School Age Childcare

Employee HandbookMiddletown YMCA404 N. Cass Street

Middletown, DE 19709302-616-9622

Welcome to the YMCA of Delaware

The YMCA is an association of people of all ages, ethnic groups and religious affiliations that strive to cultivate the human potential, self-esteem, and dignity of all people. Our organization exists to develop and practice the Christian principles of love, caring, inclusiveness, justice, and peace… and to enrich the emotional, physical, and social life of all individuals, families and our community.

Program PhilosophyStaff will provide a safe and nurturing environment for children, while implementing age appropriate activities that promote social, emotional, intellectual, and physical skill development. It is our goal to help each child develop to their fullest potential.

Character CountsThe Middletown YMCA embraces the four basic values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Staff is expected to model, teach and demonstrate these

character values on a daily basis.

RED=CARINGBLUE=HONESTY

YELLOW=RESPECTGREEN=RESPONSIBILITY

These are the YMCA’s core values; however, the YMCA believes that all values are important traits of a quality citizen and building character in children. The staff should always support and verbally recognize any positive displays of character children show.

The Middletown YMCA does have an open door policy. Parents/guardians are welcome to visit and participate in special activities and events. Staff Requirements

Fingerprinting Adult Abuse Check Criminal Background Check Physical with a TB shot Drug Testing Professional Development Plan Service letters Verification forms References-four Declaration Waiver Child Abuse Reporting law (reviewed annually)

Staff Qualifications

Site Coordinator- Successful completion of at least 12 college or university credits in

recreation, elementary education, school-age care, or school-age administration and 12

months of experience working with children kindergarten through sixth grade in a group

setting, and must be at least 20 years of age.

Site Assistant-

At least 18years of age

At least a high school degree or its equivalent and meets one of the following

qualifications:

Successful completion of three (3) credits in recreation, elementary

education, school-age care or school-age administration and part-time employment for one

school year from September to June providing education/care to children kindergarten

through sixth grade in a group setting

Successful completion of three (3) credits in recreation, elementary

education, school-age care or school-age administration and full-time employment during

the majority of one summer season (June through August) providing education/care to

children kindergarten through sixth grade in a group setting

Successful completion of 45 clock hours of quality-assured training related

to the needs of the school-age children served and part-time employment for one school

year from September to June providing education/care to children kindergarten through

sixth grade in a group setting

Successful completion of 45 clock hours of quality-assured training related

to the needs of the school-age children served and full-time employment during the

majority of one summer season (June through August) providing education/care to children

kindergarten through sixth grade in a group setting

Successful completion of at least 15-clock-hours of quality-assured

training in school-age care within 12 months of employment and part-time employment for t

wo school years from September to June providing education/care to children kindergarten

through sixth grade in a group setting

Successful completion of at least 15-clock-hours of quality-assured

training in school-age care within 12 months of employment and full-time employment for o

ne school year from September to June providing education/care to children kindergarten

through sixth grade in a group setting

Successful completion of at least 15-clock-hours of quality-assured

training in school-age care within 12 months of employment and full-time employment durin

g the majority of two summer seasons (June through August) providing education/care to

children kindergarten through sixth grade in a group setting

Intern-

At least 16years of age and must meet one of the following qualifications:

Successful completion of at least three college or university credits from a

regionally accredited college or university in recreation, elementary education, school-age

care, or school-age administration

Successful completion of at least 15-clock-hours of quality-assured

training in school-age care completed within 12 months of employment

Successful completion of the education requirement for a higher level

position contained in the Delacare regulations

Aide-

Must be at least 16 years of age or 15 years of age if attending a vocational or

technical high school’s three-year program in early childhood education or a traditional high

school's career pathway program in early childhood with enrollment documentation on file

at the center.

Substitute-Must be at least 16 years of age and substituting less than 2 months

before qualifying for a position.

Staff Ratios-1:15 (maximum), Stars sites 1:14

Staffing

Site coordinator must be at site 50% of time.

Site assistant must be present in absence of site coordinator.

Interns cannot be left alone with children; accept when walking them to or

from the bathroom.

Aides/Volunteers cannot be left alone with a group of children.

Staff Procedures

Professionalism

Wear name tag at all times

Wear staff shirt at all times

Meet and greet children and guardians daily

Greet school personnel daily

Communicate positively and professionally at all times with children,

families, staff, and school personnel.

Do not talk on personal cell phones or text message while working.

Child Abuse-Our top priority is keeping children safe at all times. You are

required by law to report suspected cases of abuse or neglect. Please notify your

supervisor immediately if you would suspect anything. Reporting procedures will

remain confidential and staff will not be discouraged or impeded from reporting.

Any type of abuse by staff will not be tolerated and may be cause for immediate

dismissal. Please refer to # 5 in the employee code of conduct.

Staff Training

CPR-every 2 years

First Aid-every 2 years

Child abuse Prevention

Blood Borne Pathogens

Managing Slips, Trips, and Falls

Sexual Harassment

9 hours of annual training

For each staff person 75% or more of all training hours completed need to

be quality assured (Level 2 or higher).

25% of staff will be required to complete the School Age Credential.

25% of staff will be required to complete 1 Delaware Credential excluding

Administrator Credential and School Age Credential.

Mandatory staff meetings

SACC Orientation

New Staff Orientation (online)

Schedules and Schedule Changes

Morning shift starts at 6:20 a.m.

Afternoon shift starts 15 minutes prior to children arriving

Schedule changes must also be submitted in writing 2 weeks prior to the

change. Time off Procedure: requesting time off does not mean it is

automatically granted. Time off is approved on a first come, first serve basis. If

your time off request is not approved, you are expected to report to work as your

schedule reflects. Failure to do this can result in disciplinary action.

Must be submitted in writing 2 weeks prior-It is your responsibility to

contact the director to determine whether or not it has been approved. If your time

is not approved it will be your responsibility to get shift covered or will be

unexcused absence.

A maximum of 5 requested days off per school year will be granted.

Illness-Staff are not expected to call out unless they are truly very sick. Mo

rning shift must call off by 6:00 am; Afternoon shift must call off by 10:00 am.

Doctor’s/dentist appointments or any other appointments should not be

scheduled during your scheduled hours.

Cell Phones

The YMCA cell phone is for business only.

Personal cell phones can remain on vibrate and should only be answered in

what you may think might be an emergency. Licensing regulations state that cell

phones are not to be used while directly caring for children.

TEXTING IS NOT ALLOWED WHILE ON DUTY!

Time Clock System-is a legal document and should be treated as such.

Time MUST be entered into the Ulti Pro system daily; if you do not have

computer access your time MUST be entered weekly.

Must be accurate-Putting unauthorized time in the system will result in

disciplinary action including immediate termination. YOU ARE EXPECTED TO BE

HONEST! Do not put hours in the system prior to working your shift.

Dress Code

Staff shirt at all times

Name tag at all times

No open toed shoes

No tank tops

No short shorts or short skirts

No ripped or torn clothing

No outfits revealing midriff

No outfits revealing underwear

No pants or shorts with words across the rear

No low cut topsStaff Meetings

Mandatory Quarterly Meetings

Must be excused by director if cannot attend

Staff meetings will always begin with an ice breaker/team building activity and an

invocation. The purpose of the meetings is to continue to create a strong team of

leaders, plan, brainstorm, and discuss strengths and challenges of our day to day

jobs. Problem solving techniques will be used to increase quality of the program.

Agenda items may vary depending on the needs of the program and staff. In-

service training may also be included in the meetings.

Performance Reviews

Each staff person will have a performance review annually based on our

Association Review Process.

Each staff person will review themselves (self assessment), annually, based

on the Delaware Competencies for School-Age Professionals. This assessment will

be used to create an annual Professional Development Plan for each staff member.

Employee Benefits

All YMCA of Delaware employees are entitled to voluntarily contribute

money to the YMCA Retirement Fund. After an employee has worked for the YMCA

of Delaware for 1 year and worked 1,000 hours within that year and 21 years old,

the YMCA will contribute to the Retirement Fund.

Free adult membership to the YMCA of Delaware.

Employees will receive discounts on YMCA programs, see employee

personnel policy handbook for discount rates.

Employee Retention-Directors make every effort to retain employees from year

to year at each site. Some of our strategies include:

Offer promotion within job; i.e. moving from Site Assistant to Site

Coordinator upon completion of requirements.

Staff incentives

Membership to YMCA and Discounts on YMCA Programs

Staff Development/Training paid for by the YMCA

Attendance

MUST BE PUNCTUAL-If for some reason you have an emergency, you must

contact the director immediately if you are going to be late at all and it must be refle

cted in the time clock system.

Expected to be at your shift. Please do not call out unless it is an absolute

emergencyAll staff are required to give a 2 weeks notice upon terminating their

employment. Failure to do so may result in ineligibility for rehire of employment for

the entire YMCA of Delaware.

Snow Days-It is your responsibility to know whether the schools are closed or

open.

Check school closings on the following website:

http://schoolclosings.delaware.gov/ OR http://www.apposchooldistrict.com

Appoquinimink School District: Bunker Hill Elementary & Cedar Lane Elementary

If schools are closed the program is closed

If schools have a delayed opening, we start work at 8:00 a.m.

If schools close early, we must staff all sites at dismissal

Please make every attempt to be available when the schools close early.

In-service Days

Extra hours will be available to you. Watch for information to follow.

Medications

Can only be given by med certified staff; must follow policies & procedures

learned in training.

Must be stored in a separate container away from children in the locked

cabinet.

Illness

Sick children should be in quiet area away from the other children and

guardians should be notified to pick up. Children should not be in our care for the

following reasons.

Fever

Diarrhea

Vomiting

Persistent Abdominal Pain

Mouth sores

Rashes

Conjunctivitis-pink eye

Scabies

TB

Head Lice

Impetigo

Strep Throat

Chicken Pox

Pertussis

Hepatitis A

Measles

Rubella

Discomfort, lethargic, and/or uncomfortable to the point of not

being able to participate in activities.

Staff Illness

Should not have direct care with children or food handling if sick.

Collection of Payments $$$

No Cash

All payments are on EFT or must be paid directly at the Middletown

YMCA

Transportation Policy

Field trips only with secured bus transportation

Parent must give written permission

Ratio=1:8 Parents/Guardians can be included in the ratio

Emergency Procedures

Emergency Management Plan

Refer to the Emergency Response Plan; evacuation relocation is on

3way board

Plan will be located in the daily site binder.

Fire Drills/Fire Inspection Log

Must be done 1 time per month

Must be logged on the fire inspection log

Take attendance sheet, cell phone and black binder out with you.

Take attendance when you get outside.

Do not release children until you get the all clear.

Re-enter the building after getting the all clear.

If returning to the building is not an option, contact director to

notify parents.

Accidents/Injuries

Minor

Treat as needed.

Fill out incident report.

Do follow up with parent at pick up and note on the incident report.

Major

Give appropriate medical care

Call 911 if needed

Call Director

Call parents

Fill out incident report

First Aid Kits-should be stocked with the following supplies

Disposable non-porous gloves

Scissors

Tweezers

Non-glass thermometer

Bandage tape

Sterile gauze pads

Flexible roller gauze

Triangular bandages

Safety pins

Eye dressing

Pen or pencil and note pad

Instant cold pack

Current American academy of pediatrics first aid guide

CPR barrier

Band-aids

Plastic bags

Please ensure that first aid kits are kept fully stocked. It is the responsibility of

ALL staff to make sure this is done.

Site Procedures

Communication-is essential amongst staff. Morning staff and afternoon staff

should communicate via daily memo’s as needed (please find communication log in

daily site binder)

Usable Space

Space must be clean and free from hazards to the health and safety

of children.

Bathroom Policy

Staff should check bathrooms prior to sending children in.

System of 3-children close of age and supervised by staff

When the bathrooms are far away from the cafeteria or gym,

staff should do scheduled group bathroom times.

Morning Procedures

Set Up

Set up 3 way board and parent information.

Check information sheet on children for allergies and/or custody

issues.

Turn on cell phone and make sure it is charged. Cell phone should

be with a staff person at all times.

Get out sign in/out binder and first aid kit and any other supplies

needed.

Check book for new memos and staff communication.

Set up for morning activities.

Observe children as they arrive for any sign/symptoms of abuse,

injury, communicable diseases or other evidences of illness.

Sign In/Attendance-Must be done in ink

Meet and greet children and guardians daily.

Sign in book should remain with a staff person at all times to ensure

every child is signed in. ATTENDANCE-Every child should be logged onto the

attendance sheet as they are signed in.

If a child is dropped off without a guardian signing in, please contact

the director immediately.

Attendance: a check mark means a child is there. An A means they are absent.

Morning Dismissal

Clean up

All Children sit quietly at a table.

Attendance is taken again.

Dismiss quietly.

Afternoon Procedures

Set Up

Set up 3 way board

Get out binders -sign in/out and children’s files books.

Turn on cell phone and make sure it is charged. Cell phone should

be with a staff person at all times.

Check emergency sheet for children’s allergies and/or custody issues.

Check book for memos and staff communication.

Get out other supplies needed for the afternoon shift including first

aid kit.

Children come in, take attendance.

Immediately check with office staff if all children have not arrived.

Follow daily schedule as planned which should include the following

Bathroom/hand washing

CATCH-4 times a week for 35 minutes. This should be done as soon

as the children come into our care.

Social time/snack- Staff must wear gloves to serve food.

All staff must be aware of any food allergies that children may

have and take necessary precautions to avoid exposure.

Homework Help (30 minutes)

Center Time (1/3 of the time, i.e. 45 minutes – 1 hour). Each center

should be out every day with children free to choose (Science, Math, Literacy, Music,

Art, & Dramatic Play).

Other activities as planned: should include the following.

Arts and crafts morning and afternoon-1 x per week

Science 1 x per month

Literacy-4 x per week, Friday’s off

Family event- 1 x per month

Character Development Ceremony-last Friday of each month,

afternoon only.

Clean up all supplies, wipe tables and sweep floor. Take garbage out

at some sites.

Snack procedures

Staff and children wash hands

Staff must wear gloves when serving snack

Staff and children must wipe tables and sweep floors after snack

Sign Out Procedures

Meet and greet guardian.

Sign in/out book should remain with a staff person at all times.

Guardians must sign every day.

ID check-ID check is not enough, you must also check to see if they

are authorized to pick up

Site Rules-Definite “N0’s”

Children cannot return to classrooms under any circumstances.

Children cannot under any circumstances be released to someone

that is not on the authorized pick up list.

Children should never be allowed out of sight at any time. Even to

use the bathroom with a buddy.

Children should not be allowed on the stage.

Never Take Cash payments.

Staff should not use the school staff lounges.

Staff should never be 1 on 1 with a child.

Staff should never transport a child

Staff should never leave children alone.

Staff cannot under any circumstances baby-sit member’s children.

Planning Time

Site Coordinators are allotted 30 minutes per week for planning time.

Any further time needed will be need to be approved by the Director(s).

Computers and resources are available at the branch.

Delaware Stars

Delaware Stars for Early Success is a Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS)

, which is a method used to assess, improve and communicate the level of quality in

early care and education and school-age settings. It establishes quality standards

for programs and provides technical assistance and limited financial support to

programs involved in Starts as they engage in quality improvement efforts.

Delaware Stars is designed as a voluntary system that expects programs to work

on improving quality by moving up the Star Levels.

*Participating Schools:

Cedar Lane Elementary

Transition Policy

We recognize that changes in schedules can be stressful for both parents and

children. For this reason, we provide opportunities for families to get to know us,

prior to starting our program, during the school year and into the summer.

Orientations for new and returning families will be scheduled along with the schools

open house/back-to-school night or walk throughs. The school district will notify

us and the parents of the date and times. Parents and students will have the

opportunity to visit the area that we will provide care and participate in examples of

activities.

Families signing up after the open house will discuss the program with the Director

and if time allows, a staff member from the YMCA school site will call the student’s

family prior to their start date. The staff will introduce themselves, welcome them

to the YMCA and answer any questions they have about the program. The staff will

start to get to know the children, by asking the parents to tell them about their

child‘s likes, interests or concerns.

We encourage families to visit the program and participate in activities with their

child. We also invite our families to participate in our community/family events, at

the school site and YMCA branches.

As the school year comes to an end, the YMCA will provide information about the

summer activities, for families, and inform them about camps and classes the YMCA

offers. Students ageing out, of our program, will be given information about our

older youth programs and tips for kids staying home. If the family is interested, we

will introduce the families to the staff people who run specific programs.

Transition into Program at Site/Vacation Program Days

During the first month of school children will participate in weekly

activities at the site to get to know each other. These activities will consist of

games and projects. The activities will be evident on the lesson plans.

On Vacation Program Days the children are given the opportunity to

come to either Cedar Lane or Bunker Hill (dependent upon availability by school) for

a “camp” day program. This program consists of 50 children (max) from both sites.

The children will play “get to know you games” at the start of each day. These

games will allow them to meet new friends and also get to know the staff that will

be working in the program.

Curriculum

YMCA of the USA School Age Curriculum Framework: The framework

discusses the developmental stages of children and youth, describes YMCA beliefs

and other frames of reference used in selecting and developing activities, connects

the curriculum to the YMCA mission and goals, suggests core content areas, lists

sample activities, details additional sources of activities for school-age children

and youth, discusses how to use the framework, and suggests how to develop, set

up, and introduce and evaluate activities. The eight YMCA core content areas are:

art and humanities, character development, health and fitness, homework support,

literacy, science and technology, service learning, and social skills and conflict

resolution.

C.A.T.C.H.: Coordinated Approach to Child Health is a health

program designed to help children and their families adopt healthy eating and

physical activity behaviors. As part of our new curriculum, CATCH is run several

times per week at our After School Sites. The students will engage in a number of

stimulating and non-competitive games and exercise that are developmentally

appropriate and FUN as well as learn healthy eating habits and behaviors.

Program Goals

To support and strengthen the family unit.

To help children develop to their fullest potential.

To develop and strengthen the character values of caring, honesty,

respect, and responsibility.

To help children improve interpersonal relationships; learn to care

about, communicate with and cooperate with family, friends, and significant adults

in their life.

To help children lead healthy lives; learn ways to be active and make

healthy food choices.

The YMCA of Delaware is dedicated to helping families in healthy living, social

responsibility, and youth development. Over the last few years, the YMCA has

turned its attention to our nation’s growing health crisis through our Activate

America program. To address this crisis, the YMCA mission is to try to influence

change, and support individuals who seek a healthier lifestyle.

Inclusion

The YMCA of Delaware child care programs welcomes all children and their families.

We follow the YMCA of the USA’s values of caring, honesty, respect, and

responsibility to guide and nurture the children in our care. We respect and value

input from parents and encourage families to share information about their child.

We will use the information to provide appropriate learning environment for all, as ap

plicable. In addition, if a child has an IEP/IFSP, we request that parents provide a

copy to the director of the program. It is beneficial to meet with the parent/legal

guardian to review the plan and work together to ensure that the guidelines are

understood. Children with special needs and children developing typically will be

together in our program to support all opportunities for learning. We are

determined to provide a safe and secure environment where all children are

respected and values in an atmosphere conducive to learning and making friends.

Youth with Identified Disabilities

If your child has an IEP/IFSP, we request that you provide a copy to the director of

the program. Upon receiving the IEP/IFSP, the director will schedule a parent

meeting to review the plan and discuss ways to accommodate your child’s needs.

We will use the information from the plan to provide appropriate learning

opportunities in an environment conducive to learning.

Youth who are Dual Language Learners

Dual language learners refer to youth whose primary language is not English. The

YMCA welcomes all children and their families. The director and the staff will work

to learn key phrases and simple conversational words to make communication easier

with children and families we serve. Appropriate learning opportunities will be made

available in a safe and caring environment.

Communication

Parent Communication

All school sites have an area where information is posted as a means to keep

parents informed on a daily basis. This will include the license, behavior

management plan, emergency numbers, evacuation procedures, fire drill log,

monthly lesson plans, daily schedule, newsletter, snack menu, community resources,

and articles posted about child development.

Daily Communication

Staff will meet and greet each guardian and child as they arrive and leave

the program.

Staff will be available to answer questions about the program schedules,

activities and daily routines.

Staff will be available to families at drop off and pick up to answer any

questions about their child’s progress and/or to discuss any concerns.Staff

Communication

All staff will receive a new staff and program orientation

Directors will communicate with staff members person to person, via email,

phone, memos and mandatory scheduled staff meetings about expectations and program

curriculum.Youth Assessment/Parent Conferences

Staff will observe and document individual youth’s progress and

report to families twice a year. Parent conferences are available upon the parent

and/or Director(s) request. Sign-up sheets will be made available to request a

convenient time slot.

Results of assessments will be used to set program goals and

develop lesson plans.

Parent Survey and Evaluations

Parents feedback about our before and after care program is very important.

Parents will receive either a paper evaluation or an electronic-evaluation annually.

The directors of the program will evaluate the responses and determine what

changes need to be made to the program on an annual basis. We encourage all

parents to take the time to fill an evaluation out to help us best meet the needs of

the families and children we serve.

Relationship with School

The Directors of the program partner with the schools to encourage an open and

collaborative relationship. Both the Executive Director and Program Directors meet

with Principals throughout the year to evaluate program goals and needs.

Family Events

Parents are invited and encouraged to join scheduled family events. Information will

be provided in advance regarding these events.

Behavior Management

Discipline- use the following discipline techniques.

Redirection

Positive reinforcement

Problem solving techniques

Talk with children about good choices vs. bad choices and

consequences for both.

Temporary loss of a privilege as a consequence

Write Ups- for consistent behavior problems.

Fill out the behavior report.

Talk with child about consequences and choices made.

Talk to parent at pick up.

If the behavior continues, please contact the director to schedule a

parent/child conference. This is after we have exhausted all attempts in behavior

modification.

No Tolerance Policy- for aggressive behavior, weapons, drugs or alcohol.

Contact director

Director will contact parent and suspend child.

Director will schedule a re-entry conference.

Continuous behavior problems can eventually lead to removal from the program.

I have read and received the SACC Childcare Handbook and the SACC orientation.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Staff Signature Date

_____________________________________________________________

Staff Name