COVID PRECAUTIONS
The Cypress School is committed to providing a safe, clean, sanitized environment for its staff and families. To do this we have have purchased new organic cleaning solutions that have been proven to kill the coronavirus and a disinfectant mister that will allow for us to disinfect all of the materials used in the classroom at the end of every day. We have also installed a sink outside our front doors so that all children can wash their hands prior to entry and a laser thermometer to ensure all children (and staff) are fever free before entering the building.
All classrooms are maintaining a ten to one ratio and will remain with their group throughout the day.
In addition to all of these precautions, we are busy building a deck off the back of our building and installing a cover to increase outdoor learning stations. We also are pouring a patio sidewalk track around the building so that children can ride scooters, tricycles, and bikes and participate in chalk and bubble play.
All classes will play outside for at least 1.5 hours each day rotating between our playground space, 14 acres of land, sidewalk track, and deck.
We also are following the following CDC's recommendations:
➤ Implement social distancing strategies
➤ Intensify cleaning and disinfection efforts
➤ Modify drop-off and pick-up procedures
➤ Implement screening procedures upon arrival (We have purchased a laser thermometer to ensure everyone who enters the building is fever-free.)
➤ Ensure that all childcare providers have taken required health and safety training related to COVID-19 through the Texas A&M AgrilLife extension. The following training is required:
➤ Providing High Quality Experiences during COVID-19 for Emergency Child Care Settings
➤ Special Considerations for Infection Control during COVID-19
Use preparedness strategies and consider the following social distancing strategies:
➤ If possible, childcare classes should include the same group each day, and the same child care providers should remain with the same group each day.
➤ Consider whether to alter or halt daily group activities that may promote transmission.
➤ Keep each group of children in a separate room to the extent possible.
➤ Limit the mixing of children, such as staggering playground times and keeping groups separate for special activities such as art, music, and exercising.
➤ Outdoor areas, like playgrounds in schools and parks generally require normal routine cleaning, but do not require disinfection.
➤ Do not spray disinfectant on outdoor playgrounds- it is not an efficient use of supplies and is not proven to reduce risk of COVID-19 to the public.
➤ High touch surfaces made of plastic or metal, such as grab bars and railings should be cleaned routinely.
➤ Cleaning and disinfection of wooden surfaces (play structures, benches, tables).
➤ If possible, at nap time, ensure that children’s rest mats are spaced out as much as possible, ideally 6 feet apart. Consider placing children head to toe in order to further reduce the potential for viral spread. Be sure and disinfect mats before and after each use.
➤ If possible, arrange for administrative staff to telework from their homes.
➤ Minimize time standing in lines, keeping children at safe distances apart from each other. Six feet of separation between children is preferred.
➤ Limit the use of water tables and sensory tables, and have children wash or sanitize their hands immediately after using these play stations.
➤ Increase the distance between children during table work.
➤ Incorporate more outside activities, where feasible.
Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting measures: The following should be done in addition to (or in substitution of) existing cleaning protocols in place at the child care center:
➤ Clean and disinfecting efforts should be intensified over the pre-COVID-19 standards. Additional CDC guidance can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/disinfectingbuilding-facility.html
➤ Cleaning products should not be used near children, and staff should ensure that there is adequate ventilation when using these products to prevent children from inhaling toxic fumes.
➤ Facilities should develop a schedule for regular cleaning and disinfecting.
➤ Routinely clean, sanitize, and disinfect surfaces and objects that are frequently touched, especially toys and games.
➤ Clean objects/surfaces not ordinarily cleaned daily such as doorknobs, light switches, classroom sink handles, countertops, nap pads, toilet training potties, desks, chairs, cubbies, and playground structures. Use the cleaners typically used at your facility.
➤ Adjust the HVAC system to allow for more fresh air to enter the program space, if possible.
➤ All bathrooms should be cleaned and disinfected regularly throughout the day, at a minimum, bathrooms should be cleaned and disinfected three times per day.
All children, staff, and volunteers should engage in hand hygiene at the following times:
➤ Arrival to the facility and after breaks
➤ Before and after preparing food or drinks
➤ Before and after eating or handling food, or feeding children
➤ Before and after administering medication or medical ointment
➤ After using the toilet or helping a child use the bathroom
➤ After coming in contact with bodily fluid
➤ After handling animals or cleaning up animal waste
➤ After playing outdoors or in sand
➤ After handling garbage
➤ Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If hands are not visibly dirty, alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol can be used if soap and water are not readily available. £ Supervise children when they use hand sanitizer to prevent ingestion.
➤ Assist children with handwashing.
➤ After assisting children with handwashing, staff should also wash their hands.
➤ Place posters describing handwashing steps near sinks. Developmentally appropriate posters in multiple languages are available from CDC.
Food preparation and meal service:
➤ An operation should not serve family style meals. Each child should be provided individual meals and snacks.
➤ If the child brings their own food from home, the provider should discourage the sharing of food between children.
➤ Providers should give careful consideration to the meal process and work on educating parents and families on the best way to provide their child’s food and drinks for the day/week.
➤ Consider storing children’s food and drinks for the day in their cubbies or another dedicated area if meals are brought from home.
➤ Meals should be served in the classroom and teachers should directly serve children in their classrooms.
➤ Sinks used for food preparation should not be used for any other purposes.
➤ Caregivers should ensure children wash hands prior to and immediately after eating.
➤ Caregivers should wash their hands before preparing food and after helping children to eat.
➤ Facilities should follow all other applicable federal, state, and local regulations and guidance related to safe preparation of food.
➤ If an employer provides a meal for employees, employers are recommended to have the meal individually packed for each employee.