TARA MONTESSORI COVID 19 PREVENTION AND RESPONSE PLAN
These procedures are written in accordance with the Department of Early Education and Care Minimum Requirements for Health and Safety revised August 21, 2020
COVID-19 PREVENTION
Pre-screening Procedures
Families should self-monitor for 14 days if they are showing signs (Temperature, shortness of breath, diarrhea, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, nausea, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, vomiting, etc.) or they can have a COVID test.
Minimize travel.: Please notify the school if a parent or family member plans to travel. We follow the State guidelines in their quarantine plans for traveling outside of Massachusetts.
Communicate with the school if your family has had contact with a person who has been diagnosed, tested, or quarantined because of COVID-19.
DAILY SCREENING: On arrival children/families will be asked the following!
Children will be screened by a Tara Montessori Staff member. The screening will include verbally asking the parent questions and documenting their responses on a daily spreadsheet that includes the date of screening, camper’s full name and responses to the following questions asked. Today or in the past 24 hours, have you or any household members had any of the following symptoms?
Fever (temperature of 100.0 F or above), felt feverish, or had chills?
Cough?
Sore throat?
Difficult breathing?
Gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting)?
Fatigue?
Headache?
New loss of smell/taste?
New muscle aches?
Any other signs of illness?
Group sizes and location
Preschool children (original numbers pre COVID 15 2 staff members
Toddler (9 children: 2 staff)
Infant (9 children: 2 staff)
Group Locations will be defined by a designated outdoor space, indoor space, and bathroom.
All indoor spaces have been measured and furniture positioned to allow appropriate physical distancing, hallways will be one way, all bathrooms used by two children at a time.
Outdoor canopies will provide shade for each group, adjacent to their indoor space.
Groups will not mix for activities, and there are no common indoor spaces.
Disinfecting of physical spaces and equipment:
Designated Staff will be responsible for regularly cleaning on a periodic schedule based on Tara Montessori usage.
Each morning before children arrive and midday all high touch surfaces will be disinfected including playground equipment and door handles. Doors will be propped open during camp hours to reduce touching these surfaces.
Approximately every two hours bathrooms will be disinfected. (10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 2:30 PM, and 4:30 PM)
If table surfaces and chairs are used, they will be cleaned first and then sanitized between use.
Any shared equipment or supplies used within the group will be disinfected or sanitized daily by the Staff.
Eliminate materials that increase the likelihood of transmission
Soft porous toys, items that cannot be easily cleaned between uses. Like soft toys.
No Playdoh, sensory tables, or water tables.
Promote frequent hand washing:
·. Children’s hands will be sanitized outside upon arrival. (We need parent permission to use hand sanitizer please see note below) the child enters the school or classroom; they must wash their hands using soap and water and disposal paper towels.
· They will wash their hands before and after snack and lunch, after using the bathroom or being diapered. If they touch their face or put their fingers in their mouth.
PPE and Face Masks and Coverings
All children will be encouraged to wear a face mask or face covering when not able to maintain physical distancing. All staff will wear masks indoors or when not able to physical distance outside.
We understand that there will be times that a Staff member may need to give additional support to a child. When a Staff member must support a child and is unable to maintain social distancing the Staff member is required to wear a mask.
In the event that handwashing sinks are not available, hand sanitizer will be available and used with parent permission.
Staff will be required to wear gloves when supporting children with the application of sunscreen, during diaper changes, in the bathroom.
Lunches and Snacks
Children will wash their hands before and after snack and lunch.
Staff will use gloves when handling food.
Children and Staff bring all their own food that they can independently open and eat. We will eat in the classroom keeping social distancing in mind.
Children and Staff bring their own water bottles.
Staff Orientation
Staff will be trained on proper procedures for hand hygiene (upon arrival, after bathroom use, before and after eating, and when children have shared equipment), maintaining physical distancing, recognizing symptoms of illness, proper use of sanitizers and disinfectants, and the proper use of PPE.
COVID-19 RESPONSE
Identifying and Handling the sick
If a child becomes symptomatic while in care.
We will immediately isolate the child to maximize further exposure to other children and staff.
If a Staff member feels ill or they notice that a child shows symptoms of illness, the person feeling ill must go to the health office to be assessed by Tara Montessori’s Director, The director will further screen and assess within the designated isolation room. In the case of a Staff member becoming symptomatic, a support Staff will be assigned as back up to their group.
The director will contact the symptomatic child’s parents to be picked up. The child or Staff member must remain in isolation until they are transported home.
If it is determined that a person has been exposed to COVID-19, either at Tara Montessori or in their household, they will be directed to self-quarantine. The end dates of quarantine or isolation will be established by the local board of health or health department.
If the person has confirmed COVID-19, all Tara Montessori parents will be notified of their exposure and directed to self-quarantine for 14 days. The person with confirmed COVID-19 cannot return to Tara Montessori without medical clearance from their physician.
The Local Board of Health will be notified of a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis by the Tara Office. Tara Montessori will follow LBOH and EEC guidance regarding school closing.
Information will be distributed to parents through phone calls or conversations and written notices at pick up. The director will inform all Staff directly in person or by phone call.
Protocol if a child develops a fever:
If a child develops a fever, we recommend they stay home for 48 hours. If the fever continues, we recommend the child be tested for COVID -19.
We understand fevers are common in young children especially during teething, but usually subside within a day or two. If the fever continues, we would like the child tested and not return to school until we get the result.
Many thanks for your cooperation during these uncertain times.
Staff Absence and Sick Leave:
Staff are informed to not come into work if they are not feeling well. Tara Montessori has support Staff to cover their role while absent.
Please contact Toni Dunleavy with any questions or concerns regarding COVID-19 protocols.