The YMCA of Greater Brandywine offers several different babysitting benefits as part of some YGBW memberships.
Being a parent/guardian can be exhausting--and you deserve a break! That's why with YGBW family memberships you have access to the following benefits at no additional charge:
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- Child Watch - our in-facility babysitting service for children ages six weeks to seven years old while parents/guardians are in the facility.
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- Sitter Service - our in-facility babysitting/care service for children ages three months to 12 years while parents/guardians are not in the facility. There is a minimal fee of $5 per hour per child and the service is typically available to eligible members for three hours daily. Sitter Service availability varies. Please note that Sitter Service is not available at all YGBW branches. A member of our Child Watch staff in your local YGBW branch can provide more detailed information.
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- Kids/Y Zone - our in-facility care service for children ages 7-12 while parents/guardians are in the facility. Please note that Kids/Y Zone is not available at all YGBW branches.
- Parent's Night Out - Drop your children off at the YMCA on designated Friday nights and enjoy a night out or some time to yourself!
- Childcare & Education Programs - Additionally, both members and non-members of YGBW can enroll their children in our preschool and childcare, before and after school care and summer camp programs. While there are additional costs for these programs, YGBW members receive special discounted rates.
Child Watch
- What is Child Watch?
Child Watch, available for children ages six weeks to seven years old (For older children, check out Kids/Y Zone.), is a member benefit that enables parents/guardians to enjoy time to themselves or with friends while in a YGBW branch facility. While in Child Watch, your children are cared for by our staff who are trained in first aid, CPR and safety and emergency procedures. Additionally, all staff have undergone background checks. (Looking to drop off your children while you leave the facility? Check out Sitter Service.) - How do I use Child Watch?
Simply bring your child(ren) to the designated Child Watch area in any YGBW branch and our staff will get you started. Be sure to have your membership tag. - When is Child Watch available?
View Child Watch Schedule. You can also view this schedule while on the go by downloading our YGBW mobile app. - Who is eligible to use Child Watch?
This benefit is available to those with a YGBW family membership.
- How often can I use Child Watch?
Members have access to Child Watch for two hours every day for each child on their YGBW membership. - Do I need to make a reservation?
Reservations are not available. Space and hours may be limited based on capacity. - What Child Watch policies & procedures do I need to be aware of?
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- Parents/Guardians are to remain in the facility while their children are in Child Watch. (Looking to drop off your children and leave the facility? Check out Sitter Service.)
- For the safety of all in our facility, parents/guardians must sign their children in and out of Child Watch, as well as scan their membership tag at Child Watch.
- Children are to be properly dressed (shirts, pants/shorts and socks).
- Children are discouraged from bringing toys to Child Watch, as we cannot guarantee they will return home in the same condition. Our Child Watch areas are stocked with tons of toys, games and fun activities.
- Food is not permitted in Child Watch. (Children under age three may have a bottle or sip proof cup labeled with their name.)
- Children can be dropped off 15 minutes prior to when Child Watch or the branch (whichever comes first) is scheduled to close and must pick their children up by closing time.
- If a child cries in a distressful manner for more than 15 minutes, parents/guardians will be located/paged.
- To protect everyone's health, children who are showing signs of illness (fever, excessive rash, cough, vomiting, diarrhea or unusually lethargic) are not permitted in Child Watch. Staff are not permitted to administer any medications.
- We provide diaper changes for children who are not potty trained. Members must provide necessary items for this including diapers, wipes, change of clothes, etc. Please make sure you have changed your child's diaper before dropping him/her off to Child Watch.
- The YMCA reserves the right to limit capacity in Child Watch to ensure everyone's safety.
Kids/Y Zone
- What is Kids/Y Zone?
Kids/Y Zone is our in-facility area dedicated to supervising youth ages 7-12. (For younger children, check out Child Watch.) This member benefit enables parents/guardians to enjoy time to themselves or with friends while they are in our branches. In Kids/Y Zone, youth are safely cared for by our staff, who are trained in First Aid, CPR and safety and emergency procedures. Additionally, all staff have undergone background checks. (Looking to drop off your children while you leave the facility? Check out Sitter Service.) Please note that Kids/Y Zone is not available at all YGBW branches. - How do I use Kids/Y Zone?
Simply bring your child to the designated Kids/Y Zone area and our staff will get you started. Be sure to have your membership tags. - When is Kids/Y Zone available?
Check with the Kids/Y Zone staff at your local branch for availability. - Who is eligible to use Kids/Y Zone?
This benefit is available to those with a YGBW family member or seventh-grade initiative membership.
- How often can I use Child Watch?
Members may utilize Kids/Y Zone for a maximum of two hours per day per youth. - Do I need to make a reservation?
Reservations are not available. Space and hours may be limited based on capacity. - What policies & procedures do I need to be aware of?
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- Parents/Guardians of children ages 7-11 (see below for children 12 and older) are to remain in the facility while their children are in Kids/Y Zone. (Looking for time to drop off your children and leave the facility? Check out Sitter Service.)
- For the safety of all in our facility, parents/guardians must sign their children ages 7-11 in and out of Kids/Y Zone, as well as scan their membership tags at Kids/Y Zone. Youth who are at least 12 years old or who have a 7th grade initiative membership can check themselves in and out of Kids/Y Zone.
- Youth are discouraged from bringing valuables (cell phones, computers, iPads, etc.) into the Kids/Y Zone area, as we cannot guarantee their safety.
- Food is not permitted.
- Members will be accepted into Kids/Y Zone 15 minutes prior to when the branch or Kids/Y Zone (whichever comes first) is scheduled to close. Youth must be picked up (or sign themselves out if they are 12 years old) by closing time.
- To protect everyone's health, youth who are showing signs of illness (fever, excessive rash, cough, vomiting, diarrhea or unusually lethargic) are not permitted in Kids/Y Zone. Staff are not permitted to administer any medications.
- The YMCA reserves the right to limit capacity in Kids/Y Zone to ensure everyone's safety.
Sitter Service
- What is Sitter Service?
Sitter Service provides the same care as Child Watch and Kids/Y Zone, but it enables parents/guardians to leave the branch facility instead of having to stay on-site. There is a minimal fee of $5 per hour per child. - How do I use Sitter Service?
Sitter Service is available at most YGBW branches. Ask any staff member in Child Watch or Kids/Y Zone for details. - When is Sitter Service available?
Sitter Service availability may vary. Talk with any staff member in Child Watch or Kids/Y Zone in your local YGBW branch for information. - Who is eligible to use Sitter Service?
This benefit is available to those with a YGBW family membership.
- How often can I use Sitter Service?
Typically, members are able to utilize this service for three hours daily, but check with your local branch for specific details. - Do I need to make a reservation?
Reservations are not available. Space and hours may be limited based on capacity so it's a good idea to check with staff ahead of time when you want to utilize the service. - What policies & procedures do I need to be aware of?
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- Unlike when using Child Watch or Kids/Y Zone, parents/guardians are not required to be in the facility while using Sitter Service.
- The cost of Sitter Service is $5 per hour per child for a maximum of three hours daily.
- For the safety of all in our facility, parents/guardians must sign their children in and out of Sitter Service, as well as scan their membership tags.
- Children are to be properly dressed (shirts, pants/shorts and socks).
- Children and youth are discouraged from bringing toys or valuables with them, as we cannot guarantee their safety.
- Food is not permitted. (Children under age three may have a bottle or sip proof cup labeled with their name.)
- To protect everyone's health, children or youth who are showing signs of illness (fever, excessive rash, cough, vomiting, diarrhea or unusually lethargic) are not permitted to use Sitter Service. Staff are not permitted to administer any medications.
- We provide diaper changes for children who are not potty-trained. Members must provide necessary items for this service: diapers, wipes, change of clothes, etc. Please make sure you have changed your child's diaper before dropping him/her off.
- The YMCA reserves the right to limit capacity to ensure everyone's safety.
Parent's Night Out
- What is Parent's Night Out?
On select Friday nights, YGBW members can drop their children off at the Y, while they enjoy a night out or even just some time to themselves. Our talented and trained staff will engage your children in creative activities, fun and games. Advanced registration is required. View schedule. - Who is eligible to use Parent's Night Out?
This benefit is available to those with a YGBW family membership.
- How do I utilize Parent's Night Out?
Advanced registration is required as space may be limited. Members can register while viewing the schedule on the YGBW website.