Pandemic Policy

CREATION STATION PANDEMIC POLICY

Creation Station is licensed and regulated through the Fraser Health Authority, The Ministry Of Health, and The Ministry Of Children & Family Development. As a result, Creation Station Daycare may be directed by a child care licensing officer or other governing body to close operations during a pandemic or other communicable disease outbreak. Creation Station Daycare will follow all directives provided from the Ministry of Health. The legal authority to close a child care program for public health reasons falls under the purview of the local Medical Health Officer and the Provincial Health Officer and their decision overrules any decision to stay open that an individual daycare or parents may wish to make.

Child care ratios are required during operation, regardless of a pandemic or communicable disease outbreak. In the event that enough employees are unable to come into work or are in a quarantine and ratio is not able to be met, Creation Station Daycare may require reduced operational hours, rotating days off between children or close until the proper ratio can be made. This decision would be made as required, and would be communicated with parents in writing, via email or the Creation Station Whatsapp group.

Health And Wellness Policy

Our health and wellness policy continues to apply during a pandemic or communicable disease outbreak, however, additional restrictions may apply, based on government / licensing officer directives. This may include, but is not limited to, extending our required at-home “symptom free” time period following any symptoms or requiring children with symptoms – even if they are feeling well and have plenty of energy – to remain at home. Any temporary changes to our health and wellness policy during a pandemic / outbreak will be communicated in writing, via email, and will link to the authorized source of information that our temporary change is based on.

Please note the additional sanitizing, cleaning, & hand-washing procedures:

Hand-Washing

Creation Station Daycare will be following hand-washing guidelines for both children and staff. Our program will engage in frequent hand-washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds at the following times:

·         At the start of the day

·         After going to the washroom

·         When coming in from outside

·         When getting hands dirty

·         After returning from school (school-age children)

·         After coughing, sneezing and blowing nose

Creation Station Daycare staff will help young children to ensure hand-washing is done correctly. If hands are not visibly dirty, we may use an alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol should soap and water not be readily available.

Cleaning And Disinfecting

Creation Station Daycare will be engaging in frequent, thorough cleaning every day, using routine practices that follow regulations for cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting. We will be routinely cleaning surfaces and objects that are frequently touched, especially toys and games. This includes surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, classroom sink handles, countertops, desks, chairs, cubbies, and playground structures.

We have designated staff to focus mainly on sanitizing throughout the day, after toys & equipment have been used.

Toys

All plush toys will be removed from the Centre, children’s personal toys will no longer be allowed within the centre. Toys that cannot be cleaned and sanitized will also not be used.

Our toy & equipment sanitizing method is to: Clean with water and detergent, rinse, sanitize, rinse again, and air-dry.

Sensory play items will not be used at this time, including; play dough, sand and sensory tables, as these items cannot be easily disinfected.

Illness Policy

Children may not attend Creation Station Daycare if they exhibit any symptoms of respiratory illness, fever, diarrhea or other illnesses. There are no exceptions to this illness policy. Children who are not well enough to participate in the normal daily program or who have an infectious disease must remain at home.

Should your child become ill while at Creation Station Daycare, or if our staff feels that your child cannot participate in our regular routine, including outdoor play, we will ask that you pick up your child immediately. In the event that you cannot be reached, the alternate contact person will be called. Please ensure that someone is available at all times in case of emergency.

Children may not attend child care programs while they have any of the following symptoms:

• Unusual, unexplained loss of appetite, fatigue, irritability, or headache

• Eye infections

• Unexplained rashes or any rash that is not confirmed by doctor to be non-contagious known or suspected communicable diseases

• Ear infection

• Temperature, forehead 37.8 (100) + (Fever)

• nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea in the last 48 hours

Any child, parent, staff or visitor must not enter the child care space if they are sick, even if symptoms resemble a mild cold.

 Symptoms to look for include:

• Fever

• Shortness of breath

• Runny nose

• Headache

• Cough

• Sore throat

• Nasal congestion

• A general feeling of being unwell

Dr. Henry maintains that child care centers can safely care for children if they are following the prescribed health protocols.

Children who have, or children with others living in the same home who have been identified as at-risk of potential Covid-19 exposure may return after self-isolating for 14 days and being symptom free.

*Note, this does not apply to health care providers. In the event that the person in the home is a health care provider, this only applies in the event that the person who is a health care provider has been directed to self-isolate due to possible exposure or symptoms.

Symptoms and when a Child can Return

Temperature of 100 F / 37.8 C or higher (orally) or 99 F / 37.2 C or higher (under the arm)- May return to child care after a doctor’s note or negative COVID-19 test is provided AND or when symptom free.

Runny nose- May return to child care after a doctor’s note or negative COVID-19 test is provided AND or when symptom free. Note: Runny nose must be CLEAR and NOT Green or Yellow.

Cough- May return to child care after a doctor’s note or negative COVID-19 test is provided AND or when symptom free.

Sore throat- May return to child care after a doctor’s note or negative COVID-19 test is provided AND or when symptom free.

Difficulty breathing or wheezing- May return to child care after a doctor’s note or negative COVID-19 test is provided AND or when symptom free.

Unexplained fatigue, aches or cold/flu-like symptoms- May return to child care after a doctor’s note or negative COVID-19 test is provided AND or when symptom free.

Sinus congestion- May return to child care after a doctor’s note or negative COVID-19 test is provided AND or when symptom free.

Children who have, or children with others living in the same home who have just returned from international travel- May return after self-isolating for 14 days and being symptom free

Children who have, or children with others living in the same home who have been identified as at risk of potential Covid-19 exposure- May return after self-isolating for 14 days and being symptom free. *Note, this does not apply to health care providers. In the event that the person in the home is a health care provider, this only applies in the event that the person who is a health care provider has been directed to self-isolate due to possible exposure or symptoms.

What happens if a child exhibits symptoms of COVID-19?

If a child develops symptoms while at Creation Station Daycare the child will be isolated in a separate room. Parents will be notified to come and pick up the child immediately. Parents or guardians will then need to contact Health Links or the child’s physician for direction, if required. If a child who attended a child care center, or their family member, is being investigated by public health to confirm whether they have COVID-19, or if public health has confirmed a case of COVID-19, direction will be provided by regional health authority nurses.

Day To Day Prevention

Staff will employ all necessary actions to limit the spread of COVID- 19. Some of these actions & policies are already part of the quality care provided through our programs. However, special attention will be paid to ensuring they are followed at this time.

Contact Information

Centre Landline: 604-940-8077 Email: merril@ladnerlife.com

Arrival & Departure Procedures

School-age Arrival:

Parents are currently not allowed access inside the Daycare.

Upon arrival at our drop zone please observe social distance markings and ask adults to wear a mask while in the drop off zone. A staff member will conduct a daily assessment for each child entering our care. Upon successful completion of this verbal questionnaire, Creation Station Staff may take your child’s temperature using a no-touch forehead thermometer. If the child has a temperature, they must be taken home and remain home, as per the illness policy above.

Staff will also ask for an approximate pick up time – this will help us ensure proper social distancing when it comes to afternoon pick up (see pick up procedure below).

Once all of the above has occurred, it’s time to say goodbye to your child at the door.

There will be appropriately distanced, designated spots for children’s personal belongings.

Inside shoes will be mandatory and will be kept at the centre.

Each child will then be directed to wash their hands before entering the classroom.

After school, these procedures will be repeated.

School-age Pick Up:

Parents are currently not allowed access inside the portable.

When you arrive please shake bell on the door. Please wait for a Creation Station Staff member to acknowledge you and help your child for their departure.

We ask that the children are picked up no later than 5:25 pm.(We close at 5:30)

Late fees will be charged at a rate of $10.00 per each 15 minutes if you are late picking up your child. If you personally cannot make it by 5:30 pm, then please contact the centre letting us know who will be picking up your child by closing.

Transportation to and from school:

·         The van will be cleaned and disinfected according to the guidance provided by BCCDC

·         Drivers will wash their hands before and after trips

·         Use alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol during trips

·         Driver and children will wear non-medical mask during trips to and from school

Daycare Arrival:

Parents are currently not allowed access inside the daycare.

Upon arrival at our drop off zone children will be asked to line up at the appropriate socially distanced markings, parents must also observe social distance markings and we ask adults to wear a mask while in the drop off zone. A staff member will conduct a daily assessment for each child entering our centre. Upon successful completion of this verbal questionnaire, Creation Station Staff may take your child’s temperature using a no-touch forehead thermometer. If the child has a temperature, they must be taken home and remain home, as per the illness policy above.

Once all of the above has occurred, it’s time to say goodbye to your child at the door.

There will be appropriately distanced, designated spots for children’s personal belongings.

Inside shoes will be mandatory and will be kept at the centre.

Each child will then be directed to wash their hands before entering the classroom.

Preschool Pick Up:

At the end of the day, you may call to tell us you are here or wave at the door and remain at the appropriate distance. We will then help your child get their belongings and release them to you.

Centre Hours

School-age program hours: 7am – 5 pm Monday to Friday

(PS) Daycare program hours: 7am – 5 pm Monday to Friday

Closed for Christmas Break and all statutory holidays

A Non-biased, Inclusive Approach

Fear-based responses in times of pandemic or communicable disease, have historically led to actions stemming from bias and self-protective measures. Not only can these measures lead to conflict between parents, child care educators, and community members, but they can also lead to actions rooted in racism. Creation Station Daycare has an inclusive-based approach and works to be a safe space for all families and children; we will not tolerate acts of racism or bigotry towards any parent, child, employee, or community member. Any such acts may be subject to an immediate dismissal from our program.