Health and Safety Policy and Procedures during Covid-19 Pandemic updated on September 30th, 2020 for Preschool
Please note that this Health and Safety Policy apples to all staff and children within Shine-Sign facility.
Dear Parents,
This document is prepared, as per BC CDC Health Guidelines and Dr. Bonnie Henry's recommendations in order to meet the changes due to the COVID19 Pandemic. It is important to clarify that Dr. Bonnie Henry has confirmed and encouraged childcares to remain open, where possible, to serve community. Please remember that the Covid19 public health emergency is rapidly changing, and our ability to remain open may change with a very short notice.
With strict protocols set out by the government to lessen our risk, we must ensure that all families are able to follow these protocols. In the event that you feel you are unable to comply with these requirements, we would sadly have to recommend you seek other programs that may better suit your needs.
These are the Procedures we will follow in accordance to Safety and Health Recommendations:
For younger children maintaining physical distance is less practical and the focus will be on minimizing physical contact and reducing shared items instead.
We will avoid close greetings (high fives, hugs, handshakes) and will be reminding children to keep their “hands to yourself”. Whenever possible and appropriate we will spread children out into different areas and allow distance between children and adults.
In the interest of reducing the number of families making children’s “social bubble”, we limited the number of children in each class to a maximum of fourteen (14).
Teachers will incorporate more individual activities or activities that encourage more space between children when possible and appropriate.
Health check procedures
Please understand that it is the parents' responsibility to assess their children daily before sending them to the Preschool. Each day, prior to sending the child to Shine-Sign Preschool, parents are asked to take the child’s temperature at home and send a text message to the Preschool confirming that the child is well, symptom free, and that their child has not been given any medications in the last 12 hours.
Teachers will be also assessing themselves daily for symptoms of common cold, influenza, or COVID-19 prior to coming to work. We will also be taking teachers’ and children’s’ temperature every day at Preschool to ensure that there is no rapid change in the health status of individuals. That will be done with our touchless thermometer.
This document is prepared, as per BC CDC Health Guidelines and Dr. Bonnie Henry's recommendations in order to meet the changes due to the COVID19 Pandemic. It is important to clarify that Dr. Bonnie Henry has confirmed and encouraged childcares to remain open, where possible, to serve community. Please remember that the Covid19 public health emergency is rapidly changing, and our ability to remain open may change with a very short notice.
With strict protocols set out by the government to lessen our risk, we must ensure that all families are able to follow these protocols. In the event that you feel you are unable to comply with these requirements, we would sadly have to recommend you seek other programs that may better suit your needs.
These are the Procedures we will follow in accordance to Safety and Health Recommendations:
For younger children maintaining physical distance is less practical and the focus will be on minimizing physical contact and reducing shared items instead.
We will avoid close greetings (high fives, hugs, handshakes) and will be reminding children to keep their “hands to yourself”. Whenever possible and appropriate we will spread children out into different areas and allow distance between children and adults.
In the interest of reducing the number of families making children’s “social bubble”, we limited the number of children in each class to a maximum of fourteen (14).
Teachers will incorporate more individual activities or activities that encourage more space between children when possible and appropriate.
Health check procedures
Please understand that it is the parents' responsibility to assess their children daily before sending them to the Preschool. Each day, prior to sending the child to Shine-Sign Preschool, parents are asked to take the child’s temperature at home and send a text message to the Preschool confirming that the child is well, symptom free, and that their child has not been given any medications in the last 12 hours.
Teachers will be also assessing themselves daily for symptoms of common cold, influenza, or COVID-19 prior to coming to work. We will also be taking teachers’ and children’s’ temperature every day at Preschool to ensure that there is no rapid change in the health status of individuals. That will be done with our touchless thermometer.
Illness and attendance policy
Teachers and children who are ill, including children of essential service workers, will not be permitted to attend Shine-Sign Preschool. When someone is symptomatic, they must self-isolate and follow directions provided by their health care provider. Self-isolation is also advised for those who are considered a close contact of a confirmed case and are waiting to see if they develop COVID-19 illness.
Children and who become sick while at Shine-Sign Preschool will be isolated from others, placed on the couch while attended by a teacher wearing a mask.
Teachers will inform parents and parents are expected to pick up their sick child as soon as possible.
A sick child will be provided with tissues to cover their coughs or sneezes while waiting for parents to arrive.
Once the sick child is picked up, the area will be sanitized, and the attending teacher will practice diligent hand hygiene.
The manager will contact the local public health unit to notify them of a potential case and seek further input.
Please note: fees are not being refunded for absences due to illness.
A teacher who becomes sick while at Shine-Sign Preschool will be sent home immediately.
Provision of care in case of staff illness
As teachers are also required to stay home when exhibiting illness symptoms, until they have received a negative Covid-19 test, this presents a significant limitation to our operation in the event of staff illness. We will be addressing staff illness in the following way: we will attempt to engage a substitute teacher if at all possible.
If this will not be possible, the program will be unable to operate until the teacher’s test is completed and she is able to return to work.
In case we are forced to close the Preschool due to health and safety reasons or lack of staff due to illness up to 15 days- fees will not be refunded. If the Preschool stays closed for more then 15 days, fees/post-dated cheques will be returned to the parents/guardians.
Cleaning and Disinfection
Shine-Sign Preschool will be cleaned and disinfected in accordance with the BC CDC’s Cleaning and Disinfecting for Public Settings document. This includes but it is not limited to:
General cleaning and disinfecting of the premises will be done at least once a day.
Frequently touched surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected twice a day.
For disinfecting we will be using Bleach solution and Lysol
We will limit items that are not easily cleaned
We will continue to empty garbage and organic containers daily.
We will be ventilating the room often.
Hand Hygiene and Respiratory Etiquette:
Children and staff will be practicing rigorous handwashing with plain soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Children and teachers will wash hands upon arrival at Preschool, before and after meals, after using the toilet, after using a tissue, before and after going to the playground, between activities and before going home. Hand sanitizer will be used alternatively.
Teachers will also wash their hands after any cleaning task. If the water and soap are not available (outside) alternatively we will offer children to use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Posters promoting the importance of regular hand washing are posted in the bathrooms.
Children and staff will: cough or sneeze into their elbow sleeve or a tissue, throw away used tissues and immediately perform hand hygiene. Children and teachers should refrain from touching eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. Children and teachers will not be sharing any food, drinks, utensils, or any personal belongings.
Teachers will be wearing masks and gloves only as part of regular precautions for the hazards normally encountered in our regular course of work. Unless we get instructions from BC CDC that wearing masks is mandatory, teachers and children may wear masks as their personal choice.
Arrival Time
Parents are currently not allowed to access our Preschool. We will be expecting children to come into the room by themselves. If you anticipate a difficult drop off transition, please discuss this with teachers. It is advisable to keep communications with teachers mostly through e-mail, texting, and phone calls as much as possible.
Signing children in and out will be done by teachers the same as before.
Upon entering the room, children will be asked and guided to: remove their outdoor shoes, put their backpack in the assigned cubby, and wash their hands before going to play.
Pick up Time:
When you arrive to pick up your child from the Preschool, please wait outside. Teachers will note that you have arrived, get your child ready and bring her/him outside. Please maintain physical distance while waiting with all the other parents outside. To avoid having many parents picking up their children at the same time we will be starting dismissals 5 minutes before the end of the class.
Personal Items
Children must have a backpack to keep all their belongings in it. Please make sure to clearly mark all your child’s belongings to avoid accidental sharing. Toys from home will not be permitted to come to daycare at this time. We will not have “Toy Share Day” until the pandemic is over.
Outdoors
For playing outside, once again, we will be using the school primary playground since they are open and safe to be used. Children will be practicing appropriate hand hygiene before, during, and after outdoor play. We will be taking children outside more often and stay outside for longer time than in the past. Please make sure that your child is well equipped for the weather on any given day. We will be going outside even when it is raining, so children will need to have adequate protection for cold, wet days, as well as for the hot sunny days.
Meals
Children and teachers will be observing social distancing during meals. We will be practicing a “rotating snack”. That means, when one child is done with a snack, that place will be sanitized, and another child will be invited to eat. In that way, not many children will be at the table at the same time. For lunchtime, we have a small number of children and we will sit together observing the proper distance.
Liability
According to the Liability Order issued by the Attorney General, child care providers cannot be held liable if an employee or child is exposed to the COVID-19 virus. This protection only applies to providers who are following the specific protocols of the provincial health officer and other applicable regulatory bodies. As Shine-Sign Preschool is and will continue to follow all updated protocols and procedures as outlined by the Health Authorities and BC CDC, this Liability Order applies.
Toys and art supplies
There is no evidence that the COVID-19 virus is transmitted via textbooks, paper, or other paper-based products. As such, there is no need to limit the distribution or sharing of books or paper-based educational resources to children.
Due to BC Health regulations, the following items may also not be used: water table, sand table, and any other toys that are not easily sanitized. There will be a limited number of toys available for
the children, due to sanitization procedures. However, we will have a lot of fun activities and children will be engaged in games, crafts, and outdoor play!
Please note that this document is an addition to our regular Preschool Policies
outlined in the Preschool Handbook
Please be aware that there may be changes to these policies as things change and new information becomes available. If it becomes necessary to amend the current policies, you will receive the updated version that will either replace or be added to the current pandemic version. Every parent will be asked to sign the Parent Declaration stating compliance
with Shine-Sign Preschool Policy.
Thank you for your patience and understanding
as we work through this together!
Dragana Ilic,
Shine-Sign Manager
Teachers and children who are ill, including children of essential service workers, will not be permitted to attend Shine-Sign Preschool. When someone is symptomatic, they must self-isolate and follow directions provided by their health care provider. Self-isolation is also advised for those who are considered a close contact of a confirmed case and are waiting to see if they develop COVID-19 illness.
Children and who become sick while at Shine-Sign Preschool will be isolated from others, placed on the couch while attended by a teacher wearing a mask.
Teachers will inform parents and parents are expected to pick up their sick child as soon as possible.
A sick child will be provided with tissues to cover their coughs or sneezes while waiting for parents to arrive.
Once the sick child is picked up, the area will be sanitized, and the attending teacher will practice diligent hand hygiene.
The manager will contact the local public health unit to notify them of a potential case and seek further input.
Please note: fees are not being refunded for absences due to illness.
A teacher who becomes sick while at Shine-Sign Preschool will be sent home immediately.
Provision of care in case of staff illness
As teachers are also required to stay home when exhibiting illness symptoms, until they have received a negative Covid-19 test, this presents a significant limitation to our operation in the event of staff illness. We will be addressing staff illness in the following way: we will attempt to engage a substitute teacher if at all possible.
If this will not be possible, the program will be unable to operate until the teacher’s test is completed and she is able to return to work.
In case we are forced to close the Preschool due to health and safety reasons or lack of staff due to illness up to 15 days- fees will not be refunded. If the Preschool stays closed for more then 15 days, fees/post-dated cheques will be returned to the parents/guardians.
Cleaning and Disinfection
Shine-Sign Preschool will be cleaned and disinfected in accordance with the BC CDC’s Cleaning and Disinfecting for Public Settings document. This includes but it is not limited to:
General cleaning and disinfecting of the premises will be done at least once a day.
Frequently touched surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected twice a day.
For disinfecting we will be using Bleach solution and Lysol
We will limit items that are not easily cleaned
We will continue to empty garbage and organic containers daily.
We will be ventilating the room often.
Hand Hygiene and Respiratory Etiquette:
Children and staff will be practicing rigorous handwashing with plain soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Children and teachers will wash hands upon arrival at Preschool, before and after meals, after using the toilet, after using a tissue, before and after going to the playground, between activities and before going home. Hand sanitizer will be used alternatively.
Teachers will also wash their hands after any cleaning task. If the water and soap are not available (outside) alternatively we will offer children to use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Posters promoting the importance of regular hand washing are posted in the bathrooms.
Children and staff will: cough or sneeze into their elbow sleeve or a tissue, throw away used tissues and immediately perform hand hygiene. Children and teachers should refrain from touching eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. Children and teachers will not be sharing any food, drinks, utensils, or any personal belongings.
Teachers will be wearing masks and gloves only as part of regular precautions for the hazards normally encountered in our regular course of work. Unless we get instructions from BC CDC that wearing masks is mandatory, teachers and children may wear masks as their personal choice.
Arrival Time
Parents are currently not allowed to access our Preschool. We will be expecting children to come into the room by themselves. If you anticipate a difficult drop off transition, please discuss this with teachers. It is advisable to keep communications with teachers mostly through e-mail, texting, and phone calls as much as possible.
Signing children in and out will be done by teachers the same as before.
Upon entering the room, children will be asked and guided to: remove their outdoor shoes, put their backpack in the assigned cubby, and wash their hands before going to play.
Pick up Time:
When you arrive to pick up your child from the Preschool, please wait outside. Teachers will note that you have arrived, get your child ready and bring her/him outside. Please maintain physical distance while waiting with all the other parents outside. To avoid having many parents picking up their children at the same time we will be starting dismissals 5 minutes before the end of the class.
Personal Items
Children must have a backpack to keep all their belongings in it. Please make sure to clearly mark all your child’s belongings to avoid accidental sharing. Toys from home will not be permitted to come to daycare at this time. We will not have “Toy Share Day” until the pandemic is over.
Outdoors
For playing outside, once again, we will be using the school primary playground since they are open and safe to be used. Children will be practicing appropriate hand hygiene before, during, and after outdoor play. We will be taking children outside more often and stay outside for longer time than in the past. Please make sure that your child is well equipped for the weather on any given day. We will be going outside even when it is raining, so children will need to have adequate protection for cold, wet days, as well as for the hot sunny days.
Meals
Children and teachers will be observing social distancing during meals. We will be practicing a “rotating snack”. That means, when one child is done with a snack, that place will be sanitized, and another child will be invited to eat. In that way, not many children will be at the table at the same time. For lunchtime, we have a small number of children and we will sit together observing the proper distance.
Liability
According to the Liability Order issued by the Attorney General, child care providers cannot be held liable if an employee or child is exposed to the COVID-19 virus. This protection only applies to providers who are following the specific protocols of the provincial health officer and other applicable regulatory bodies. As Shine-Sign Preschool is and will continue to follow all updated protocols and procedures as outlined by the Health Authorities and BC CDC, this Liability Order applies.
Toys and art supplies
There is no evidence that the COVID-19 virus is transmitted via textbooks, paper, or other paper-based products. As such, there is no need to limit the distribution or sharing of books or paper-based educational resources to children.
Due to BC Health regulations, the following items may also not be used: water table, sand table, and any other toys that are not easily sanitized. There will be a limited number of toys available for
the children, due to sanitization procedures. However, we will have a lot of fun activities and children will be engaged in games, crafts, and outdoor play!
Please note that this document is an addition to our regular Preschool Policies
outlined in the Preschool Handbook
Please be aware that there may be changes to these policies as things change and new information becomes available. If it becomes necessary to amend the current policies, you will receive the updated version that will either replace or be added to the current pandemic version. Every parent will be asked to sign the Parent Declaration stating compliance
with Shine-Sign Preschool Policy.
Thank you for your patience and understanding
as we work through this together!
Dragana Ilic,
Shine-Sign Manager