*Updates to policies due to Covid 19 *
UPDATES on POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR 2020-2021 – #2
Since the first policy/procedure update, the AWB Board has met and made some changes and adjustments. As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, so must A Welcome Break change and evolve to make the safest possible environment for our children and staff. We will be straightforward with any and all changes as we proceed toward our opening, and there may be more as we open and move through the schedule with the children. As always, we thank you for your patience and support.
July 22, 2020
Dear A Welcome Break Families:
The following new policies are how AWB will be adhering to the CDC guidelines for child care centers during the COVID-19 pandemic. These may change based on community spread of the disease and/or based on what is safe and practical when working with young children. We know change can be inconvenient and even difficult, but we are doing our best to make plans to keep our children and staff as healthy as we can. Thanks in advance for your support and patience!
Since the first policy/procedure update, the AWB Board has met and made some changes and adjustments. As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, so must A Welcome Break change and evolve to make the safest possible environment for our children and staff. We will be straightforward with any and all changes as we proceed toward our opening, and there may be more as we open and move through the schedule with the children. As always, we thank you for your patience and support.
- In order to avoid shared spaces with members and groups that meet at New Life Community Church, AWB will NOT be using the Social Room/Gym and adjoining hallway and bathrooms for the foreseeable future.
- For large motor activity and exercise, we will be going outdoors as much as possible. This means your child must wear appropriate outerwear including hat, gloves, and footwear to school – extras can be kept in cubbies or bins. When the weather makes it impossible to be outdoors, we will do large motor activities in our classrooms.
- Older children will eat lunch in their respective classrooms. This means AWB will be a NUT-FREE school. Please do not send any lunch items with peanuts or tree nuts (including nut butters or granola) in your child’s lunch. Anything that looks like it has peanut or nuts/nut butter will not be opened and sent home. *If you send sunbutter, please label it as such.
- For large motor activity and exercise, we will be going outdoors as much as possible. This means your child must wear appropriate outerwear including hat, gloves, and footwear to school – extras can be kept in cubbies or bins. When the weather makes it impossible to be outdoors, we will do large motor activities in our classrooms.
- We will be using the SIDE DOOR near the parking lot both for arrival and pick up. Parents should still ring the doorbell at the North Howard Door. After a short conversation, you will be sent to the side door. A staff member will take your child’s temperature and ask a few screening questions before your child is accepted into our care. Staff will also be temperature-checked and answer screening questions to enter.
- We are recommending that MASKS be worn by children ages 2-5 years. We are seeing research showing that children are spreading the virus more efficiently than other age groups. Many childcares require masks and their children are easily adjusting to them. We will still take them off to eat and nap (with spacing) and exercise outdoors. Children should have extra masks in their backpack or cubby in case the one they come in gets wet or dirty.
July 22, 2020
Dear A Welcome Break Families:
The following new policies are how AWB will be adhering to the CDC guidelines for child care centers during the COVID-19 pandemic. These may change based on community spread of the disease and/or based on what is safe and practical when working with young children. We know change can be inconvenient and even difficult, but we are doing our best to make plans to keep our children and staff as healthy as we can. Thanks in advance for your support and patience!
- Staff and children ONLY will be allowed in our classrooms and hallways. No parents/guardians or visitors, including therapeutic support staff, will be allowed in the building. No exceptions.
- Parents must wear masks to the doors at drop off/pick up and maintain physical distancing of 6 feet when encountering others. Staff will wear masks indoors and outdoors when in close proximity to a child. Children are not required to wear a mask at this time. If parents request that their own child wear a mask, we will do our best to help them comply. Children will not wear masks when eating, napping, exercising, or outdoors. No children under 2 years will ever wear a mask.
- All children will enter the building at the door on North Howard. A staff member will do a general health and temperature check at the door, and then your child will be escorted to their classroom. If your child has a fever over 100.4 F, they will not be admitted to our care. They can return after they are fever-free with no medication for at least 24 hours.
- All children will exit the building through the side door. Ring at the N. Howard door to let staff know you are picking up and a staff member will meet you with your child dressed and ready to leave. If there are other parents waiting, please maintain physical distancing.
- AWB staff reserves the right to send any child home if we suspect they are ill. Parents will be called and will be expected to come right away or send someone else.
- To reduce home items at AWB, we are asking parents to send a COMPLETELY DISPOSABLE LUNCH in a paper or plastic bag with the child’s name. Please do not send sippy cups, water bottles, reusable containers, or utensils. We will use disposable cups for drinks – water is accessible all day for children. AWB will provide plastic utensils. Opened food will be disposed of when your child is finished – please don’t over pack. This is for older drop-in and preschool.
- Drop-In class sizes will be reduced to provide better social distancing between children. Please communicate pick up times with the staff and be on time so that we can reduce crowding at the doors.
- Communication between parents and staff is extremely important, but we won’t be able to have any long chats at the door. If you have something to discuss with staff, please call/text Mrs. Sibic (drop-in) or Ms. Tammy (preschool.) Baby parents will receive copies of a new checklist of care instructions to bring each day for the baby room staff. Written notes, email, and Facebook messages are also available for non-emergency communications.
