Keeping children healthy and following best practice has always been a priority for Blossom. Some of the changes that COVID has brought are certainly different than what we have done before, but other changes are just stepping things up a bit more. We are staying current with recommendations from the CDC, the Health Department and our Licensing Department. This is what we are doing and what classrooms may look like as you and your child return. The children who have been attending Blossom have adapted well to these changes and have been thriving.
Drop off and Pick up: Children are being dropped off and picked up in the parking lot. We will continue this for as long as it seems best to limit the amount of adults coming in and out of the center.
We are asking parents to complete a health check at home daily, including taking children’s temperatures. Upon arrival at Blossom, teachers will ask if families have passed the health check before they leave children.
Hand washing has always been important. Teachers supervise or wash hands with the children at drop off and before bringing them out to the car at the end of the day. As always we wash hands before and after meals, after diaper changes or potty turns, after coming in from outside, and as needed. Teachers wash hands at these times as well.
Brother and sister hand washing.
Conversation. We need to ask that in person conversations with teachers be kept to a minimum. If you need further information or to pass on more information, please write a note, call or email.
Masks: The CDC does not recommend children under 2 wear a mask. If you have an older child that you would like to wear a mask, we will do our best to support this however we cannot force a child to keep a mask on. Teachers wear masks when they are with coworkers or children.
Bleach and cleaning. All classrooms have been deep cleaned and are cleaned regularly. Toys are washed between use by children or at nap time and then again at the end of the day. They are washed with soap, rinsed, and then bleached. Our bleach dilution in all cases is 4 teaspoons per quart at this time. Anything difficult to wash has been removed from the classroom or is only used by an individual child.
Food. We are not serving food family style currently. Food is plated up in the kitchen and then brought to the classroom. Food is not placed on the tables and teachers serve all following helpings of food.
Classrooms and Teachers. The CDC continues to recommend that groups sizes stay small. Children and staff have been returning at different times. For this reason, children may not be able to return to the classroom that they were in when they left or have the teacher they were with. We have worked hard to make sure children have familiar faces and are in spaces that they know. We will be maintaining small group sizes and minimizing the amount of adults children are exposed to.
Toddler group sizes have always been lower than the recommendations for group size given for COVID. To begin with, the smaller classrooms will maintain a group size no larger than six, while the larger classrooms will have no more than seven children. These classes will have one primary caregiver and one support teacher for breaks and transitions. While on the playground the group size will be kept to seven.
Children 2 1/2-5 years old, will be in a group no larger than 10 with one teacher. The teacher will be supported by one consistent support teacher. Playground spaces will be kept at a group size no larger than 10.
As much as possible we are spacing activities so that children are spread out, With the younger children this is difficult and we will do our best. If a toddler needs a hug or physical attention, we will meet this need.
Illnesses. We will continue to follow stringent health requirements for both staff and children. Like the children, the staff is completing a daily health check. “Abundance of caution” to continue to guide our decision making about attendance decisions.
Important Reminder: We are asking parents to give us at least one week notice before returning so that we have time to prepare classrooms.
Please let us know what questions or concerns you have. This is a challenging time for all of us, with many issues to consider. Keeping everyone healthy, mentally and physically, will continue to be a priority for us as we move forward.
All the best, Blossom Childcare and Learning Center