Childcare Parent Handbook
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Wyckoff Family YMCA
CHILDCARE PARENT HANDBOOK
Welcome!
The Wyckoff Family YMCA Early Learning Centers provide families in our community with exceptional childcare and foundational learning experiences that nurture each child’s spirit, mind and body. We do this by creating caring and engaging classrooms where our students can learn, explore, play and develop the knowledge and skills that can serve them well throughout their lives.
The YMCA mission to educate and protect every child is the same commitment you have made to your children. These common goals will be the partnership between us to shape the future of our children into individuals that care about themselves, each other and their communities.
The Parent Handbook is divided into common information for all our childcare centers and a link that will include center-specific information for your location. It will provide you with frequently asked questions and helpful suggestions to navigate your routines throughout the school year.
Your decision to choose the right type of childcare for your family is of most importance. Parents are assured that the ‘Y’ is committed to providing a nurturing and developmentally appropriate environment for each child in our care. We strive to offer the safest and highest quality program that stresses individual needs and attention.
Again welcome, we are happy to share this learning experience with you!
Mission Statement
The Wyckoff Family YMCA Early Learning Centers provide the families in our community with exceptional childcare and the foundational learning experiences that nurture and support each child’s spirit, mind and body.
Philosophy
Early learning at the Y is a team effort! Parents, teachers and the community share a common goal of support and collaboration, creating an environment where children can grow, learn and thrive.
Cornerstones of Character
CARING
To love others, to be sensitive to the well-being of others, to help others.
HONESTY
To tell the truth, to act in such a way that you are worthy of trust, to have integrity; making sure your choices match your values.
RESPECT
To treat others as you would have them treat you; to value the worth of every person, including yourself.
RESPONSIBILITY
To do what is right, what you ought to do; to be accountable for your behavior and obligations.
Parent Information:
Attendance
Consistent attendance is an important factor in children's social and cognitive development. It can provide children with various enriching opportunities and experiences that are beneficial to their social development and relationships with peers and adults. Developing good attendance habits now sets a precedent for later school years.
If your child will be absent, please email the center director and send a message to your child's teach via our communications app. If a child is absent for more than 3 days, parents will be contacted to inquire about the child’s absence. Please be aware that a doctor’s note may be required for your child to return after absence due to illness at any time.
*Please note that regular tuition/fees will be charged for absences. This policy has been adopted because costs for staff and programs remain the same when children are absent.
Authorized Pick Ups
The Childcare Staff will be responsible for your child from arrival through pick-up. Children will be released only to authorized person(s) you have provided. The staff will request proper identification at pick-up. To maintain safety and accountability of each child, all children must be signed out by an authorized Adult (18+ yrs) each day.
Be Our Guest
Celebrations are an important part of the life of a young child. Whether it’s a birthday, holiday, sharing of a family cultural tradition or a special job, we invite your child to celebrate with his/her classmates. Guest readers are welcomed too!
Biting Policy
Biting is very common in early childhood. Babies and toddlers bite for a variety of reasons, such as teething or exploring a new toy or object with their mouth. As they begin to understand cause-and-effect, they also may see the behavior as a means to get a reaction. Unfortunately, there’s not a simple solution. Taking the time to understand why a particular child bites is invaluable in changing the behavior while maintaining a positive caregiving relationship. For more information on biting, go to the YMCA Biting Policy.
Child Suspension/Withdrawal Process
It is the goal of the Wyckoff Family YMCA Early Learning Centers to keep all children enrolled from their date of admission until their childcare needs with us have ended. Unfortunately, sometimes, situations may develop that may cause termination or suspension of a child. View the complete policy YMCA Termination-Suspension Policy.
Child Adjustment to Center
If a child is having difficulty adjusting to the Program, a conference will be arranged between the parents and director. The Wyckoff YMCA reserves the right to recommend withdrawal from the program if a child has not adjusted to the program within a reasonable amount of time.
Confidentiality
The YMCA is committed to promoting respect for every child, their families, and our staff. Children’s records are confidential. When a situation arises and needs to be shared with another family, the identity of the child(ren) is not revealed. It is in the best interest of all families to maintain confidentiality regarding personal information and conversations involving the childcare center, its employees, families and children.
Custody Orders
The YMCA strives to remain neutral in all custody disputes. The center must be notified immediately if there are any changes regarding parental custody. Certified court documents must be given to the center director and will be enforced according to the law.
Family Involvement
YMCA families have a chance to meet with other families and the teachers several times a year. These gatherings are meant to provide a sense of community and to get to know one another.
Field Trips/On-Site Assemblies
Field trips and nature walks are considered an important part of the education program and are scheduled periodically. Off-campus field trips in the local area are scheduled for Pre-K and TK classes. You will be notified with a written permission slip for these trips.
Meals and Snacks
For childcare center Full Day Programs, the Y ( will provide milk (whole milk for Infants, 1% for all other ages), water at any time, and morning and afternoon snacks. Parents will provide lunch. There are microwaves for heating in every classroom. Please see your center-specific Info Page for more information.
Parent Communication
Effective communication between parents and teachers helps to build trust. Learning more about your child’s needs and home environment offers teachers a better understanding on how to meet their individual needs. There are several ways parents can communicate with class teachers.
- At Arrival or Pickup times
- Notifying your child's Teacher via the Communication App
- Call to the Center
- Schedule a formal meeting
- Email the Director
Photography
From time to time the YMCA takes pictures of children involved in activities or events. It is the best visual tool to demonstrate the learning experience. They may be used for in-house advertising and/or YMCA social media pages. Parent’s written permission will be requested acknowledging the Y’s use of photography.
Positive Guidance
Guiding children’s behavior is part of the plan every day, not just when a child acts in a way that is unsafe or unacceptable. Staff are trained with strategies to mitigate challenging behavior and encourage self-esteem. For a complete copy go to YMCA Positive Guidance Policy.
Rest
Rest time gives children a midday chance to physically rest and emotionally unwind. It also helps children to stay healthy and alert during the afternoon. A scheduled rest time is a licensing requirement for children under 5 years old and who attend a full day program.
Screen Time
Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers are now growing up in environments saturated with a variety of traditional and new technologies. Although experts would agree that both these environments have positive outcomes, it is strongly recommended that the use of screen time in young children be used in moderation.
The American Academy of Pediatrics calls for no screen time at all for children until 18 to 24 months, except for video chatting, and says kids ages 2 to 5 should get an hour or less of screen time per day.
Brain development for infants and toddlers needs interaction with the people around them. They need to touch things, shake them, throw them, and most of all to see the faces and hear the voices of those they love the most.
It’s never too early to develop a screen-time plan with your family. Let your children share their ideas and concerns. For more information, please go to Media and Children (aap.org).
Weather
Outdoor play is highly beneficial for young children’s health and wellbeing. An outdoor environment helps increase exercise while promoting verbal skills. By affecting a child’s mood positively, children are more easily able to interact with each other in constructive and collaborative ways.
Be sure to dress your child ready for the weather each day. Children will go out for recess each day (unless the temperature is freezing, or weather conditions are dangerous). Warm jackets, hats and gloves for the colder months and sunscreen, light colored summer clothing and hats for when it is warmer.
Full Day Childcare Programs:
Infant/Toddler
Breastfeeding Policy
The YMCA is dedicated to giving breastfeeding mothers ongoing support to provide their milk for their babies. To ensure families are supported the YMCA Childcare Centers subscribe to the following policy:
- Breastfeeding mothers, including staff, shall be provided with a private and sanitary place to breastfeed their babies or express milk.
- Sensitivity will be shown to breastfeeding mothers and their babies by providing mothers opportunities to breastfeed their baby and holding off giving a bottle to babies, if possible, when mom is due to arrive at the childcare program.
- Artificial baby milks (formula) and solid foods will not be provided without first checking with the mother. Babies will be held closely when feeding and bottles will never be propped.
- Bottles will not be warmed in the microwave.
- Bottles will be warmed in a bottle warmer OR in a glass container with water being warmed by a crockpot.
- Refrigerator/freezer space will be made available for storage of expressed milk.
- Mothers should provide their own containers, clearly labeled with name and date.
- Staff shall be trained in proper storage and handling of expressed milk.
Diapering
The personal care routines, such as diapering, can give your baby a sense of security, and a feeling of being respected and cared for, when approached with an attitude of cooperation and care.
Diapering procedures are designed to reduce contamination of surfaces, including hands, equipment, materials and floors. This multi-step procedure is important to reduce the risk of contamination. The YMCA Diapering Policy, recommended by NJ Office of Licensing, can be found on our website,
Primary Caregiving
Every infant and toddler are assigned a primary caregiver from their class. This staff member is primarily responsible for the care and communication between staff and parents. Primary care creates a meaningful relationship for the child and nurtures trust to help them thrive!
Safe Sleep
Safe sleep and napping practices reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and the spread of contagious diseases.
The YMCA practices Safe Sleep procedures. Healthy infants (0-12 months) will always be put to sleep on their backs. Infants will be placed to sleep on a firm mattress free of toys, stuffed animals, pillows, bumpers, or positioning devices. Sleeping infants will be visually checked every 15-20 minutes. The complete policy on safe sleep can be found at Safe Sleep (aap.org).
Babysitting & Tutoring Policy
In accordance with the Wyckoff YMCA Child Protection Policies and Staff Code of Conduct, staff members are not permitted to sign out any child from the Program or transport any child in their own car unless the staff and child or child’s family or guardian are related. Staff members may not be alone with the children they meet in YMCA Programs outside of the YMCA. This includes babysitting, tutoring, and inviting children to their home.
Curriculum:
The ‘Y’ Commitment to Learning
The Wyckoff Family YMCA Early Learning Centers are committed to providing families with exceptional childcare and the foundational learning experiences that nurture each learner’s spirit, mind, and body. We create caring and engaging classrooms where children can learn, explore, play, and develop the knowledge, skills, and habits that can serve them well throughout their lives.
Our commitment to community is a foundational component of our learning centers. We recognize the importance of working together to support each child’s learning both inside and outside of our centers. Our teachers and staff develop open communication with parents as we develop an individual care plan and provide continual updates on your child's growth and development.
Infant Toddlers & Twos
- Our youngest learners engage in daily routines and learning experiences that are meaningful and support their social-emotional, physical, and cognitive development.
- Our center and staff utilize The Creative Curriculum® for Infants, Toddlers & Twos to support the development of the whole child.
- Through high-quality, comprehensive resources our staff is equipped to intentionally teach and care for our youngest learners during these most critical and formative years of development.
Preschool & PreK
- Our preschool learners (ages 3, 4 & 5) engage in daily routines and intentional learning experiences inspired by two nationally recognized curriculums: Creative Curriculum® and Learning Without Tears®.
- These resources along with our YMCA core values underpin the YMCA’s Let’s Investigate Preschool Curriculum.
- This curriculum is a responsive, caring, and emergent thematic curriculum that outlines developmentally appropriate learning objectives and purposeful, child-center learning experiences.
Health & Wellness:
You...
are the best judge of your child’s health. However, if while in our care your child becomes ill, displays an unknown rash, or acts out-of-character, you may be notified to have your child picked up from school. It is recommended that the child be picked up within a one-hour timeframe to protect the health of all the children in the class. View complete policy at Health and Wellness Policy.
Bodies and Boundaries
There is a natural curiosity among children with regards to their bodies. We teach children that every person has boundaries and that our bodies are private and should be respected.
Daily Health Check
Upon arrival, a teacher will perform a daily health assessment of your child. This is done in collaboration with parent information communicated that morning and any observations noted by the teacher. This helps to identify potential concerns about your child’s health, including recent illness or injury, and enables the teacher to plan for necessary care while your child is with us during the day.
Medical Home Policy
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, families are encouraged to collaborate with a pediatric primary care physician and establish a “medical home”. In a “medical home”, physicians and their patients/families partner together to provide comprehensive care to children, making sure both their medical and non-medical needs are met. It is a good idea to pick a doctor and their practice that fit your medical needs. In addition, it is good to make yearly well visits to the practice, this helps you and the doctor to make the best possible decisions for your children’s medical needs.
Medical Records
All children enrolled in our childcare centers must submit the following:
- Universal Health Record (current)
- Immunization Record (up to date)
- Allergy Action Plan (must be included with all allergy-related medications)
Medications
Staff are permitted to administer medication (prescription/nonprescription) to a child with a signed, click here for form: Medication Permission Form
- Prescription medication must be sent in the original container and labeled with the child’s name, specific dosage, and time the medication should be given.
- Non-prescription medication should be sent in the same way and should indicate how long the medication should be taken (short term usage). More on this can be found on the health policy link.
Physical Activity
Families are encouraged to make physical activity a lifelong goal. A “healthy lifestyle” does not just mean a balanced diet. The importance of regular physical activity, sleep routines, and working on mental health are all vital in the growth and development of a child.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children have time for physical activity each day. Here’s how much they need:
- Infants need at least 30 minutes of “tummy time” and other interactive play, spread throughout each day.
- Children ages Toddler-5 yrs need at least 3 hours of physical activity per day, or about 15 minutes every hour they are awake.
Toilet Training
One of the biggest milestones in a toddler’s development is toilet training. This process is a partnership between parents and teachers and works best with a plan of action that will work at home and at school. More information on how we can work together can be found on our website, YMCA Toilet Training.
Emergencies
The health and safety of children and staff is top priority at the YMCA. Communication for emergencies is a multi-layered plan, led by the Y Emergency Response Team and includes the assistance of staff, local authorities and emergency responders.
Depending on the emergency, a detailed plan is in place outlining procedures for the safe evacuation of the building and/or to a secured location inside the building. The plan includes:
- Routine staff training on evacuation procedures.
- Communication methods used for staff and parents.
- Practice of routine drills: Monthly Fire Drills, 2 Lockdown Drills (annually).
- Continued CPR and First Aid training for all staff.
Maintenance
- Good hygiene procedures are reminders throughout the day in every class.
- Separate diapering areas are designated away from play areas and offer some privacy for the child.
- Toys, tables, chairs, etc are sanitized throughout the day to prevent the spreading of germs.
- Professional cleaners are contracted six nights/week for heavier cleaning.
Outdoor Safety
- Children play in a secured play area. All equipment has been purchased and approved by NJ Playground standards.
- Designated walking areas are marked throughout the ‘Y’ campus for crossing parking lot areas.
Parking Lot Safety
Did you know the speed limit in the YMCA parking lot is 10 mph?
- Please always drive slowly and carefully in the parking lot.
- Follow the directional signs in the parking lot to avoid accidents.
- Cars must be turned off and parked in an appropriate parking space.
- Children must never be left inside a car alone for any reason.
- NJ law required children to be secured in car seats (appropriate for height/weight).
Secured Center
- All children must be members of the YMCA to be enrolled in childcare programs.
- All childcare classes are secured with keypad locked access.
- Childcare staff are required to pass two background checks (Criminal History and child Abuse Notifications)
- YMCA personnel policy prohibits childcare staff from driving children in their own cars.
Unexpected Center Closings
The Y makes every effort to remain open in case of inclement weather. We will make every effort to notify you through REMIND.com by 6am morning of or the night before (if a storm is imminent). Information regarding the day will be on our website, www.wyckoffymca.org.
If it becomes necessary to close school during the school day, parents will be contacted the same way, through REMIND.com and by email from the director. A 2-hour window of notification will be given, unless the situation requires a faster dismissal. Parents need a back-up plan. If a parent is unreachable, the emergency contact will be notified. *For YENS a 1-hour window of notification will be given for an unexpected early closing.
**The YMCA has the right to temporarily adjust operational hours or be forced to close due to a situation beyond our control (pandemic, severe weather, building emergency, etc). Tuition payments will remain the same during a temporary change to YMCA operations.