COVID Policy

Please note: If staff are sick and a substitute cannot be available children may be asked to stay home in order to comply with licensing regulations in regards to children to staff ratio.

If anyone in the child care centre is tested positive for COVID-19, the child care centre will be closed and everyone who attends the childcare centre should be isolated for 14 days or be tested.

When parents/ guardians drop-off their children to the centre, the staff will ask you or your child the following questions each day prior to being admitted:

Does the child have a cough?

Does the child have congestion? (stuffy nose)

Is the child experiencing nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea?

Is anyone in your household ill?

If your child answered “yes” to any of the questions, they will not be allowed to attend that day and they will have to return home and remain home until they can answer “no” to those questions.

If a child is ill with any common cold, influenza or COVID like symptoms, (Please see attached copy from BC Centre for disease control) they must stay home and either isolate for 10 calendar days following onset of symptoms or until symptoms resolve. Contact 811 for guidance if you are unsure of the symptoms and access the online COVID-19 assessment tool.

Please inform the Centre if your child has seasonal allergies.

There is a limit to one visitor per day. This includes carpet cleaners, pest control. Or families visiting for a tour. Appointments will be made prior to coming in by telephone.

We do not require teachers/children to wear mask, but it is a personal preference.

Pick-up and Drop-off

• There should be only one parent or caregiver to drop off and pick -up.
• Children are required to wash their hands with soap and water as they come into the building and before the building.
• The centre can only accommodate 2 families at a time in the entrance way for Drop-off and pick-up to practice proper social distancing, other families can stand in line in front of the building while waiting for their turn.
• At this time parents are not permitted to walk the halls or enter the childcare programs. Staff will greet you at the entrance area and help transition your child into their designated program. When you arrive to pick your child up at the end of the day a staff person will collect your child’s belongings and bring them to meet you.
• Teachers are to sign children in on the sign-in and out sheet. Parents and caregivers will not have to do this to avoid sharing pens.
• Avoid any close greeting such as hugs and handshakes.

Physical distancing

• Employees are to maintain a distance of at least 2 metres from each other. Where this is not possible, make sure the time spent in close proximity is minimized.
• Markings on the carpet will show children where to sit for safe distancing while sitting for circle time and other individual activity time.
• Children will be provided with individual art supply bags, ie: crayons, scissors etc. to reduce the amount of sharing.
• Play dough will be allowed only if each child has their own. Sharing of play dough will not be allowed.
• Children will be provided with individual cubbies to store their belongings separately. Label personal items with the child’s name to prevent accidental sharing.Individual canvass bags will be provided for children in the 3-5 years old program for their Indoor and outdoor shoes. Second pair of shoes is required.
• We ask you to supply your child with a lunch and 2 snacks as we will no longer be providing snack until further notice.
• Each child is to bring their own sunscreen labeled with their name to minimize sharing. For daycare children; Teachers will wash their hands every time they apply sunscreen to kids. Teachers will be watching Out-of -school children as they apply sunscreen on their own or if they need help. Child’s sunscreen will be kept in a Ziplock bag to be kept in the Centre.
• The centre have included the use of outdoor space for various activities, including snack/lunch time and other activities while adhering to physical distancing and hygiene principles.
• Our programs are following Fraser Health recommendations to involve children in more outdoor activities.

School bus protocol

• All children are required to sanitize their hands upon entering the bus and masks are required. Parents need to provide their child with their own mask. We will have extras if needed. Only two children per bench seat, with space in between each child. Maximum of 19 passengers as supposed to 29 passengers.
• Clean and disinfect the high touch areas of the bus at the start of the shift ,after drop offs and pick ups.
• Children from the same household can share seats if space is limited,
• Bus drivers should clean their hands often, including before and after completing trips, They are encouraged to regularly use sanitizer during trips, as well as wear a non-medical mask or face covering when they cannot physically distance or stay behind a physical barrier in the course of their duties.

Cleaning and disinfecting

• A mixture of bleach and water solution in a bottle will need to be changed everyday (this safe solution mixture for daycare is posted in the kitchen)
• Block corner and dramatic play area will be closed as these areas are hard to practice physical distancing.
• Plush toys such as puppets will be put away. Stuffed animals from home are not permitted at this time.
• All other toys that are used will be disinfected and cleaned daily.
• Disinfect toys after use in a sink with a safe bleach and water solution.
• Rotate toys for easy cleaning and allowing other toys to dry.
• Bikes are disinfected at the end of the day by spraying with safe bleach and water solution and air drying.
• Door handles, phones, printers and pens will be disinfected daily.
• Mats for nap time should be disinfected after each use and labeled with child’s name to minimize cross contamination.
• The written cleaning schedules for washrooms, kitchen and disinfecting will be followed and completed daily.
• Clean and disinfect cots after each use. If parents are providing their own bedding, the bedding should be brought home, laundered and placed in a plastic container with lid before bringing back to the centre.