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General Information
Character Counts
The Woonsocket YMCA participates in the Character Counts Program. This is a National YMCA Program that helps develop the four Character Traits:
- Caring (Red for the Heart)
- Honesty (Blue, True Blue)
- Respect (Yellow, Golden Rule)
- Responsibility (Green, for the Earth)
Children and staff are expected to demonstrate each trait through their actions and words. Those displaying character traits wil be awarded through special events, certificates, etc. on a regular basis.
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Staff
At the Woonsocket YMCA, all of the staff support the mission and goals of our child care programs. All teachers, aides, and administrators have met the strictly enforced state standards as well as Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) requirements. The staff members must also pass personal reference checks, finger printing, criminal records, and state screening. The YMCA provides training throughout the year to enhance their knowledge in the areas of Child Abuse Prevention and Detection, Curriculum Development, Classroom Management, Child Development, CPR, and First Aid.
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Emergency Information
We realize problems may arise when children are sick and the parent must go to work, however, the safety of all the children is our main concern. Parents must arrange for alternative care for the days their child cannot attend because of illness.
Parents must provide the YMCA with instructions for dealing with predictable emergencies, (allergic reactions, etc.) and persons to contact if the parents cannot be reached. All emergency contacts listed MUST be able to arrive at the YMCA within 30 minutes of notification. All forms are kept onsite and readily available in case of emergency. These forms must be updated routinely as phone numbers and other important information changes.
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Discipline Policy
The staff applies a behavior management style that is consistent with helping the children develop control of their own behavior through guidance in a warm and caring way. Effort is given om helping children solve their own predicaments through the use of words. The staff is trained in different methods and the various developmental levels and expectations for your child's age.
Guidance and discipline should always be developmentally appropriate and based on an understanding of the individual needs of each child. Whenever possible children are encouraged to settle conflicts and find solutions themselves. A staff member will get involved when necessary. When these interventions are ineffective and the behavior puts any child or staff at risk, the staff will seek the assistance of the director. When a child demonstrates inappropriate behavior or action, our goal is to remain as consistent as possible and prescribe a consequence that is appropriate for the action. Parents will be notified as follows if inappropriate behavior is taking place:
- Verbal Warning
- Written Warning
- Parent Conference and Possible Suspension
- Dismissal from the Program
There may be some circumstances in which a child is being extremely unsafe. If the unsafe behavior continues the parent or guardian will be expected to pick up the child in a timely manner.
Should this behavior persist, a meeting with the Diretor and parents will be set up to discuss the difficult behaviors along with possible suspension or termination from the program. Referrals may be recommended at this time.
The above policy may be modified due to the severity of the child's behavior and actions.
The staff's responsibility is to model appropraite behavior for managing anger, resolving conflicts, sharing, etc. Staff shall not hit the children or engage in any form of corporal punishment. Staff will be terminated.
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Child Abuse/Neglect
The staff of the YMCA have all been trained to detect child abuse or neglect and are required to report suspicion of abuse or neglect to their supervisor who will then make a determination to report to DCYF. All reports are confidential.
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Toys
We discourage children from bringing special toys, etc. from home unless it is for Show & Tell. Items from home should be kept in their backpacks.
Guns, swords, etc. are NOT to be brought to the YMCA. We DO NOT take responsiblity for lost or stolen items.
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Open Door Policy
The Woonsocket YMCA practices an open door policy in all programs. Parents are welcome to visit the program at anytime it is in operation. No appointment is required.
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School Bus Rules
- No standing or sitting on backpacks while the bus is in motion.
- No yelling or throwing anything out the windows anytime. Keep your head and hands inside the bus.
- No body parts in aisle of the bus, this includes legs, arms , hands, etc. at anytime except for entering or exiting the bus.
- No eating or drinking while you are on the bus. This could result in a choking situation.
These are four simple rules that each student is expected to follow for their own safety as well as the safety of others. If for any reason your child does not comply with the rules a written warning will be issued. After 3 written warnings a decision will be made whether a suspension from the bus is warranted.
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Late Pick Up
All programs close at 6:00pm. If your child is not picked up by 6:00pm a late free will be charged. The late fee is charged after the first 5 minutes. At 6:05pm, an initial fee of $5.00 plus an additionsl $1.00 per minute will be added to your next bill. At 7:00pm, or an hour after closing, the local police department will be contacted, they will in turn notify the Department of Children Youth and Families.
We understand that sometimes circumstances occur that will force you to be late. We ask that you please notify us if you are going to be late picking up your child. While we appreciate you letting us know that your are running late, this does not excuse you from the above policy. This policy is strictly enforced.
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Parent & Staff Communications
Our committment to strong families is built on relationships between you and our program. Your confidence in us is very important. To build this relationship we encourage you to speak to the teachers or director about your child. An active, open line of communication is imperative in providing a quality program for your child. We want to share your child's accomplishments with you. We will provide newsletters to keep you informed. We ask if there are changes in your child's behavior or significant events taking place in your child's life (positive or not) that you inform a staff person so that we may respond with more understanding. We also have opportunities for family activities throughout the year and look forward to your participation.
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Medical Policies
Illness: Childern who are ill must stay out of the program until they are symptom free for 24 hours. This is for the safety and well-being of all the children in the program. First signs of illness include:
- Fever of 100 or higher
- Diarrhea
- Rashes
- Vomitting
Your child MUST BE SYMPTOM FREE FOR 24 HOURS (1 day) before returning. If your child has the symptoms of a contagious disease such as chicken pox, pink eye, etc. your child must be seen by a health care provider, must remain out of the program until symptom free, and can only return with a note from the health care provider.
Sick Children: Children who become ill while at the YMCA will not be permitted to stay at the YMCA. This includes diarrhea, vomitting, pink eye, loss of appetite, and lethargy. If a child gets sick, parents will be contacted and are expected to pick up the child or make the necessary arrangements in a timely fashion.
Head Lice: The center follows the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and the Rhode Island Department of Health. Head lice are an unfortunate occurance in both school systems and at child care centers. Your child will be checked periodically for head lice. If the evidence of head lice or active head live is found, you will be notified and expected to pick up or arrange for pick up immediately. You will need to treat your child before your child can return. Your child will eb cheked before being permitted in the classroom. If the head lice are still present, you will be expected to leave with your child.
Medicine: The staff will administer prescription and non prescription medication under the following conditions:
- The child is no longer ill, but needs the medication to complete the prescribed dosage.
- The parent has filled out appropriate authorization form, with a physician's signature.
- Qualified staff will be permitted to administer medicine. Please give the medicine to the Child Care Director/Site Director. Children are not allowed to keep medication on them or in their personal bags.
- The prescription is current, the bottle is labeled with child's name, dosage and time to be given is documented.
- The staff will not administer any expired prescription.
Accident & Injury: The YMCA staff keeps a record of all accidents and injuries however minor. If in a staff member's judgement, an injury may be serious or in question, we will attempt to contact the parent for consultation. If the parent cannot be reached, we will contact person(s) designated as emergency contacts by the parent. If we are unable to reach them, we will respond to the emergency in a way in which we feel is most appropriate and safe for the child. In the case of a severe medical emergency in which your child neeeds immediate medical attention, an ambulance will be called, and an administrator will accompany your child to the hospital emergency room or emergency treatment center until you or your designee arrives.
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Arrivals/Departures
Parents MUST accompany children directly into the building to their room and sign them in and out each day. Maintaing accurate daily attendance including specific parent signatures is imperative. Under no circumstances may a parent leave a child at the center prior to opening or making sure the child has been properly recieved by the staff.
- Sign in Policy: Parents must sign in when they drop their child off at the YMCA.
- Parent must sign out when they pick up their children.
- A picture ID must be presented upon pick up
- The staff reserves the right to refuse the release of a child to anyone they feel may be at risk to the child. THIS IS FOR YOUR CHILD'S SAFETY.
No child will be dismissed from the program unless signed out by a parent or guardian, who is authorized to pick up and shows ID. NO notes accepted. A phone call to the Director is the only exception. When a parent calls in a pick up change, they must use the code word designated for their child. The counselors will discuss the code word with each parent on the first day of the program.
Preschool: The door to 43 Federal Street will be answered by YMCA staff from 6:30am - 9:00am. After 9:00am parents will have to enter through the main entrance on 18 Federal Street and bring their child into the preschool room.
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Inclement Weather
In the event of school closings due to inclement weather the YMCA will make every effort to remain open. There will be no childcare available if the YMCA is closed by the Executive Director or a State of Emergency by the Governor of RI.
Our "on site" programs, (preschool, nursery school, and teen programs) will be open during inclement weather and early dismissals. Our "off site" program (Pothier School Site) will remain open unless school is cancelled by the superintendent before the start of the school day or there is an early dismissal of ALL WOONSOCKET PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Center closings will be announced on channel 10 (WPRJ), and on radio 1240 AM (WOON) and 1380 AM (WNRI).
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Payments
Payments must be made on the Thursday prior to the week of participation. If the payment is not recieved by 8:00 am on Tuesday of the following week a $25 late fee will be applied per child. There is a $30 fee for all returned checks. Failure to make payments for 2 weeks will not be tolerated. If a payment in full or an arrangement to make a partial payment is not recieved by the following Friday we will not pick up your child or provide child care beginning the following Monday. You are responsible for payment even if your child does not attend due to illness as you are holding space in the program. A 2 week written notice is required when you withdraw your child from care. If no notice is given the parent/guardian will be responsible for 2 weeks tuition. Parents/Caregivers are responsible for keeping receipts of payments for tax purposes. The YMCA Federal ID is #05-0259112.
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Holidays
Preschool and Child Care will be closed the following days:
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- The Day after Thanksgiving
- Christmas
- The Day after Christmas
- New Year's Eve
- New Year's Day
- Memorial Day
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School Vacations
7:30am - 6:00pm at the YMCA (seperates registrations and fees apply. Limited availability).
The After School Program will be closed for 2 weeks out of the school yea - February and April Public School Vacations - however, Child Care services will be available for an additional fee.
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Please remember us when you are making your United Way Donation. Our Donor Designation# is 5900.
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