Child Watch General Information

Children playing in the Child Watch

Drop off your kids, 6-months to 8 years of age, at Child Watch while you work out or attend a fitness class at the MCC.

To ensure the safety of every child, KidCheck is utilized to verify child to parent / guardian. In addition, the area is under closed video survelliance.

Parents are encouraged to set-up their account prior to their first visit.  

To access the Registration Assistant:

  1. Go to go.kidcheck.com in any browser
  2. Go to the Check-In tab > Utilities tab
  3. Select the green start-button for Registration Assistant

Check-in Process

  1. Parents will check-in with their phone number and select the child checking in. 
  2. Two stickers will be printed that are time stamped and dated.  
  3. The parent/guardian will be given a sticker for check-out. 
  4. Each child's sticker will print with with full name, image and ID number and will be affixed to the upper middle back. 

 

Check-out Process

  1. Upon return, staff will utilize the parent/guardian label to verify the match to the child's label.

 

Child Watch Rules

There is a two (2) hour maximum time / session.

Late is defined as more than 5 minutes to check-out beyond the 2-hour limit.

  • First occurrence is a reminder of the rule noted in the Kid Check system.
  • Second occurrence is a warning of suspension.
  •  Third occurrence will result in a suspension of services for a 30-day period.

 

Diapering/Toileting

Child Watch Staff do not change diapers. Staff will call or page the parent/guardian asking them to report to the Child Watch Room immediately. Parent/Guardian may use the restroom in the Child Watch Room for changing purposes.

 

Food and Beverages

No food is permitted in the Child Watch Room. Beverages are allowed if kept in the storage room out of the reach of children.

 

Medication

The Merriam Community Center staff will not administer medication of any kind.

 

Ratios

The Merriam Community Center’s Child Watch services will have a ratio of one staff for every 7 children, with a maximum of 20 children in the room. A child requiring greater care than the 1 staff per 7 children; unfortunately, is beyond the expertise and scope of the child watch services. As a drop-in babysitting program, ratios may become skewed for brief periods of time. Staff reserves the right to limit the number of children served to maintain the safety of all children.

 

Behavioral Issues

If a child is unconsolable or cannot be redirected, staff will call the parent/guardian to return to the area immediately.