Kids’ Club Parent Handbook

WELCOME TO KIDS’ CLUB
At the Y, we are committed to providing a safe, nurturing environment to spark your child’s imagination with experiences to help them thrive.

As a family facility member, while you’re at the Y working out, your child can enjoy Kids’ Club while socializing with other children and engaging in fun activities. Stop in today, take a tour, and meet our caring staff.

AGES
Kids’ Club is available for children from 8 weeks (2 months) to 12 years old.

HOURS
Kids’ Club hours vary by location and holidays. For current Kids’ Club hours, visit our website/Schedules

STAFF
Our training includes safety, principles of child development & youth engagement, activity planning, CPR, First Aid and Child Abuse Prevention.

Our staff members are enthusiastic about working with children and are dedicated to providing the highest quality of care.

TO REGISTER
Upon your first visit, you’ll be asked to complete an emergency card for your child. This form will need to be updated annually. Your child can participate in a variety of fun activities for up to 90 minutes daily while you are at the Y.

Kids Club Policies & Procedures

  • On each visit, check your child in by signing the clipboard with your child’s name, your first and last name, and the location of where you will be exercising within the facility. The check-in sheet is kept near the entrance door. Be sure to include any special instructions provided in the comment area of the check-in sheet.
  • If a different parent/caregiver will be picking up the child, that adult should be prepared to show a photo I.D.at pick up and must be listed on the child’s emergency card.
  • Kids’ Club is a licensed exempt program. As such, you must remain inside the YMCA while your child is in Kids’ Club, no exceptions. Failure to remain on location may result in loss of membership privileges.
  • If you have not picked up your child after 90 minutes, our staff will try to locate you by checking the locations you listed on the check-in sheet, paging you or attempting to locate you elsewhere in the branch. 
    If we cannot locate you after taking these steps, we will begin calling the person(s) listed on the Emergency Information Card. If you cannot be located in the facility, and after all attempts have been made to contact the parent and emergency contact, we will contact the local police department.
  • For safety reasons staff may need to postpone entry due to ratios. You may be asked to wait to enter Kids Club if we are at maximum capacity. The ratio is 1:3 (infant-1yr 10 months), 1:6 (2-5yrs), 1:10 (6-12yrs.)


When Dropping Off

  • Be sure your child’s diaper has been changed or that your child has used the restroom before entering Kids’ Club.
  • Have your child thoroughly wash their hands with soap & warm water.
  • Be sure to share with us any specific information about your child such as: teething, allergies, stages of toilet training or any other concerns for that day. You may also indicate any specific information/ comments on the check-in sheet.
  • If your child seems anxious, frightened or is crying, try to remain supportive. Most children adjust quickly after a parent leaves.
    We will make every effort to help your child feel more comfortable. Feel free to ask our staff when quiet periods are, as those are good times to bring a child who is having trouble adjusting.
  • The 90-minute time frame begins when your child enters the room; not when you leave the room.
  • If your child is inconsolable after 10 minutes, we will ask you to return to Kids’ Club.
  • If your child has any special requirements (behavioral, physical), be sure to let us know how to best work with your child. If you have a behavior plan that we can use, that is very helpful, and we will keep it in your child’s file.
     


WHAT TO BRING

Please bring the following:

  • Snacks with your child’s name
  • Do not send popcorn, hard candy, gum, nuts or products made with nuts, grapes or items that may pose a choking hazard or allergic reaction to any child in Kids’ Club.
  • Shoes – required at all times for children who can walk.

For infant/toddlers:

  • At least one change of clothing
  • A diaper bag with your child’s name
  • If your child is bottle fed, include a labeled bottle and give our staff instructions on how your child likes his/her bottle.
  • Any special blanket, pacifier or comforter must be labeled with your child’s name.

Do not bring any toys or electronic games from home. We have plenty of toys and activities to engage your child.

Please make sure everything you bring is labeled.
 

BEHAVIOR GUIDANCE

Our caring staff will do everything possible to make your child’s experience a pleasant one; however, we will need to come find you under the following circumstances:

  • Illness (fever over 100˚, excessive coughing and/or opaque mucus, vomiting, diarrhea or other contagious diseases)
  • Inconsolable crying over separation from parent lasting more than 10 minutes
  • Continued disruptive behavior (read below)
  • Diaper change (unless you have given Y staff permission to do diaper changes)
  • Injury

If we experience issues with a child related to specific rules or unacceptable behaviors, the following procedures will be taken:

  • The child will be redirected to another activity.
  • The staff will remind the child of the rules.
  • If the behavior escalates to an unsafe level, the child will be asked to sit quietly until s/he calms down.
  • If the child continues to display unsafe or disruptive behavior (such as biting, hitting or causing injury), you will be asked to pick up your child immediately.
  • If the problem persists, the YMCA reserves the right to suspend the child (at the discretion of the coordinator and/or director).

HEALTH & SAFETY

In the best interest of your child’s health and safety and the well-being of other children and staff, we stress the following:

  • If your child is contagious (i.e. diarrhea, pink eye, opaque runny nose, fever, cough, etc.) we ask that you not bring your child that day or for 24 hours after the symptoms are visible.
  • If your child has allergies that may cause them to appear to have any of the above mentioned symptoms, we ask that you provide a doctor’s note for your child’s file prior to them being admitted back to the program.
  • We cannot administer any medication to children with the exception of life-saving medication (epi pen or rescue inhaler) which must be provided by the parent or guardian. Prescription and nonprescription medication shall be administered only with written approval and instructions from the child’s parent/guardian and in accordance with the label directions as prescribed by the child’s physician. If your child has such medication, please inform Kids Club staff and complete a Medication Release and Record (provided by Kids Club Staff).
  • If your child becomes ill or begins to exhibit symptoms of being ill, we will notify you and ask you to take your child home.
  • If your child displays symptoms of a contagious illness soon after visiting Kids’ Club, be sure to contact us, so we can post an exposure notice to alert other parents.
  • If your child is too sick to go to school, they are too sick to be in Kids’ Club.
  • Per our Child Protection policy YMCA staff are not permitted to babysit or socialize outside of the Y with families involved in YMCA programs under any circumstances.

For the health and safety of all children in Kids’ Club, our staff members have the right to deny access to any child who exhibits symptoms of being sick. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

 

KIDS’ CLUB PROGRAMMING

In Kids’ Club, children can engage in a variety of fun activities, including music, dance, science, group games, arts and crafts and community service projects. We’ll work on different activities each week, so the fun is always new.

FAMILY EVENTS

Engaging families has always been at the heart of the Y. We are a place for every family to build stronger bonds, achieve greater work/life balance, and become more engaged with community. We invite you to participate in YMCA family events. Check your Kids Club information board for upcoming family events.

PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT

Take advantage of a kid-free evening and drop your child off at the Y to have fun with other kids while you enjoy Parents’ Night Out. Advance registration is required.

Please ask Kids Club staff for more information regarding upcoming dates, fees and how to register. 
 


EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLAN

In the event of an emergency that requires us to evacuate the YMCA, our staff is prepared and has a plan to keep your child safe. We will follow these procedures to return your child to you in a safe, calm and timely manner.

  • Staff will be in charge of doing a face and head count of all children.
  • After verifying the number of children, the staff will exit Kids’ Club to the designated evacuation point (be sure to verify location in advance.)
  • Staff will evacuate with all children, check-in sheets, First Aid kit, emergency binder, and emergency contact binder(s).
  • Staff will remain outside in the designated area where you may pick up your child.

 

QUESTIONS

For questions about Kids’ Club please ask Kids Club staff or ask to speak with your YMCA's Kids Club Coordinator or Director.



YMCA PROJECT CORNERSTONE

We partner with YMCA Project Cornerstone to help adults connect with children and youth in a positive way to help young people thrive.

Research shows that there are essential elements that are crucial to a child’s healthy development. We call these elements “Developmental Assets” - the positive experiences, relationships, opportunities and values that young people need to thrive. We integrate these into all our programs and services.

The essential building blocks for young people’s successful growth and development fall into eight categories:

  1. Support: Young people need to experience support, care, and love from their families and many others. They need organizations and institutions that provide positive, supportive environments.
  2. Empowerment: Young people need to be valued by their community and have opportunities to contribute to others. For this to occur, they must be safe and feel secure.
  3. Boundaries and expectations: Young people need to know what is expected of them and whether activities and behaviors are “in bounds” or “out of bounds.”
  4. Constructive use of time: Young people need constructive, enriching opportunities for growth through creative activities, youth programs, congregational involvement, and quality time at home.
  5. Commitment to learning: Young people need to develop strong values that guide their choices.
  6. Positive values: Young people need to develop strong values that guide their choices.
  7. Social competencies: Young people need skills and competencies that equip them to make positive choices, build relationships, and succeed in life.
  8. Positive identity: Young people need a strong sense of their own power, purpose, worth and promise.

You have the power to change lives. By building assets with Silicon Valley’s children and youth, you can help them to become competent, caring, and responsible adult.