Part I: In-School Policies

Social Distancing Strategies

• Classes will remain with the same group each day, and the same teachers will remain with the same group each day.
• Children will remain in their own classroom as much as possible.
• Playground times and locations (playground, outdoor classroom, amphitheater), will be staggered to limit the mixing of classes.
• Activities such as music, chapel time, special group activities, will be modified to happen in the classroom with one single class or suspended until safe to resume.

Masking

• In accordance with state and public health mandates, children and teachers will wear masks unless they are 6’ apart.
• Children 2 years old and older will wear masks.
• Mask requirements will be based upon the current orders and guidelines set forth by our governmental and health authorities.

Cleaning - Teachers and Aides

• Wipe down all surfaces before morning and afternoon sessions.
• Clean and rotate toys during the day as best they can, using “Wash me” bin for cleaning toys at the end of each day.
• Clean a few things beyond their classroom (ex. Doors, railings, etc.)
• Clean and wipe down toys in the FLC after use.

Cleaning – Drew/with guidance of his Supervisor

• Have a schedule to clean classrooms Sunday evenings and daily.
• Clean any classroom used for activities not associated with the preschool before preschool starts the following morning.
• Clean large bathrooms daily and before afternoon class on MWFs.
• Clean classroom bathrooms daily and afternoon classroom bathrooms (there are 3) before afternoon class on MWFs.
• Clean Narthex, handrails, doorways, and other surfaces outside the classroom.
• Clean Teacher’s Workroom daily.
• Clean the FLC after use on inclement weather days.

Health Screening

• Teacher’s Aides and/or parent volunteer will administer a health questionnaire to all parents/guardians at drop off.
• Each child’s temperature will be taken upon arrival to school and recorded in the health questionnaire.
• Teachers will be given a daily temperature check and questionnaire.
• Parents will sign a waiver one time at the beginning of the year in lieu of a daily signature on the health questionnaire.
• The health screening process will be modified as needed and reevaluated periodically.

Arrival of Children

• Arrival times may be staggered to reduce the number of people in one place at one time and promote social distancing.
• Children and their families will be directed to use 1 of 2 or 3 entrances. The front entrance, the back entrance by the amphitheater and the Bower Chapel entrance if necessary.
• Parents are required to wear masks at drop off.

Departure of Children

• Departure may also be staggered by time and location.
• Parents are required to wear masks at pick up.

Hand Washing

• Children will wash hands as soon as they arrive to the classroom, before and after snacks, before the playground, and after they use the bathroom.
• Children will use hand sanitizer after their time on the playground or FLC.

Backpacks

• Children will not bring backpacks to school. Any artwork, crafts or communication will be sent home once a week in a disposable bag.
• Children will not bring items from home into the classroom. For show & share children may bring a picture of their item instead of the actual item.
• Children will keep a spare change of clothes in a sealed and labeled bag in the classroom.

All policies are flexible and will be modified according to new information and as we discover what works and does not work.

Part II:  Guidelines for Onset of Illness Among Students and Teachers
Guidelines for onset of illness at Hopewell Christian Preschool

 Child

• If a child becomes sick during the day, the teacher will remove the child to a waiting room, where the child will be kept comfortable until the parent can arrive.
• The parent will immediately be called and a request for immediate pick up will be made.

Staff

• Staff who appear to have symptoms (fever, cough, or shortness of breath) upon arrival at school or who become sick during the day should immediately be separated from children, co-workers, and parents and be sent home.
• If a staff member is confirmed to have COVID-19, administration will inform parents and fellow staff of their possible exposure to COVID-19. Confidentiality will be maintained according to the Americans with Disabilities Act.  The fellow staff and families should then self-monitor for symptoms.

Guidelines for onset of illness while at home

Child

• If a child becomes sick at home with any symptoms (cough, fever, muscle aches, generally not feeling well) parents should notify the school and keep the child at home. Follow the current illness policy to understand the return to school policy.  If symptoms are consistent with COVID-19, parents should call their pediatrician and ask for guidance.  Parents should call the school and share that guidance with Hopewell Christian Preschool so that the school knows how to proceed with next steps and notifying the proper people and/or authorities.

Staff

• Stay home: Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and are able to recover at home without medical care. Do not leave your home, except to get medical care.
• Let administration know that you are staying home.
• If symptoms are consistent with COVID-19 staff should call their doctor and ask for guidance, then let the administration know what that guidance is so the school knows how to proceed with next steps and notifications.

Quarantine and School Absence Policies for Symptomatic and Exposed Children and Staff:

• Symptomatic individual/child with test positive: stay home and away from others for 10 days from symptom onset AND at least 3 days after fever resolution (if present) AND improved respiratory symptoms.
• Symptomatic individual/child not tested: stay home and away from others for 10 days from symptom onset AND at least 3 days after fever resolution (if present) AND improved respiratory symptoms.
• Symptomatic individual/child determined to have an alternate cause or illness by their primary medical doctor: stay home until symptoms resolve and follow current school illness policy.
• Symptomatic individual/child with test negative: stay home until afebrile for 24 hours (if fever present) AND improved respiratory symptoms.
• Exposed and asymptomatic: stay home and away from others for 14 days from last exposure if remains asymptomatic; if becomes symptomatic stay home and away from others for 10 days from symptom onset AND at least 3 days after fever resolution (if present) AND improved respiratory symptoms.
• There is no need for testing to get a “negative test” to clear a child to return to school. The COVID-19 positive individual does NOT need to repeat COVID test to return to school.  Per Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

If Hopewell Christian Preschool or someone connected to Hopewell UMC has a case of COVID-19

• Administration will call the local or state health department for further instructions.
• All children and staff members in the same classroom or who have come in close contact with (defined as greater than 15 minutes of interaction less than 6 feet away) should quarantine at home unless given alternate guidance from health department officials. Anyone who develops symptoms during that time should contact their health care provider and school and follow the outlined guidance above.
• Close off areas used by the individuals with COVID-19 and wait as long as practical (24 hours) to begin cleaning and disinfecting to minimize potential for exposure to respiratory droplets. Open outside windows and doors to increase air circulation in the area.
• If more than 7 days since the diagnosed individual visited or used the space additional cleaning and disinfecting is not necessary.
• Dismiss students and staff for 2-5 days; this initial dismissal allows time for local health officials to gain a better understanding of the COVID-19 situation impacting the school and determine appropriate next steps.
• Local health officials’ recommendations for the scope and duration of the closure will be made on a case by case basis using the most up-to-date information about COVID-19 and the specific case at the school.
• A short-term dismissal will not include the stopping or reduction of tuition. Should the school be closed to all students for more than 5 days in a row, tuition reduction/stopping will be addressed.

COVID-19 and the coronavirus that causes it is a new virus and information and knowledge about it is being discovered every day.  As new information and guidelines are disseminated to the public by health officials our policies will change and update as needed.  All policies are flexible as we maneuver through this unprecedented time.