COVID-19 updates

COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols Our priority is keeping our students and community safe

The most important aspect of our educational approach is making sure children are safe, secure, and supported. Furthermore, the health and safety of our students and community has always been and remains a top priority of our schools. At this time, COVID-19 related impacts and changes remain fluid and ongoing in many aspects of our lives. The State of Michigan has relayed that they are allowing childcare centers to allow care for essential workers and those whose workplaces have reopened. The safety of our students and staff is our primary concern and we
will not remain open unless we feel confident that we can provide a safe learning environment. We are taking the necessary steps to try to provide as safe of an environment for our students, staff, and families as possible. These steps include the creation of guidelines and protocols based on recommendations set by the Centers for Disease Control and the State of Michigan.

We are currently open and enrolling

Entrance Safety Protocols

• Screenings of staff and children/parents will take place prior to entry of any school buildings to check for COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival. Anyone with a fever (temperature of 100.4 °F or higher) or other signs of illness will not be able to enter the facility.
• Temperature checks will be performed with touchless or temporal scanners. Multiple thermometers will be available for screening and will be cleaned and disinfected between uses.
• Implementing hand hygiene measures and frequent hand washing upon entry to the school and throughout the day.
• Hand sanitizing stations are available for everyone entering the building to sanitize their hands.
• Pick-up and drop-off times will be staggered to reduce contact among parents. Additionally, parents will be instructed to call when they arrive.
• Parents are required to wear a face covering during drop-off and pick-up.
• Restricting visitors (tours will be given by appointment only, face covering will be required and all visitors will be screened prior to entry).

 

Protocols for Inside the Building and Classroom

• Face coverings will be required for staff and face coverings will be encouraged for all children age 3 and above.
• Rearrange seating to seat children six feet apart (when possible) and limit the number of children sitting together.
• Removal of toys and objects which cannot be easily cleaned or sanitized between use
• Limit use of common spaces. When possible, we will divide large group spaces to allow more children to safely use the space.
• Ensure ventilation systems operate properly and increase circulation of outdoor air as much as possible.
• Gloves will be worn while handling food, changing diapers, or during any contact with a bodily fluid
• Classes will include the same group each day (as much as possible), and the same teachers will remain with the same group each day (as much as possible).
• Posted signage and visible markers to indicate proper social distancing, hand washing, and wearing of face coverings.
• Establishing procedures to ensure children and staff who arrive sick or become sick while at the facility are sent home immediately or as soon as possible.
• Identification of a location to safely isolate individuals who develop symptoms during care. This location will be a separate room away from other children and staff where the sick individual can wait until they are picked up.

 

Cleaning and Sanitizing Procedures

• Routinely clean, disinfect, and sanitize. Each school location has a schedule and protocol for cleaning and disinfecting all common areas and classrooms throughout the day and at the end of the day.
• Frequently touched surfaces and common areas will be cleaned and disinfected using guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control for cleaning and disinfecting.
• We are asking families to clearly label all children’s personal items to ensure that items do not get mixed up or shared.
• Removal of toys and objects that cannot be easily cleaned or sanitized between use.
• Reinforcement of regular health and safety practices with children and staff.
• Washing of hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Social Distancing Measures

• Class sizes will be adjusted to guidelines given to us by the Centers for Disease Control and the State of Michigan.
• We will socially distance students during all circle times and group activities as well as when they are working with Montessori materials.
• Playground times will be staggered by classes. Children will be permitted to go outdoors but use of the playground equipment remains to be determined (however, we will be working to implement new outdoor activities and at a minimum children will be able to run around and get fresh air).
• Rearrange seating to seat children six feet apart (when possible) and limit the number of children sitting together.
• Field trips and special events will be canceled or postponed until further notice.

 

These measures do not detail all of the steps we are taking and additional measures or changes may be implemented based on the fluidity of the situation and in accordance to guidelines. We will continue to provide updates via email and also post updated information at the school entrances.