The purpose of the guidance and discipline sections of this handbook is to ensure that all children in the program are safe and secure at all time while at daycare.

Guidance:

Each child will be encouraged and supported in developing positive relationships and learning social skills.  Our goal is to provide a safe and healthy learning and living environment in which each child can feel secure.

Families can expect Bright Horizons Childcare to:

• Model appropriate behaviour
• Promote the development of positive social skills including self-esteem and self-control;
• Encourage children to understand and follow simple rules;
• Supervise the children at all times.

Staff will strive to:

• Establish clear, consistent and simple expectations
• Offer explanations for limits and boundaries
• Acknowledge children’s feelings
• Offer choices that are developmentally appropriate
• Reinforce appropriate behaviour, with both words and gestures
• Give verbal direction and re-direction as the main of guiding and children.

We encourage families to seek advice from our qualified staff about guidance and discipline methods. We encourage families to attend workshops offered by our daycare on child development and parenting. We are committed to working with families and to enhancing knowledge of child development.

The intent of discipline is to help children become self-disciplined as they learn appropriate and acceptable behaviour patterns.  Discipline involves a continuous process of guiding behaviour and is offered while appropriate behaviour is occurring, as well as before, during and after inappropriate behaviour is displayed.  The goal is to assist children in developing respect, self- control, self-confidence and sensitivity in their interactions with others.

Staff, students and volunteers will not:

• Physically harm a child by spanking, hitting, shaking, or any other kind of physical punishment

For the purpose of punishment, restrain a child

• Talk disrespectfully or in a way that would humiliate or undermine a child’s self esteem
• Deprive a child of necessary use of the bathroom/or food.
• Confine or set apart a child without adult supervision

Staff is expected to provide positive prevention and intervention guidance strategies.

Intervention Strategies

The following Intervention strategies may be used by staff to ensure that guidance is supportive.

• Gain a child’s attention in a respectful way (state individual’s name, establish eye contact, use calm controlled voice.
• Use proximity and touch
• Use reminders to clarify and reinforce limits
• Acknowledge feelings before setting limits
• Redirect or divert when appropriate
• Model problem solving skills (acknowledge problem, pose helpful questions, state a solution or physically demonstrate, summarize solution.
• Offer appropriate choices and use natural and logical consequences
• Limit the use of equipment
• If not managing in a structured activity, redirect to a designated quiet independent activity.
• Provide opportunities for children to make amends.

In rare situations where a child’s loss of control and the ability to reason causes him/her to become a safety hazard to him/her or others, a staff may assist the child in re-establishing control through use of holding techniques.  At this time staff member can hold child with just sufficient strength to protect the child or other children.  The intent of this strategy to soothe and calm the child and to keep them and others safe until self- control is regained. Behavioural concerns will be documented as they occur in a book which is designated to each child. Patterns of behaviour will be documented so we can have a clear understanding of what is causing these behaviours.  If these behaviours continue then a ABC chart will be used to see what the antecedent is and what the behaviour of the child looks like and lastly what was the consequence of child’s behaviour.  By recording this information we will be better equipped to see what steps can be taken to help the child succeed in their day to day interactions in the daycare.  Families will be involved if behaviour management issues arise and together we can come up with a plan that will work to help the child feel more comfortable and happy while in daycare. There are many options that can be applied to improve a child’s behaviour (reward chart, the child is working towards something they enjoy and will collect stamps or stickers throughout the day to achieve their goal through positive behaviours) this will give the child a say in how good their day can be.  Ultimately we as childcare providers want a child in our care to be happy and learn with their peers.

Policy:

Our Childcare is designed to ensure it is a safe, comfortable environment that will accommodate the abilities and needs of all children.  Our goal is to promote good health, safety and nutrition.  Eating nutritious food is an important part of each child’s day.  Food provided by the daycare will be selected in accordance with Canada’s Food Guide requirements.  Lunch and snacks will be provided by the parent/guardian. I will provide fresh water for the children and fruits and vegetables will be provided occasionally.

Procedure:

Daycare staff will provide:

• Offer a clean, well-maintained, safe environment with nutritious food for snacks
• Lunch must be provided by the parent/guardian
• Discourage candy, gum, pop, or other “junk food.”
• Parents are welcome to bring treats on special occasions such as birthdays
• Opportunities for learning how to take care of their bodies and develop self-help skills
• Opportunities for both rest and exercise with indoor and outdoor activities daily
• Provide a comfortable and relaxed environment for the children & parents
• Formula must be provided by the parent
• Encourage children to eat a variety of foods but be sensitive to individual food preferences and cultural preferences
• Post children’s allergies in the kitchen. (Parents must make staff aware of any food allergies)
• Inform parents of any significant changes in the eating habits of their child
• Model healthy attitudes towards food and meal times
• Model healthy attitudes towards washing hands before and after meals and brushing teeth after eating
• All babies will be held during bottle feeding
• Toddlers are required to lie down or sit when they have a bottle
• Staff will discard any unused liquid in bottles or cups to prevent the spread of germs
• Staff will allow children time to eat and drink at their own pace
• Staff will respect parent’s decision as to when and what solid foods will be introduced, while working within the guidelines of the BC Ministry of Health “Baby’s First Foods”.

Please inform staff of any food restriction/allergies or medical conditions your child may have.  As part of the registrations requirements, all students must have a completed medical form attached to their personal file.

Illness:

In the event of illness, we ask that your child not be sent to the daycare.  Please do not send your child to daycare if any of the following conditions are present:

• Communicable illness (chicken pox, measles)
• Diarrhea
• Eye infection
• Fever
• Persistent cough
• Scabies
• Severe runny nose
• Skin infections
• Vomiting

In the event of a communicable illness, contagious skin infections or scabies your child must remain at home until the appropriate treatment has been administered and the child is free from any signs of infection.  The child will be welcomed back to the centre with medical permission from a doctor. If illness occurs while the child is in daycare then the following steps will be taken.

• Block area of incident so no children have access to it
• Take all other children to a separate room
• Clean child/replace clothing if necessary
• Keep child who is ill away from other children until he or she is picked up
• Keep ill child comfortable until parents/guardian arrives
• Contact parent/guardian if parent or guardian is unreachable contact emergency contact and if emergency contact is unreached repeat call order and if necessary contact parent or guardian at his or her work number until someone is able to pick up the child
• Clean and sanitize area and keep area blocked off for the rest of the day
• Inform parents upon pick up of outbreak
• Inform parents of the ill child to get medical clearance before returning back to daycare
• Fill out reportable incident form
• Yellow copy goes to licensing officer drop off at Fraser Health office
• White copy at facility in child’s records

Prevention of future outbreak:

• Ensure all surfaces and play materials are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized.
• Practice good hygiene and make sure all children are washing their hands the proper way before eating, after eating, after the washroom, after coming in from outside and after playing inside.

I am trained in basic first aid and am able to attend to minor accidents. If the nature of the injury is more serious, a child will be attended to by proper medical authorities and the parents will be contacted immediately.

Prescriptions:

If your child requires prescription medication to be administered during class time, bring the medication to the centre.  Complete a Medication Administration Permission Form with a staff member.  Medication is not accessible to children.  All medications will be stored in locked container in the classroom or in refrigerator depending upon storage instructions on the label. All medication must be provided in the original container and be labelled with the child’s name.

Non-Prescription and Prescription:

Administration of medications in childcare is regulated by the Child Care Regulations. This policy protects children, parents and staff.  Early Childhood Educators or childcare staff are not formally qualified to make “judgement calls” as to when medications are appropriate.  Only medication prescribed by a doctor will be administered.

Procedure:

• All medications are kept in a locked cupboard in the kitchen and out of the reach of children.
• Parents must inform staff of any side effects or reaction that medication my cause in a child. (i.e.: hives, drowsiness, diarrhea)
• Authorization for the administration of prescription medication form must be completed by parent/guardian.
• Doctor authorization must be provided before staff can administer non-prescription and over the counter medications such as Tylenol, Gravol, teething gel etc… “Authorization for the administration of non-prescription medication” form must be completed by parent and physician.
• A “medical consent’ form will be filled out by a parent for each prescription required
• Medication must be brought to the daycare in its original container with instructions from your doctor on how to administer it.
• Label must clearly show the following information:

Child’s name

Name of medication

Dosage

Route (oral, nasal, rectal, eye, ear or injection)

Physician’s name Care of medication (shake well, refrigerate)

Date to end administration of medication

• Any baby bottles containing medicine will not be given to the child at the daycare.
• If the child comes in with a baby bottle containing medicine, it will be locked up and returned to the parent at the end of the day.

The ministry of Health recommends that children receive their immunizations. Please attach a copy of your child’s immunization records with completed registrations forms.

Policy:

Bright Horizons Childcare is required by the Child Care Regulations to keep and up-to-date copy of each child’s immunization record in case an outbreak should occur.

Procedure:

1. Upon enrollment the daycare staff will ask for a current immunization record for every child.
2. If a parent has decided not to have their child inoculated, the following procedures then apply:

The parent will provide a signed and dated letter stating that they have chosen not to immunize their child and that they understand the importance of immunizations, side effects and dangers of not being immunized. If an outbreak occurs, the parent will be asked to remove the non-immunized child from the daycare until it has been determined that the child’s health is no longer at risk.

Screen time is limited to 30 minutes or less for children who are aged two and over.  Screen time is not offered to children two and under.

Toddlers and preschoolers should accumulate at least 180 minutes of physical activity spread though out the day. Children 5 and older should accumulate at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily.

Length of program compared to the amount of physical activity time

1-2 hours – 20 minutes of active play

2-3 hours – 30 minutes of active play

3-4 hours – 40 minutes of active play

Most days I will have the children playing outside so they can get the recommended active play time but there will be days where weather does not permit us to head outsides.  In these rare occasions I will set up a couple of stations outside our main door which is covered where the children can still be outside getting fresh air without being affected by the weather.  Activities may include but are not limited to drawing with chalk on cement, playing with different toys (basketballs, soccer balls), we can blow bubbles, hula hooping and we can also still do active play inside. Some of the things we can do inside are an obstacle course, even bring the hoops inside, bean bag toss, some stretching that we will all do together and we can also do some dancing with music on. All these activities allow for movement and exercise which is great for children to burn off some energy.

Fundamental gross motor skills are important because they are the foundation movements for more complex and specialized skills needed by children throughout their lives to competently and confidently play different games, sports and recreational activities.  These skills include:

Balancing skills

Coordination skills this involves gross motor manipulation of objects – catching, throwing or kicking a ball or beanbag; scarf tossing.

Loco motor skills – running, jumping, hopping, galloping, skipping and leaping.

I will also have some facilitated play which is play that is directed by adults/employees and has a set of rules with specific objects.  Many games fall under this category, such as card games, board games, organized sports such as soccer, hockey, and tennis are some examples.  Licensee/employee led games such as Simon says, follow the leader, tag or duck duck goose are also some facilitated activities that we will take part in.

Release of Children:

Policy:

A child will be released only to the parent or his/her legal guardian unless otherwise indicated on the registration form.

Procedure:

1. The staff must be notified in writing of any alternate arrangements.
2. Picture identification will be required if that person is not known to the daycare staff.
3. Children will not be released to anyone under the age of 12.

Non-Custodial Parents

• Parents must provide a copy of any custody order and photo of non-custodial parent.
• If the non-custodial parent insists that the child be released to them, the caregiver will:

1. Calmly state the daycare’s release of children policy
2. Ensure all children and staff are safe
3. Contact custodial parent
4. Call RCMP if parent tries to leave with the child

Intoxication

Policy:

If a parent/guardian or emergency contact who appears to be intoxicated arrives at the daycare to pick up a child. The daycare staff will not release the child.

Procedure:

Daycare staff will:

• Call the other parent or guardian to see if they can come to pick up the child and adult.
• Inform the parent or guardian about the policy in place and explain the steps that are being taken and that are available to the parent or guardian.
• Offer to call a relative or friend to pick up the parent and child.
• Offer to call a cab.
• Inform the parent that if he/she chooses to drive with or without the child, the caregiver will inform the police immediately.
• Call the Ministry for Children & Family Development if they believe the child is in need of protection.

Policy:

Daycare personnel will adhere to Childcare Licensing Regulations. Note that an incident must be reported when a reportable incident has occurred, when abuse or neglect may have occurred, or when a person in care has witnessed a reportable incident.  Child care licensees must report when a child is involved or may have been involved in a reportable incident while in care.

Reportable incidents:

Aggressive or unusual behavior, attempted suicide, choking, death, disease outbreak or occurrence, emergency restraint, emotion abuse, fall, food poisoning, medication error, missing wandering person, motor vehicle injury, neglect, other injury, physical abuse, sexual abuse, unexpected illness.

Procedure:

When abuse is disclosed by a child a parent or another individual it must be reported to the Ministry of Family and child development.

Note conversation and important information that is being disclosed.

File incident report and submit it. Drop of yellow copy for licensing officer and make sure to make contact with the officer within 24 hours of disclosure.

Keep notes in log book and a copy of the incident report in child’s files which are located in a safe locked place in daycare.

If abuse is suspected of a staff member or volunteer then the same procedure must be followed.

Document the reasons for allegations towards individual who is being suspected of the abuse.

Fill out incident report and contact licensing officer.

Once The Ministry has been notified the individual who is being suspected must be spoken to and informed of the allegations. They are not to be in the daycare until the investigation against them is complete and they are cleared to return to work.

Policy:

• Required by law to report suspected or disclosed abuse
• Responsible to report suspicions and/or disclosures, staffs DO NOT determine if abuse has occurred
• Failure to report abuse can result in prosecution under the Family and Child Service Act.
• Staff is NOT permitted to contact the parent, unless specifically directed to do so by the Ministry of Children and Family Development and the RCMP.
• Reporting procedures are designed to protect the child. Our concern is the safety and well-being of the child.

Procedure:

1. Call the police or Ministry for Children and Family Development to report any child that looks like they have been abused, mentally, physically or emotionally.
2. Document the reasons why you felt you had to make the call.
3. Do not contact the parents of the child you have concerns about.
4. Document incident on reportable incident form.
5. Report incident to Fraser Health Licensing officer within 24 hours.
6. Yellow copy of report can be faxed to Licensing officer.
7. The original report must be dropped off to the licensing office as soon as possible.
8. File a copy with the child’s information.

Policy:

The daycare will take the children off premises for walks or field trips.  Bright Horizons will inform parents a head of time about field trips.

Procedure:

1. First-Aid Kit and emergency cards with updated information and photo of the child will be brought on all field trips or walks.
2. Access to a working telephone must be available.
3. An emergency plan must be developed prior to field trip. All staff must be familiar with the emergency plan.  All emergency plans should contain the telephone numbers of parents, ambulance, as well as what actions are to be taken in the event of an emergency.
4. A signed informed consent form must be received from the parent/guardian.

Policy:

A child will be released only to the parent or his/her legal guardian unless otherwise indicated on the registration form.

Procedure:

1. The staff must be notified in writing of any alternate arrangements.
2. Picture identification will be required if that person is not known to the daycare staff.
3. Children will not be released to anyone under the age of 12.

Non-Custodial Parents

• Parents must provide a copy of any custody order and photo of non-custodial parent.
• If the non-custodial parent insists that the child be released to them, the caregiver will:

1. Calmly state the daycare’s release of children policy
2. Ensure all children and staff are safe
3. Contact custodial parent
4. Call RCMP if parent tries to leave with the child

Policy:

In the event of a missing child from the daycare, the daycare staff will remain calm and follow the procedure below.

Procedure:

If a child goes missing:

• The remaining children will stay together
• Staff will stay calm and call the RCMP and give them a complete description of the child
• Staff will then notify the parent/guardian and inform them of the steps that are being taken to locate their child

Policy:

For children who require immediate medical attention, staff will call emergency services to respond.

Procedure:

1. Staff at Bright Horizons Childcare will phone for emergency transportation and/or medical attention when they deem it necessary for a child or children in their care.
2. The staff at Bright Horizons Childcare will then call parents or emergency contacts to inform them.

Policy:

Bright Horizons Childcare requires two weeks written notice for a child to be withdrawn from the daycare. Please use the form attached to the application package.  Discharge procedure will be used for every child discharged.

Procedure:

Children will be discharged for the following reasons:

• Family is moving
• Parents or guardians have removed the child

Discharge notification form will be filled out on all children being discharged from the daycare.

Policy:

As the children participate in a variety of indoor and outdoor play activities each day, it is helpful if your child wears washable, comfortable clothing that is appropriate for the weather.

Procedure:

For Infants, please provide:

• One change of clothes
• An adequate supply of diapers and wipes
• Warm outdoor clothes (mittens, hat, boots) in the Fall and Winter
• Sun hats, boots and raingear in the Spring and Summer

For toddlers, please provide:

• One change of clothes
• An adequate supply of diapers & wipes, pull-ups or underpants
• Skid-proof, non-marking indoor shoes
• Warm outdoor clothing (mittens, hat, boots) in the Fall and Winter
• Sun hats, boots and raingear in the Spring and Summer

Policy:

Fees are to be paid within 5 business days of the first day of each month or if applying for Child Care Subsidy; it is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to fulfill all the requirements of the Child Care Subsidy Branch to maintain the daycare subsidy.  If not eligible for full subsidy, the parent/guardian is responsible for the fees.  Fees are based on enrolment not attendance (NO fee decreases for sick/missed days or statutory holidays).

Procedure:

1. If the parent/guardian becomes ineligible for any subsidy, they will be responsible for paying the full monthly fee.
2. It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to keep all information (i.e.: relationship status, work/school status, reason for care, address, phone number etc….) current with the Child Care Subsidy Branch and Bright Horizons Childcare.
3. Parents are responsible for the parent portion of fees that is not covered by subsidy and will be billed monthly for these fees.
4. Monthly fees must be paid within the first 5 business days at the beginning of each month.
5. If fees are outstanding after the first 5 business days of the month the child will not be accepted at the daycare on the 6^th business day or any other day until the fees are paid in full.
6. If parent/guardian is eligible for subsidy they must provide Bright Horizons Childcare with copies of application and supporting documents. Subsidy acceptance letter must be received by Bright Horizons Childcare prior to attendance.
7. Renewal of subsidy must be started at the beginning of the month that subsidy expires and copies of forms must be kept on file until acceptance letter is received.
8. If parents wish to start their child before subsidy acceptance a cheque for the month will be needed. The parent will be reimbursed their fees when subsidy is received.

Policy:

Regular attendance at the Daycare is extremely important for your child to settle in well.  Routine becomes a part of your child’s day.  You are welcome to visit your child in the daycare at any time.

Procedure:

Parents will:

• Notify the daycare staff by 9:00am. If your child is not coming in.

Arrival

Upon arrival, parents must:

• Sign the intake forms before leaving the daycare
• Put all diaper bags and extra clothing in the child’s bin
• Label soothers and put all bottles that need to be kept cold in the refrigerator
• Talk to staff and relate how your child’s night and morning went
• Take time to settle your child and say goodbye

Departure:

Upon departure, parents must:

• Sign their child out with time child is leaving
• Make personal contact with a staff member

Daycare staff will:

• Phone parents or guardians when a daycare child has missed three consecutive days of daycare
• Establish with parents or guardians the reason for the absence
• If after two weeks the daycare staff is unable to reach the parents, the child will be dismissed from the program.

Policy:

It is your responsibility to pick up your child on time.  Although allowances will be made for emergencies, a parent who picks up their child after the scheduled pick-up time will be charged a late fee of $10.00 for every 15 minutes late.  Transportation to and from Bright Horizons Childcare is the responsibility of each parent.  If you have transportation difficulties, please notify staff immediately.

Children must be picked up within 30 minutes of the posted closing time.

Procedure:

1. Staff will make all attempts to call contact numbers including emergency contact numbers.
2. If staff are not successful in contacting anyone authorized to pick up they will call the Ministry for Children and Family Development and the child will be released into the Ministry.
3. Bright Horizons Childcare staff will not take a child home.
4. The incident will be documented and added to their next month’s billing.

Policy:

Pictures taken in the daycare will be for the enjoyment of the program participants, and for program promotion as needed. A consent form must be signed by the parent prior to the child being photographed.

Procedure:

Each parent will be asked if photos can be taken for their child.  A photo consent form will be given to each parent.

Policy:

Bright Horizons Childcare supports an “Open Door” communication policy

Procedure:

1. Parents are welcome to drop in and observe the program at any time. If consultation with a child care provider is desired, please let us know ahead of time so that the child care provider can give you their undivided attention.
2. Telephone communication is encouraged.
3. Parents can expect ongoing communication with staff concerning

Their child’s progress

Program activities

4. Parents are asked to make themselves familiar with the Parent Handbook which states the Daycare Policies and Procedures which apply to:

The care of the children

The program

5. Parents concerned with the care of their child, or any incidents at the daycare are urged to speak with the child care provider.

Policy:

Bright Horizons Childcare supports an “Open Door” communication policy

Procedure:

1. Parents are welcome to drop in and observe the program at any time. If consultation with a child care provider is desired, please let us know ahead of time so that the child care provider can give you their undivided attention.
2. Telephone communication is encouraged.
3. Parents can expect ongoing communication with staff concerning

Their child’s progress

Program activities

4. Parents are asked to make themselves familiar with the Parent Handbook which states the Daycare Policies and Procedures which apply to:

The care of the children

The program

5. Parents concerned with the care of their child, or any incidents at the daycare are urged to speak with the child care provider.

Policy:

Workers, children, parents and caregivers must not enter the workplace if they have symptoms of Covid 19 or have travelled outside Canada in the last 14 days or have been identified by public health as a close contact of a person with a confirmed case of Covid 19.

If you are experiencing fever, sore throat, diaherra, vomiting, having difficulty breathing or any other symptoms of Covid 19 please refrain from coming to the premises and self isolate or seek medical attention.

Procedure:

• Post signage at entrances of the facility reminding people not to enter the site if they are experiencing any symptoms of Covid 19.
• Drop off and pick up should occur outside the facility.
• Implement strategies to ensure physical distancing is maintained at drop off and pick up with staggered drop off and pick up times, using multiple entrance points if available and placing markers at entrance points to support physical distancing.
• When children arrive at the facility they will directed to wash their hands.
• At drop off implement a verbal yes or no confirmation that children do not have symptoms of common cold, influenza, Covid 19, or any respiratory disease.
• If the answer is yes we will not accept the child at drop off.
• Workers if they have symptoms of Covid 19 must be excluded from work, stay home and self isolate until they have been assessed by a health care professional to exclude Covid 19 or other infectious disease and their symptoms have resolved.
• Parents and caregivers are required to assess their children daily for the presence of symptoms of common cold, influenza, Covid 19, or other infectious respiratory disease prior to drop off.
• If child is experiencing any of the above symptoms parents and caregivers must keep their children at home until they have been assessed by a health care professional to exclude Covid 19 or any other infectious disease and their symptoms have resolved.

Train employees with the symptoms of Covid 19 and the protocols in place in the event that a child becomes ill at the facility.

• If a worker or child leaves the facility due to symptoms of Covid 19. Clean and disinfect areas those individuals were in, including any surfaces they may have touched immediately upon their departure.
• Keep all other children and staff in one area until all surfaces and objects have been disinfected.
• Handle all cleaning with gloves and a mask.
• If child becomes ill or is showing symptoms of Covid 19 inform parents or guardians immediately and request for them to pick up their child and seek medical attention.

Hygiene and Prevention Control

• Set up a hand hygiene station at the entrance of the facility by providing hand sanitizer immediately upon entering the facility.
• Hand sanitizer will be out of reach of children and supervised its use.

Workers are required to wash hands regularly throughout the day, including:

• Washing hands when they arrive and go home
  • Before and after handling food, preparing bottles or feeding children
  • Before and after applying or giving medication or ointment to a child or self
  • After changing diapers
  • After assisting a child to use the toilet
  • After using the toilet
  • After contact with body fluids such as, runny nose, spit, vomit or blood
  • Before putting on and taking off personal protective equipment
  • After cleaning tasks
  • After handling garbage
  • Whenever hands are visibly dirty

Support children to wash their hands regularly throughout the day, including:

• When they arrive at the facility and before they go home
• Before and after eating and drinking
• After a diaper change
• After using the toilet
• After playing outside
• After sneezing or coughing
• Whenever hands are visibly dirty

To provide education and direction to workers and children to:

• Cough or sneeze into elbow, sleeve or a tissue
• Throw away used tissues and immediately wash hands
• Don’t touch eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands

Physical Distancing

It is not always possible for workers to maintain physical distance from children, and between children, when in care. When possible:

• Minimize the frequency of direct physical contact with children
• Forming a number of separate play areas in order to space children apart
• Organizing snack/meal areas to space children part
• Organizing nap areas to space children apart and placing children head-to-toe or toe-to-toe
• Staggering snack/meal and nap times
• Avoid close greetings (hugs or handshakes). Regularly remind children to keep “Hands to yourself”
• Including the use of outdoor space for various activities, including snack/meal time

Cleaning and disinfection

• Remove toys from the facility that have surfaces that are not easily cleaned, such as stuffed animals
• Ask parents and caregivers to only bring one personal comfort item if they are cleaned and laundered at the end of each day
• Remove unnecessary items from the facility general cleaning and disinfecting of the facility should occur at least once a day
• Frequently-touched surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected at least twice a day
• Toys and objects that children have placed in their mouths should be placed aside in a bin, until they are cleaned and disinfected
• Toy, objects, and surfaces known to have been in contact with bodily fluids should be cleaned as soon as possible
• Clean and disinfects cots and cribs after each use
• Clean and disinfect diapering stations after each use
• Wash blankets, face cloths, towels, and bibs between uses by different children
• Empty garbage containers daily at a minimum
• Maintain an adequate supply of cleaning of disinfecting products and cleaning materials

Use of personal protective equipment

• Wear disposable gloves when cleaning body fluids and when diapering
• Determine what PPE maybe required for workers who are responsible for cleaning and disinfection

Meals and snacks

• Do not allow sharing of food or drink between children
• Do not allow children to participate in food preparation
• There will be a cleaned and disinfected table for parents and caregivers to leave child’s belongings outside of the facility, upon arrival
• Reusable dishware, glasses, utensils must be cleaned and sanitized after each use

Other methods to control risks

• Limit sharing of supplies and equipment
• Provide adequate amounts of high touch areas, such as art supplies, in order to minimize sharing between children
• Store children’s belongings separately using their cubbies do not allow sharing of any personal items. Label personal items with the child’s name to prevent accidental sharing
• Ensure adequate ventilation and open windows if possible
• Have children outside wherever possible, including play-time, snack-time and for learning activities