COVID-19 Policies and Procedures

MetroWest YMCA COVID-19 Addendum for Early Learning Center, School’s Out, and Summer Camp

(Revised August 12, 2021)

The MetroWest YMCA Education team is pleased that we were able to serve our community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.  As new information continues to become available, we continue to update our policies and procedures based on the recommendations of local, state, and federal organizations.

The Y has developed a series of policies and procedures designed to help with prevention, identification, and containment/isolation.  Children, families, and Y staff will all have a role in minimizing the potential impact of COVID-19 on our community and we are optimistic that we will be successful in our efforts to keep everyone safe and healthy. 

The MetroWest YMCA strives to deliver consistently high quality programming that also ensures the health and safety of the children and staff.  Here is a summary of the current strategies that we have in place for the prevention and response to COVID-19 in our Education programs:

• Monitor for symptoms, stay home when sick and quarantine when exposed – Children with COVID-19 symptoms will not be able to attend the Early Learning Center, School’s Out, or summer camps.  They can return once they are symptom free for 24 hours without medication, can fully participate in the program, and have a note from their health care provider saying that they are not contagious or a negative COVID-19 PCR test.  Children and adults will need to follow quarantine guidelines from the local Boards of Health if they are considered close contacts of someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
• Unvaccinated visitors, volunteers, and specialists limited in indoor program locations – To help prevent the potential exposure of COVID-19, families will continue to drop-off and pick-up their children in a clearly marked and designated area such as a program lobby and a Y staff member will escort the children to their classrooms or group.  Families are required to wear masks or face covering, remain 6 ft. apart if waiting their turn.  
• Physical Distancing and Masks – When indoors, unvaccinated children and program participants over 2 years old will be strongly encouraged to wear masks.  All staff and volunteers are required to wear masks or face coverings indoors except when they are working in a space where there is proper social distancing, regardless of vaccination status.  When outside, all children and staff will have the choice to wear a mask.  
• Groups – Children will be assigned to consistent groups and have limited interaction with other groups when inside. 
• Personal hygiene and facility cleaning – Additional handwashing stations and hand sanitizer will continue to be available when children are outside.  Children and staff will be required to engage in regular handwashing throughout the day.  Y staff and educators will reference posted signage to encourage children on proper hand-washing procedures.  In addition, high touch surfaces (door handles, shared objects…) will be cleaned at least daily with additional cleaning and disinfection completed when illness is confirmed.
• Designated Area for isolating sick children and staff members – Each location has a designated space to isolate children or staff who become symptomatic.  We will contact the child’s guardian and have the child picked up as soon as possible (within 45 minutes).  Sick children over 2 and staff will be required to wear masks until they have left the program.

We greatly appreciate everyone’s support and patience during this time.  Caring for your children is our top priority and although we have been given strict restrictions, we intend to still provide your child with the comfort and care they deserve and need.  Since families will not be able to enter the classrooms, please do not hesitate to reach out to your program staff or administration.