The Health and Safety of our children, their families, and our staff have always been top priorities. During this COVID Pandemic, we are even more diligent when it comes to the health and safety practices we have here.
We have put some new procedures into practice as we follow recommendations by the State of Ohio, and also the CDC.
Stay Home If Sick. If your child, or anyone else in the household, has felt sick or displayed signs of COVID-19 we ask that the child does not attend until they have been symptom-free without medication for at least 24 hours.
Some symptoms to look for are:
- A temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Anyone with a fever of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit must stay home or be sent home.
Individuals who potentially have been exposed to COVID-19 should follow quarantine and other recommendations from local public health.
PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF
To minimize exposure to multiple people, children will be escorted to and from their classrooms by a designated staff member. At this time family members are not able to enter the secured area where the children’s classrooms are located.
Temperature checks will be conducted each morning for each child as well as all staff members before they are permitted into the classroom area.
Health Screening questions will also be asked at drop off.
Hand sanitizer is available at the front counter for families during drop off and pick up.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
Masks for Adults: All teachers are required to wear masks or face shields While in the classrooms or in other areas for staff only where they cannot be six feet apart. We ask that all adults wear a mask during drop off and pick up, or another time in the center.
Masks for Children: Children in our school-age program are required to wear masks in the center. If you have a child older than 2 but not yet in kindergarten and wish for them to wear a mask they may do so. The teacher will provide mask breaks throughout the day.
HEALTHY HABITS
Handwashing: All staff members will wash their hands upon arrival. Every child will wash their hands upon entering their classroom. We purchased handwashing timers for each bathroom the children use. These timers play music and light up for 20 seconds so they know that they have washed their hands for the appropriate length of time.
Covering Coughs and Sneezes: Staff models and teaches the children how to cover their coughs and sneezes with their elbow or a tissue. The child will then wash their hands.
IN THE CLASSROOM
Cleaning: All high touch surfaces will be routinely disinfected. This includes the drop-off and pick-up area. Toys, books, craft materials, cubbies, tables, and chairs are cleaned and disinfected throughout the day as needed as well as at the end of the day.
Sensory Materials: Sensory materials such as playdough will not be shared. Each child will have their own to use each day. Sensory tables can be used individually. The children will wash their hands before and after using the material and/or have new (i.e., water can be dumped, the container disinfected, the refilled with freshwater).
Social Distancing: Teachers will continue to ensure that the children are social distancing as much as possible in the classroom.
NapTime: Children’s cots are spaced six feet apart and positioned alternating head to toe as needed based on their location. The children have storage containers for their nap items (i.e., small pillow, small blanket, stuffed animal). These items are sent home at the end of each week to be laundered.
PLAYGROUND
Each classroom has its own scheduled time for utilizing the playground. The play structures are disinfected throughout the day. There is also an outdoor sink with soap to wash hands as needed. The children will wash their hands upon returning to their classrooms.
FIELD TRIPS
We do not do field trips throughout the regular school year. We are currently not having any classroom visitors (i.e., zoo, firefighters, police officers, etc).