Dear Families,
We hope
that you are all staying well during this time. We are eager to see your
children again. However, this means that some things will be changing at Home
Away From Home.
Starting this coming week (May 18th)
the St Louis County and Missouri State “Stay at Home Orders” have been lifted.
There are still restrictions in place that directly affect how Childcare is
expected to operate at this time. This is going to require us to implement some
new policies and procedures at Home Away From Home CCC. We appreciate everyone’s understanding as we
try to make plans moving forward to protect everyone.
Going forward –
Pick up and drop off procedures will change: Staff will
be greeting parents on the front porch, wearing a mask and scrub jacket, at
this time a daily health assessment must be completed before a child can stay
for the day. NO one except children and HAFH staff will be allowed in the
building. Please wait at a distance if there is another person on the porch.
Allow them to leave before coming to the door. Pick up will be similar. Please
wait on the porch for a staff member to bring your child out to you. If at all
possible it is recommended that the same person drop off and pick up each day.
The daily health assessment will include
1) Temperature checks
for child/ren and adult dropping off. If anyone in the family is running a
fever or having any other symptoms of illness the child/ren will not be allowed
to stay.
2) A list of questions and answers will be recorded to
determine any risk of exposure. If a
child or family member should become ill, they will need to be fever and
symptom free for 72 hours. They will also need to have a note from a doctor
stating, clearly, the date it is safe for the child to return to childcare.
(fever free means without the use of fever reducers such as ibuprofen or
Tylenol).
3) If any family member that the child has been exposed to
has traveled to a “Hot Zone”. The child cannot attend for 14 days.
Hours of Operation
To allow HAFH staff to do required cleaning and sanitation
recommended by the CDC our hours will be temporarily shortened. Our new
temporary hours will be 6:30-5. This will be re-evaluated as needed.
Limiting risk of exposure
Children will no
longer be allowed to bring items from home. When they return please
bring a blanket and 2 changes of clothes, marked with their name, that can be
left at school. If your child needs a comfort item for nap please limit it to a
small one that can be machine washable.
Please don’t forget socks or slippers. We will take care of laundering
these items as needed. The only
exception to this is medications, baby bottles, breast milk, and formula.
Diapers and Wipes
As always, we will notify you when your child needs diapers
or wipes Please send only unopened packages. Another option would be to have
them shipped direct to school. (7523 Flora Ave, Maplewood Mo 63143) if you
choose this option let me know so we can watch for the delivery. If your family is having a hard time getting
any essential needs for your child, please let us know we would be happy to
help link you with resources in the area.
Classroom items and activities
Any items that are
hard or impossible to sanitize will be temporarily removed from use. Playdough
and other art supplies will be divided and labeled for individual use and not
shared. Children’s individual supplies will be stored in a manner to avoid
contact with others. All bedding will be cleaned and sanitized every 3 days or
more often if needed. Children will not be allowed to handle food or eating
utensils used by other children. Infants and toddlers will be restricted to
their own play area. This will help us ensure proper cleaning and sanitizing of
toys since this age group is exploring and learning by using all their
senses.
I have attended many webinars, trainings and zoom calls from
United 4 Children, Kids Win Missouri, Child Care Aware, on best practices for
childcare in this time. All the new things that we are putting in place are
from direct guidance from the CDC, Caring for Our Children Standards, American
Academy of Pediatrics and State and Local Health Departments. We will continue to monitor information as it
becomes available and may have to make changes. We appreciate everyone’s
understanding as we all work together to be healthy, happy and safe.