and updates throughout the year. It’s not just Campbell’s anymore. A book order is sent home each month. The YMCA Child Care program receives bonus points for each item sold and then use the points to “purchase” items for the classrooms. Various fundraisers will be held throughout the year to help fund special purchases and activities. If you have any fundrairer ideas, please feel free to share them with the classroom teacher.
MEDICAL POLICIES
Medical Form-Your child’s Health Assessment must be returned within 30 days of his/her first day. ALL portions of the form must be filled out by a physician.
Illness- Children who are ill should not attend. Sick children will not benefit from being here and, if contagious, could make their classmates ill. Children with a temperature of 100 F or higher will not be admitted. If a temperature is discovered at school, the child will be sent home. Please keep your child home for 24 hours following a stomach virus (i.e. vomiting or diarrhea). Parents are required to inform the director or classroom teacher if their child is suffering from a communicable disease, action taken & current status of illness (pink eye, lice, chicken pox, etc.) so that we may post a note for the parents to watch their child for similar signs.
Rashes-Children will not be permitted in school with any rash unless the cause is known. If the nature of the rash is unknown, the child must have a physician’s note in order to return to class.
Head Lice-A child who has head lice may be permitted to return to school after treatment & there are no longer signs of infestation & Nits are no longer present. If, however, the same child contracts lice again, s/he will be prohibited from child care until a doctor’s note has been received by the director or teacher.
EMERGENCY PLAN
Our Emergency Plan provides for response to all types of emergencies. Depending on the circumstance of the emergency, we will use one of the following protective actions:
Immediate evacuation Students are evacuated to a safe area on the grounds of the facility in the event of a fire, etc.
In-place sheltering Sudden occurrences, weather or hazardous materials related, may dictate that taking cover inside the building is the best immediate response.
Evacuation Total evacuation of the facility may become necessary if there is a danger in the area. In this case, children will be taken to relocation facility at Summitview Elementary School, 840 W. Second St. Waynesboro, PA OR Otterbein Ministry Center, 912 S. Potomac St., Waynesboro, PA.
Modified Operation, May include cancellation/postponement or rescheduling of normal activities. These actions are normally taken in case of a winter storm or building problems (such as utility disruptions) that make it unsafe for children but may be necessary in a variety of situations.
Please listen to WAYZ (104.7), WIKZ (95.1), WQCM (94.3), and WSRT (92.1), WCRH (90.5) for announcements relating any of the emergency actions listed above.
We ask that you not call during the emergency. This will keep the main telephone line free to make emergency calls and relay information.
The form designating persons to pick up your child is included with this handbook for you to complete and have returned to the day care facility. This form will be used every time your child is released. Please ensure that only those persons you list on the form attempt to pick up your child.
I specifically urge you not to attempt to make different arrangements during an emergency. This will only create additional confusion and divert staff from their assigned emergency duties.
In order to assure the safety of your children and our staff, I ask your understanding and cooperation. If you have additional questions regarding our emergency operating procedures contact Tanja Koons, Child Care Program Director at 717-762-6012 Ext. 131 or email [email protected].
If at any time you have questions or concerns about our program, please feel free to discuss them with our child care staff or myself. Only with your feedback can we make this the best year yet in the YMCA Child Care programand provide a truly great experience for your child!
Again, Welcome and Thanks for your support of the YMCA Child Care program!
Sincerely,
Tanja Koons Child Care Director
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ (Detach and return with the required forms.)
(Please detach and return with forms)
I have read the YMCA Child Care handbook and am willing to abide by its policies and procedures:
CHILD’S NAME______
PARENT’S SIGNATURE______DATE______
Child care handbooks text