A health entity is an entity that provides health care services. Health entities that qualify to apply for a Limited Duration Center include: hospitals, health clinics, long term care facilities, psychiatric treatment facilities, residential treatment for children, ambulatory surgery centers, drug treatment programs, hospice, residential treatment programs, behavioral health providers, rural health clinics, community mental health centers, group homes for the intellectually disabled, private duty nursing agencies, residential crisis stabilization, home health, renal dialysis centers.

Registration is available to children of medical personnel and essential care services who are required to work during the COVID-19 crisis. You must provide verification that you work in one of these capacities in order to register with our child care services. Below is a list of organizations the Y is serving by location:

C.M. Gatton Beaumont YMCA
University of Kentucky Healthcare
Lexington Clinic

Caroline Memorial YMCA Program Center
Thomson-Hood Veterans Center

North Lexington Family YMCA
VA Health Care Center
Baptist Health
HealthFirst Bluegrass 
Bluegrass Care Navigators - Hospice
St. Joseph Hospital/CHI St. Joseph Health
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG)

Whitaker Family YMCA
The Ridge Behavioral Health System
University of Kentucky Healthcare
 

Only the employees of a health care entity, first responder (Law enforcement, EMS, fire departments), correction officers, military, activated National Guard, domestic violence shelters, child advocacy, rape crisis center staff, DCBS workers, postal workers, grocery store workers, essential government employees, and utility employees, can use an LDC. Parents will be required to provide verification of employment documentation for their child’s enrollment.

C.M. Gatton Beaumont YMCA is serving infants (6 weeks to 18 months) up to school age children (12-years-old)

Caroline Memorial YMCA Program Center is serving serving infants (6 weeks to 18 months) up to school age children (12-years-old)

North Lexington Family YMCA is serving preschool (starting at 3-years-old) up to school age children (12-years-old) 

Whitaker Family YMCA is serving serving preschool (starting at 3-years-old) up to school age children (12-years-old)

Pursuant to KRS 214.020 and Executive Order 2020-215, the Limited Duration Centers will provide child care for children of the following: Employees of a healthcare entity, first responders (law enforcement, EMS, and fire departments), corrections officers, military, activated National Guard, domestic violence shelters, child advocacy, rape crisis center staff, DCBS workers, postal workers, grocery store workers, essential government employees, and utility employees. Families using a Limited Duration Center will be required to provide verification of employment.

Infants (6 weeks to 18 months) $50 per day per child

Toddlers & Twos (18 months to 3 years) $45 per day per child

Preschool (3 years to 5 years) $45 per day per child

School Age (5 year currently in kindergarten to 12 years) $35 per day per child

We have partnerships with specific hospitals and businesses that may be providing subsidy. Please contact your Human Resources department for a link specific to your employer. If we do not have an agreement, please go to our essential care page to register by location. If you have a child ages 6 weeks to 5-years-old (but not in kindergarten), please email earlychildcare@ymcacky.org. We will respond to you within 24 hours. We have limi ted availability and this allows us to provide maximum service. 

Registration is accepted on a daily basis but please register, in advance, according to your work schedule in order for our staff to plan accordingly. 

Each participant needs to complete registration online as noted above. If your child has special needs or requires medication, a Medication Authorization Form and Individual Care Plan should be completed. 

No changes will be made by phone. Cancellations must be received via email to business@ymcacky.org. In order to receive a refund, cancellation email must be received at least 24 hours prior to the date of care. Requests are processed in the order received.

The lead counselors are full and part-time child care employees with many years of education and experience in early childhood from our on-site and off-site child care facilities. Depending on your work schedule, you may see different staff members at drop off and pick up. Please provide information about your child each day to help our staff get to know your child and their individual needs. 

Welcome emails will be sent to the email address provided upon registration. We will also offer in-person updates and reports during pick up times. Infant to preschool parents will receive a daily experience sheet at pickup.

Infants and Toddlers will eat and sleep on their schedule. Parents will provide information about their child’s individual needs and schedule. Teachers will provide developmentally appropriate activities and care throughout the day.

For preschool to school age, the below our sample schedules by location:

C.M. Gatton Beaumont YMCA: Our staff is providing organized gym games, fitness classes to include obstacle courses, relays, dance classes, Four Square tournament, and swim lessons.  We schedule 30-45 minutes of homework time daily for each group. We currently provide a FCPS teacher (licensed YMCA employee) who oversees homework time.

Whitaker Family YMCA: Our staff provides an activity-filled daily schedule including movement classes, swimming, enrichment in STEM and arts, gym time, choice activities, group games, group huddles, and time for homework.

North Lexington Family YMCA: Staff will lead games, choice activities, dances, gym time, and group games.  Children will have time to swim, and there will be 45-minutes each day for homework time.

Caroline Memorial YMCA Program Center (Jessamine County): A full day of activities including academic enrichment (homework help and educational activities), STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math), group team building games, sports, and other outdoor play adventures.

The Y will provide homework and NTI support, as much as possible. Please send your child's daily work and Chromebook/tablet clearly labeled with his/her name. By providing electronic devices, parents understand that you are providing permission for your child to gain access to our WiFi and agree to the terms and guidelines outlined in our policy.

 

Infants (up to 18 months)

  1. Food - We have limited refrigerator space for bottles, sippy cups, and food.
    • Bottles (formula, breastmilk) or whole milk (children over 12 months) fully prepared with your child’s full name on the bottle and cap.
    • Sippy Cups labeled with child’s name, filled, and ready to serve.
    • Enough jar food, baby cereal, snacks, and table foods to last for the day with baby spoons.
  2. Diapers and wipes - Please provide enough for the day plus a few extra. We change diapers every two hours or more often as necessary. Please label diapers and wipes. 
  3. Other items - Extra clothes, sleep sack if used at home, blankets for use during waking hours.
  4. Pacifier (if appropriate)
  5. Sleep - We follow the "Back to Sleep" guidelines. Infants under 12 months will be placed in the crib on their backs and only the baby and an unattached pacifier may be in the crib. Toddlers can sleep on a cot or in a crib and may have a light blanket and unattached pacifier. If you have questions about sleeping arrangements, please speak with the child care director for your site.
  6. Feeding Schedule - Parents will complete the Infant/Toddler Feeding Schedule on the first day of attendance, which will help ensure each child’s needs are met.

Toddlers and Twos (19 months to 3 years)

  1. Diapers and wipes - Please provide enough for the day plus a few extra. We, minimally, change diapers every two hours or more often as necessary. 
  2. Clothes - Extra clothes and shoes for children who are potty trained but may have an accident.
  3. Sleep - Small blanket for nap time, crib size sheet to cover cot/mat optional.
  4. Lunch - Please provide a non-refrigerated, nut-free lunch with utensils, if needed. 
  5. Dinner - If needed based on schedule, please also provide a dinner for your child. 
  6. Swim - (Varies by facility) - Please provide a swimsuit and towel for pool time and/or outside activities. 

Preschool (3-5 years)

  1. Clothes - Extra clothes and shoes in case of accident.
  2. Sleep - Small blanket for nap time, crib size sheet to cover cot/mat optional.
  3. Lunch - Please provide a non-refrigerated, nut-free lunch with utensils, if needed. 
  4. Dinner - If needed based on schedule, please also provide a dinner for your child. 
  5. Swim (Varies by facility) - Please provide a swimsuit and towel for pool time and/or outside activities. 

School Age (5 year currently in kindergarten to 12 years)

  1. Backpack - Please have your child bring a backpack to contain all belongings that the child will need for the day. Clearly label all items with your child's name.
  2. Clothes - Extra clothes and shoes in case of accident.
  3. Lunch - Please provide a non-refrigerated, nut-free lunch with utensils, if needed. 
  4. Dinner - If needed based on schedule, please also provide a dinner for your child.
  5. Swim (Varies by facility) - Please provide a swimsuit and towel for pool time and/or outdoor activities.
  6. Homework - Each location will have designated homework times. Please provide a NTI packet or electronic device required to complete NTI work. Devices used to complete schoolwork will be the only exception to our electronic device policy stated below in 'what shouldn't my child bring' question. 

Your child will feel better and have more energy during the day with healthy items packed for lunch. Please review the Harvard School of Public Health for ideas on healthy items to pack for your child's meals. Please make sure to provide only non-refrigerated items (cooled with ice pack, as needed) and foods that do not need to be heated. Lunches should contain a protein, whole grain item, fruit and vegetable. Please do not send candy, soda, or other unhealthy items. 

  • Water - Please provide a no-spill water bottle to be used throughout the day.
  • Snacks - We will have snacks provided at set times during the day, but you are welcome to include additional snacks for your child to each at lunch/dinner*. 
  • Milk - Milk will be provided at lunch and dinner (when needed*) for all participants, unless child is allergic. 
  • Nut-Free - Please do not provide any products containing nuts for the safety of all participants. 

*If your child remains in our program longer than eight hours, please provide additional food for your child's dinner. Please remember, Limited Duration Centers are not allowed to provide care for more than 13 hours. 

We provide and serve a nutritious morning and afternoon snack. Bringing extra snacks from home presents many problems (allergy exposures, food sharing, etc.); therefore, we ask that participants DO NOT eat from their backpacks except at lunch/dinner time.

  • Electronic Devices - No electronic devices (including cell phones) will be permitted during child care. Participants can be reached by calling the branch or director. No child will ever be denied using a YMCA phone to call a parent during an emergency. 
  • Toys - No toys of any kind should be brought from homes, this includes, but is not limited to, action figures, toy cars, toy weapons, Pokemon cards, etc. 
  • Weapons of any kind - No weapons are permitted on YMCA property, this includes, but is not limited to, pocket knives, sling shots, or anything that can be construed as a weapon as determined by YMCA staff.

Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothes that can get dirty; tennis shoes are required; flip flops permitted for pool, but are unsafe for other activities.

The YMCA will place children in small groups based on age for age-appropriate activities in a 1:9 ratio. We will attempt, but may not be able, to honor request for specific pairings. Please remember that attendance may change daily so a child's group may also change. We will make every effort to minimize any disruption to a child's experience. 

Our programs are inclusive of all children and we make every effort to accommodate participant needs. Parents must complete an Individual Care Plan so that needs and requests can be carefully considered. Parents may be asked to meet with the program director to discuss the best possible outcome for each child.

If medication needs to be administered during program hours, please complete a Medication Authorization Form and submit the medication in the original container each day/week. Medications are kept in a medication lock box, except emergency medication that are kept on the staff member during the program day and then returned to the parent or medication lock box each evening. Parents are also required to sign a daily to dispense medication on the Medication Tracking Form.

What safety precautions are taken at check-in? Upon arrival at the Y, your child will immediately go to the on-site nurse for a health and temperature check. We can only care for well children during this time. If your child presents any symptoms or a temperature check at check-in, you will be asked to take your child home for the day. If your child is clear of any potential symptoms, you will be required to sign your child in to access the program.  

Will hand sanitizer will be available at the check in station? Yes, all locations will have hand sanitizer available at or near the check-in table. Please help us minimize germs coming into the program by sanitizing your hands and your child's hands immediately upon arrival. We need for our children and staff to remain well. 

What happens if a child or staff member develops a fever or presents other symptoms during the day?

  • Temperatures are taken at a minimum of every 2.5 hours (generally at restroom/snack break). 
  • In the event someone develops a fever of 100.4, the parent will be notified to pick up the child immediately. The child will remain in a designated space restricting contact with others. 
  • Staff with a fever or potential other symptoms will be sent home immediately. 
  • If a child or staff has a fever and/or cold-like symptoms, he/she should not return to the program until fever free AND medicine free for at least 24 hours. 

What are your cleaning procedures? YMCA of Central Kentucky uses the cleaning solution, Hillyard Re-juv-nal, that is approved as effective against COVID-19. Common areas, such as multi-purpose rooms, bathrooms, and lobby, are cleaned throughout the day and nightly by our cleaning staff. Touched surfaces are also cleaned after the use of each child care group.

Why must I show ID every day when the staff know me? To ensure the safety of your child, our policy requires staff to ID daily for proper release of each child. Only authorized persons over 18 years of age, with a picture ID, will be allowed to pick up a child. There may be many different staff supervising dismissal and different participants attending weekly with lots of different authorized pickups, so staff need to be able to see all IDs daily.

My child can’t swim - how do you ensure safety?
The YMCA of Central Kentucky is committed to a safe and enjoyable pool experience for all. All participants must complete the swim skills assessment and will be assigned a green, yellow, or red swim band based on the results. These bands assist our certified lifeguards in keeping our swimmers safe. Participants that do not pass the green, yellow band testing or decline to take it will be considered red band (non-experienced swimmers). Non-experienced swimmers and beginners may be required to wear a YMCA life jacket or you may provide your own coastguard-approved life jacket.

What about sunscreen?  As the weather gets warmer, parents must provide sunscreen for each child (no spray), labeled with the child's name. It is recommended that sunscreen be applied 30-minutes before sun exposure and reapplied every two hours. Parents should instruct school age children on effective sunscreen application each morning. Staff will appropriately supervise additional application during the day, but they may not apply the sunscreen for your child. 

What are the checkout procedures? Upon arrival for pick-up, parents or other authorized pick-ups, should sanitize hands and remain at the check-out table. A staff member will assist with you verification of ID (again, required at every instance of check out) and signing out the child for the day. Parents/pick-ups are asked to sanitize upon conclusion of checkout by staff. 

 

Staff members are not allowed to be alone with children they meet in Y program setting. This includes babysitting, sleepovers, and inviting staff members to children’s homes unless one of the following conditions exists:

  • Staff and child’s family have a relationship that predates the staff member’s employment or child’s enrollment in the program
  • Staff and child’s family are related

When a group participates in swimming, the entire group goes. This ensures we always have proper adult to participant supervision. For children not wishing to swim, we provide activities to take to the pool such as books or coloring. 

For participants remaining after closing time, a $1 per minute per child late fee is charged and due immediately (by draft the next day). In the event a child is at 15-minutes past closing times, emergency contacts will be notified. If no one can be reached or child has not been picked up an hour after closing time, we have no option but to contact the Division of Social Services to have them assume authority of the child.

We will make every effort to return lost and found items. Your participant can do more than anyone to ensure that nothing is lost. Please mark all items with a permanent marker. Lost and found items will be displayed near the parent table. Please check the area before you leave. Items will be thrown away periodically.