Covid-19 Policies and protocols

January 1, 2022

We comply with guidance from the VT Governor, the Vermont Agency of Education, and the VT Department of Health. We will continue to follow all updates and amend our COVID-19 policies and protocols accordingly.

“A Strong and Healthy Start: Health Guidance for Vermont Schools” issued by the Vermont Agency of Education and the Vermont Department of Health can be found here. The following is an overview of our policies and procedures.

DROP OFF PROTOCOL

  • We request that only one family member travel with their child for actual drop off

  • We will employ a curbside drop off where the family member remain in their car or next to their car as they say goodbye to their child before they depart

  • Physical distancing and masks will be required during drop off

PICK-UP PROTOCOL

  • Staff and students will walk down to the parking lot at the end of each day

  • Parents are asked to stand near their cars to identify their children

  • Before children can enter the vehicle, staff MUST have a visual of the person picking up, know who they are, and if not, get a confirmed ID that matches names provided by parents/caretakers

DAILY SCREENING PROCESS

SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 INCLUDE:

  • Coughing, high temperature (above 100.4), shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or two of the following: chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat or new loss of taste or smell

CHILD WILL BE SENT HOME IF:

  • Child has a temp of 99.9 degrees or higher along with symptoms listed above

IF A CHILD FEELS UNWELL DURING THE PROGRAM:

  • They will separate from other children with a staff member to rest in an alternate area while waiting for parents

  • Staff will go through a process of deep cleaning and decontaminating

  • Families will be notified, ensuring confidentiality is upheld

AFTER A POSITIVE COVID-19 TEST RESULT:

  • Program will be cancelled for the week

  • Families will be notified, ensuring confidentiality is upheld

  • Public health officials will be notified

AFTER A NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST RESULT:

  • Child may return if they are symptom free for 24 hours

  • Before returning to the program, parents/caretakers of the sick child must provide a doctors note stating that the child can safely return

CLEANING PROCESS

  • We will use disinfectant sprays certified as effective by CDC.

  • Each surface will be cleaned after each use, including tables, chairs, tools, and toilets.

FACE COVERINGS

  • Facial coverings will be required during outdoor activities when staff and students are within 6 ft. of physical distance.

  • Facial coverings will not be required while students are eating. However, physical distancing protocols will be strongly encouraged when masks are not worn.

  • All staff and students must wear masks indoors.

SAFETY MEASURES THROUGHOUT THE DAY

  • Children and staff will wash hands when arriving for the day, before and after eating, after bathroom usage, after building activities, and before they leave.

  • Hand sanitizer will be readily available at all times, although bringing your own is recommended.

  • Each child should bring their own backpack containing lunch/snacks, water bottle and facial covering.

  • The use of shared materials will be greatly reduced. Individualized materials will be provided whenever possible and any shared materials will be cleaned and disinfected regularly.

MEALTIMES

  • Children will bring food from home in their own lunch boxes and staff will assist them to find sitting spots that are 6 ft. apart while eating.

  • Adults assisting with opening food containers will wash hands before handling children’s food/lunch boxes.