Clark County Family YMCA 
Child Watch Parent's Guide
Welcome. It is exciting to see new faces at the Child Watch Center. We know that the first few times you visit us you may have several questions and concerns regarding the care of your children. This Parents' Guide will help you get to know us better. We know that once you get acquainted with the Child Watch Center, you will feel comfortable and confident that your child is getting the best quality care. If you have any questions, either now or in the future, please do not hesitate to ask one of the staff or volunteers. They are here for you!

YMCA Mission: To put the Christian principles of love, respect, honesty, responsibility and service into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. 

Child Watch Center Goal: In accordance with the mission of the YMCA of Columbia-Willamette, the Child Watch Center's goal is to meet the needs of children by providing an emotionally warm, safe and clean environment. The Child Watch Center will encourage lifelong behaviors by providing the opportunity for supportive social learning.

Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday     8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
                             4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday                8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Sunday                  Closed                                          

Ages: Children must be six weeks to 6 years old to use the Child Watch Center. You will need to bring your infant in an infant seat until they are 5 months old. Limit of 10 infants at one time. Maximum limit of 20 children at one time.

Reservations: Reservations must be made for all children by telephone or in person. Members may make reservations up to one week in advance. Failure to notify the Child Watch Center of a cancellation may result in a loss of reservation privileges. Cancellations may be made at any time prior to reserved time-slot. Contact us at 360.258.3840 or 360.885.9622.

Check-In: Sign each of your children in on the Sign-In/Out binder. Please use one line for each child. The same adult who signs a child "In" must also sign the child "Out." If someone else will be signing the child "Out," a Child Watch staff member must be notified at check-in and the person must be on your list of people who are authorized to sign your child "Out." Any question, ask a Child Watch Representative or call the above number.

Two Hour Limit: Since we are a drop-in center and not a day care, we must ask that you observe the two-hour time limit per session. The Child Watch Center is for childcare while you use the Clark County Family YMCA facility only and you must remain in the building.

Fees: Child Watch is free Members. Children must be a current member to receive this great benefit. There is a $4.00 for 2 hours per child fee for children that are not members.

Staff: The Child Watch Center is staffed by trained childcare workers and volunteers. The staff and volunteers are required to:

1. Enjoy working with children
2. Having infant/child and adult CPR and 1st Aid training
3. Have strong organizational & communication skills
4. Have a cooperative attitude
5. Be able to work patiently and lovingly with children
6. Be in good physical health

Before your Workout:  After putting your child's name tag on and labeling food/bottles, plan a few extra minutes to help your child feel at home. You can check your baby or toddler's diaper and do a quick change on our changing table, if necessary. When your children are comfortable from the start, you can be sure they will have a better time. Please let us know if your child has special needs such as food allergies, diaper creams, etc.

Items to Bring: The diaper bag should contain at least the following:

1. 3-4 diapers
2. One plastic bag for dirty cloth diapers
3. One extra pair of diapers covers, if cloth diapers are used
4. One change of clothes
5. Wipes
6. Pacifier, if desired – please label with child's name
7. One bottle labeled with child's name
8. Finger food labeled with child's name

If your baby is nursing, please feel free to come in and nurse before you leave your child. Also, please express 2-4 ounces and bring it in a bottle. Please label all of your child's belongings.  Labels and permanent markers are available for your convience. An inventory of diaper bag items is made easier by using plastic bags labeled with the contents. A quick glance will tell what is missing.

When you come in on your first visit, you will complete an information form. Fill in all required information in the Sign-In/Out binder with each visit. Have a great workout and come back refreshed!

Child Watch Rules: Since the Child Watch Center is a place for everyone to have an enjoyable time, a few rules have been implemented. These are to provide safety for all children that participate in our services.

• It is important that you label your child's bottle, snacks, pacifier and diaper bag. We have permanent markers and labels for your convience. Children prone to "accidents," who are not potty trained, should always have a diaper bag containing diapers, plastic pants or wraps, clothing, plastic bags and baby wipes.
• No gum, money, toys or large blankets are to be brought into the Child Watch Center.  These things can cause a safety hazard and personal toys may cause fighting.
• Children must be kept home if they are ill or have a sore throat, green mucous, fever, diarrhea, shot reactions or vomiting. If your child comes in contact with a contagious disease (i.e. pink eye, head lice, chicken pox), please notify the Child Watch Center immediately. If your child appears sick, you will be asked to take him/her home immediately. The staff will make the decision as to whether or not the child is too ill to remail in the Child Watch Center. By necessity this policy must be strictly enforced. This will protect your child as well as others.
• Before you leave for your workout, put on your child's nametag, label their bottles/snacks, and check/change their diaper or take them to the restroom, if needed.
• Children must be picked up prior to closing time (8:00 p.m. on weekdays and 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays).
• If your child needs special attention, the staff will page you after trying to comfort the child for 15 minutes. Please return to the Child Watch Center quickly. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter. It will make the Child Watch Center a more positive place for your child and keep the other children from becoming upset as well.
• Since we are not a childcare facility you must remain inside the facility while your child is in the Child Watch Center.

Discipline Procedures: Discipline must be maintained to insure the safe operation of the Child Watch Center. We believe that children are happier and feel safer when they know that there are reasonable limits to behavior. The staff will try to re-direct the child to an appropriate activity and/or explain why their current activity is inappropriate or unsafe. Should this be ineffective, a time-out may be used. The general rule of thumb for time-outs is no more than one minute per year of age.  It is important for all children in the Child Watch Center to be safe. If there is a consistent discipline problem, it will be addressed on an individual basis.

Injury to a Child:  The Child Watch Center will administer First Aid as necessary. The parent will be paged to the Center, if necessary. A "Band-Aid" report will be completed for each injury.

Emergency Procedures: First Aid kits are kept in the overhead cabinet in the Child Watch Center. Ice packs are available at the Front Desk and one is in the Child Watch Center's First Aid kit.

The Child Watch Center fire exit is the back door of the Center which leads directly outside. If the fire is blocking this door, the fire exit will be through the main Child Watch Center entrance, and out the main entrance to the Clark County Family YMCA. If there is a fire, the staff will be responsible for getting the children out of the building with the assistance of members who are close by at the time. The children will be taken into the parking lot outside of the Child Watch Center.

Donations: In order to keep our fees low, donations of the following items are greatly appreciated and needed:

• Toys for all ages
• Puzzles and games
• Dress up clothes for males and females (no hats, please)
• Baby wipes
• Crackers: soda, graham, animal, gold fish, Ritz, etc.
• Paper cups for snack time
• Craft supplies