Current Recommendations: Childcare centers are being encouraged to remain open to serve those who do not have the ability to work from home.
Phase I – phase I is if the outbreak is in nearby communities but not in our own)
• Follow CDC and health department recommendations.
• Update families on our current status regularly and post any signs provided by the health department
• During this phase, if someone NOT interacting with the learning center tests positive, we will evaluate risk to our school. If deemed necessary, we will close for up to 48 hours so that deep cleaning protocols can be enacted.
• If someone within our school tests positive, or has exposure to someone who has tested positive, we will close for 48 hours or longer, depending on CDC recommendations and have healthy staff come in to fully clean based on cleaning procedures recommended by the CDC/health department.
• Cleaning and handwashing procedures will be as follows:
• Families will be reminded at pick up and drop to wash their own child’s hands for a minimum of 20 seconds.
• During phase 1, we will add additional cleaning for high touch areas at 10am and 4pm. Teachers will be retrained on proper handwashing techniques and ways to help children thoroughly wash their hands.
• Any toys that might be mouthed will be collected and washed immediately and at least daily. All toys will be cleaned and thoroughly sprayed with bleach at the end of each day. All counters, shelves, surfaces will be wiped down with our bleach solution at the end of each day.
• We are increasing the level of our exclusion practice with children and staff. We are asking families to keep children home that show any signs of illness, temperatures of 100 or above will require exclusion until fever free for 24 hours without medication and will require a doctor’s note.
• If we are low on staff, we will operate at licensing ratios and if necessary, only accept children up to staff limitations imposed by said ratios, on a first come, first serve basis. Children may be combined with other classrooms to allow the maximum number of families to receive care daily.
Phase II (outbreak is within our community, government is enacting social distancing rules and beginning to shut down high risk areas such as schools, events, etc.)
• Continue protocols of Phase I unless following extended protocols below
• Remain open until mandated to close, as long as no positive results are among staff and families. If a positive result presents itself, we will go to Phase III
• Update families with the latest information we receive • Bedding will be sent home daily for laundering rather than weekly.
• Increase illness exclusion restrictions. Temperatures of 99.5 or higher will be excluded as will other symptoms such as cough or severe fatigue. Children and staff with these symptoms will be excluded for 72 hours. If symptom free after 72 hours WITHOUT the aid of medication child/staff may return with doctor clearance. If symptoms persist exclusion will be required until a negative coronavirus test result is determined.
• Staff and families will be updated as quickly as possible.
• Enhanced cleaning procedures will include hourly wipe downs of high touch areas, fully disinfecting shelves and toys at closing, remove any high risk/hard to clean toys. Infant and toddler teachers will place toys played with, even if not mouthed in buckets to be washed and disinfected daily, as well as, as needed.
• Preschool children will assist in washing toys. Toys and materials will be removed if coughed or sneezed on and at the end of each day, or after high touch use.
• All sensory activities involving shared materials will be suspended.
• Families are responsible for making sure their contacts are up to date. If a child becomes symptomatic and we cannot reach family or alternative contacts given, authorities will be called.
• Staff choosing not to come in will not be paid.
• Children will not be permitted to bring items, such as toys, from home.
• School age children enrolled in our after- school program and now attending full day, will be charged the full fee.
• Social distancing among young children is almost impossible. Children cannot understand this concept. What’s more, during these tense uncertain times children need comfort more than ever. We will be encouraging small group play and extended outdoor time.
• Require high risk staff to stay home.
• All staff will practice social distancing outside of the classroom and best that they can within the classroom.
• Staff will wash their hands and the hands of the children together every time to make sure it is done properly.
Phase III (This phase will be enacted if we have a positive test among staff or families. Since we have siblings, we will close the entire school or we will enter this phase if mandated to close.)
• Day 1 of closure no child care will be provided so that our school can be prepared for possible extended closure.
• Resources and information will be shared with families
• In the event that we are mandated quarantined as a community, front line responders and health care workers who do not have back up care will be our first priority in aiding them to find back up care for their children.
• During mandatory quarantine, we will update families and staff daily through our Remind app and Facebook, and suggest activities for children. We will implement a daily story time video, if possible, as well.
Phase IV (phase IV will have two parts: Part A if a partial quarantine is lifted, but centers are not reopened. Part B is if full quarantine is lifted and we are able to open, but there is still a potential for new cases.
Part A
• As soon as we are able to and partial quarantine is lifted, we will return to Phase III. Health care workers and first responders will again be given priority, and then other families that have been tested and have negative results.
• Prepare center to reopen
• Reach out to families to determine status
• Reach out to staff to determine status • Follow steps in Phase III
Part B
• When quarantine is lifted and we are allowed to reopen, we will notify parents of reopening date. Staff will be scheduled to come in to prepare for opening.
• Families will be asked to stagger arrival on the first day, so that we may help each child to readjust individually. During extended breaks in care, some children can return easily while others need much comforting. We want to make sure their return is as smooth as possible.
• We will return to Phase II on the first week of care and Phase I when we feel comfortable, with the goal being week two.
• Once the crisis is completely resolved, we will review all of our cleaning and health policies to make sure we are continuing pertinent but common sense practices.