Release of Liability
In consideration of being permitted to utilize the facilities, services and programs of the YMCA (or for my children to so participate) for any purpose, including, but not limited to observation or use of facilities or equipment, or participation in any off-site program affiliated with the YMCA, the undersigned, for himself or herself and such participating children and any personal representatives, heirs, and next of kin, hereby acknowledges, agrees and represents that he or she has, or immediately upon entering or participating will, inspect and carefully consider such premises and facilities or the affiliated program. It is further warranted that such entry into the YMCA for observation or use of any facilities or equipment or participation in such affiliated program constitutes an acknowledgement that such premises and all facilities and equipment thereon and such affiliated program have been inspected and carefully considered and that the undersigned finds and accepts same as being safe and reasonably suited for the purpose of such observation, use or participation by the undersigned and such children. In further consideration of being permitted to enter the YMCA for any purpose including, but not limited to observation or use of facilities or equipment , or participation in any off-site program affiliated with the YMCA, the undersigned hereby agrees to the following: 1. The undersigned on his or her behalf and behalf of such children hereby releases, waives, discharges and convenants not to sue the YMCA and all branches thereof, its directors, officers, employees, and agents (herein referred to as "releases") from all liability to the undersigned or such children and all his personal representatives, assigns, heirs, and next of kin for any loss or damage, and any claim or demands therefor on account of injury to the person or property or resulting in death of the undersigned or such children whether caused by the negligence of the releases or otherwise while the undersigned or such children is in , upon, or about the premises or any facilities or equipment therein or participating in any program affiliated with the YMCA. 2. The undersigned hereby agrees to indemnify and save and hold harmless the releases and each of them form any, loss liability, damage or cost they may, incur due to the presence of the undersigned or such children in , upon or about the YMCA premises or in any way observing or using any facilities or equipment of the YMCA whether caused by the negligence, of the releases or otherwise. The undersigned hereby assumes full responsibility for and risk of bodily injury, death or property damage to the undersigned or such children due to negligence of releases or otherwise while in, about or upon the premises of the YMCA and/or while using the premises or any facilities or equipment thereon or participating in any program affiliated with the YMCA. 3. The undersigned further expressly agrees that the foregoing release waiver and indemnity agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as is permitted by the law of the State of New Jersey and that if any portion thereof is held invalid, it is agreed that the balance shall, notwithstanding, continue in full legal force and effect. Additionally, by enrolling, I grant full and irrevocable consent to release any photographs taken during the program to the Hopewell Valley YMCA. I give permission to the Hopewell Valley YMCA to use photographs of myself and/or my child(ren) for historical archives, educational, and promotional purposes. These materials may be used for immediate or future use. I understand that there is no remuneration and that the pictures may not be used for commercial purposes. The undersigned has read and voluntarily signs the release and waiver of liability and indemnity agreement, and further agrees that no oral representations, statements or inducement apart from the foregoing written agreement have been made.
Parent Handbook
I acknowledge that I have received or downloaded a copy of the current BACHV or CAMP REIGN Parent Handbook. I understand that the handbook is intended to serve as a guide of the HVYMCA's policies and procedures for child care. I also understand that I have read the information herein and recognize that it describes the responsibilities of both the parent/guardian and the HVYMCA for child care. Included in our Parent Handbook is confirmation that weather related delayed openings or school closings and other important information which must be shared with parents/guardians will be sent via email and updated on our website as soon as it is available. Parents/Guardians may also receive emergency notifications via text message during the school day through the Jackrabbit system that we use for online enrollment and registration if a sudden weather or other event will impact our Before/After School Program schedule.
(Program Participants: While this applies to After School and Camp parents, please still check off on this agreement in order to advance in the registration process)
Walking Trip/Field Trip Permission
I hereby give permission for my child/ren to participate in all walking trips within the program's neighborhood. I understand these walks may involve entrance into the following local facilities: PLAYGROUNDS, FIELDS & LIBRARIES. The route of any trip is not expected to involve safety hazards. I agree that my child/ren also have permission to be removed from the care of the HVYMCA personnel by a Hopewell Valley Regional School District staff member for a meeting, lesson, tutoring, or other school related activity within the confines of the school building when necessary. I will communicate any such scheduled appointment in advance with the HVYMCA Site Supervisor or the Child Care Director when necessary. I waive, release, absolve, indemnify, and agree to hold harmless the organizers, sponsors, supervisors, participants, and persons involved in the operation of the HVYMCA for any claims arising out of any injury to the named applicant while participating in a field trip away from the program site, or while in the temporary custody of an HVRSD staff member. Parents will be notified in advance of any field trips involving transportation.
(Program Participants: While this applies to After School and Camp parents, please still check off on this agreement in order to advance in the registration process)
Child Drop Off & Pick Up Policies
Each location will require that a parent/guardian or authorized ADULT (18 or more years of age) is required to sign in at arrival or out at pick up daily. This adult must also provide a photo ID upon arrival at the program. If an individual unfamiliar to the staff is to pick up your child, please inform that individual that appropriate identification will be requested when they arrive at the program. A child cannot be kept from a parent/guardian without a notarized court order, however a child will not be visited by or released to a non-custodial parent unless the custodial parent specifically authorizes such visits/release in writing in advance to the Director.
(Program Participants: While this applies to After School and Camp parents, please still check off on this agreement in order to advance in the registration process)
Payment Policies
Payment for all programs and services is due prior to the beginning of service. All tuition payments for BACHV are due on the 1st of every month. A $25 late fee will be assessed for any payments not received by the 5th of each month. All payments for CAMP REIGN are due by the payment dates outlined in the registration letter and parent handbook. Anyone signing up after the deadline must remit full payment at time of enrollment. Services will be suspended for any account in arrears for more than one week. The HVYMCA is a not-for-profit charity and cannot provide services without proper payment. If you require a payment plan or tuition assistance, please contact the HVYMCA prior to your child's enrollment in the program.
Notice of Withdrawal
Thirty days notice must be provided via the Jackrabbit Parent Portal system if you wish to make a change in days, or if you are withdrawing from the BACHV program,. Verbal schedule changes shared with Site Supervisors or other staff are not considered an appropriate notice of withdrawal or change in schedule and will not be honored. If appropriate notice of withdrawal is not received, the parent/guardian will still be responsible for any fees incurred for the time your child was originally scheduled to attend the program. Changes will be accommodated when there is space available.
Campers enrolled in CAMP REIGN withdrawing from the camp must submit a notice of cancellation in writing to the director at least two weeks prior to the scheduled camp week. No credit or refund will be granted if withdrawal is within two weeks of the first day of the registered camp week.
(Program Participants: While this applies to After School and Camp parents, please still check off on this agreement in order to advance in the registration process)
Required Medical Forms
Within one week of registration I agree to submit electronically or by mail a copy of my child/ren's current immunization records and Universal Health Form or medical clearance completed and signed by our pediatrician to info@hvymca.org or mailed to: HVYMCA PO Box 301 Pennington, NJ 08534. Forms may also be dropped off in person to our Main Office at: 62 South Main Street in Pennington.
(Program Participants: While this applies to After School and Camp parents, please still check off on this agreement in order to advance in the registration process)
Illness Policy
Children who are not attending school on a given day because of illness may not attend the program. If a child becomes ill during program hours, the child will be removed to a separate location if possible, and parents/guardians will be contacted immediately to pick their child up. If the parent/guardian is unavailable or cannot arrive at the program within a reasonable time period to pick up their child, the HVYMCA staff will call the emergency phone contacts in your child's file.
(Program Participants: While this applies to After School and Camp parents, please still check off on this agreement in order to advance in the registration process)
Medical Emergencies
HVYMCA staff will treat minor injuries, such as: cuts, bumps, bruises, etc. HVYMCA staff will not remove ticks. If an injury requires further treatment, HVYMCA staff will contact the parent/guardian. If the parent/guardian cannot be reached, the staff will call the child's emergency contact(s) depending upon the situation. We will only call an ambulance prior to contacting a parent/guardian in the event of a life threatening emergency. In the case that an ambulance is called, the child will ride unaccompanied by HVYMCA staff. The HVYMCA will use Capital Health as the hospital of choice for any major emergencies requiring advanced medical care.
Discipline Policy
Restrictions and rules cover situations where physical safety is a factor and the emotional well-being of others is involved. Should a difficult behavior problem occur, staff are required to maintain a log of disciplinary concerns, and an established series of steps will be followed. Biting, spitting, inappropriate language or use of physical force will not be tolerated and are grounds for immediate dismissal. HVYMCA reserves the right to suspend or dismiss children at the discretion of the Director in cases of misbehavior. Any person who has reasonable cause to believe that a child enrolled in the program has been subjected to any form of hitting, corporal punishment, abusive language, ridicule, or harsh, humiliating or frightening treatment, or any other kind of child abuse, neglect or exploitation by any person, whether working at the center or not is required by State law to report the concern immediately to the State Central Registry Hotline at 877-652-2873. Such reports may be made anonymously.
Expulsion Policy
Unfortunately there are sometimes reasons we have to expel a child from our program either on a short term or permanent basis. We will do everything possible to work with the family in order to prevent this policy from being enforced. The parent/guardian will be given a specific expulsion date that allows the parent/guardian sufficient time to seek alternate child care.
(Program Participants: While this applies to After School and Camp parents, please still check off on this agreement in order to advance in the registration process)
DCF Information to Parents
(Program Participants: While this applies to After School and Camp parents, please still check off on this agreement in order to advance in the registration process)
Under provisions of the Manual of Requirements for Child Care Centers (N.J.A.C. 3A:52), every licensed child care center in New Jersey must provide to parents of enrolled children written information on parent visitation rights, State licensing requirements, child abuse/neglect reporting requirements and other child care matters. The center must comply with this requirement by reproducing and distributing to parents and staff this written statement, prepared by the Office of Licensing, Child Care & Youth Residential Licensing, in
the Department of Children and Families. In keeping with this requirement, the center must secure every parent and staff member's signature attesting to his/her receipt of the information.
Our center is required by the State Child Care Center Licensing law to be licensed by the Office of Licensing (OOL), Child Care & Youth Residential Licensing, in the Department of Children and Families (DCF). A copy of our current license must be posted in a prominent location at our center. Look for it when you're in the
center.
To be licensed, our center must comply with the Manual of Requirements for Child Care Centers (the official licensing regulations). The regulations cover such areas as: physical environment/life-safety; staff qualifications, supervision, and staff/child ratios; program activities and equipment; health, food and nutrition; rest and sleep requirements; parent/community participation; administrative and record keeping requirements; and others.
Our center must have on the premises a copy of the Manual of Requirements for Child Care Centers and make it available to interested parents for review. If you would like to review our copy, just ask any staff member. Parents may view a copy of the Manual of Requirements on the DCF website at http://www.nj.gov/dcf/providers/licensing/laws/CCCmanual.pdf or obtain a copy by sending a check or money order for $5 made payable to the "Treasurer, State of New Jersey", and mailing it to: NJDCF, Office of Licensing, Publication Fees, PO Box 657, Trenton, NJ 08646-0657.
We encourage parents to discuss with us any questions or concerns about the policies and program of the center or the meaning, application or alleged violations of the Manual of Requirements for Child Care Centers. We will be happy to arrange a convenient opportunity for you to review and discuss these matters with us. If you suspect our center may be in violation of licensing requirements, you are entitled to report them to the Office of Licensing toll free at 1 (877) 667-9845. Of course, we would appreciate your bringing these concerns to our attention, too.
Our center must have a policy concerning the release of children to parents or people authorized by parents to be responsible for the child. Please discuss with us your plans for your child's departure from the center. Our center must have a policy about administering medicine and health care procedures and the management of communicable diseases. Please talk to us about these policies so we can work together to keep our children healthy. Our center must have a policy concerning the expulsion of children from enrollment at the center. Please review this policy so we can work together to keep your child in our center.
Parents are entitled to review the center's copy of the OOL's Inspection/Violation Reports on the center, which are available soon after every State licensing inspection of our center. If there is a licensing complaint investigation, you are also entitled to review the OOL's Complaint Investigation Summary Report, as well as any letters of enforcement or other actions taken against the center during the current licensing period. Let us know if you wish to review them and we will make them available for your review or you can view them
online at https://data.nj.gov/childcare_explorer.
Our center must cooperate with all DCF inspections/investigations. DCF staff may interview both staff members and children. Our center must post its written statement of philosophy on child discipline in a prominent location and make a copy of it available to parents upon request. We encourage you to review it and to discuss with us any questions you may have about it. Our center must post a listing or diagram of those rooms and areas approved by the OOL for the children's use. Please talk to us if you have any questions about the center's space.
Our center must offer parents of enrolled children ample opportunity to assist the center in complying with licensing requirements; and to participate in and observe the activities of the center. Parents wishing to participate in the activities or operations of the center should discuss their interest with the center director, who can advise them of what opportunities are available. Parents of enrolled children may visit our center at any time without having to secure prior approval from the director or any staff member. Please feel free to do so when you can. We welcome visits from our parents. Our center must inform parents in advance of every field trip, outing, or special event away from the center, and must obtain prior written consent from parents before taking a child on each such trip. Our center is required to provide reasonable accommodations for children and/or parents with disabilities
and to comply with the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD), P.L. 1945, c. 169 (N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 etseq.), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), P.L. 101-336 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.). Anyone who believes the center is not in compliance with these laws may contact the Division on Civil Rights in the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety for information about filing an LAD claim at (609) 292-4605 (TTY users may dial 711 to reach the New Jersey Relay Operator and ask for (609) 292-7701), or may contact theUnited States Department of Justice for information about filing an ADA claim at (800) 514-0301 (voice) or (800) 514-0383 (TTY).
Our center is required, at least annually, to review the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), unsafe children's products list, ensure that items on the list are not at the center, and make the list accessible to staff and parents and/or provide parents with the CPSC website at https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls. Internet access may be available at your local library. For more information call the CPSC at (800) 638-2772.
Anyone who has reasonable cause to believe that an enrolled child has been or is being subjected to any form of hitting, corporal punishment, abusive language, ridicule, harsh, humiliating or frightening treatment, or any other kind of child abuse, neglect, or exploitation by any adult, whether working at the center or not, is required by State law to report the concern immediately to the State Central Registry Hotline, toll free at (877) NJ ABUSE/(877) 652-2873. Such reports may be made anonymously. Parents may secure information about child abuse and neglect by contacting: DCF, Office of Communications and Legislation at (609) 292-0422 or go to www.state.nj.us/dcf/.
Technology and Social Media Policy
The HVYMCA Code of Conduct requires that staff do not initiate outside contact with members or program participants. Under no circumstance should an employee encourage access or provide access information to his/her personal website or blog to a teen member or program participant under the age of 18. The use of photos, logos, or images of the HVYMCA or its programs is prohibited. All staff members of the HVYMCA must uphold the YMCA's value of respect for the individual and avoid making defamatory statements about the HVYMCA supervisors, employees, members, participants, clients, partners, affiliates, and others including competitors. Any personal website, blog, or social network interactions should not contain commentary and/or links that violate the HVYMCA's policies on harassment or discrimination. Any reference to the HVYMCA must include a disclaimer stating that the views expressed are yours alone and they do not necessarily reflect views of the HVYMCA. Staff of the HVYMCA are asked to promote the core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility in their speech and behavior at the HVYMCA, with the community, and in any public forum. The HVYMCA maintains a page on Facebook that is administered and maintained by the Director of Marketing and Public Relations. The only approved website is hvymca.org; no other website is endorsed by the HVYMCA. Posting of private or sensitive company, staff, or prior staff, and/or enrolled or previously enrolled children/family information is prohibited. Posting HVYMCA information and pictures on your personal social media page is prohibited (without prior approval). If you wish to post HVYMCA related information/pictures on your personal page, approval is needed from an HVYMCA Administrator. Parent/Guardians are prohibited from posting photographs or videos (from the HVYMCA program) of any child other than their own. The HVYMCA requires that all staff members use good judgement and discretion when posting on social media sites and abide by the internal HVYMCA Social Media and Technology Policy. Any breaches of the HVYMCA's policy on the use of social media and technology identified must be promptly reported to the Child Care Director or other HVYMCA Administrator.