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ECE Response to COVID

July 2, 2020: ECE Center at Congregation Or Ami

Dear Parents,

It is so hard to believe that it is already July!  I hope that everyone’s summer has gotten off to a safe and relaxing start.  I wanted to touch base now that the 2019-2020 school year has been completed.  I wanted to reiterate that we have all been working hard on the re-opening of the ECE Center, which is an on-going process that involves a great deal of scenario planning, adaptability and flexibility.  As of July 1st, Carly and I have been allowed limited access to the building which is a big step in enabling us to continue working on the re-opening.

As previously shared, I have familiarized myself with, and continue to monitor, any ongoing changes to CDC and PA State licensing guidelines which will govern the way that our return to school will look.  At the bottom of this email, you will find a complete list of resources that have been and will continue to be used to create our daily routines and protocols.  These guidelines may change between now and the start of school and we will continue to adapt as necessary to keep your families, your children and our staff safe and healthy.

Our COVID Taskforce and Subcommittees have been working for months in preparation for our re-opening in the fall. The Taskforce is comprised of Congregation Or Ami leadership, medical, mental health and legal professionals, in addition to current and former ECE Center parents and other professionals in the risk management field.  I am grateful for the strong team that has been created to assist with both the re-opening of the ECE Center and the COA building.

I know that everyone is anxiously anticipating our return to school and we will provide more specific information as it becomes available over the next few weeks and sooner if possible.  I know that all of you have questions about what lies ahead.  In an effort to help guide your decision making process as it relates to returning to school, and to keep you informed, I am happy to say that I am now able to share an overview of some of the new policies and protocols that are being created for the ECE Center.  Please remember, that these are subject to change based on guidance and direction from the CDC and state and local agencies.

As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns and be on the lookout for more information to follow.

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 Daily Operation

1.     Drop-off and pick-up time slots will be assigned based on responses to re-opening survey (coming soon).

2.     Children who are late for school will need to wait in the car with their parent/caregiver. Parents will be asked to stay in their vehicle and call a designated phone number to announce their arrival. They will be given instructions about where to take their child to meet a staff member who will perform the daily check-in procedures and triage their child for entry.

3.     Parents will not be permitted to enter the building.

4.     Parent’s/caregiver’s, children’s and staff temperatures will be checked and logged at drop-off.  Any temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or above, will require the child to be sent home until the temperature is below 100 degrees Fahrenheit without the use of fever reducing medication for a minimum of 72 hours.  This temperature protocol also pertains to any household members of the registered student(s).

5.     Parents and staff must complete and submit a daily COVID-19 Health Screening Form prior to admittance.

6.     Children may not bring backpacks or lunchboxes into the building. No toys from home will be permitted. All lunch items must be packed in disposable bags and then placed into a LABELED large Ziploc bag or a brown paper bag.  All items will be disposed of following lunchtime. Parents are responsible for providing lunch daily for their child.

7.     Snack, lunch and table activities will be staggered to allow for extra space at the tables. Staff will wear gloves when serving food to children.

8.     Children who nap at school will be required to take home bedding daily for laundering.  All bedding brought to school must be freshly laundered EVERY DAY. Parents must also supply a spare sheet and blanket in case of emergency to be kept in school.

9.     Parents must provide “school shoes” that remain at school to cut down on possible viral particles being brought into the building daily. ALL CHILDREN MUST WEAR SOCKS DAILY.

10.  Classroom “pods” will be established to allow for the same children and staff to remain together throughout the day per CDC guidelines. Social distancing in early childhood education centers means keeping children in the same group all day and assigning the same staff members to the group every day.

11.  Children over the age of 2 will be encouraged to wear masks while in the building. Teaching children over the age of 2 to wear a mask is beneficial, but mask wearing is not required.

12.  Staff will wear masks while working in the classroom. Staff will change clothing if they come in contact with any bodily fluids from children (i.e., tears, mucous, blood, saliva, vomit, urine, etc).

13.  No mixed group activities will take place during the day.

14.  Access to the building will be restricted for visitors. 

15.  Contracted therapists will follow our arrival protocol as well, including temperature check and completion of COVID-19 Health Screening prior to admittance.  They will then be required to use hand sanitizer and to wash their hands upon entering the classroom. It is recommended that therapists work individually in a large empty classroom when available and appropriate.  All therapists must wear masks while in the ECE Center.

16.  All students must have an up to date Health Assessment Form on file that includes currently recommended immunizations. The health examination must be current per instructions in the Parent Handbook.

17.  Classroom toys will be sorted to remove all soft or porous items.  Only hard toys and surfaces that can be fully cleaned and disinfected throughout the day will be utilized. Toys that are mouthed will be immediately removed to a bin designated for this purpose so that they can be cleaned and disinfected.

18.  Children and staff will be advised and reminded to cover their cough or sneeze with either a tissue or with their elbow.  Dirty tissues will be immediately disposed of and the affected person will wash hands according to protocol (20 seconds with soap and water).

19.  Increased handwashing and handwashing instruction will take place throughout the day.

20.  Increased disinfection of high touch areas will take place every hour. 

21.  When possible, windows will be opened to provide ventilation. Outside playtime will be encouraged.  Use of playground equipment will be limited to prevent the potential spread of illness.

22.  Any student or staff member who is found to be sick during the day, will be masked, triaged and moved to a designated area until their departure.  All sick students must be picked up within 1 hour of parent/caregiver notification.

23.  Any confirmed cases of COVID-19 must be reported to the Department of Human Services and the Montgomery County Department of Health. Department of Health personnel will advise on necessary measures to be taken in the ECE Center.

24.  Parents will be notified of confirmed COVID-19 cases and other communicable illnesses according to previously established ECE Center Health Policies.

Sources of Recommendations

Centers for Disease Control Guidelines for Child Care

ECELS Website – Early Childhood Education Linkage System – Healthy Child Care in PA

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

First Up (formerly DVAEYC) – Southeastern PA’s oversight network for early childhood educators and professionals

OCDEL – Office of Child Development and Early Learning – PA Childcare Licensing Office

PA Keys (formerly Keystone STARS) – administers OCDEL regulations

Department of Human Services

ELRC-17 – Montgomery County Early Learning Resource Center

PA Department of Health

SEPECC – Southeastern PA Early Childhood Coalition

Caring For Our Children – National Health and Safety Performance Standards for Children

Managing Infectious Diseases in Childcare – AAP source for childcare programs

Jewish Learning Venture


Best regards,

Michelle

Thu, March 28 2024 18 Adar II 5784