YMCA Kids Club Family Handbook

Transcription

1 YMCA Kids Club Family Handbook

2 YMCA of Greater Vancouver Welcome to the YMCA of Greater Vancouver! Choosing a child care provider is a big decision. You want your child to feel at home, learn, grow and have fun in an environment that is welcoming, safe and stimulating. Most of all you want caring and supportive caregivers who have your child s well-being at heart and understand what makes your child special. You ve come to the right place. I m glad you ve chosen the YMCA. On behalf of all of us, I want to formally welcome you to the YMCA family. For more than 125 years, we have been part of the community, helping kids realize their potential and develop the confidence, relationships and leadership skills they need to lead our community into the future. Being a part of the YMCA Kids Club means that your child s time before and after school is spent in a safe, caring environment. And more than that, you ve also chosen to be a part of an organization who cares deeply about the people and the community in which we live. The YMCA of Greater Vancouver is a charity dedicated to strengthening the foundations of community and building healthy and connected children and families. With a commitment to nurturing the potential of children, teens and young adults, promoting healthy living, and fostering social responsibility, the YMCA ensures that every individual has access to the essentials needed to learn, grow and thrive. Rooted in more than 1,000 communities around the country, the YMCA has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. We promise to help your child thrive, grow and have a whole bunch of fun along the way. Through our YMCA Kids Clubs, young people learn values and positive behaviors in a supportive environment. That makes for confident kids today, and contributing, engaged adults in the future. We re glad you ve joined us. Welcome. Stephen Butz President and CEO YMCA of Greater Vancouver

3 Welcome to YMCA Child Care One of the Lower Mainland s leading charities, the YMCA of Greater Vancouver provides services in health & fitness, child care, camping, employment & community services throughout the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley. As Western Canada s largest provider of licenced child care, we offers programs for children aged 6 weeks to 12 years at over 50 licensed facilities throughout Greater Vancouver. YMCA Kids Clubs are licenced group child care programs for school age children, offering before and after school care based out of select elementary schools. YMCA Kids Clubs also operate during non-instructional days and some also stay open during school breaks. Our Commitment to Children & Families The YMCA is dedicated to strengthening families and communities. We value the strength of each family and respect the various backgrounds that enrich our programs. We recognize that each child is an individual and that each family has different needs, interests and expectations. Our goal is to build partnerships and work with families and neighborhood organizations, to help children grow to be healthy, caring, competent adults. We support families by providing information, resources and programs that will assist them in their role as parents and help sustain a healthy family lifestyle. Inclusion The YMCA works in partnership with families, respecting the diverse backgrounds that enrich our programs, and recognizing all families have different needs, interests and expectations. YMCA Child Care programs are open to all children including those children with special needs. To support the inclusion of children with special needs, the YMCA, the child s family and any external support services will work together collaboratively to ensure effective inclusion. For further information, please speak with your YMCA Kids Club staff team. Hours of Operation YMCA Kids Clubs are open Monday to Friday, with hours of operation varying by program. All programs remain open for non-instructional school days, and many stay open during school breaks, such as winter, spring and summer break. YMCA Kids Clubs are closed on statutory holidays, including Easter Monday and Boxing Day. For a list of current program hours, please refer to our website or speak with your YMCA Kids Club Supervisor for more information. Unscheduled Closures In the event of severe weather conditions, such as a heavy snowfall, YMCA Kids Clubs will be closed if the public school the program is located within is closed. In the event of a power failure, our programs may be unable to open or may be required to close early. When possible, parents will be notified of a potential closure or if the program must close earlier than the normal scheduled closing time.

4 Program Activities & Environment YMCA Kids Clubs offer a child-focused approach and are committed to helping kids grow strong physically, socially and emotionally. Our programs are safe, healthy, creative places where children have the opportunity to develop values, self-confidence and social skills. Children also have the opportunity to participate in philanthropic activities and service learning projects. The YMCA s approach to working with school age children is based on a series of principles and frameworks known as YMCA Healthy Child Development. The three principles that we believe to be meaningful in working with children are play, relationships and health. Play is the way children explore and learn about themselves and the world around them. During play children practice skills, discover personal abilities and further develop a sense of self. Playing with others also teaches children about boundaries and expectations. Children who have caring relationships with their families, adults outside the family and peers develop social competencies, positive values and the valuable skills to build friendships of their own. The YMCA works with children and their families to develop a healthy lifestyle and environment that will support them through their school, adolescent and adult years. We strive to have an impact on the values and culture that shape health for children today and into the future. YMCA Kids Clubs offer eight different interest areas, which creates environments that are child-centred, age appropriate and flexible to meet the different needs of children. Our routine may vary depending upon daily activities and outings, however each of the following interest areas are always available: Arcade an indoor games area where children can do puzzles and play board games Centre Stage a dramatic arts area that provides a place for imagination and creativity where children can create plays and musical productions Diner a snack area where children can help themselves to a healthy snack consisting of at least two food groups (one of which being fruits and vegetables) Lab a science area that provides children the opportunity to experience and experiment with science and nature Lounge a quiet area designed to take on the feel of home, providing children with a place to relax, read a book or chat with friends Stadium an outdoor games area where children can be active, and play sports and games Studio an art area that provides an opportunity for children to work on both short and long term art projects using a variety of materials University a quiet space for children who choose to do homework, equipped with the necessary scholastic resources Field trips are also an important part of our YMCA Kids Clubs. All excursions are carefully pre-planned and adequately supervised. Parents/guardians are informed about them prior to their taking place staff and children do not leave the program without first notifying families. We ask that you do not send any money with your child, as all out trip costs are included in your monthly child care fees. Guidance & Treatment of Children Dedicated to the nurturing the potential of children, the YMCA plays a role in helping children learn selfdiscipline and in developing socially acceptable and appropriate behaviours. YMCA Kids Clubs provide an environment where children are treated with respect, adults are caring and activities are planned based on children s interests and developmental needs.

5 When approaching a challenge or problem, we apply a strength-based approach. A strengths-based approach means entering a situation and identifying the strengths of the child first and then supporting them to build on their strengths to overcome challenges. YMCA Child Guidance Policy and Procedures have been developed to provide a framework to: Assist children in developing self-control, self-confidence and self-discipline Assist children to develop socially acceptable and appropriate behavior Recognize that each child is an individual whose age, experience, environment, developmental level and background influence his/her behavior Ensure staff use positive and proactive strategies for guiding children s behavior. YMCA Kids Clubs comply with the guidance and treatment of children, as indicated in Ministry of Health s Child Care Licensing Regulation of the Community Care Assisted Living Act. The YMCA Child Guidance Policy is based on the Child Care Licensing Regulation and is posted on the family board. Reporting Suspicions of Child Abuse We are required by law under the Child, Family and Community Service Act, to report any suspected cases or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities for investigation. Our responsibility is to report suspicions or disclosures, not determine if abuse has occurred. Investigations are the responsibility of the Ministry for Children and Family Development and/or the police and they are responsible for contacting the parent/guardian. Staff Your YMCA Kids Club staff team is dedicated the safety and well-being of all children in our programs. Staff are dedicated professionals who have the necessary training and experience to deliver quality YMCA programs. All staff are First Aid certified and receive annual training. Student, Volunteer & Parent Involvement Our programs may accept work experience students from local high schools, early childhood practicum students and volunteers to help in our programs. All students and volunteers provide a clear criminal record check prior to volunteering within our programs. We welcome and encourage parent involvement in our YMCA Kids Clubs. Parents are welcome to visit or to take part in our program activities at any time. Whatever your special talents, interests or schedule may be, there are plenty of ways to get more involved with the YMCA, especially as a volunteer. As a Y volunteer, you can make a difference as part of a community of people that helps individuals and your community succeed. If you share our commitment and are interested in being a part of an effective and leading international charity with strong values and a mission to help build stronger kids, families and communities across Canada, please speak with your YMCA Kids Club staff team or visit our website for information on current opportunities.

6 Arrival Procedures Please let us know if your child will be absent from the YMCA Kids Club. Mornings Children may not be dropped off before the program opens. Parents must sign their child in and always ensure that a staff member is aware that you are dropping off your child. Please let a staff member know about any pertinent information about your child s previous night or morning that might be helpful to staff. Afternoons Children sign themselves in after school. YMCA staff will pick up children in kindergarten directly from their classrooms and escort them to the YMCA Kids Club. Older children make their own way to the YMCA Kids Club. Departure Procedures Mornings Children are released from the program when the school bell rings children are not permitted to leave the YMCA prior to the bell ringing. YMCA Staff will escort children in kindergarten to their classroom. Afternoons Your child must be picked up by closing time (6:00pm). Parents must sign their child out and always ensure that a staff member is aware that you are taking your child home. Please check with your staff team to see if there are any messages related to your child. Children will only be released to authorized persons, including parents/guardians, persons listed on the Additional Authorized Pick-Up List/Emergency Contact List of the Registration Package or parents/guardians recorded on a legal document (i.e. custody agreement). Children will not be released to anyone other than individuals listed on the Additional Authorized Pick-Up List/Emergency Contact List of the Registration Package, unless staff are notified in writing (i.e. if a family member who is not listed on the Additional Authorized Pick-Up List/Emergency Contact List arrives to pick up your child, s/he will not be released). Should a parent wish to have an additional person added to the Authorized Pick-Up List, written consent must be submitted to your YMCA Kids Clubs Staff team. Photo identification is required to verify the identity of the person picking up your child, if staff are unfamiliar with the person. Children will not be released from YMCA Kids Clubs if the pick-up person appears incapable of providing safe care (i.e. intoxication/drug use). Should this occur, staff will suggest that the parent call a friend or taxi for alternate transportation. If staff feel a child is at risk or the parent makes an unsafe decision to drive, staff will call the police. Failure to Arrive (applies to afterschool care only) If a child does not arrive to the program after school dismissal, and the staff have not been notified that the child will not be attending YMCA Kids Club, staff will attempt to confirm whether the child is expected to be at the YMCA by phoning the parents/guardians. If staff are unable to reach the parent/guardian, they will contact the emergency contacts. If staff are unable to confirm the child s whereabouts after exhausting the above, they will call 911 and report the child missing.

7 Failure to Pick-up If a child is not picked up five minutes after closing time and there has been no contact with the parent/guardian, the staff will perform the following procedures: Check the sign-in sheet for any information regarding alternate arrangements for the child s pick-up Call parents/guardians at home and/or work; if alternate pick-up arrangements were made, staff will call the alternate pick-up s phone number as well as the parents/guardians After 15 minutes, if parents cannot be reached, emergency contacts will be called If after 30 minutes staff are unable to contact either parent or any of the designated emergency contacts, staff will call the Emergency Services of the Ministry for Children and Family Development, who will come and take your child into care until you can be located. Late Pick Up The first occasion a parent is late picking up their child will be noted on a Late Pick Up form and parents will be requested to initial the form. The second and subsequent occasions will be noted on the Late Pick Up form and parents will be requested to initial the form, and parents may also be levied a fine. Continuous late pick-ups may result in withdrawal of services. Custody If a custody agreement is in place for your child(ren), a copy of your custody or court order must be on file. Staff will act in accordance with this legal document. If issues around custody exist and there are no legal documents, the enrolling parent must provide written information about access. Staff will follow the information provided by the enrolling parent. The parent with whom the child resides will be deemed to be the custodial parent and staff will only follow instructions from this parent unless otherwise instructed by a court order. Emergencies In the case of an emergency or natural disaster, we will attempt to contact parents as soon as possible. It is essential that you keep us informed of current phone numbers so we can notify you or your emergency contact in case of an emergency. If only long distance telephone lines are available (i.e. local lines are down or engaged), we will notify your Out of Town emergency contact and leave a message for you. The staff and children practice fire and earthquake drills monthly. An emergency evacuation drill will be practiced on a yearly basis. In the event of fire or building evacuation, you will be notified where to pick up your child. In the case of an earthquake, we will remain on site (if possible). If the centre is badly damaged, emergency crews will relocate us to the nearest emergency centre. Our policy is to notify a parent when a child is ill or needs medical attention. Our procedure is to take the child to the nearest emergency service. Occasionally, we cannot contact parents and we need to get immediate help for the child.

8 Illness & Immunization Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to keep ill children at home to prevent the spread of illness at the program (please call and let us know if your child will be absent). If a child comes to the centre ill, parents will be asked to find alternate care for that day. According to the health department, a child is considered too sick to attend when s/he has any of the following symptoms: Difficulty in breathing wheezing or a persistent cough Fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 degrees Celsius or higher) Sore throat, trouble swallowing or excessive coughing Infected skin or eyes, or an undiagnosed rash Severe headache or stiff neck (should see a physician) Diarrhea, nausea or vomiting Severe itching, dry skin of either body or scalp caused by head or body lice or scabies Is infectious or has a communicable disease A child may not return to the centre until after the above symptoms subside and is well enough to participate in all areas of the program including outdoor play. If your child becomes ill during the day, you will be notified to pick up your child immediately. If we cannot contact you, we will call your emergency contacts. Your child may be given a quiet area to rest, away from the other children, but within supervision of a caregiver, until an authorized person arrives to pick up your child. It is important that you inform us of any communicable disease. The Ministry of Health recommends that your child s immunizations are current before your child enters the program. Written record of each child s immunization must be on file and should be kept up to date. If a child is not immunized, a letter stating so must be provided for the child s file. If an outbreak of a communicable disease occurs, the non-immunized child will be excluded immediately. In the event of an outbreak, Community Care Facilities Licensing and/or the Centre for Disease control will be notified. Medication It is preferred that parents administer medications at home; however, staff will administer medication in an emergency if your child is on a strict medication schedule, providing the following procedures are followed: Prescription medications require a parent to provide a completed Consent to Administer Medication form. Medication must be in the original container stating child's name, dosage and time to be given. Non-prescription medications require a parent to provide a completed Request for Administration of Non-Prescription Medication form and be signed by a doctor. Parents must hand deliver their child s medication to YMCA staff (excluding inhalers and epipens). If your child has an inhaler which must be with them at all times, please consult with the program supervisor on how to ensure your child s safety. If your child is receiving medication for a communicable disease, he or she must be on medication for a minimum 24 hour period prior to returning to the centre.

9 When parents spend time the program, we ask that you please ensure that personal medications are not accessible to other children in the room (i.e. purses and bags are placed out of reach of children). Clothing & Weather Regardless of the weather, YMCA Kids Clubs spend time outdoors every day. Please ensure your child has appropriate clothing for the relevant season (i.e. rain gear or winter coat). During spring, summer and early fall, please ensure your child has a hat and sunscreen at the centre. A wide-brimmed hat is recommended, as baseball hats do not shade a child s ears or the back of the neck. If your child has to apply sunscreen while at the centre, s/he will be paired with a same gender and age range child for support. In an emergency, staff will provide sunscreen however written authorization is required. Food & Allergies The YMCA promotes healthy eating habits and uses the Canadian Food Guide as a resource when providing snacks to children. Each afternoon a healthy snack will be provided. Non-instructional school days, school breaks and some early dismissals will require that you provide your child with a lunch including a drink. We encourage children to bring healthy foods your help, in not sending non-nutritious foods such as candy or pop, is much appreciated. As field trips can be both planned and spontaneous it is important that lunches do not require refrigeration or heating. The YMCA does not guarantee a nut-free facility. If your child has a nut allergy, please speak with your YMCA Kids Club staff team. Please inform staff of any food allergies or dietary restrictions. If you child has an allergy, parents must complete either Allergy Form (A) or Allergy Form (B), depending the severity of your child s allergy. Fees & Enrollment Payment Fees are due and payable on the first of each month. Due to security issues, cash cannot be accepted. Your monthly fees can be paid by pre-authorized payment through Visa, MasterCard or directly from your bank account. Pre-authorized payment forms may be obtained from your YMCA Kids Club. Please be sure to include your child s full name with you payment. Failure to pay the full child care fee can result in termination of your child care space. If your child is absent due to sickness, vacation or for other personal reasons, it is necessary to pay the full fee in order to maintain your child s space. Monthly fees for school age programs cover the 10-month school year. Monthly fees includes additional hours of care on non-instructional school days (i.e. Professional Development or District Closure days) for children who are registered full-time in the program or for part-time children when the non-instructional school day falls on a regularly scheduled day. For centres where the YMCA provides transportation to and from school, an additional monthly fee will be charged. Please see your program supervisor regarding these fees.

10 Monthly fees do not include winter break, spring break or summer break. Pre-registration accompanied by payment is required for these additional days of care, should you wish to register your child for these times. Please see your program supervisor regarding these fees. Non-instructional School Day Fees On non-instructional school days your centre may operate for the full day, depending on enrolment. Should you require care for your child on these days you must register your child at least one week before the noninstructional day. Drop In Fees For children attending on a drop in basis, payment must be made on the day that care is provided. Please note that drop in care is only available when there is space. Drop in care cannot be arranged in advance and we cannot guarantee that space will be available. Parents are required to call the program to see if space is available either the night before or morning of to see if care is available. NSF Fee If funds are unavailable the YMCA will attempt to withdraw fees a second time (up to 30 days from original payment date). The YMCA may charge a fee of $15 if funds are unavailable at the time of withdrawal. The YMCA will not be responsible for any costs charged by my bank/financial institution. Withdrawal If you wish to withdraw your child, you are required to give one month s written notice, received by the 1 st of the month prior to the month you wish to withdraw your child (i.e. for a withdrawal of May 1 st, written notice must be received by or before April 1 st ). An additional month s fee will be charged if the required notice is not given. Upon withdrawal, if there are outstanding fees, the YMCA may release your personal information to a 3 rd party collection agency for the purpose of recovering any outstanding debt. Provincial Child Care Subsidy, Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) The government child care subsidy program is available to families based on provincial eligibility requirements. Parents who receive the provincial child care subsidy are responsible for the difference between the subsidy and the YMCA Kids Club fee. Parents are responsible for keeping their subsidy current and are responsible for the full fee if their subsidy expires. We will refund the subsidy portion of the payment to parents once subsidy has resumed and payment has been received from the Ministry. Please contact the MCFD at or online at for more information. YMCA Financial Assistance At the YMCA we want to make sure that all children have an opportunity to benefit from a YMCA Kids Club experience. The YMCA offers subsidies and extended payment plans to assist you if your financial circumstances would otherwise prevent you from affording summer camp. For more information, please speak with your YMCA Kids Club staff team. Termination of Services When a conflict arises, YMCA staff will make every attempt to work with the family to resolve the issue to the mutual satisfaction of all parties, provided the arrangement does not compromise the mission and values of the YMCA, put staff, the child or other participants at risk, or diminish the value of the YMCA experience for other participants.

11 All situations are dealt with on an individual basis, taking into account the specific needs and circumstances of the family. After working with the family and making every attempt to resolve the situation, the Supervisor, in consultation with the Manager, may come to the decision that it is not appropriate for the child to continue involvement in the YMCA Kids Club. The following are some situations where this would be the case. Behavioral Concerns The YMCA is not equipped to deal effectively and appropriately with a child whose behaviour requires ongoing significant intervention (i.e. persistent unprovoked physical violence, persistent bullying, verbal harassment of peers or staff or unauthorized departure from the centre). The Supervisor in consultation with the Manager will make every attempt to link the family and child to the appropriate services. Unresolved Custody Issues If a family s custody issues result in continuous conflicts at the centre (i.e. non-custodial parent continually attempting to pick the child up at a time not specified on the court order), and places the child, staff and other children at risk, then the family will be asked to make alternate care arrangements. Philosophical Differences Occasionally, the needs and opinions of a family do not fit with the principles, policies and procedures of the YMCA. The program Supervisor, in consultation with the Manager, will try to promote discussion to come to some agreeable terms with the family. If this is not possible, it is in the best interests of the family to enrol the child in a program that is more in line with their needs and beliefs. The YMCA reserves the right to ask the family to find a more suitable child care arrangement. Inappropriate Conduct A family member harasses, threatens or commits a violent act toward a staff person, child or other family involved in the child care program. Late Pick-Up Issues The centre is unable to satisfactorily resolve problems of late pick up with a family. Non-Payment of Fees Where required, staff will work with the families to develop alternate payment plans. Default on fees will result in termination of services. Communication We encourage open communication between parents and staff, and encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your YMCA Kids Club staff team. The Supervisor of the program is responsible for ensuring that YMCA standards are followed and that parent issues and concerns are addressed. If you feel that your concerns are not being addressed or resolved or your concern involves the Supervisor, please contact our child care administrative office at or via to childcare@vanymca.org. In addition, we frequently send important program updates to families via or post notices on our family board. This information is important for our families, and includes information related to program news (i.e. monthly highlights, staffing changes, non-instructional school days, registration times), administrative items (i.e. statements, tax receipts, fee information) and fund-raising initiatives.

12 Code of Conduct The YMCA of Greater Vancouver is dedicated to the spiritual, physical, mental and social development of people. We are committed to providing a friendly, respectful environment and reinforce socially responsible behavior. We do not tolerate abusive behavior. Employees, volunteers, program participants and others using YMCA facilities are expected to treat others with courtesy and respect. Discrimination or harassment on such grounds as age, race, ancestry, colour, place of origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, family status, marital status, political beliefs or because that person has been convicted of a criminal or summary conviction offence that is unrelated to the employment of that person is against the law, and is not acceptable in any YMCA programs or on YMCA premises. YMCA Strong Kids Campaign As an independent charity, the YMCA relies on the generosity of people in our community and works hard to ensure no one is turned away because of their inability to pay. The YMCA Strong Kids campaign is our way of raising the funds needed to ensure children and families can live healthier lives, right from the start, regardless of financial circumstances. 100% of donations go towards helping a child go to camp, a teenager participate in a leadership program, or a vulnerable child attend a safe and nurturing child care centre. Every donation helps children and families access YMCA programs they are unable to afford on their own. Supporting the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign directly supports children, teens, youth and families so that everyone regardless of background is able to realize their full potential. In addition to the YMCA Strong Kids campaign, there are other ways to contribute to the goals and mission of the YMCA, such as the YMCA Endowment Fund or the YMCA Camps Capitol Campaign. For more information about ways to support the YMCA, please visit our website at Commitment to Privacy The YMCA of Greater Vancouver is committed to protecting personal information by following responsible information handling practices, in keeping with privacy laws. We collect, use and disclose personal data in order to better meet your needs, ensure the safety of children in our care, collect statistical data, satisfy government and regulatory obligations, and inform you about the YMCA program in which you are registered. We may contact you periodically to inform you about other YMCA programs, services and opportunities that may be of interest and benefit you. For more information on the YMCA s commitment to privacy or if you do not wish to be contacted, please visit our web site at to learn about our opt-out process. Contact Information YMCA Child Care Administrative Department # Joyce Street, Vancouver V5R 6B2 ymcakidsclubs@gv.ymca.ca Phone: (YMCA) Fax: