Learning Academy

HOMEWORK POLICY
All Out of School Care program participants will participate in “Homework Time,” Monday through Thursday. The expectation for students is to have a respectful and quiet environment so that all students can be successful in completing their homework. Because we are committing our staff to supporting homework time, all students are expected to take part. Students who may not have regular homework, or in cases where parents prefer assignments to be completed at home, we encourage the utilization of that quiet time for reading. While we do our best to monitor for completion, it is encouraged that parents review their child’s homework and check for accuracy. *With the extended hours, we will have up to 3 hours of time build into our schedule for virtual learning support.

NUTRITION
Meals and snacks served comply with the Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), to ensure nutritious snacks/meals. We encourage this time to be kept pleasant with conversation encouraged along with eating. No child will be forced to eat, nor denied food as a form of punishment. To stay in compliance with state regulations, if your child brings their own snack/meal please keep in mind the following:

• Beverages must be 2% white milk
• 6 ounces of 100% real juice or plain water
• No soda, flavored water, or sugared drink is allowed.
• Fast food, chips of any sort, or snack with 8 grams of sugar or more per serving is not allowed.

Meal menu’s for snacks are posted in the childcare facility and at all school site locations.

WHAT TO BRING

• Computer device to complete virtual learning on
• Computer device charger
• Headphones, preferably those with a microphone
• Water bottle (labeled)
• Closed toed shoes
• Swim Wear on their assigned swim days

​WHAT TO LEAVE AT HOME
In consideration with the health and safety of our staff and participants we are asking that you leave the following at home:

• Any personal toys including but not limited to stuffed animals, action figures, playing cards, etc.
• If you bring a water bottle, make sure there is a clear, visible name tag with your child’s first and last name.
• **The Y is not responsible for any personal property.

​ACTIVITY UPDATES

• Groups will be separated throughout the day and will not engage with other groups through large group games.
• At this time we will not be utilizing the rockwall or gymnastics amenities. Staff and Parents will be notified if these areas become available for use in the future.
• All supplies will be sanitized between each use and children will be given their own materials whenever possible.

MONTHLY FEE

• $585/Month (Full Month)

REGISTRATION FEE

• A $25 non-refundable registration fee is due at the time of registration, if payment is not made your registration will be withdrawn.

LATE PAYMENTS

• Payments are due on the 1st of every month, if payment is not made by the 5th of the month, a $10 late fee will be applied. If payment is not made by the 10th of the month your child will be removed from the program and future registrations cancelled until payment is made.

RETURNED PAYMENTS

• If your payment (check, credit card or automatic draft) is not honored by your bank, you are still responsible for the payment plus a $10 NSF service fee. This is in addition to any service fee that may be charged to you by your bank.

WITHDRAWAL POLICY

• It is the YMCA’s policy that written notice be given two weeks in advance of your child’s withdrawal from the program to avoid being charged for the following session.
• Any outstanding balance must be paid at the time of withdrawal.
• No partial month refunds will be given.
• The YMCA reserves the right to dismiss a child from the program upon notifying the parent. Refunds or credits will not be issued for dismissal from the program due to behavior.

RECEIPTS AND TAX INFORMATION

• Receipts are available after making a payment and should be kept for records.
• Harrison Family YMCA childcare payments may be a tax deduction. Statements will be sent out after the first of each year to the address on file.
• The Y’s Federal Tax ID number is 56-0543251.

DROP OFF AND PICK UP LATE FEE POLICY

• If your child is picked up after our latest pick up time of 6:00 pm at any site location the following fee will be applied to your account:
  • ​$5.00 late pickup fee after 6:05 pm
  • $1.00 per minute additional charged for every minute after 6:05 pm

WAYS TO PAY

• Automatic draft is the preferred method of payment. Your payment will be drafted from your account on the 1st of every month. Drafting is available through EFT or major credit cards.
• Payment in full is due on due date regardless of absenteeism, holidays, or weather related closings.

WELCOME TO ALL

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION

Financial Assistance is available to those who apply and qualify. Annual Campaign Funds are raised by the Y each year to help provide this benefit to the community. The Y recognizes that some individuals and families struggle to pay the rent, put food on the table and buy clothes for their kids due to unforeseen circumstances. They need financial assistance to come to the Y, to stay healthy, to be active and to thrive in life. Through the annual campaign, we make sure that our doors are open to all. Donor support helps thousands of youth and families live healthier and happier lives. They do better in school. They manage their illnesses. And kids get a good square meal!

If you feel that you are in need of assistance to become a Y member or program participant, please ask for a financial assistance form at the front desk. You may also download and print from this page. For more information, contact setheridge@rmymca.org

Options:

1. Online through our registration portal by clicking here or the purple bubble at the top of this webpage
   1. Complete the registration form.
   2. Send in your child’s immunization record and color photo via email to iaverette@rmymca.org
   3. Pay $25 registration fee
2. In-person at the Harrison Family YMCA front desk
   1. Complete registration form
   2. Bring in your child’s immunization record and color photo
   3. Pay $25 registration fee

• Registrations will not be considered complete and your spot will not be held if we have not received your child’s immunization record.
• Registrations will not be considered completed and your spot will not be held if we have not received your $25 registration fee.
• If you find that registrations are full for certain age groups, please e-mail iavarette@rmymca.org to be placed on a waitlist.

IN CONSIDERATION WITH THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR STAFF AND PARTICIPANTS, WE ARE ASKING THAT YOU DO NOT BRING THE FOLLOWING TO Y LEARNING ACADEMY:

• Any personal toys including but not limited to stuffed animals, action figures, playing cards, tablets or electronics, etc.
• If you bring a water bottle, make sure there is a clear, visible name tag with your child's first and last name.

UPDATED STAFF PROCEDURES
Our staff are highly trained in a variety of areas and work hard to provide the best experience for your child. In light of COVID-19 here are some additional steps we will be taking in regards to staffing:

• Staff will participate in training prior to working that outlines: health and safety guidance, cleaning procedures, sick child procedures, and general social distancing expectations.
• All staff will be screened before clocking in each day. The screening will consist of the same 3 questions used in our child Daily Health Check (as seen in the Check-In Section Below) as well as a temperature check.
• Staff will use a mask when appropriate to prevent the spread of contaminants. (i.e. any staff administering Check IN/Check OUT.) 

UPDATED STAFF TO CHILD RATIOS
We will follow a maximum staff to child ratio of 1:10 at all times.

ACTIVITY UPDATES

• Groups will be separated throughout the day and will not engage with other groups through large group games. Assemblies will take place if adequate separation can be maintained.
• At this time we will not be utilizing the rockwall or gymnastics amenities. Staff and Parents will be notified if these areas become available for use in the future.
• All supplies will be sanitized between each use and children will be given their own materials whenever possible.

PREVENTATIVE MEASURES TO AVOID SPREAD OF GERMS

Social Distancing

• Adhere to a maximum staff to child ratio of 1:10 and use separate space during all program times to ensure no more than 10 children are in one space at a given time.
• Operate activities in spaces large enough to allow for 6 feet of space between children.
• Plan games and activities that allow for social distancing. When doing a painting activity, for instance, children will be given their own materials, rather than sharing.

Handwashing

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (about as long as it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice).
• In addition to usual handwashing, we will wash hands at beginning of shift/at arrival, before and after eating meals and snacks, after blowing noses, coughing, or sneezing, or when in contact with body fluids.
• Except for eating, preparing, or serving food, hand sanitizing products with 60% alcohol may be used in lieu of handwashing when outdoors if hands are washed upon returning indoors. Hand sanitizer must be stored out of reach of children when not in use.

Limiting Extra Adults

• Only staff needed to maintain ratio compliance should be inside classrooms.
• Facilities will restrict teachers to one classroom with one group of children and will not use “floater” teachers. This is in order to reduce the number of people coming in and out of classrooms.
• No volunteers will be utilized in childcare at this time.

ENHANCED CLEANING AND SANITIZING PROCEDURES
At the YMCA we maintain a strict cleaning schedule throughout the year to ensure we have the safest environment for your children. In response to COVID-19, our staff are maintaining the following cleaning checklist to continue and enhance that work. Our staff will wear personal protective equipment when appropriate to ensure their safety while handling products that are confirmed to be effective against COVID-19.

Before the Children Arrive:​
Wipe down all tables, chairs, light switches, and all door handles.
Clean off the most used toys.
Sanitize all tablets

Throughout the day:
Items/toys that are used by children will be wiped down and disinfected between each use.

Before/After Meal Time:
Wipe down all tables and hard surfaces.
Wash hands of course!

After Children Leave:
​Wipe down all tables, chairs, light switches, and door handles.
Clean off the toys used from the day.
Wipe down Faucets, Paper towel holders, soap canisters.

In addition, our cleaning staff will continue our normal cleaning procedures thoroughly each day. Our staff will be continue hand-washing as normal between each activity/transition.

RESPONSE TO ILLNESS

• If fever is suspected, we will check temperature again. If fever is present (100.4 or higher), parents/emergency contacts will be notified to pick up the child. Similar procedures will be upheld for staff.
• In the event of a fever or other symptoms of illness, the child will be allowed to rest in a designated “isolation area” determined by the Youth and Family Director. The Director or Coordinator will provide supervision in this space. Social distancing will continue to be practiced while the child is in isolation.
• Staff will call parents to pick up if any of the following conditions exist:
  • The illness prevents the child from participating comfortably in childcare activities.
  • The illness results in greater need than the YMCA staff can provide without compromising the health and safety of other children.
  • The child has any of the following conditions:
    • A fever of 100.4 or higher. Children must be fever-free for at least 48 hours without fever-reducing medication before they can return to childcare programs. If fever is a result of COVID-19, children cannot return to the program for 14 days.
    • Continuous and/or colored nasal drainage. A current note from a physician can be provided if drainage is caused by an allergy.
    • Diarrhea
    • Vomiting within a 24 hour period
    • Communicable diseases
• If a child or staff member develops any of the following symptoms, they will be sent home as soon as possible: fever, cough, shortness of breath.
• If a child or staff, tests positive for COVID-19, they cannot return to programming for 14 days.
• All policies regarding illness also apply to staff with the exception of isolation as the staff member will leave the premise immediately.

In the case of possible or confirmed COVID-19 exposure, an action plan will be developed with guidance from our local health officials and communicated out through the Youth and Family Director.

RIDES IN PROCEDURES

• Between the hours of 6:30-8:30 a.m. all children should be dropped off at our check-in station, located on the side of the building. Severe weather may affect the pickup process. In cases of driving rain and/or lightning, staff will keep children sheltered until conditions improve. This may slow down the pickup process, requiring drivers to wait. The safety of YMCA children and staff is our first priority.
• No need to exit your car, simply pull into the drop off line and our staff will help your child out of the car.
• Parents/Guardians should only park and walk up if they need to speak with the Director.
• After 8:30 a.m. please call into the YMCA to be checked in at 252-972-9622 ext. 239.
• Reminder the latest check-in time is 9:30 am.

DAILY HEALTH CHECK AT CHECK-IN
At check-in our staff (who will be required to wear a mask if they are conducting check-in/out) will be completing the following as a Daily Health Check as recommended by the CDC and State partners:

1. Temperature will be taken. (Thermometers cleaned between each use)
2. The following questions will be asked each day:
   • Have you been in close contact (defined by the CDC as being within 6 feet of someone for 10 minutes or more) with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19?
   • Has anyone in your household had symptoms of respiratory illness (fever, cough, shortness of breath)?
   • Have you experienced a fever, cough, or shortness of breath in the past week?

• Below is the standard exclusion criteria for our program during COVID-19:
  • Children with a temperature greater than 100.4 will be sent home until they have had no fever for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
  • Anyone who has been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 will be asked to remain home for 14 days after their last contact with a COVID-19 patient.
  • If someone in your household has symptoms of respiratory illness, they will be asked to remain home until at least 14 days after symptom onset and 72 hours after symptom resolution.

*The below procedures are for the YMCA location only. For school site locations, specific rides in and out procedures will be sent out.

RIDES OUT PROCEDURES

• Between the hours of 4:30-6:00 PM, we will conduct check out outside, the same location as check-in. When you arrive, we will bring your child to your car. Staff will not be responsible for buckling children into car seats or the car, if your child needs assistance you can pull around to a parking spot.
  • Please make sure that you have your Photo ID or “Pick Up Tag” provided by the YMCA in order for us to release your child to you we will need to see those items.
  • If you need to add someone to your pick up list please call the Youth and Family Director before 4:00 PM.
• If you need to pick up before 4:30 PM for our Full Day Program please call our Youth and Family Office at 252-972-9622 ext. 239.

Severe weather may affect the pickup process. In cases of driving rain and/or lightning, staff will keep children sheltered until conditions improve. This may slow down the pickup process, requiring drivers to wait. The safety of YMCA children and staff is our first priority.

Click here for the Parent Handbook

Click here for the PDF Fillable Registration Form

March Newsletter for Parents