Somerset Early Childhood Center’s Plan for Safe Operations Related to COVID-19
Children, birth – 5 years, are in a uniquely important period of their lives and we, the early childhood educators and parents, cannot deny our children the opportunity to enrich their learning and enhance their development. Research indicates that a well-planned, developmentally appropriate program enhances the learning ability of young children, including social and emotional competence, their cognitive skills and knowledge of the world, and the enthusiasm for engagement in learning. These competencies contribute to children’s well-being and school readiness and prepare children for success in life. Keeping this in mind we do our best to keep children protected and safe while continuing to offer them an optimal learning environment for their development.
Our risk reduction policy and procedural changes outlined below are based on the recommendations provided to us by our licensing agency, the CDC, the Oakland County Health Division, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). We also collaborate with other early childhood center partners. Below is a brief overview of some of the practices and strategies we use to protect the health of our children, families, and staff.
Our Risk Reduction Plans Related to COVID-19
Hand Washing Procedures
Somerset ECC has always emphasized the importance of hand washing. Children and staff consistently practice stringent hand washing routines. Children and staff are required to wash their hands with soap and water upon entering any classrooms prior to touching anything, before and after eating, after using the restroom, after playing outside, after blowing nose/sneezing/coughing, and other times as needed.
Special Parent Request:
We consider teaching children to properly wash their hands with soap and water the primary defense against infection. Please practice with your child how to properly wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, by singing the ABC / Birthday song or counting to 20, drying their hands with a paper towel, then using the paper towel to turn off the water.
Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting
Somerset ECC has always maintained a clean and sanitized building. Somerset ECC is professionally cleaned and sanitized every evening. Doorknobs, cabinet handles, light switches, sinks, countertops, nap mats, tables, chairs etc. were routinely cleaned and disinfected on a daily basis. Teachers adhered to regular cleaning schedules to maintain a clean and healthy learning environment. All children’s rest time items were stored in individual bins/cubbies and are taken home and laundered at the end of every week.
Somerset has a professional cleaning company that cleans the building every night with special attention to high touch point surfaces. Parents will be asked to provide a crib-sized mattress sheet to cover the sleeping mat for children who are at school during rest time and launder at the end of every week. Soft classroom toys and materials, that are not easy to clean and disinfect, will be laundered on a regular basis.
Responding to Symptoms and Confirmed Cases of COVID-19
Somerset has extensive policies and procedures related to the health and sickness of children and staff in place, which are accessible in the Parent and Employee Handbooks. For example, parents are required to call and report when their child is ill and what diagnosis/symptoms they are exhibiting. Children returning to school after an illness must be fever free for 24 hours, without the use of fever reducing medications, and be able to fully participate in all class activities.
Children who exhibit any symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, diarrhea will not be allowed in school. Parents will be called if their child develops any of these symptoms during the school day and be expected to pick up their child immediately.