COVID-19 Child Care Response & Preparedness Plan
Program Information
Our House Family Child Care and Early Education
Introduction
Commitment to Health & Safety
Our House Family Child Care and Early Education is committed to protecting the health of our children, families, staff, and community. The following policies were designed in response to guidance from the Michigan Departments of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) and Health and Human Services, in accordance with best practices from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and with everyone's well-being in mind. To limit the potential spread of COVID-19, some temporary changes will be made to the programming that includes robust cleaning and disinfecting procedures and minimizing opportunities for person-to-person exposure (e.g., an infected person spreading respiratory droplets through actions such as coughing, sneezing, or talking). The following plan outlines the recommended practices and strategies that will be used to protect the health of our children, staff, and families while at the same time ensuring that children are experiencing developmentally appropriate and responsive interactions and environments.
Changes to Our Physical Spaces
The following strategies will be used in our program to minimize the spread
of illness:
- Rearranging areas to seat children as far apart as reasonably possible and limiting the number of children sitting together.
- Using touchless trashcans to provide a hands-free way to dispose of tissues and contaminants.
- Ensuring ventilation systems operate properly and increasing circulation of outdoor air as much as possible (e.g., keeping windows and doors open to the extent that this does not pose safety risks).
- Before re-opening we will ensure all water systems and are safe following CDC guidelines.
- Increase play hubs throughout the outdoor environment to decrease the clustering of groups of children.
At this time, we will make the following changes to the toys and materials in our program:
- We will remove toys and objects which cannot be easily cleaned or sanitized between use.
- Given that cloth toys are not recommended at this time, we will remove these from classrooms.
- Cloth toys that are used, such as doll clothes, will be used by one individual at a time and laundered before being used by another child.
- We will temporarily suspend use of water and sensory tables.
- Each child will have their own labeled art and sensory material that will not be shared between children.
To limit opportunities for exposure during mealtimes, we will engage in the following recommended practices:
- We will space seating as far apart as possible (ideally 6 feet apart) by limiting the number of children sitting together and rearranging seating.
- We will modify our family-style meal service and have staff plate each child's meal so that multiple children are not using the same serving utensils.
- Staff and children will wash hands before and immediately after children have eaten.
- We will eat meals outside whenever possible.
To reduce potential for viral spread, we will engage in the following recommended practices:
- Using bedding (sheets, pillows, blankets, sleeping bags) that can be washed.
- Bedding that touches a child’s skin will be cleaned weekly or before use by another child.
- Storing each child's bedding in individually labeled bins, cubbies, or bags.
- Labeling each child's cot/mat.
- Ensuring that children’s naptime mats/cots/cribs are spaced out as much as possible, ideally 6 feet apart.
- When possible, children will be placed head-to-toe (i.e., one child with their head at the top of the mat, the next
child over with their head at the bottom of the mat).
During this time, we are trying to limit the number of items brought into the facility because this can be a way to transmit the virus, so we ask that families refrain from bringing items from home as much as possible. However, we recognize that placing limits on children's comfort items may increase stress for children as they may be especially needed during this time of transition.
We ask that families and staff follow these guidelines with regard to children's comfort items:
- To avoid these items coming into contact with many children, efforts will be made for these items to be placed in a cubby or bin and be used at naptime or as needed.
- If possible, comfort items should remain at the child care facility to avoid cross-contamination.
- Items should be washed weekly (at the child care home or the child's home) and daily if the comfort item is a
soft material (e.g., blanket, stuffed animal, clothing).
Upon arrival to the program, staff and families are required to report if they or anyone in their household:
- Have received positive COVID-19 results;
- Been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19; and/or
- Have experienced symptoms such as persistent cough, fever, difficulty breathing, chills,
change in smell or taste, diarrhea, and/or vomiting.
The procedures we will use to screen staff for symptoms and exposure include:
Staff will be verbally screened for any symptoms or exposure prior to entering the child care environment.
The procedures we will use to screen children/families for symptoms and exposure include:
At drop-off before the child enters the play environment, the staff will complete a health check with each child. This will include a visual check of the child, looking for flushed cheeks or other signs of illness, and asking the adult a series of questions about symptoms.
If families or staff are absent or otherwise off-site but experience exposure or symptoms, they should contact:
Summer Lettau (517) 927-0100
Daily Temperature Checks
Temperature Checks
As fever is the key indicator of COVID-19 in children, we will check each child's temperature upon daily arrival to the program. Staff will also be asked to take their own temperatures upon arrival to work. Staff will re-check children's temperatures throughout the day if they appear ill or "not themselves" (e.g., flushed cheeks, rapid or difficulty breathing without recent physical activity, fatigue, or extreme fussiness).
When children arrive to the program, temperature checks will occur:
in the drop-off area.
Each child's temperature will be taken by:
program staff.
Summer Lettau
To minimize potential spread of illness, staff will:
- wear a face mask while taking the child’s temperature.
- wash their hands (using soap and water for 20 seconds or using a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol) between checks.
- disinfect non-disposable thermometers between uses (e.g., cleaned with an alcohol wipe or isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab).
Responding to COVID-19 Symptoms On-Site
If a child or staff member has a temperature above 100 degrees and/or symptoms such as persistent cough, difficulty breathing, chills, diarrhea, vomiting, cold symptoms, fatigue, extreme fussiness in children, or rash, they will be sent home immediately with the recommendation to contact their primary care physician/medical provider. If anyone shows emergency warning signs (e.g., trouble breathing, persistent pain/pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, or bluish lips or face), we will seek medical care immediately.
If a child develops symptoms during care hours:
• Parents will be contacted for prompt pick-up.
• The child will be isolated from other children and as many staff as possible (the child will not be left alone).
If a staff member develops symptoms during care hours:
• If no other caregiver is immediately available to be with children, the staff member will put on a cloth face covering (if not already on) and limit close interactions with children until they can be relieved by another staff member.
• Children may need to be picked up if no other caregiver is available. • They will be tested for COVID-19
Reporting Exposure
Reporting Exposure
If a child, staff member, family member, or visitor to our program shows COVID-19 symptoms or tests positive for the virus, we will contact our local health department and licensing consultant. Based on the guidance of the local health department, we will determine whether to close the program, the duration of the closure, and other next steps. When communicating with families and staff about any COVID-19 cases, we will respect the privacy of individuals and not share the health information of a specific person.
Our local health department can be contacted at:
(517) 887-4308
Returning to the Program After Experiencing Symptoms and/or a Positive COVID Test
If a staff member or child has a fever OR a cough (but no other symptoms):
Children should remain home until the contagious period of the illness is over. Children may return to care only when they have been symptom-free without the aid of medication for a minimum of 24 hours and fever-free without the aid of medication for a minimum of 72 hours. Children prescribed antibiotics or other treatment from a physician must complete a minimum of 24 hours of the medication, longer for some illnesses, before returning to care.
If a staff member or child exhibits multiple symptoms of COVID-19, possible exposure is
expected, OR an individual tests positive for COVID-19, the individual must stay home
until:
• They have been fever-free for at least 72 hours without the use of medicine that reduces fevers AND • Other symptoms have improved AND
• At least 10 days have passed since their symptoms first appeared.
Maintaining Consistent Groups
To minimize potential spread of COVID-19, we will engage in the following best practices:
1. To the extent possible, groups will include the same children of children and providers each day.
2. Canceling or postponing field trips and special events that convene larger groups of children and families. 3. Limiting non-essential visitors, volunteers, and activities including groups of children or adults.
Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures
We will use the following recommended practices during drop-off and pick-up
times to protect the health of children, families, and staff.
- Only one adult per family should be present at drop-off/pick-up. Ideally, this would be the same parent or designated person every day, though we recognize this is not always possible.
- We will implement staggered drop-off and pick-up times to limit contact among parents.
- Children should enter the home without car seats.
- We will have a hand hygiene station at the entrance to our program so children and parents can clean their hands.
- We will ask parents and other visitors to wear masks while in the home or the outdoor environment.
- We ask that parents avoid congregating in a single space or a large group.
Parents will use a separate document to record pick-up/drop-off times, which they will sign and return at the end of each week.
Transportation
We will use the following CDC-recommended practices to ensure the safety of
children and staff during transportation:
- Cloth face coverings should be worn by everyone in the vehicle to the extent possible.
- We will clean commonly touched surfaces in vehicles between transporting passengers (e.g., seats, arm rests, door handles, seat belt buckles, etc.) with appropriate cleaning products if visibly dirty followed by disinfectant.
- Staff will use disposable gloves while performing cleaning and disinfecting and leave doors and windows open for ventilation.
- If travel is necessary (e.g., picking up/dropping off children), vehicles will be modified to allow for social distancing (e.g., roping off seats that should not be used).
- We will take the temperature of all children and staff members as they enter the vehicle.
- We will temporarily be suspending all field trips.
We will reinforce regular health and safety practices with children and staff and continue to comply with licensing regulations and CDC hand washing guidelines as follows:
• Staff and children will wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Soap and water are the best option, especially if hands are visibly dirty. 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. Staff and children should cover all surfaces of their hands with hand sanitizer, rubbing them together until they feel dry.
• Staff should assist children with hand washing (especially infants who cannot wash hands alone) and use of hand sanitizer to ensure proper use and prevent ingestion.
• Staff and children (with frequent reminders and support) will cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve and wash hands immediately after.
• Wearing gloves does not replace appropriate hand hygiene.
• Hand hygiene is especially important after blowing one's nose, going to the bathroom, before eating or preparing food (or helping children do any of these actions).
• Hand washing will occur when coming indoors from outside.
Cleaning and Disinfecting
Cleaning and Disinfecting Surfaces
We will engage in the following cleaning and disinfecting practices in accordance with CDC recommendations:
- Daily cleaning/disinfecting of high-touch surfaces (e.g., sinks, toilets, light switches, door knobs, counter and tabletops, chairs).
- Enhanced routine cleaning of outdoor spaces, with special attention to high-touch plastic/metal surfaces (e.g., grab bars, railings).
- Regular cleaning of electronics according to manufacturer's instructions.
- Use of a schedule for regular cleaning and disinfecting tasks.
- Cleaning dirty surfaces using detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
- Use of CDC-recommended disinfectants such as EPA-registered household disinfectants, diluted bleach solution, and/or alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol
- Keeping cleaning products secure and out of reach of children, avoiding use near children, and ensuring proper ventilation during use to prevent inhalation of toxic fumes.
We will engage in the following best practices to clean and disinfect toys:
- We will clean toys frequently, especially items that have been in a child’s mouth.
- We will set aside toys that need to be cleaned (e.g., out of children's reach in a dish pan with soapy water or separate container marked for "soiled toys").
- We will clean toys with soapy water, rinse them, sanitize them with an EPA-registered disinfectant, rinse again, and air-dry.
- We will clean toys in a dishwasher.
Face Mask/Coverings for Staff
Our plan for staff around face masks/coverings is as follows:
Staff will wear face coverings whenever they are within 6 feet of children and families.
Use of Gloves
Staff will wear gloves in a manner consistent with existing licensing rules (for example, gloves should be worn when handling contaminates, changing diapers, cleaning or when serving food). Staff members should wash hands before putting gloves on and immediately after gloves are removed. Gloves are not recommended for broader use and do not replace hand washing..
Face Masks/Coverings for Children
Our plan regarding children wearing cloth face coverings during care is:
Children age 2 years and older will be encouraged to wear masks as tolerated. Masks will not be worn during mealtimes and naptimes.
Partnering and Communicating with Families & Staff
Communicating with Staff and Families
We will actively communicate with staff and families to determine when they will return
to work/care if they have been out, discuss concerns or questions, share new policies and
expectations, and confidentially discuss any extenuating circumstances that have
emerged and/or any health concerns/conditions that may elevate risk for complications if
exposed to COVID-19.
The staff responsible for handling questions and outreach for families is: Summer Lettau
Training Staff
To support staff in effectively engaging in best practices and making personal decisions, we will provide learning opportunities to help all of us understand how COVID-19 is transmitted, the distance the virus can travel, how long the virus remains viable in the air and on surfaces, signs and symptoms of COVID-19, and our new policies and procedures as outlined in this plan.
Supporting Children's Social-Emotional Needs
Staff and families will partner together to support the needs and emotional reactions of children during this time. We anticipate that children will experience a wide range of feelings during this transition period. Some children will be relieved, some will have initial challenges with separation from their parent(s), some may demonstrate anger at the "Disappearance" of their child care provider, and some may act out toward other children. Whatever the reactions, we acknowledge that staff and families may need some new tools in their toolkit to assist the child with emotional regulation and we will work together to support all caregivers.
We will make the following resources available for staff and families to support children:
Crisis Parent and Caregiver Guide, from the Michigan Children’s Trust Fund
Talking with Children about COVID-19, from the CDC
Helping Young Children Through COVID-19, from Zero to Thrive (includes Arabic and Spanish translations)
Georgie and the Giant Germ, from Zero to Thrive and Tender Press Books
Supporting Staff Members' Social-Emotional Needs
To ensure the well being of the children, it is also imperative to ensure the well being of their teachers and caregivers, and to provide them with the emotional and administrative support necessary during this time of re-integration, and in the months ahead. As essential workers in the COVID-19 pandemic, understand our staff may have worries about their own physical health, and the potential risk to their family members in the home. Because young children internalize the stress of the adults who care for them, it is vitally important to provide supports and services to ensure the emotional well being of staff. Community early childhood agencies and resources will continue to be utilized in support of the provider.