| corona_screening_.pdf |
ALMOSTHOME COVID 19 PRECAUTIONS
Policy
Change is never easy, especially when it is forced. New and added stresses are difficult for children, parents, childcare providers, educators, and businesses. We must stay connected and care for each other as best we can during this time, especially supporting those who are working on the front lines. As an agency, we want to help influence a positive mindset that will get us all through the coming weeks/months.
New policies are in effect to minimize risks and keep everyone as safe as possible. Our strategies and requirements come from multiple sources, including WHO, VIHA, Ministry of Children and Families BC, Provincial leaders (BC and across the country), and the Ministry of Education.
Please note, some of our protocols are "above and beyond" what has been mandated by the Government. We feel to reopen with a safety-first mindset listening to the most current science-based recommendations is a priority. As a private business, it is within our right to create, implement, and enforce these policies.
Please keep in mind that our regular hours have been adjusted due to staffing and cleaning adjustments, and we reserve the right to adjust these as necessary. Please check with our Register to access available hours.
First a few important notes from Public Health;
Many signs and symptoms are similar to other upper and lower respiratory infections, and can range from mild cold symptoms to more severe illness with fever, cough, shortness of breath, and pneumonia.
There has been evidence of transmission through close contact between humans, most likely from secretions or droplets in the air or on surfaces due to coughing and sneezing. At this time, it appears that the virus is most often being spread through close contact with another infected person who is showing symptoms. While experts believe that spread from a person who is asymptomatic (not showing symptoms) is possible.
Prompt identification, monitoring of symptoms and appropriate management of symptoms is the only treatment for the virus at this time.
How does this information adjust our current illness policy?
Effective April 6, 2020 and continuing for the foreseeable future ANY symptoms of ill health will be regarded as potential COVID-19 symptoms. Person's with symptoms are required to self-isolate for a period no less than 14 days and call 811 for guidance on management of symptoms. We empathize that many childhood illnesses present the same symptoms; however, we are unable to make exceptions at this time.
Symptoms of ill health requiring families to self isolate/social-distance/not access our services:
IMPORTANT: medicating your child with over the counter cold medications, acetaminophen (brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (brand name: Advil) or another fever suppressing/cold symptom suppressing drug is NOT allowed during COVID precautions and may result in the immediate termination of care. As a community, we are incredibly hopeful that parents/guardians are just as concerned about the common good and protecting our most vulnerable that these illness policies are followed seriously.
We are not able at this time to necessarily readmit children after 24 hours symptom-free. Return to care dates will be set individually in consultation with our screening team in our head office.
All person's, staff, children or other supporting clients residing at the childcare premises are to be included in active screening measures. If you have anyone sick in your home, all residents are expected to isolate and consult 811 before the child can return to care.
An unprecedented time in our society requires us to act with the utmost respect for its severity. For this reason, parents/guardians are not permitted to enter the childcare premises. We are exposing the childcare provider's family (children, spouse, others living at the premises) to increased risk by allowing daycare children to return. By not allowing parents/guardians to enter the centre, we are mitigating this risk. Clearly, this is different from standard practice but we are hopeful that by following extreme measures, we can support ES and EMS workers while also helping to flatten the curve.
Procedure for Daycare Drop off:
Ideally parents/guardians can supply extra clothes, wipes, diapers etc. that can stay at the child care premises. This avoids unneeded potential for cross contamination. It also makes drop off and pick up easier.
Best practices for parents who work in direct contact with the public/patients:
Medical professionals have recommended that persons coming in direct contact with patients/the public change their clothes before interacting with their families after work. This practice is strongly suggested before picking up your child from daycare.
Routines and Sanitary Policies
Handwashing
As mentioned above, handwashing will be increasing in frequency.
Specific times of the day:
Additionally, anytime a child puts their hands in their mouth, their eyes, their nose, puts their hand in their pants or touches their friends face they we will be required to wash their hands.
.
Toys and resources:
All removable soft surfaces have been removed from the daycare space. Including, pillows, stuffies, dress-up clothes, and fabric books.
Ensuring daily cleaning/sanitizing requirements, we recommend that only easily cleaned toys/resources be made available for the time being. The important note here is we need to be able to sanitize all toys/resources touched by children. Toys should be offered in a number that allows for a variety of interests while being in quantities that are manageable to clean.
Arts and Crafts
Arts and crafts are a staple within our programs. Our guidelines are suggesting making bins for each child. Pencils, markers, crayons, glue sticks, paintbrushes, and scissors are all hard to clean between uses; especially the rapid-fire approach children often use when creating. Individual bins seem like the best compromise while still allowing children to participate in arts and crafts. The takeaway is that we are not to sharing these resources between children.
Sensory play:
Group sensory play is temporarily stopped at all of our childcare programs. Where appropriate individual sensory play is okay. For the duration of this pandemic play dough (and any similar activity) needs to be single-use/thrown away at the end of the day and not shared. Each child would have a portion of their own and not touch their friend's play dough. All surfaces and tools used during sensory play need to be cleaned and sanitized after each use. (Tools, added bits and bobs are not to be shared between children either).
Mealtimes:
Children should be seated in such a way that respects social distancing. For our purposes, social distancing for mealtimes implies that no child can touch another child's body, food, utensils, or cup. All cups, plates, utensils and eating surfaces need to be cleaned between uses.
Water needs to be available throughout the day and whenever requested. However, all cups/drinking vessels need to be out of children's reach. The childcare provider can pass each child its water as-needed/requested and then return the water to its "safe space."
Napping/rest time:
A space of no less than two meters/six feet is to be provided for each child at nap time. Multiple rooms may be needed to ensure adequate spacing. Direct visual checks every 30 minutes or sooner (as-needed) are still required.
Sanitary Policies
All providers are encouraged to review our current sanitary policies and procedures available. These are our normal sanitary policies. Covid-19 policies as written on this page are in addition to and/or, supersede our normal sanitary policies.
In addition to our current policies the following COVID-19 specific protocols must be followed
Management of children with possible COVID-19
If a child begins to experience symptoms of COVID-19 while attending childcare, it is recommended that:
Updated December 1, 2020
Policy
Change is never easy, especially when it is forced. New and added stresses are difficult for children, parents, childcare providers, educators, and businesses. We must stay connected and care for each other as best we can during this time, especially supporting those who are working on the front lines. As an agency, we want to help influence a positive mindset that will get us all through the coming weeks/months.
New policies are in effect to minimize risks and keep everyone as safe as possible. Our strategies and requirements come from multiple sources, including WHO, VIHA, Ministry of Children and Families BC, Provincial leaders (BC and across the country), and the Ministry of Education.
Please note, some of our protocols are "above and beyond" what has been mandated by the Government. We feel to reopen with a safety-first mindset listening to the most current science-based recommendations is a priority. As a private business, it is within our right to create, implement, and enforce these policies.
Please keep in mind that our regular hours have been adjusted due to staffing and cleaning adjustments, and we reserve the right to adjust these as necessary. Please check with our Register to access available hours.
First a few important notes from Public Health;
Many signs and symptoms are similar to other upper and lower respiratory infections, and can range from mild cold symptoms to more severe illness with fever, cough, shortness of breath, and pneumonia.
There has been evidence of transmission through close contact between humans, most likely from secretions or droplets in the air or on surfaces due to coughing and sneezing. At this time, it appears that the virus is most often being spread through close contact with another infected person who is showing symptoms. While experts believe that spread from a person who is asymptomatic (not showing symptoms) is possible.
Prompt identification, monitoring of symptoms and appropriate management of symptoms is the only treatment for the virus at this time.
How does this information adjust our current illness policy?
Effective April 6, 2020 and continuing for the foreseeable future ANY symptoms of ill health will be regarded as potential COVID-19 symptoms. Person's with symptoms are required to self-isolate for a period no less than 14 days and call 811 for guidance on management of symptoms. We empathize that many childhood illnesses present the same symptoms; however, we are unable to make exceptions at this time.
Symptoms of ill health requiring families to self isolate/social-distance/not access our services:
- fever (38 degrees Celsius)
- cough
- Difficulty breathing
- muscle aches
- fatigue
- headache: in children who are not yet verbal, headaches can be expressed as crying for an unknown reason, holding head, distancing or withdrawing from regular play, wanting to sleep more.
- sore throat: in children who are not yet verbal, sore throat can be expressed as not wanting to eat or drink, or trouble swallowing.
- runny nose: This is genuinely a difficult requirement to make because we are all aware of how common this symptom is. It is normal for both adults and children to have to blow their noses throughout the day. Standard tissue requirements are not considered runny nose. As defined by the Mayo Clinic, "A runny nose is excess nasal drainage. It may be a thin clear fluid, thick mucus, or something in between. The drainage may run out of your nose, down the back of your throat or both." If, as a parent, you need to support your child to blow/wipe their nose every 5-10 minutes or our childcare provider needs to do this, your child will be separated from the other children and sent home.
IMPORTANT: medicating your child with over the counter cold medications, acetaminophen (brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (brand name: Advil) or another fever suppressing/cold symptom suppressing drug is NOT allowed during COVID precautions and may result in the immediate termination of care. As a community, we are incredibly hopeful that parents/guardians are just as concerned about the common good and protecting our most vulnerable that these illness policies are followed seriously.
We are not able at this time to necessarily readmit children after 24 hours symptom-free. Return to care dates will be set individually in consultation with our screening team in our head office.
All person's, staff, children or other supporting clients residing at the childcare premises are to be included in active screening measures. If you have anyone sick in your home, all residents are expected to isolate and consult 811 before the child can return to care.
An unprecedented time in our society requires us to act with the utmost respect for its severity. For this reason, parents/guardians are not permitted to enter the childcare premises. We are exposing the childcare provider's family (children, spouse, others living at the premises) to increased risk by allowing daycare children to return. By not allowing parents/guardians to enter the centre, we are mitigating this risk. Clearly, this is different from standard practice but we are hopeful that by following extreme measures, we can support ES and EMS workers while also helping to flatten the curve.
Procedure for Daycare Drop off:
- Parents will call childcare provider and inform if the child or anyone in their home is ill.
- Parents/Guardians will wear a mask, knock on the door upon arrival and wait.
- When the provider opens the door, the provider will immediately complete COVID-19 screening (see active screening sheet).
- IF the child can attend care, they will be permitted access into the centre. Parents will pass the child care provider any diaper bags/supplies.
- Once the child enters the centre, the provider will support them to take off their coat and shoes, put their bags away, etc. and then wash their own hands and help the child to wash their hands. (see daily routines)
- Parents/guardians are to knock upon arriving at the childcare premises and remain outside masked.
- The provider will get the child dressed to go home, and belongings (if required) packed and ready to go.
- The provider will open the door and wait in the doorway with the child for the parent to approach. Quick updates concerning the child's day can occur while respecting social distancing. Our providers use documentation purposes as well for our Infant and Toddler clients.
Ideally parents/guardians can supply extra clothes, wipes, diapers etc. that can stay at the child care premises. This avoids unneeded potential for cross contamination. It also makes drop off and pick up easier.
Best practices for parents who work in direct contact with the public/patients:
Medical professionals have recommended that persons coming in direct contact with patients/the public change their clothes before interacting with their families after work. This practice is strongly suggested before picking up your child from daycare.
Routines and Sanitary Policies
Handwashing
As mentioned above, handwashing will be increasing in frequency.
Specific times of the day:
- arrival in the child care premises
- before and after mealtimes
- after nap/rest time
- after going outside
- after toileting/diaper change
Additionally, anytime a child puts their hands in their mouth, their eyes, their nose, puts their hand in their pants or touches their friends face they we will be required to wash their hands.
.
Toys and resources:
All removable soft surfaces have been removed from the daycare space. Including, pillows, stuffies, dress-up clothes, and fabric books.
Ensuring daily cleaning/sanitizing requirements, we recommend that only easily cleaned toys/resources be made available for the time being. The important note here is we need to be able to sanitize all toys/resources touched by children. Toys should be offered in a number that allows for a variety of interests while being in quantities that are manageable to clean.
Arts and Crafts
Arts and crafts are a staple within our programs. Our guidelines are suggesting making bins for each child. Pencils, markers, crayons, glue sticks, paintbrushes, and scissors are all hard to clean between uses; especially the rapid-fire approach children often use when creating. Individual bins seem like the best compromise while still allowing children to participate in arts and crafts. The takeaway is that we are not to sharing these resources between children.
Sensory play:
Group sensory play is temporarily stopped at all of our childcare programs. Where appropriate individual sensory play is okay. For the duration of this pandemic play dough (and any similar activity) needs to be single-use/thrown away at the end of the day and not shared. Each child would have a portion of their own and not touch their friend's play dough. All surfaces and tools used during sensory play need to be cleaned and sanitized after each use. (Tools, added bits and bobs are not to be shared between children either).
Mealtimes:
Children should be seated in such a way that respects social distancing. For our purposes, social distancing for mealtimes implies that no child can touch another child's body, food, utensils, or cup. All cups, plates, utensils and eating surfaces need to be cleaned between uses.
Water needs to be available throughout the day and whenever requested. However, all cups/drinking vessels need to be out of children's reach. The childcare provider can pass each child its water as-needed/requested and then return the water to its "safe space."
Napping/rest time:
A space of no less than two meters/six feet is to be provided for each child at nap time. Multiple rooms may be needed to ensure adequate spacing. Direct visual checks every 30 minutes or sooner (as-needed) are still required.
Sanitary Policies
All providers are encouraged to review our current sanitary policies and procedures available. These are our normal sanitary policies. Covid-19 policies as written on this page are in addition to and/or, supersede our normal sanitary policies.
In addition to our current policies the following COVID-19 specific protocols must be followed
- (Everything already mentioned in handwashing, toys/resources, napping/rest time, mealtimes, sensory play, arts and crafts, drop off and pick up)
- Frequently touched surfaces are most likely to become contaminated, including doorknobs, light switches, toilet handles, and tabletops, and must be disinfected at least twice a day; or when visibly soiled.
- We are currently using VIPER as our disinfectant /sanitizer which is a Public Health approved product.
- Checking expiry dates of products used and always following manufacturer’s instructions; concentration/contact time required
- Encourage more physical space between children by: creating different stations, educating children about personal space, enforcing "use your words" to express your feelings (both positive and negative feelings), have children sit in chairs for story time instead of crowding together on the floor etc.
- Do not use community playgrounds.
- Respect social distancing: no mingling with other childcare programs.
- Linens must be laundered between children.
- Children must not share soothers, bottles, Sippy cups,
- Avoid getting close to faces of all children, where possible.
- Thermometers must not be used between children/staff without single-use protective covers or disinfecting between use.
- Any families or children travelling off Island will be required to self-isolate for 14 days until returning to care
- All parents and caregivers will wear face-masks for drop off and pick up of their children in the public areas.
Management of children with possible COVID-19
If a child begins to experience symptoms of COVID-19 while attending childcare, it is recommended that:
- Symptomatic children are immediately separated from others in a supervised area until they can go home. In addition, where possible, anyone who is providing care to the child should maintain a distance of 2 metres and will be using protective equipment, ex. Gloves and mask.
- If a 2-metre distance cannot be maintained from the ill child, advice from the local public health unit will be necessary to prevent/limit virus transmission to those providing care.
- While contacting the public health unit, at minimum the child and childcare worker should wear a surgical / procedure mask (if tolerated and/or available).
- Hygiene and respiratory etiquette should be practiced while the child is waiting to be picked up.
- Tissues should be provided to the child for proper respiratory etiquette, with proper disposal of the tissues and proper hand hygiene.
- While contacting the public health unit, at minimum the child and childcare worker should wear a surgical / procedure mask (if tolerated and/or available).
- Environmental cleaning of the space the child was separated should be conducted once the child has been picked up.
- Contact the local public health unit to notify them of a potential case and seek input regarding the information that should be shared with other parents of children in the childcare program.
- Children with symptoms must be excluded from childcare for 14 days after the onset of symptoms and/or 24-hour symptom free.
- Children or staff who have been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19 or symptomatic person(s), should be excluded from the childcare setting for 14 days if they remain asymptomatic (no symptoms).
- If a confirmed case of COVID-19 is present at one of our childcare programs the entire premises will be closed for a minimum of 14 days and follow all guidance from the Public Health Unit.
- No refunds of tuition will be offered as a result of a closure or exposure to COVID 19.
Updated December 1, 2020
