Kindergarten

Play-based learning remains the program philosophy in our kindergarten classrooms. Students should be provided with their own bin of materials such as whiteboard, markers, crayons, manipulatives, etc to limit sharing of items. Student backpacks will be placed in a designated area in the classroom which allows for social distancing. It is the expectation that both the classroom teacher and ECE will provide instruction to students in small (less than 5 students) and large groups (greater than 5 students).

ADAPTIVE MODEL CONSIDERATIONS:

In an adaptive model, toys must be limited to each cohort, and should be ones that are easily cleaned ie. non-plush. All fabric items, such as pillows, stuffed animals, puppets, and dress up clothes should be removed from the classroom environment. Ensure all toys and play materials that remain in use are made of materials that can easily be cleaned and disinfected. Custodial staff are responsible for cleaning and disinfecting of school buildings, while program staff shall be responsible for cleaning and disinfecting program materials, toys and/or play materials that remain in use. Enhanced cleaning protocols of these toys should be put into place. Ministry requires us to maintain a record of when toys were cleaned and disinfected

(Please see Appendix E: Protocol for Cleaning and Disinfecting Toys and Link for Digital Toy Cleaning Tracking Form)

Public Health has identified procedures for Infection Prevention and Control specific to JK/SK. Please see IPAC for details for JK/SK requirements. Shared spaces, structures and toys that cannot be cleaned and disinfected between cohorts should not be used. To eliminate time spent cleaning materials, a ‘bucket system” may be implemented with a process for rotating/quarantining student learning materials for 72-96 hours between use (3 to 4 days). Classroom teachers, ECEs and Core teachers will deliver instruction to students in class. If there is an additional Prep teacher for the class, (ie. not the Core teacher) he/she will deliver instruction via distance learning using both synchronous and asynchronous instruction.

CONVENTIONAL MODEL CONSIDERATIONS:

In a conventional model, toys must be limited to one cohort and be ones that can easily cleaned and disinfected, i.e. non-plush, and enhanced cleaning protocols of toys should be put into place. All fabric items, such as pillows, stuffed animals, puppets, and dress up clothes should be removed from the classroom environment. Ensure all toys and play materials that remain in use are made of materials that can easily be cleaned and disinfected. Custodial staff are responsible for cleaning and disinfecting of school buildings, while program staff shall be responsible for cleaning and disinfecting program materials, toys and/or play materials that remain in use. Cleaning should be completed twice a day for high touch materials, surfaces and toys, and more frequent if soiled by secretions. General cleaning and disinfecting of the premises should be completed at least once every 24 hours.

  • This includes items that only a single student uses, like an individual desk or table area.

  • These include door knobs, light switches, toilet handles, tables, desks and chairs used by multiple students, keyboards and toys.

  • Any surface that is visibly dirty.

Toys that cannot be cleaned and disinfected should not be used.

(Please see Appendix E: Protocol for Cleaning and Disinfecting Toys and Link for Digital Toy Cleaning Tracking Form)

Additionally, prep teachers will also deliver instruction to students in their classroom as per the planning schedule.

DISTANCE LEARNING CONSIDERATIONS:

Much consideration should be given to continue with play-based planning in a virtual classroom. There should be a balance between synchronous and asynchronous learning. Many of the independent activities should be focused on learning through play. A weekly schedule for students/parents outlining the times that live (synchronous) lessons are being delivered is strongly recommended in order to maintain a predictable routine throughout the week.