Child Watch
Child Watch services are provided free of charge to Fresh Start mothers and their children infant to 12 years of age. Child Watch is only available to mothers and Legal Guardians. All participants must provide proof of guardianship, such as birth certificates, court documentation or power of attorney for each child in order to use the Child Watch service. All participants using Child Watch must remain on the Fresh Start premises while their children are in Child Watch. Children must be fully clothed and wearing shoes while in Child Watch. Participants may use Child Watch services for a maximum of 4 hours each day as long as a full meal has been provided for each child: otherwise services are limited to 2 hours.
For further information, please call (602) 261-7152 or arrive 30 minutes prior to the start of your scheduled Fresh Start activity. Child Watch does not take reservations. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first served basis.
Child Watch Policies
Child Watch Registration Form
Hours
Monday-Thursday: 9am to 8 pm
Friday: CLOSED
Saturday: 9am to 2 pm
Discipline
We provide an environment where discipline occurs naturally through a combination of support, encouragement and limit setting.
The following are methods to encourage positive behavior in our center:
• Diverting the child and redirecting him or her to a new activity
• Having the child spend time at the peace table.
• Providing a related consequence appropriate to the situation
To help you and your child make a smooth adjustment to the Child Watch classroom, a classroom visit to meet the staff is encouraged.
Registration Form
Policy
Parenting Information
Fresh Start’s Child Watch Services (CW) understands that one of the most important and demanding role for a woman is that of a parent or caregiver. Many women do not have a positive or trusting support system they can lean on in a time of need. Child Watch Services embodies the philosophy that when you help a woman you help her children and when you educate a woman, you educate her family. Through the WRC we strive to be a learning sanctuary for women and simultaneously, Child Watch seeks to be a nurturing haven unto its own.
- We believe that children thrive best when provided a safe and nurturing environment that encourages exploration and creativity.
- We believe that each child is a unique individual who deserves to feel loved, cared for and respected. Each child contributes to the center community through his/her diverse cultural backgrounds and home life.
- We believe that there are a variety of educational theories that allow embracing the whole child and allowing for hands on experiential learning.
- We believe that parents are their child’s first teachers and a partnership between parents and caregivers is essential to a positive child watch experience.
- We believe that children learn best when surrounded by caregivers who are sensitive to the needs of each child, well educated and highly experienced.
Children are allowed to choose their activities and explore areas of interest which help develop the children’s own independence. The children have many opportunities to spend time in small groups and they are encouraged to solve problems in their own relationships and interactions. Children are encouraged to express themselves and gain self-confidence in their social interactions. Our staff members are always present to assist the children find solutions if needed.
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Volunteers
Child Watch Aides
Child Watch Aides (CWA) are expected to provide consistent and caring attention and support to the children who visit Child Watch. They must display a genuine interest in the welfare of children and posses the ability to interact with and care for children. CWA must be able to work cooperatively with the Child Watch staff and fellow CWA. Child Watch Aides must be at least 16 years of age and must have completed the Child Watch Volunteer screening and training. We ask that all Child Watch Aides commit to 2 hours shifts per week.
Arts and Crafts Teacher
What can arts and crafts do for children? They can be therapeutic, an expression of strong feelings. Art is a record of growth and the child’s unique way of relating to the world. It gives children a sense of accomplishment and it shows the uniqueness of a child’s identity. Child Watch wants a teacher that expects a mess, encourages using different materials and gets excited about the discoveries of the children.