Y S KID PROGRAM Before & After School Child Care Program Mattoon Site Locations Riddle Elementary School Williams Elementary School PARENT HANDBOOK 2008-2009 SCHOOL YEAR Mattoon Area Family YMCA 221 N. 16 th St. *P.O. Box 875 Mattoon, IL 61938 217-235-YMCA (9622) 1
Welcome to the Y s Kid Program The Mattoon Area Family YMCA welcomes you and your child(ren) to the Y s Kid Program. We are looking forward to a great school year and are happy that you picked us to fulfill your Before and After School Child Care needs. The YMCA and Mattoon School District feel that the Y s Kid Program is a very valuable service to the parents of Riddle and Williams Elementary Schools. Before and After School Child Care is an extension of your child s school experience. The Y s Kid Program will provide your child with a safe environment while offering a variety of activities, positive interaction with other children, quality staff and a commitment to providing your child with a quality experience each and every day. Sincerely, Heather Brown Y s Kid Program Coordinator Vicki Cline Y s Kid Program Administrator Shelly Eddington YMCA Program Executive 2
Y S KID PROGRAM PARENT'S HANDBOOK As you continue to read through this handbook, please familiarize yourself with the policies and procedures governing the Y s Kid Program. As an extension of the school day, all school rules that your child(ren) follow during the school day apply to the Before and After School time frame as well. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call Heather Brown, Y s Kid Program Coordinator or your Y s Kid Program Site Director. If you need further assistance, you may contact Vicki Cline, Y s Kid Program Administrator; or Shelly Eddington, YMCA Program Executive at the YMCA at 234-9494. We are looking forward to serving your school age child care needs. YMCA MISSION, PROMISE, VALUES YMCA MISSION To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. YMCA PROMISE The YMCA. We build strong kids, strong families, strong communities. YMCA VALUES We challenge all of our staff, members and participants to accept and demonstrate the YMCA Character Values of: Caring Honesty Respect Responsibility 3
PROGRAM GOALS AND CURRICULUM The program goals and curriculum guidelines are based on research done on successful school age child care programs in other cities. The program goals are: 1. To provide quality care for children regardless of socio-economic background. 2. To support and strengthen the family unit, focusing on: Improving communication among family members. Increasing their ability to work and play together. Helping families to share their values with each other. Increasing their sense of community with other families. Helping families to improve their economic stability. 3. To help children develop to their fullest potential, focusing on: Self-awareness, confidence and feelings of self-worth. Interpersonal relationships. Values development. Academic achievement. Physical skills. Health and nutrition. 4. To deliver the program in a positive YMCA environment of safety, support and care, focusing on: Creating an atmosphere which provides care and understanding, student to student and staff to student. Having all children be safe and happy in the program. Broadening the community, national and world understanding of children and parents including experiences that foster exposure to ethnic and cultural diversity. Conducting the program in accordance with YMCA operating principles. 4
DROP OFF & PICK UP SIGN IN/SIGN OUT/AUTHORIZED PICK UP Parents dropping off and picking up must walk into the building and sign their child(ren) in/out of the program. There will be a roll sheet that must be used to sign in and sign out your child(ren). For Before School you will sign your child in and your child will be checked out by Y Staff to go to class. For After School your child will be checked in by the Y staff each day. The staff uses these roll sheets to determine which children are at the site at any given time. Children will only be dismissed to authorized persons listed on the registration form. Riddle Elementary School Drop off/pick up Williams Elementary School Drop off/pick up 6:30-8:00 a.m. & 4:00-5:30 p.m. Gym Doors. 3:00-4:00 p.m. Main entrance. 6:30-8:00 a.m. & 4:00-5:30 p.m. Gym Doors 3:00-4:00 p.m. Main entrance. Only persons authorized in writing by the primary caregiver may pick up a child. This is for the child's protection. The staff will question those with whom they are unfamiliar and check their authorization and identification. Anyone without proper authorization will be stopped from taking a child. Parents will be called immediately if this occurs. If you pick up your child after 5:30 p.m. LATE FEES ARE CHARGED. A $5.00 late fee will be charged for each 15 minute intervals that your child remains at the program. For example: after 5:30 p.m. and before 5:45 the late fee is $5.00. After 5:45 p.m. and before 6:00 p.m. the late fee is $10.00. After 6:00 p.m. and before 6:15 p.m. the late fee is $15.00 and so on. Repeated late pick up may result in termination from the program. 5
FEES The $20.00 registration fee per family is due at the time of registration. For registrations made after August 15, 2008, the registration fee will be $25.00 per family. This family registration fee makes your child(ren) eligible for four components of the Y s Kid Program: Before School, After School, Early Out Days and Dynamite Days Off. Your weekly fee is based on the number of days per week your child will use any of these programs. 5 days 4 days 3 days 2 days 1 day Before School $18.00 $16.00 $12.00 $8.00 $4.00 6:30-8:00 a.m. After School $36.00 $30.00 $24.00 $16.00 $8.00 3:10-5:30 p.m. Early Out Days $15.00 per day 12:40-5:30 p.m. Dynamite Days Off $17.00 for YMCA Members and $20.00 for Program Members per day enrolled. 6:30 a.m. 5:30 p.m. (Families with multiple children enrolled in the Dynamite Days Off are eligible for a $5.00 discount for each additional child) *Fees are subject to review 12/31/08 Families enrolled in the program with multiple children are eligible for a $7.00 deduction per week for each additional child in the After School segment or the Before & After School combined segment of the Y s Kid Program. This deduction does not apply to Before School only enrollees. Families enrolled in the Dynamite Days Off Program with multiple children are eligible for a $5.00 deduction for each additional child. Fees are due the FRIDAY OF THE WEEK YOUR CHILD(REN) HAS ATTENDED the Before & After School Program. (i.e.: Child is going to attend Monday, August 25 through Friday, August 29 the payment is due no later than Friday, August 29) Payments not received by the Friday of the week your child has attended will result in a $5.00 late payment fee and suspension of your child(ren) from Y s Kid Program until balance is paid in full. Fees must be paid by check or money order (cash cannot be accepted), payable to the YMCA. Fees for the Before School, After School and Early out Days must be paid at the Site. Fees for Dynamite Days Off must be paid at the YMCA according to sign up deadline. If you pick up your child after 5:30 p.m. LATE FEES ARE CHARGED. Payment for co-pays of those under a financial assistance program must be paid by the 15 th of the current month your child(ren) is attending.(ie: Child(ren) is attending the month of September, the co-pay for September is due September 15 th ). Financial assistance is available. No one is turned away because of inability to pay. Please call 234-9494 if you would like further information. 6
Tax Information The YMCA encourages you to keep track of your Y s Kid Program payments. You may need this information for budgeting or tax information on child care deductions. Our FEIN # is 37-1122559. YMCA Responsibility The Mattoon YMCA administers the program. The YMCA is in charge of the program curriculum, evaluation, hiring of staff and collection of fees. The YMCA Y s Kid Program is legally responsible for your child ONLY during the time that your child is signed into the program. Your personal information is available ONLY to the Y s Kid Program staff. The YMCA reserves the right to close any program site that does not maintain a cost effective enrollment. The YMCA will give two weeks notice prior to closing a site. Attendance Any child enrolled at Riddle and Williams Elementary Schools and St. Mary s Catholic School are eligible to attend on a first come, first serve basis. The program is held at Riddle and Williams Elementary Schools where your child attends school. (Transportation is not provided for children that attend St. Mary s Catholic School). Before School After School Early Out Days Dynamite Days Off Program Hours 6:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. 3:10 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. 12:40 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. 6:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (Program held at the YMCA) Daily Activity Schedule Homework Time/Sharing Time. Outdoor activities (Please be sure your child is dressed appropriately) Snack time. Station Activities: Crafts, Games, Sports, and Special Projects. Breakfast & Snacks The YMCA will not be providing breakfast to children enrolled in the Before School Program. They may however enroll in the school s breakfast program. Children will be provided with an afternoon nutritional snack and beverage during the After School portion of the program. Individual snacks, including items saved from lunch, will not be allowed to be eaten. Special snacks are allowed if enough are provided for all children. The nutritional snack provided by the Y s Kid program will be served first. Children with special dietary needs should obtain their Site Director s permission to bring their own snack. 7
Clothing The school s dress code applies to the Y s Kid Program. Hats and headgear will not be worn in the building. Your child can change into play clothes upon arrival if you send a change of clothes in a bag. We will try not to limit a child's activities because of the type of clothing worn; however, gym shoes or rubber soled shoes are required for physical activities. Please mark all belongings. Unmarked clothes will be placed in the school's "lost and found." The staff and YMCA are not responsible for lost items. Termination from Y s Kid Program Failure to pay fees for the program. Failure to observe rules relating to arrival/departure of your child. Any child who, after attempts have been made to meet the child's individual needs, demonstrates inability to benefit from the type of care offered by the program, or whose presence is detrimental to the group, shall be discharged from the program. Failure to comply with the Y s Kid Program procedures and policies. Failure by parents to respect Y s Kid Program staff and handle concerns in a professional manner. Failure by children to respect staff, any threats made by children to staff, or any physical attack by children on staff. Leaving the Program Your child(ren) may be withdrawn from the program by giving us notice at the YMCA in writing. Cancellation Due to Weather The Y s Kid Program policy on inclement weather days (i.e. snow days) affecting care will be: If school does not open in the morning, Y s Kid Program will not open. If school opens in the morning but closes during the regular school day the Y s Kid Program will not be in session. Parents should make arrangements to have their children picked up or ride the bus home. Dynamite Days Off The Mattoon YMCA offers a "Dynamite Days Off at the YMCA when school is not in session. This program is designed for all day care on most school holidays and full day teacher institute days. Dynamite Days Off are held at the YMCA from 6:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. The day is filled with recreation, crafts, games, swimming and occasional field trips. Children must bring their lunch, swim suit, towel, gym shoes and wear clothes appropriate for the weather. The YMCA must have a minimum of 6 participants for Dynamite Days Off to run. Your child must be signed up in person at the YMCA at least 3 days prior to each Dynamite Day Off. Payments are due at that time. 8
Dynamite Days Off Fees $17.00 YMCA Member $20.00 Program Member Dynamite Days Off Oct. 10,13 & 24, Nov. 11, Dec. 22, 23, 26, 29, 30, 31, Jan. 2 & 19, Feb. 16, Mar. 2, Apr. 6-10 Early Out Days Early Out Days will be held at both Riddle and Williams Elementary Schools on preplanned early dismissal days. Early Out Days will not be held on days when school is dismissed early due to inclement weather. There is a $15.00 fee for each early out day attended. For example, if your child attends the After School Program Monday through Thursday, and an Early Out Day on Friday. The amount owed on that Friday would be $30.00 for 4 days of After School, plus $15.00 for the Early Out Day totaling $45.00 for the week. Early Out Days will be held on the following days: Aug. 15, Sept. 12, Oct. 9 & 23, Nov. 26, Jan. 16, Feb. 13, Mar. 20, May 1 Parent Involvement Involvement of parents in the program is essential. Cooperation with all policies and procedures is basic. Take some time to talk to staff about your child and ask your child about the program each day. We welcome you to visit our program at any time. You can also volunteer to help with the program and to offer your special talents. Parents are responsible for respecting staff and handling their concerns in a professional manner. Parents who have concerns should deal with the concerns in an appropriate manner, no yelling or using inappropriate language, or threatening of the staff. Any concerns which you feel need to be further resolved should be referred to Heather Brown, Child Care Coordinator. (234-9494). Home/School Problems Any trouble your child may have in school or at home may affect his/her behavior at the Y s Kid Program. Please keep us informed of such problems so we can be sensitive to your child's needs. The staff would like to work as a team with the school and family. There will be space and time if your child needs homework and/or relaxation time. 9
Discipline An effective discipline program should accomplish two major goals: create a safe environment and teach responsible behavior. The following values and beliefs reflect the Y s Kid Program and school wide discipline policies: Ensure a safe, secure, and orderly environment. Encourage child involvement and participation. Be clear, concise, and consistent, so all can easily understand what is expected. Be fair yet flexible to enough to address the unique needs of individual children. Have progressive and consistent plans for both positive and negative responses. Teach the child that they are accountable for their actions and responsible to a larger school community. Y s Kid program participants are expected to comply with all school and classroom rules and guidelines. When a child misbehaves, the child will be dealt with firmly, immediately, and consistently through the cooperative efforts of the child, parent, and staff. When determining a response for a specific breach of discipline, program staff will consider the nature of the act, the child s previous disciplinary history, his or her age, any mitigating circumstances and the effect of his or her actions on the welfare of the other program participants and the school as a whole. Rules to Be Followed School Wide Rules Follow all staff directions the first time they are given. Treat others with respect. Be on time, be prepared, and be ready to do your best. Use all school equipment responsibly. Walk quietly and in an orderly manner throughout the school. Cafeteria Rules Enter and exit the cafeteria quietly and orderly. Use good table manners by saying please and thank you, chewing with your mouth closed, eating food only, and cleaning up your area. Talk to others using a quiet voice. Respect everyone in the cafeteria. Follow all directions given by the program staff. Playground Rules Respect everyone on the playground. Keep hands and feet to yourself. Use all recess equipment correctly. Talk to a staff person if you have a problem. Stay outside unless you are with a staff person. Line up quickly and quietly when the whistle is blown. Leave nature in its place. 10
Discipline Continued Extreme Behavior or Discipline Problems The YMCA Y s Kid Program has in place a Three Strikes Your Out policy. This policy will be used in regard to extreme behavior or discipline problems in the YMCA Y s Kid Program. If any behavior by the child is what the YMCA considers to be extreme. Examples include, but are not limited to: Any physical attacks by one child on another child Any profanity used towards staff or other children Any physical attacks by child on staff Any threats made by child to staff Failure by the child to respect staff Destruction of school or YMCA property At the time of the incident, the staff who witnessed the behavior will write up an incident report. At the time of the child s departure from the program that day, the report will be shown to the parent/guardian (this will be considered a parent conference) and they will be asked to read the report, date it and sign their name and the appropriate action will be taken. This report will be put in the child s file. If a second incident occurs the child will be suspended for a minimum of three days from the program. If a third incident occurs in the semester the child will be asked to leave the program for the remainder of the semester. There are two semesters in a school year Fall (August-December), and Spring (January-June), if a child receives three incidents in a semester s time the child will be removed from the program. Hence, Three Strikes Your Out. If the child only receives two in a semester, then starting with the new semester the child also starts with a clean record. Past incident reports will be removed from the child s file. Strike 1: Strike 2: Strike 3: Parent Conference share report file report 3 Day suspension share report file report Dismissed from program share report file report Check in/check out Area In addition to the sign in/sign out sheets pertinent information with regards to special events and Dynamite Days Off will be displayed in the check in/check out area. 11
Emergency Medical Care If your child needs emergency medical care the staff will take whatever steps may be necessary. These steps may include, but are not limited to, the following: Administer emergency first aid. Call an ambulance or fire rescue. Transport to appropriate medical facility, if needed. The fee of this service is the responsibility of the parent. Attempt to contact a parent or guardian or emergency contacts provided. If your child is exempt from medical care on the basis of religious grounds, then you, the parent, must submit to the Y s Kid Program a written plan by which the services of a practitioner is provided for your child. Medication Authorization to Administer Medication form must be completed. Medication (in the original container) must be given directly to the Y s Kid Program staff. Insurance Coverage The YMCA does not insurance in case of an accident. Your child (ren) should be covered under your personal health insurance. Non-registered Child Attendance Staff will check registration records both at the site and at the YMCA. If the child(ren) is not registered the staff will take the child to the school office for the school staff to determine where the child(ren) should go. Questions The first person you should contact is the Site Director at the school. If you need further assistance call Heather Brown, YMCA Y s Kid Program Coordinator, at the Mattoon YMCA 234-9494. 12