Health and Safety Plan 2021-2022 Messiah Community Preschool is committed to the health and safety of our staff, students, and their families. The following policies and procedures have been established using information and guidelines from the CDC, The Pennsylvania Department of Health, The Pennsylvania Department of Education, The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning, and The Chester County Health Department. All policies and procedures stated here within are subject to change as the guidance from these agencies may change. This health and safety policy will be updated if and when changes occur. Pandemic Team Valerie Feinstein and Susan Miller will act as the Pandemic coordinators. They will be responsible for the health and safety preparedness and response planning for Messiah Community Preschool. This includes: Identifying a creating a plan of action and response to a pandemic Seeking information and guidance from appropriate government agencies Identifying and securing necessary material and supplies Communicating with staff and school families.
COVID-19 The 2019 novel corona (Covid-19) is a new virus that causes respiratory illness in people and can spread from person to person Symptoms: People with Covid-19 have had a wild range of symptoms reported- ranging from mild to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2 – 14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have covid 19. Fever or chills Cough Shortness of breath Fatigue Muscle or body aches Headache New loss of smell or taste Sore throat Congestion or funny nose Nausea or vomiting Diarrhea
ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL FROM SCHOOL
Arrival: Parents may be asked to answer questions about their child’s health and/or exposure to Covid-19. A staff member may conduct a temperature check before the child enters the school. Any child who displays symptoms or has a temperature of 100.0 degrees F or higher will not be permitted to attend school that day Masked parent will be permitted inside the building to walk their child to their classroom Upon entry each child will wash his/ her hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. A staff member will supervise. Dismissal: Parents will be asked to wait outside the building at dismissal. Parent may approach the door and wait for the child’s teacher to release the child to them. Parents are asked to wear a mask. Please wait until 12:00*, all classes end at that time, and it takes the teachers a few minutes to have them ready to go home. * The 2 ½ year old class ends at 11:00 through December and then 11:30 January – May. As the weather permits, we will dismiss the children for outside.
FACE MASKS Children 2 and older are required to wear face masks when in a school entity. Children will be permitted to remove masks when eating or drinking and while outdoors playing at a safe distance from others. All staff members are required to wear face masks at school.
HAND WASHING Children and adults are required to wash hands with soap and water upon arrival at school, before eating and after eating, after playing with toys, after playing outside, after sneezing, coughing, or blowing their nose and at any time a staff members deem necessary. Hand sanitizers, containing at least 60% alcohol, will only be used with children when soap and water are unavailable and will always be dispensed and supervised by an adult.
CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT
LIMITING CONTACT: We do ask that you supply a change of clothing placed in a large Ziplock bag with your child’s name on it Each child will have a designated hook for their jacket, sweatshirt, coat, or sweater.
DISTANCING Students will be divided into groups. Each group will stay together with the same staff members throughout the day and not mingle with other groups, including outdoor play. Spending time outdoors will be a priority. Groups will spend as much time outside as is feasible for the planned activities and as is appropriate for the weather. During time spent indoors, activities will be arranged throughout the room to allow for as much distancing as possible When there is a need to be seated at a table, students will be arranged to allow for maximum distancing as is feasible and appropriate.
CLEANING: Tables will be cleaned and disinfected after playtime and before and after snack. Bathroom facilities will be wiped down with disinfected after each use. Classrooms will be vacuumed at the end of each day All trash will be emptied each day All surfaces within the classroom will be clean and disinfected at least daily Toys used for one session then cleaned disinfected and stored. Toys will be rotated to allow time between uses Toys that cannot be safely cleaned such as those made of nonporous material will not be made available at this time. Windows will be opened. As weather permits to allow the circulation of fresh air.
SICK POLICY: Any staff member or child who does not feel well will be required to stay at home. Any staff member of child who displays signs of illness while at school will be sent home. A child who becomes ill at school will be moved to a separate room with a supervising adult until a parent or caregiver arrives for pick up. Any staff member or child who has had vomiting, diarrhea or fever may not return to school until all symptoms are clear for at least 48 hours without use of fever-reducing and anti-diarrhea meds. Staff will be trained on identifying and responding to symptoms of Covid-19 as well as other illnesses. If any of our staff or students become infected with Covid-19 we will follow recommended procedures from the CDC and state and local health depts. for cleaning and closure. We will communicate the details and recommended actions to our families.
EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION Guidelines for hygiene practices will be shared with staff and students. Teaching and reinforcing proper handwashing covering sneezes coughs and properly wearing face coverings will be ongoing. Relevant and appropriate signage will be posted in highly visible locations to encourage behaviors that mitigate the spread of covid 19. Through regular communication with staff and parents, we will share information about protective measures to stop the spread of germs and appropriate behaviors that prevent the spread of covid 19. Communication will be made via email, our private Facebook page and on the school website.
VISITORS Families who are interested in enrolling their child at Messiah Community Preschool and wish to visit the school, will not be permitted to visit while students are present. Appointments will be made for times when school is not in session. Therapists or aides who need to meet with a student during school hours, will be required to have their temperature taken and wash hands upon entry, just as our staff do. When possible, depending on the types of service a child is receiving, the therapist session will take place in an isolated room away from classes.