COVID-19 POLICIES

We have made the choice to stay open during the pandemic but given the circumstances, we have had to make some modifications to our program.

ESSENTIAL CARE FAMILIES

We will reserve priority for children of essential care families during this time, and we will additionally work to adjust our hours in order to provide flexibility. If you are an essential care worker looking for care, please contact us to discuss how we can fit your needs.

SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES

We ask that parents currently not enter the inside of our facility. For drop-offs, the children will be retrieved from the front door by a staff member. For pick-ups, we will have the children in the yard to allow for parents to maintain space from other children and staff. We have also made the decision to temporarily put a stop to outings outside the daycare grounds (such as walks, trips to the park, etc), in order to limit exposure.

CLEANING AND DISINFECTION PROCEDURES

Upon pick-up, children will be led to the washroom to thoroughly wash their hands. In general, children will be encouraged to wash their hands more frequently throughout the day (after sneezing, putting fingers in their mouth, etc.) We understand that children may have special attachment to some toys or items they will want to bring with daycare, but we ask that they not bring any toys that cannot be sanitized. We will continue to serve snacks to the children but strict handwashing protocols will be used by the staff. We have intensified our cleaning and sanitizing efforts through this pandemic by cleaning areas that are most touched (doorknobs, dishes, cups, ect) several times throughout the day, sanitizing toys that a child has put in their mouth, and trying to limit the number of toys that cannot be sanitized thoroughly. For more information on the guidelines we are following, please refer to: https://nrckids.org/CFOC/Database/3.3

MODIFIED SICK CHILD POLICY

Due to the current circumstances, we ask that parents closely monitor their children for any flu-like symptoms. Please make sure to check your child’s temperature as any individual with a temperature higher than 100.4 degrees cannot be allowed into the facility. Staff will require parents to take special note of symptoms such as fever, coughs and shortness of breath. During care hours, we will also be watching for these symptoms. If these symptoms are reported, we ask parents to keep their child at home for a minimum of 10 days.

COMMUNICATION

We are committed to developing a positive and open relationship between parents and staff to ensure children are given the best possible care. Good communication can prevent misperceptions and different expectations in order to encourage cooperation and help foster a team approach.Parents are welcome to visit at any time, and we encourage any contributions in terms of ideas, concern, and experiences. As parents know their child the best, we would love to hear any information that would better our understanding of how to provide individualized support. Alternative forms of communication are available, as parents may choose to e-mail, speak on the phone, or make an in-person appointment to discuss. If calling during the day, please be aware that we may be unable to respond. If you leave a message, we will call back as soon as possible. We especially encourage parents to inform us of any sickness, medications, inoculations or contagious illnesses that the child has had in the past 24 hours as this may influence the child’s temperament and needs.

POLICY STATEMENT

Children face many challenges daily, part of which includes learning acceptable behaviours and being able to regulate their behaviour in different environments and when interacting with different people. We are committed to using appropriate strategies to guide children to recognize, manage and learn from their behaviours and express their emotions in positive, non-threatening and productive ways. Our goal is to influence children’s behaviour rather than to control it. We aim to help children develop problem-solving skills, a sense of freedom to choose their own path and the self-esteem necessary to change a pattern of unhelpful behaviour. Ultimately, we seek to provide an environment which teaches children to self-regulate and manage their own behaviour.

BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT

It is important to us to ensure the safety and security of children at all times. Staff will support children in their behavioural choices in a variety of ways, depending on their age and developmental level, and effective supervision will serve to minimize negative behaviours. However, behaviours such as teasing, bullying, discrimination or physically hurting another child will not be tolerated. Through positive, supportive and intentional relationship building, we will provide education and care to children in a way that facilitates the following:

• Children are encouraged to openly express their feelings and opinions
• Staff facilitate experiences that help develop independence and self-esteem
• The dignity of every child is protected
• Each child is given positive guidance and encouragement toward acceptable behaviour

STRATEGIES USED TO GUIDE BEHAVIOUR

• Close observation and active supervision in order to anticipate situations and prevent issues
• Applying child development knowledge to set and enforce realistic, developmentally appropriate, and consistent rules and limits for behavior
• Listening to children’s feelings and frustrations and providing quick and calm responses to situations that require guidance
• Redirecting inappropriate behaviour to a more acceptable activity.
• Personally modelling good communication skills and positive social behavior
• Providing children with the opportunity to make mistakes and solve their own problems within a safe environment
• Providing realistic choices to allow for autonomy
• Emphasis placed on physical activity, so children do not feel frustrated by pent up energy

No form of physical punishment, verbal or emotional abuse or denial of physical necessities of any child can be permitted, practised or inflicted.

In the event of an incidence of bullying, or behaviours which place children or staff at risk, the following measures will be taken:

• Parents/guardians will be notified of the incident involving their child either by telephone or upon on arrival to pick up their child.
• Staff will at all times maintain confidentiality and will be sensitive during discussions that may be heard by others.
• Parents/guardians are asked to further discuss the situation with their child at home to reinforce the service rules and other children’s rights to feel safe and secure.
• Staff will support children through an event and will encourage the child who has physically hurt another child to be involved in the first aid and caring for that person.
• In line with licensing policies, all injuries and incidents are recorded and the parents notified.

Where behavioural concerns remain ongoing, the following measures will be taken:

• A meeting will be arranged between the child, their parent/guardian, and the staff at which time a behaviour plan will be discussed and completed.
• The behaviour plan will continue for a period of two weeks. During this time parents (or listed emergency contact) would be expected to collect their child immediately if the behaviour continued and posed a risk to the safety of others at the program.
• All staff will be informed of the strategies of the behaviour plan and will support the child with strategies, positive guidance and reinforcement. Staff will document the child’s behaviour via the behaviour plan.
• Ongoing and unresolved negative behaviours, and a failure to comply with the behaviour plan, may lead to the suspension of care.

Although we strive to welcome all children at all times, there are occasions when children should not attend care. When a child develops symptoms of an infection or illness at home, it is the family’s responsibility to keep the child at home. We promote the protection of well children by preventing illness whenever possible. We encourage children to practice and develop good hand washing habits to prevent the spread of germs. We encourage an understanding of good nutrition, exercise and proper rest for the development of healthy bodies. Each child must have an immunization history signed by a physician on file at the facility. Please notify us if your child has any allergies (especially food allergies).

SICK CHILD POLICY

We are required to assess children’s health upon arrival each morning prior to admittance. If a child is unable to participate fully in all aspects of the program, indoors and outdoors, the child must remain at home for their own comfort. As a parent, you are the person that knows your child the best, if there is any change in your child’s general health or well-being please keep your child at home and seek medical attention. If your child becomes unwell at the centre this will be immediately monitored and recorded and you will be informed by telephone. Due to this you may be asked to collect your child earlier than usual. The following outlines areas of health concern whereby the child must remain at home, or if at the childcare program, an adult will be contacted to pick up the child.

• Fever: escalating above 38°C or 101°F; (a child needs to be fever free for a minimum of 24 hours before returning to daycare, that means the child is fever free without the aid of Tylenol, or any other fever reducing substance.)
• Diarrhea: runny, watery, bloody stools, or 2 or more loose stools within last 4 hours.
• Vomiting: 2 or more times in a 24-hour period. Note: please do not bring your child if they have vomited in the night.
• Persistent cough, cold or flu-like symptoms (influenza), which affect the child’s normal activity level.
• Rash, hives or an undiagnosed sore or skin condition;
• The child has an illness which is undiagnosed and could be contagious;
• The child is not well enough to participate fully in the program;
• The child is in distress or uncomfortable

For the well-being of all children, a 24-hours exclusion from care will be required. Families may be required to provide a doctor’s note verifying their child is well enough to participate in the program. For more information please visit the below website: http://www.vch.ca/media/VCH-sneezes-diseases-Aug-2014.pdf Please note: No refunds are offered for illness. COVID Update

MEDICATION

• Parents must ensure the centre is informed of any information regarding their child’s health. This includes providing copies of any relevant information provided by health professionals for your child’s records; any diagnosis of a health or medical condition; allergy reports; asthma plans; or details of ongoing conditions, triggers and/or treatment.
• Prescription medication will be administered to children, in accordance with provincial legislation. This requires that:

1. Parents provide written instruction on an Authorization to Administer Medication Form stating the dosage of the medication, time it should be given, how the medication is to be taken (eyes, mouth, etc.).
2. Parents hand over the medication to a staff and verbally provide any relevant information regarding the status of the child’s health and details of possible side effects of the medication.
3. Medication must be in the original container and clearly labeled with the child’s name, date, name of the drug, instructions for storage and administration.
4. It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure all relevant information is documented, such as “before food, after food etc.”
5. Other medications to be administered other than prescription medication (including natural remedies and over the counter medication) must be in writing from your health professional/pharmacist and be in their original container and within the use by date.
6. If the staff have any queries regarding parent’s instructions a staff will telephone the parent for clarification and then amend the Medication Form. Parents will be asked to co-sign this amendment upon return to the service.
7. When collecting your child, parents must co-sign the Authorization to Administer Medication Form, checking staff entry details to ensure that the details correspond with the original written instructions.
8. Parents must ensure that under no circumstances medications are left in a child’s bag. This poses a serious health risk to other children in the centre.
9. All medication will be stored appropriately and safely in clearly labelled areas in the condition that is required in relation to the individual medication. Medication that needs refrigeration is kept in the fridge in a clearly labelled medication container.
10. If the child appears unwell, staff may ask you to take your child home and provide a clearance from your doctor before the child can return to the service.

ANTIBIOTICS

Where a child has been prescribed Antibiotics, the child must have completed a full 24-hour cycle of the appropriate dosage of the prescribed anti biotic at home, prior to recommencing care.

SKIN CONDITIONS, MEDICATION AND CREAMS

Staff will administer skin conditions medication and creams ongoing as a preventative measure where required by parents. The parent must adhere to the requirements of providing over the counter medications in clearly labelled original containers with the child’s name displayed. A medical management plan outlining the administration requirements must be provided and a demonstration to staff on how and where to administer the skin conditions medication or cream for preventative purposes must occur.

ALLERGIES

An allergy is an abnormal response to a normal substance such as animal hair, eggs, pollen, food dye, fish, peanuts, etc. The allergic person, when exposed to that particular substance, will have what is known as an anaphylactic reaction. Symptoms may vary from mild to mid-range to life threatening. The safety of your child is important to us. Please inform us as soon as possible of any allergies your child develops after enrollment in our programs. Upon registration (or upon development of a severe allergic reaction), an Individual Health Care Plan will be completed prior to the start date. The Health Care Plan will be reviewed annually or when any changes are necessary. Our centre is peanut safe environments and therefore we ask that no food is brought in unless discussed with the site director.

INFECTION CONTROL

Cleanliness and the exclusion of children with infectious conditions are essential to the well-being of those attending our center. Children with the symptoms of fever greater than 101 F or 38 C, diarrhea, open draining wounds, rash or known exposure to an infectious illness are not allowed to be attend at the center. If any of these symptoms are found, child will be isolated, and parents will be notified to retrieve child within one hour of notification. Children will not be permitted to attend the center until such symptoms have subsided.

PREVENTION OF INFECTIONS BETWEEN CHILDREN

In addition to adherence to contagion check: Children will be checked for Pediculosis (head lice) at regular intervals during the year. All children found to have Pediculosis will be sent home. Children will not be readmitted until treated and a release obtained from the family physician. Parents will be informed if their child has had any possible exposure to infectious conditions at the Centre. Likewise, if parents have been exposed to any potentially infectious diseases, they should inform the staff. COVID Update

• All soiled cloth and towels are laundered daily.
• All sheets and blankets are washed weekly (unless soiled, then they are washed as often as necessary) and cots are wiped with disinfectant weekly.
• The centre will be cleaned daily.
• Floors are cleaned with disinfectant detergents weekly.
• Shelves, work surfaces, etc., may be subject to heavy contamination during routine use. These areas will be cleaned at least once a day with disinfectant, detergent and clean cloths.
• A thorough cleaning will be done on a preventative maintenance schedule and/or cleaned on an as needed basis including shampooing of carpets and buffing of floors.
• Children’s cups, plates, bowls and eating utensils are thoroughly washed daily.
• Toilet seat will be cleaned after each use and will be disinfected twice a day.

Please ensure that your child is dressed appropriately for a wide variety of play experiences and for the appropriate weather conditions. A big part of our schedule involves outdoor play and lots of messy activities, so make sure that your child is dressed appropriately. Children are not permitted to share clothing and must wear their own clothes at all times. We also ask that children not wear jewelry/accessories unless it is of a cultural or religious nature. Throughout the year, we ask that parents ensure that children’s skin is covered to avoid sun burn. Each child’s clothing and personal belongings are the responsibility of their parent/guardian. Please ensure that each piece of your child’s clothing is clearly labelled with your child’s name. Personal spaces are provided for the storage of items.

1. When the smoke alarm rings, the children will exit from either the main exit or the alternative exit (both labelled in maps on wall). The supervisor will follow with the first aid kit
2. Once outside the facility, with the meeting spot being at the front entrance, a headcount will be done to make sure all children are present
3. 911 will be called by the supervisor
4. The children will be taken down the street to Sutherland High school to ensure that they are safe until the emergency is over
5. This will be practised as a drill at least once a month, so everyone is familiar with the procedure

DURING

1. Take cover under a heavy table or solid furniture
2. Face away from windows
3. Assume crash position on knees, head down and hands clasped on back of neck. Cover head with book or jacket if possible
4. Count out loud to 60
5. If indoors, remain there
6. If outdoors, stay away from buildings and powerless
7. Drill will be practiced at least once a year

AFTER

1. Check for injuries and give first aid if needed
2. Check water, gas and electrical lines. Shut off if damaged. If gas leak detected, open windows and take children outside. Contact 911
3. No use of candles, matches, open flames.
4. Turn on radio and listen to emergency instructions
5. No calls unless necessary

BUILDING EVACUATION

1. Make quick assessment of situation
2. Evaluate the evacuation route to ensure safe and clear route
3. Give instructions to evacuate and meet at assembly point (front entrance of house)
4. Assemble children in pairs with a supervisor leading and another following through evacuation
5. Take emergency supplies in easy access kit, medication, important documents including current record of attendance/sign in sheet
6. Account for all staff and children, do a headcount
7. Phone first responders and evaluate the situation with their help before re-entry
8. Keep parents/guardians informed

SITE EVACUATION

*if further evacuation needed, or are unable to re-enter facility

1. Go to a different facility based on circumstances, most likely this will be Sutherland High school
2. Contact facility and determine if it is safe
3. Secure own facility (shut down utensils, etc) if possible
4. Grab necessary supplies (first aid pack, attendance sheet, emergency contacts) and do a headcount
5. Do attendance again after entering the other facility
6. Notify families of situation and give them information about the host facility
7. Make arrangements for children (supervise), until they are picked up by guardians/emergency contacts or able to return to original facility

1. Call 911 as soon as possible
2. Alert other staff to start lockdown procedures
3. Gather children and staff inside office (most interior room with least windows/hazards), put phones on silent
4. Keep everyone away from windows and doors, choose inner wall
5. Close, lock and cover all windows and doors, barricade the door with desk
6. Speak quietly and calmly so children are not panicked, give them stuffed toys and books to read
7. Remain indoors until further notice from emergency team/the police

1. Have other staff supervise and reassure the other children
2. Search the immediate area
3. Call police if immediate area search has not found child. Have description of child ready
4. Inform the child’s parents
5. Be ready to respond to the media
6. Document the incident and fill out the “Incident Report Form”
7. Notify insurance company
8. Analyze the incident, develop appropriate recommendations and implement these so as not to prevent this in the future

1. Have other staff supervise and reassure the other children
2. Search the immediate area
3. Call police if immediate area search has not found child. Have description of child ready
4. Inform the child’s parents
5. Be ready to respond to the media
6. Document the incident and fill out the “Incident Report Form”
7. Notify insurance company
8. Analyze the incident, develop appropriate recommendations and implement these so as not to prevent this in the future

We will be closed on statuary holidays. Our holiday hours will be posted on the parents’ board. The following is a list of the holidays that Blue Moon Childcare Centre will be closed:

• New Year’s Day
• BC Family Day
• Good Friday
• Easter Monday
• Victoria Day
• Canada Day
• British Columbia Day
• Labour Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Remembrance Day
• Christmas Day
• Boxing Day
• Dec 24th – Dec 31st