Hand Washing

We will continue to follow our hand washing procedures which include hand washing or hand sanitizing at the following times for all children and staff:

• At arrival to the school

• After art projects and sensory activities

• After playing outside

• After bathroom use

• Before leaving the school

We will be requesting that each child contribute 1 pack of Hand Disinfecting Wipes or Baby Wipes and 1 8oz Bottle of Hand Sanitizer.

​

Items from Home/School

During this time, we will be limiting the items going back and forth from school and home.  We will not be using our traditional school tote bags. Items that will be kept at school during this time include, but are not limited to:

• Extra clothes

• Extra mask

• Allergy and asthma medications

The only items allowed from home during this time is your child’s weekly Show & Tell, in a gallon zip bag labeled with your child’s name.  Please do not send any other items with your child including backpacks, toys, etc.  Your child’s artwork and worksheets will be sent home once a month at a minimum but up to once a week at a maximum.

​

Masks for Children

According to the CDC, mask wearing is recommended when feasible for children over 2 years old. We are requiring the use of masks for children except for those with a medical condition, including those with respiratory issues that impede breathing, mental health condition or disability. A doctor’s note must be submitted for exemption. We understand that this will be adjustment for the children but it is something that
we will help them learn as part of classroom routine. However, we ask parents to practice with their children
putting on and removing their mask safely in order for them to achieve proficiency and independence and
help us prevent the spread of illness. Masks will also be worn outside and on the playground. Children who
require a mask break, may do so at designated mask break spots on the playground. We request that you send
an extra mask to be kept at school.

​

Masks for Staff

We are requiring all of our staff to wear face masks and face shields. Face shields will be worn during circle time instruction, where the children will be appropriately distanced, allowing the teacher to temporarily remove their face mask as the children’s ability to see the teacher’s face is of utmost importance for language development during these instructional times.

 

Handling Children's Face Masks Procedures

 

When assisting a child to put on a face mask, we will:

1. Wash our hands or use hand sanitizer or put on disposable gloves before touching the child's mask.

2. Use the ear loops to handle the mask to assist putting the mask on a child.

3. Wash our hands or use hand sanitizer after providing assistance.

 

When assisting a child to remove a face mask, we will:

1. Wash our hands or use hand sanitizer or put on disposable gloves before touching the child's mask.

2. Use the ear loops to handle the mask to assist putting the mask on a child.

3. Place the mask in a zip bag labeled with the child's name or dispose the mask in a trash can.

4. Appropriately remove gloves (if wearing them) then wash our hands or use hand sanitizer after providing assistance.

​

Snack

We will not be serving snack at this time but water will be available throughout the day. We urge parents to ensure that their children eat before coming to school and that they have a snack ready for the way home.

​

Birthday Celebrations

Parents are welcome to send in a book in a gallon zip bag labeled with your child’s name that our teachers will be happy to read. In lieu of a birthday snack, you may send in goodie bags (no food or treats, please!) for your child's classmates. We will take pictures of your child's special day and celebration and email them to you.

​

Social Distancing

We will make every effort to ensure that your children are playing safely together.  To the best of our abilities, we will be staggering playground times, keeping classroom groups the same, implementing small groups for table activities, spacing children appropriately during circle time and providing individual supplies, such as pencils, glue sticks, etc., for each child. We will be requesting that parents send in a box of crayons and a pair of child safety scissors labeled with their child’s name. What we will not do:

• Have individual toys for individual children

• Take toys from children if they are sharing

• Remove children from playing with each other

• Refuse to touch, hold, or hug any child