Child Watch

WELCOME
We are excited that you have chosen to allow us to look after your child(ren) in Child Watch. Our staff believes that every child should have a chance to grow and shine in a caring and encouraging environment. We want your child’s time in Child Watch to be a fun, enriching experience with activities, games, and crafts that reflect the core values of the YMCA.

We will give your child quality care while you participate in YMCA activities; provide a safe experience involving fun activities including games, stories, and free play; and provide a positive role model for your child, personifying the Y’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

Please review these guidelines with your child and make sure that they are aware of what is expected from them during their time in Child Watch.

AGES AND CHECK-IN
Children on family accounts between the ages of 6 weeks and 12 years old are welcome in Child Watch. All children must have a signed parent/ guardian enrollment form on file. For your child’s safety, a parent/guardian is required to sign their child in and out of Child Watch. The parent/guardian who signs the child in must also sign the child out, unless prior arrangements have been made with Child Watch staff. No one under the age of 18 is allowed to check children in or out of Child Watch. The parent/guardian MUST remain on YMCA property during the child’s stay. Advanced reservations are strongly encouraged however a reservation is REQUIRED before entering Child Watch. Reservations can be made by visiting coastalcarolinaymca.org/classes.

TIME LIMITS
The Y’s drop-in Child Watch is not a licensed childcare center. In conjunction with state guidelines, each child is limited to 2-hours per visit and may not exceed 4 hours per day. There will be a $5 fee per child for every 10 minutes over the 2-hour maximum.

ILLNESS
Any child showing signs or symptoms of illness will not be permitted into Child Watch. A child must be symptom-free for 24 hours without medication to return. If your child has a communicable illness or head lice, please notify the Child Watch staff immediately, so appropriate action can be taken.

PARENT COMMUNICATION
We want you to feel comfortable leaving your child in our care while you take care of yourself! If your child has any special needs, is toilet training or if you have any other concerns/updates regarding your child, please share those with our staff when you drop your child off.

Additionally, our staff is happy to provide updates on how your child did while he/she was in our care. Just talk with the staff member upon pick-up.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
The goal of the YMCA of Coastal Carolina is to meaningfully include all and provide accommodations in our programs when needed. To help us achieve this goal, we respectfully ask parents or guardians to inform the YMCA, before the start of the program, of any special circumstances that may affect your child’s ability to participate. By providing information regarding the strengths and needs of your child, the staff can prepare helpful accommodations that will better serve all children in our programs.

ATTIRE
For your child’s safety, shoes and/or socks (for non-walking infants) are to be worn at all times.

FOOD
Baby bottles, sippy cups, and water bottles with a cap/lid are permitted.
For the safety of all, no other food is permitted. Please label cups, bottles, bags, etc.

DIAPER POLICY
Parents should send their child(ren) in a clean/dry diaper and provide diapers and wipes. Y staff will change diapers for children under the age of 3.

EXCESSIVE CRYING POLICY
Our staff is committed to helping your child make a smooth transition into the Child Watch area. However, for the comfort and safety of all participants, a staff member will contact the parent/guardian if attempts to calm an inconsolable child last longer than 15-20 minutes.