You’ll want to be comfortable with how the centre plans to clean and disinfect, screen children and staff for symptoms, and handle illness: Research suggests that child care centres do not fuel the spread of COVID-19 in communities when they take proper safety steps. Our child care centre has implemented numerous procedures on how to keep your child safe and well.
- Cleaning and disinfecting procedures. We follow DHHS recommendations for keeping surfaces free of germs? This includes cleaning and removing disinfectant from toys before infants and toddlers play with them.
- Daily health checks and screening. Before coming into the centre each day, children and staff have their temperature taken to make sure they do not have a fever (37.5 degrees or higher) or other symptoms of illness?
- Testing and isolation. If someone gets sick, they need to get tested for COVID-19? If someone tests positive, parents should keep child home from child care? If a child starts feeling ill during the day, an isolation room is set aside with proper supervision until they can go home? A COVID Policy is there for children and staff returning to the facility after they feel better.
- Visitors. Consultants such as speech or physical therapists who work with children at the centre use virtual options whenever possible? Mothers are allowed in to breastfeed their babies, are separate, in well-ventilated spaces where staff who can bring the infant to the mother and then carry the infant back to the group.
- Routines: The centre has a plan for keeping your child safe during daily routines. This includes:
- Personal & group contact. Small groups will have contact with your child. There are fewer children in each group to move through the program day without much mingling. Outdoor areas are used to help increase space for each child and to keep groups separate?
- Protective gear. Educators are not required to wear masks while with Children. They have access to multiple smocks, gloves, and other protective gear throughout the day?
- Time outside. Children regularly spend time outdoors to help reduce the spread of the virus. Outdoor play equipment is properly cleaned. Educators practice handwashing with children before and after outdoor play.
- Meals, snacks, and naps. The centre keeps children physically distanced during meals, snacks, and naps? Note: that if children stay with the same small group all day, it may not be necessary to keep them apart when eating. Infants are still held when being fed and nappy changes as educators avoid bottle propping. When children nap, their cots can are placed head to foot, and they do not wear masks.
- Drop-off & pick-up. Arrival and drop-off times parents wear masks to help avoid contact between staff and children. Arrivals and drop-offs can be done outside in the play area.
Remember
When it comes to the best child care options during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is not one right answer for every family. Talk about any concerns with your paediatrician and the child care provider . This can help you find the right balance and keep your family as safe as possible.