COVID-19 HEALTH & WELLNESS PREPAREDNESS PLAN
Charlotte County Early Childhood Programs COVID-19 Health & Wellness Preparedness Plan
PURPOSE:
The CCPS Early Childhood Programs (ECP) are committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all staff, children and families. The purpose of the information contained in this document is to mitigate the potential for transmission of COVID-19 in workplaces and early learning environments throughout the district. It is the expectation that all staff and families comply with the policies and procedures in this plan. ECP staff working in elementary settings, should also follow their school’s policies and procedures. Only through this cooperative effort, can we establish and maintain the safety and health of all.
As part of the Charlotte County Public School District, the Early Childhood Programs are bound by, and committed to, all health and safety standards, policies and procedures established by the school board. This document seeks to support those decisions, and to establish additional guidelines and clarification for those issues unique to serving a birth to five population. This plan is written primarily in consultation with guidance from the Office of Head Start.
STUDENT, EMPLOYEE AND VISITOR SELF-SCREENING:
All Employees and visitors will self-screen to affirm their wellness each day prior to entering any school building, school bus, or district property. Parents/Guardians are asked to check their child’s temperature before allowing their child to enter the school building or ride a school bus.
Self-screening questions
Before entering a school bus, school building or district building, all individuals must assess their wellness with the following questions:
- Have you experienced any of these symptoms, not associated with previously diagnosed conditions, in the past 72 hours:
- Fever greater than 100.4 or higher/chills
- Cough/shortness of breath
- New change to or loss of taste or smell
- Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea
- Experienced multiple symptoms
- Always check CDC Website for the most updated list of symptoms
- In the last 14 days, have you:
- been in close contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19;
- been placed on quarantine for possible contact with COVID-19;
- traveled abroad or to an area of the country where it is recommended that you self-quarantine;
- had a COVID-19 test pending
If anyone (student, employee, visitor) shows any symptoms or conditions it is extremely important that they not enter any school bus, school building or district building and should contact their healthcare provider for guidance.
At the beginning of each school day, teachers and/or school-based staff will do an informal wellness check with students to ensure all students are feeling healthy.
MODIFIED ADULT PROTOCOLS & BEHAVIORS:
- Only CCPS employees will be allowed past the front office areas in early childhood centers.
- All adults in early childhood centers are required to wear face masks at all times. Classroom staff will wear a smock-type covering while interacting with children.
- Arrival and dismissal procedures will be modified at early childhood centers to minimize social contact/interaction.
- There will be no visitors at early childhood centers, including during meals.
- The volunteer program is temporarily suspended.
- All meetings, conferences, and home visits will be held in a virtual, or teleconference format. IEP meetings may be held in the school conference room, if requested.
- Book checkout will be suspended until further notice. Keeper books may still be sent home.
- All school special events are cancelled until further notice.
- In-person registration and enrollment appointments may occur outdoors, after both parties self-screen. Only the parent/guardian may attend.
MODIFIED CHILD/CLASSROOM PROTOCOLS & BEHAVIORS:
- Children over 3 are encouraged to wear masks. This may be difficult, but every effort will be made to support children in these efforts. Masks should be clearly labeled with child’s name.
- Class enrollment will be reduced or maintained as follows:
- Birth – 36 month - No more than 8 children with 2 staff
- Three year old - No more than 12 children with 2 staff
- Four year old - No more than 15 children with 2 staff
- Regular handwashing will be implemented. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer may also be used, but not in place of handwashing. Children may not carry their own hand sanitizer, it will be provided by the program.
- Family-style dining will be suspended until further notice. To minimize additional contact with food, individually packed meals will be provided. All children in birth to 36 month, and 3 year old classes will eat in their rooms. 4 year old classes will eat in the cafeteria. Staggered scheduling will be implemented, and to the extent possible, social distancing guidelines will be considered. Disposable utensils and supplies will be used to the extent possible.
- Infant/toddler food/bottle preparation, serving and disposal protocols will follow Florida Department of Children and Families guidelines.
- No food, toys, or other items from home may be sent to school. A change of clothes should be sent in a sealed bag, to be stored in assigned, individual cubbies.
- Any medication given during the school day will be administered in a location secondary to the school clinic. There will be NO breathing treatments provided on school grounds.
- Until further notice, there will be no tooth brushing at the center. Age appropriate tooth hygiene supplies will be supplied for home use. Parents and guardians will be encouraged to care for their child’s teeth daily.
- During naptime, cots and cribs will be distanced as space allows. Whenever possible, cots and cribs will be spaced six feet apart on all sides. Bedding will be kept separate from that of other children, and will be laundered at the center.
- Adult masks may be removed during outdoor learning experiences. Adults must maintain social distancing to the extent possible. Masks must be completely taken off, not lowered around the chin, to avoid cross-contamination.
CURRICULUM/CLASSROOM GUIDANCE:*
*This guidance should be used in all 3 – 5 year old settings, and in Infant/Toddler settings as appropriate.
- Daily activities will be scheduled to support social distancing to the extent possible.
- Daily activities will be structured to minimize the sharing of materials and equipment. Materials and supplies that must be shared will be sanitized between each use.
Arrival, Departure and Transitions: Staff will limit wait time throughout the day. Social distancing will be implemented as much as possible while children are waiting for their “turn”. There will be no lining-up when possible.
Choice/Center Time: All interest areas will only allow a limited number of children at a time. Areas will be labeled with the number of children allowed (preferably no more than 2), and children will use name tags to identify the area in which they are choosing to play. Staff will closely monitor children’s movement.
Water/Sand Tables and Outdoor Sandboxes: These areas will not be open/used until further notice.
Cooking Area/Activities: These activities will not be planned until further notice.
Playdough/Kinetic Sand: If these materials are used, each child will have their own container, labeled with their name, and used only during supervised, small group time.
Art Materials: All art materials will be stored in individual baggies or containers with each child’s name, and put away immediately after use.
Dramatic Play: Only washable, non-porous items will be available. No dress-up clothing.
Large Groups and Read Alouds: Activities previously occurring during large group time will instead occur during small group, or individual time. Staff will keep children distanced as much as possible. All children should never gather on the carpet at one time.
Chairs: Chairs will be labeled with each child’s name/picture to avoid sharing.
CLEANING AND SANITATION:
All Charlotte County School Board cleaning and sanitation policies and procedures will be strictly followed as per the “Covid-19 Health and Wellness Protocols.”