COVID PLAN
Open Arms Preschool
Infection Disease Response Plan — Operating Procedures
Dear Parents and Families,
Given the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) crisis that is spreading through our country, I want to assure you that we are monitoring the situation closely. OAPS is continuing to work diligently researching and adopting policy set forth by the CDC and DOH in order to provide a safe learning environment for our children. New information is presented daily which may impact the policy set forth. Based on information we have at this time, we will operate OAPS to minimize disruption to you and your family. If the situation should change, we will notify you immediately.
For now, and for the foreseeable future, we will be taking extra precautions to ward off Coronavirus. We are taking these extra steps to support the health and safety of your children, your family and our staff.
All procedures previously outlined in the Parent Handbook still apply, except where they conflict with the new guidelines. In case of conflicting procedures, the ones outlined here take precedence.
Please take note of the following changes to our policies and procedures: These policies are subject to change at any time.
Check-In and Pick-Up
Families will be greeted at the DOOR where a staff member will greet the child(ren).
Parents and other family members will not be allowed inside the childcare program. (There will be a 2- week adjustment period for children with severe separation anxiety. Parents must wear masks when bringing a child into the building and will be allowed to drop the child off at their classroom door. Parents may not linger in the building.)Prior to parents leaving the site, a trained staff member will take the temperature of their child(ren) and if the child has a temperature >100 they will not be allowed admittance.
A well check will also be conducted upon arrival. At drop off a staff member will ask parents the following questions:
- Do you live with anyone or have you had close contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 within the past 14 days?
- Have you traveled outside the state of New York within the last 14 days?
- Do you or anyone in your household have a fever, cough and/or shortness of breath?
- Do you or your child(ren) have any other signs of communicable illness such as a cold or flu?
If a child, parent or any individual in the home has a fever and/or symptom of illness, the child will not be able to attend the center.
Children and staff will be required to wash their hands immediately upon entering the building and regularly throughout the day.
When children are received for drop-off, they will be escorted to wash their hands prior to being brought to their classroom/childcare area.
Upon your arrival to pick up your child, a staff member will bring your child out to you. Doing so will limit direct contact and help us to maintain social distancing.
If a parent needs to enter the building for any reason they must wear a mask, wash their hands upon entry and social distance.
Healthy Environment
Staff and children over the age of 2 will be required to wear a mask when social distancing is not possible.
Children will remain in groups no larger than 10 children.
We will not share gym equipment and will clean equipment between uses.
All classrooms will remain separated to reduce the number of children in one area and to reduce the possibility of viral transmission.
Staff will disinfect high-touch surfaces, such as door handles, light switches, faucets, toys and games and gym equipment between use.
All toys used throughout the day will be washed and disinfected at the end of each day.
A dish pan of soapy water or a container marked “soiled toys" will be used to separate toys that get soiled while being played with. They will then be disinfected at the end of the day.
We will perform a thorough cleaning every night in all areas, on all touched surfaces.
Staff will have access to masks, anti-bacterial hand sanitizers and disposable gloves and use them as needed.
Staff will wash their hands and children's hands throughout the day (noted by the CDC as the most effective preventive measure).
No program tours will be given during the school day to reduce the number of visitors in the building.
OAPS will restrict non-essential visitors, volunteers and activities involving other groups at the same time.
Limit Sharing
• Children may not bring any items, including toys, sippy cups and stuffed animals to the center.
• No outside food can be brought into the center.
Snack Time
All surfaces will be disinfected before meal preparation and feedings using CDC- or EPA approved products.
All staff will wash hands before and after snack preparation.
Children will wash hands prior to eating.
Snacks will be served by the staff.
Children will be seated using social distancing at mealtime.
Child Health
Staff will receive education on COVID-19 symptoms as well as preventive measures.
Staff will receive training on all safety procedures prior to care of children.
We will establish routine, daily health checks on arrival, such as temperature screening of both staff and children.
Health checks and screenings will be conducted safely and respectfully maintaining confidentiality.
Parents must report to the center immediately any possible or confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Families must report possible illness if anyone in their household shows symptoms or has tested positive for the virus. If anyone in the household has been in contact with someone who has tested positive parents must report to the director.
Children who start to experience symptoms of respiratory illness and other symptoms associated with COVID 19, including a fever of >100 while at childcare, will be isolated from other children until they can be picked up.
Parents will be contacted of any symptoms that require pick up and must do so immediately.
Parents must have a plan for picking up an ill child.
Parents/guardians must keep children home and self- isolate if they show symptoms of COVID19. If a child has a fever they must be fever free for 72 hours without the use of a fever reducer before returning to care (even if other symptoms are not present).
If a child exhibits multiple symptoms of COVID-19, there is suspected possible exposure, or they test positive for COVID-19 the child must stay home until:
Child has been fever-free for at least 72 hours without the use of medicine that reduces fevers.
Other symptoms have improved AND at least 10 days have passed since the symptoms first appeared.
Families are encouraged to have back-up care plans if the child or a family member becomes ill or is required to self-quarantine due to possible COVID-19.If a child, staff member, family member or a visitor to the center becomes ill with COVID-19 symptoms the center will contact the health department and licensing consultant for next steps.
The center will follow recommendations of sanitation, disinfecting and closure. Parents will be notified immediately of any cases.
If the school is closed for 2 weeks, Zoom classes will be held. No tuition will be refunded.
Staff Health & Wellness
Staff will receive additional training on infection control and workplace disinfection.
Staff will not share their phone, devices or meal or utensils with one another or children.
Staff will check their temperature at the beginning of each shift and notify their supervisor if >100 as well as self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and notify their supervisor if any develop (fever or respiratory symptoms).
Staff will wash their hands immediately upon entering the program and immediately prior to leaving.
Staff will not be allowed to work if they are feeling ill or experiencing respiratory symptoms.
Staff must report contact with anyone outside of work who has had a documented case of COVID-19.
Staff will be required to self-quarantine if they have been exposed to COVID-19.
Communication
If the current situation changes and it becomes necessary to update our procedures or close our program temporarily, we will notify families by email and/or phone calls.
Thank you for your understanding and patience as we implement these new procedures. Our goal is to minimize disruption while at the same time keeping you, your family and our staff healthy and well.
Sincerely,
Misa Anderson, Director OAPS
