Home Away From Home Child Care Center

With COVID positive cases steadily dropping in our area we will be returning to inside drop off and pick up with parents signing children in and out daily, starting immediately. We will also not be requiring masks. We do ask that if you or an immediate family member are having any possible COVID Symptoms (see attached flyer) or other signs of Illness please mask, remain outdoors and Knock. A staff member will come to greet you and check your child in. Please follow this same procedure if you have had a known exposure. If you or your child are having possible Covid symptoms, please get tested and consult your doctor. The last thing we want, is to have to close because of an outbreak.

We will continue to ventilate as much as possible, do twice daily temperature checks of staff and children, and regularly clean and sanitize toys, equipment, and surfaces.

If your child has not gotten their COVID vaccine it is highly recommended that they do. This not only helps to protect them from serious illness but helps to protect our youngest children who are not yet old enough to be vaccinated. Vaccination is a step we can all take to help minimize the chance of a shutdown. Talk to your doctor or visit www.vaccines.gov to find locations near you that have this and other vaccines available.

                                                                                    Thanks for your continued support,

                                                                                                   Ann and staff

It has not gone unnoticed that we have been very blessed for the past 2 years. HAFH and its families have felt minimal impact from the pandemic as it spreads around us. With soaring cases of Covid in our community it is getting dangerously “close to home”. Many of you know that we are now just feeling it’s impact on our own little HAFH community. Going forward we will need to implement stricter Health policies for children and staff to protect everyone and keep our doors open to serve our families. 

What Is HAFH staff doing to mitigate the risk for everyone:

·         All staff has received the 2 shot series of the COVID vaccine, several have already received their boosters.

·         Wearing masks as often as possible, especially during prolonged close interactions with the children.

·         Encouraging Frequent handwashing through scheduling and modeling

·         Frequent cleaning and sanitizing of toys and surfaces

·         Monitoring children closely for any signs of illness. Including temperature checks 2 times or more per day.

Parents, Please Watch for Symptoms:

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from asymptomatic, to mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. Research shows that the contagion period can start has early as 48 hours before symptoms start. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Fever over 100 degrees or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or uncontrolled or thick runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

If your child exhibits any of these symptoms they will need to stay home and have a negative COVID PCR test to return as well as be symptom and fever free for a minimum of 24 hours without medication. In the event that your child is knowingly exposed to a person, who is confirmed positive for COVID they will need to quarantine for 5 days from the day of their last exposure, get a PCR- covid test, if the results are negative and they remain asymptomatic then they can return after 10 days.Thank you for your understanding and patience as we implement these new procedures. Our goal is to minimize disruption while at the same time keeping you, your family and our staff healthy and well.
SIncerely,

Ann Bouwhuis

Home Away From Home CCC

Here at HAFH we’ve just completed 2 weeks learning about everything “At The Beach and Under the Sea”. In celebration we had a fun under the sea lunch complete with “Dolphins”(bananas), Octopus “ (Turkey dogs, and string cheese), “sand”( brown rice), and Sea weed salad ( lettuce, green peppers, and celery). The looks form the kids when they saw their plates were priceless.

Next, we will be focusing on Fruit. This a great time of year to talk about the wonderful variety that we have available to us. We will be discussing how the different fruits are alike and different. We will be practicing some new vocabulary as we describe the different fruits we will be trying this week. There will also be discussions about how fruit grows. In the world of a young child when asked where fruit comes from, they often respond with “the store”. They will be learning how some fruit grows on trees, some on bushes, and some on vines. We will also be trying out some yummy kid made recipes using fruit. A favorite is “friendship fruit salad”. For this we are asking each child that attends on Thursday to bring the equivalent of 1 cup of their favorite fruit. This can be a single piece or a zip lock bag of smaller fruit such as grapes or berries.Each child will present their favorite fruit at group time, describe it to the group and tell why it is their favorite. We will then make our friendship fruit salad to share at snack.

There is much concern surrounding the uptick in Covid cases. Here at HAFH we are still diligently cleaning and sanitizing to mitigate any exposure, as best as we can. As we all know until young children can get the vaccine, they’re at significant risk. I am asking all staff and families to do the best you can to minimize your exposure to anyone who you are not certain is vaccinated. With Missouri currently being considered a red zone even a trip to the grocery store or to your favorite restaurant could put you, your family, and all your family’s contacts at risk of getting ill. Please closely observe your child’s daily health condition for any symptoms of illness and keep them home if there is any doubt that they may be ill. I realize that keeping your child home is inconvenient. Reality is if any child or staff is present in the group and comes down with covid we will be forced to temporarily close which will be an inconvenience to everyone. There has also been rising cases of RSV and Bronchiolitis, both of which are extremely contagious respiratory infections. If your child has any symptoms consistent with a respiratory infection, please keep them home. Please help us keep everyone healthy.

What is a science? Science is the process of learning about the natural world through observation and experimentation.

Can children be scientists? Absolutely!!

Much of a child’s day is spent trying to make sense of the world around them.  It’s always best to help them find the answer vs. telling them the answer. As they work through the process of finding the answer they are using early scientific skills.

Everyday children are filled with questions. As teachers we try to set up their environment in a way that it encourages their natural curiosity. Whether it’s playing with water in the sensory tub, observing what floats and sinks, using magnets to see what they will pick up, or observing ice on the playground and identifying the items frozen inside, children are using scientific skills of observing, communicating, classifying, measuring, inferring, and predicting.

With these things in mind, we will be using this next week to focus on encouraging the little scientist in the children. Since Ground Hog Day is Tuesday, we will be starting our week talking about light and shadows. Shadows outside, shadows inside, what makes a shadow?

Colors are a natural part of our world. What happens when colors mix? Through some hands on experiences we will find out how secondary colors are made.

As adults we know what happens when you mix baking soda and vinegar. For a child this is an amazing experience. They will have the opportunity to try this out first hand.

We all love eating bread and butter. But where does it come from and how is it made? The children will have a chance to make their own “bread in a bag” and butter from whipping cream to enjoy for snack.

What makes popcorn pop? We have a great book explaining this in a way that children will understand as well as we will use our 5 senses to experience fresh popped popcorn. We will also see a little magic as we make popcorn dance in a jar of liquid.

Cooking & baking utilize scientific and math skills that many of us don’t think about. From measuring and mixing to the changes that happen when the ingredients are heated, it is pretty amazing. Children always love having the opportunity to eat something they had a hand in creating. To emphasize the changes that happen when something bakes we will be making magical cinnamon rolls. The recipe will come home for you to try as a family.

Hello families,As we continue to try and navigate the current conditions we are in, due to COVID19, I wanted to touch base and let you know that I am continuing to stay informed on the latest information. HAFH has been very fortunate so far and in spite of a few small scares we have not had any direct exposure on the premises. As all of our families continue to be diligent in their efforts to reduce the risk of exposure I want to express my gratitude. It takes everyone of us to make sure we protect each other. With the children in such close proximity to each other and staff daily we know the chance for transmission is very real. We will continue to work hard to mitigate that risk as best we can by cleaning and sanitizing our environment as well as minimizing our own exposure outside these doors. I have also ordered some clear face masks and face shields for staff to try. I am hoping these will be more usable as a large part of communication between adults and child is in facial expressions and regular masks hinder this. Our babies and toddlers also don’t understand and naturally just want to touch them or pull them off our faces, thereby encouraging them to touch our faces more. With all this going on we are also working diligently to insure that we don’t neglect the social /emotional needs of the children. We recently spent sometime talking about how we stay safe everyday and now are talking about the people that help us stay safe. When we associate masks and washing hands with doctors, and stop lights and seat belts with police officers and fire safety and smoke detectors with fire fighters it gives the children a sense of security. They know that not only are there things they can do to stay safe but there are lots of people to help them including those listed and parents, families, and teachers. Life is full of uncertainties for everyone right now. As adults we are all feeling some level of stress with this. Please reach out to myself or staff if there is any way we can support your family or child during these times. Attached is the link to an interesting article I felt was worth sharing.
Ann Bouwhuis

How to recognize COVID-19 symptoms in children, based on pediatricians’ advice

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 18^th) 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.

Greetings to all our families who I and the rest of the staff dearly miss. I hope this finds everyone healthy and finding some joy in spite of our current circumstances. We are all faced with very unique challenges right now and please don’t hesitate to reach out if there is any thing that you need. I will do my best to help in anyway,  personally or by linking you with other resources.Since the beginning of the COVID19 spread in Missouri, Child Care licensing has given minimal direction or assistance to child care providers except to remind us to abide by CDC recommendations and State and local stay at home orders. http://http//mura.stlouisco.com/dr-pages-messages/public-health-orders/director-of-public-health-extension-and-amendment-of-stay-at-home-order/

While over 40% of Missouri licensed childcare programs have closed, either temporarily or permanently, HAFH has chosen to remain open to serve our families employed by “essential businesses”. If you are employed in this capacity and have kept your child home but would like to return either on their previous schedule or even a modified schedule PLEASE contact me directly to make arrangements so I can schedule staff appropriately. The stay at home order currently limits us to 12 children per day. Until it is lifted we cannot care for more than 12 children,and parents/families must be  essential workers. Once the stay at home orders are lifted HAFH will need to collect originally agreed tuition from families in order to reserve your child’s spot.

Below are 2 additional links to articles that I feel as a child care professional of over 40 years need to be shared. Throughout my years of working with children and families it is continually frustrating that our society and government, in general, don’t value and respect the people responsible for the growth and development of our most vulnerable members of society. Once again, during this time when admiration and respect is justly being poured on our frontline essential workers, including grocery workers, nothing is being said about child care professionals who are making it possible for many of the frontline workers to be at work.

https://www.columbiamissourian.com/opinion/guest_commentaries/guest-commentary-child-care-educators-are-essential-workers-so-lets-treat-them-as-such/article_15a7d13c-85a0-11ea-9a69-077903475513.html?fbclid=IwAR3Cm5dsHybpb6sw_PfUjpmnGdwjVgkQlZMTOyvul212g8ayuxzsmNM0iBc

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.yahoo.com%2Fnews%2Famerica-doesnt-invest-childcare-watch-200711442.html&h=AT0u9Fg2FeIqkv-D0C2RFk5S_fk5Xp1h68lICcdJjaEwOt91YkBUYD_SreZJ2WmA2Vf0szU0IrPhGu-GbuMclz5vw8jRUSfsa_ARsxhR9tkh-WNd6G40ckJpY-a8pUsQni1KuhSU7z5DLm88OfJTjhIt

CDC has launched Life is Better with Clean Hands, a national campaign encouraging parents to make clean hands a healthy habit for the whole family.

Handwashing is an easy, inexpensive, and effective way to help your family stay healthy. Studies have shown that handwashing can prevent 1 in 3 diarrhea-related sicknesses and 1 in 5 respiratory infections, such as a cold or the flu. When your family is healthy, you don’t have to worry about missing school, work, or other activities.

Help your children make handwashing a healthy habit at home, school, and play by:

• Teaching kids the five easy steps for handwashing—wet, lather, scrub, rinse and dry—and the key times to wash hands, such as after using the bathroom or before eating.
• Giving frequent reminders so that handwashing becomes a habit and a regular part of your child’s day.
• Leading by example by washing your hands.

For more information on Life is Better with Clean Hands, a campaign promotion toolkit, free posters, and other resources for promoting handwashing, visit www.cdc.gov/handwashing.

Are you employed in an “Essential Position” as defined in the recent “STAY AT HOME” order from the St Louis County Department of Public Health?

Are you struggling to find child care so you can go to work?

If your child is between the ages of 6 weeks and 6 years, we have temporary spaces available NOW.

Check out our parent handbook and call for more information.

Ann Bouwhuis

Owner/ director

314-644-2425

As all of us face the stress of the COVID19 outbreak and the new “stay at home” order for all non-essential workers and their families, I am doing my best to make sure we continue to have quality child care available for the families that need it. Our goal is to be here for the children and families as long as we can all stay healthy and are not shut down by a higher authority. Please help us all to stay healthy by keeping your child home if they show signs of any illness or run even a slight fever. Also, please reinforce frequent proper handwashing at home as well as covering when children cough or sneeze.  If you, a parent, are ill or have a known exposure to someone with a positive COVID19 test PLEASE DO NOT come to HAFH for any reason. We at HAFH vow to continue to do everything in our power to keep our environment clean and sanitary.

Under St Louis County Department of Health’s “Stay at Home Order” we will not be allowed to have more than 12 children in care each day. The order also restricts our services to “providing services to people who are necessary employees of essential Businesses.” Please refer to the link below to read the order in its entirety.

https://www.stlouisco.com/portals/8/docs/document%20library/CountyExecutive/Executive%20Orders/Stay%20at%20Home%20Order.pdf

Please contact me ASAP either by email, phone or text with your needs for care during this time. Under the current order, we will be allowed to resume normal operations on April 23, 2020. For those families that will be keeping their children home during this time, tuition will be waived starting this Monday 3/23/20 through Wednesday 4/22/2020. At which time if you choose to keep your child’s spot, tuition will need to be paid. (This is of course assuming the stay home order has not been extended beyond 4/22/2020.)

The link below gives some information that may be helpful as well.

https://www.stlouisco.com/portals/8/docs/document%20library/CountyExecutive/Executive%20Orders/Planning_for_extended_stay_at_home3.pdf

As I attempt to do what’s best for all our families and staff, thank you for your support and understanding as we do our best to navigate the uncertainty of the days and weeks to come

                                                                                                                                                Sincerely,

                                                                                                                                                Ann Bouwhuis