COVID-19 Pandemic Care Plan

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Policy Statement:

In response to the need for child care in licensed centres to re-open, Creative Beginnings Childcare Centre will re-open to provide safe and quality child care. The re-opening of the centres will happen in a phased approach and pending Provincial and Ministry direction.

 

Operating Details:       

All licensing requirements will be met to satisfy the Ministry of Education and program advisor. All requirements as outlined by Region of Waterloo Public Health and the Ministry of Education will be followed by all staff. Staff are expected to follow all new policies and procedures related to the operation of child care during COVID-19, and all other required policies and procedures as used during normal business operation.

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Cohorting

• A cohort is defined as a group of children and the staff members assigned to them, who stay together throughout the duration of the program for a minimum of 7 days.

• On September 1, 2020, cohorts will return to full licensed capacity. Mixing with other cohorts is not permitted.

• Licensees are required to maintain ratios set out under the Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA). Reduced ratios are permitted (excluding infants) as set out under the CCEYA provided that cohorts are not mixed with other cohorts.

• Maximum capacity rules do not apply to Special Needs Resource staff on site (this includes enhanced staffing).

 

Enrollment

Families that attended Creative Beginnings Childcare Centres prior to the COVID-19 closure were surveyed to determine their current care needs. Given the required reduced classroom ratios, spaces at all children’s centres will be limited.

 

Returning families will be given priority around their spaces before any children on the waitlist will be started. Returning families will have a maximum of 14 days to take a spot being offered September 1, 2020 as we are operating at full license capacity.  The following was taken into consideration when determining a priority list for returning families;

• Returning children served through emergency child care

• Care for families where parents must return to work and that work outside of the home

• Families with special circumstances that would benefit from children returning to care, such as children with special needs

• Other local circumstances

 

Staffing

Supervisors should limit their movement between rooms, only entering classrooms when absolutely necessary.

 

Staff should only work at one location. Supply staff will be assigned to a specific centre and should avoid mixing between cohorts.

 

Child care staff may be assigned to a specific cohort and should avoid covering off colleagues assigned to different cohorts. If a child care staff must cover a colleague in a different cohort/room (e.g. during breaks) they must do so in a manner that maintains physical distancing if possible, and a non-medical face mask or face covering should be worn.

 

See Personal Protective Equipment policy.

 

 

Physical Distancing

When setting up the play space, physical distancing of at least 2 meters must be maintained between cohorts and should be encouraged, where possible, between children within the same cohort.

Suggestions include;

• spreading children out into different areas, particularly at meal and dressing time

• incorporating more individual activities or activities that encourage more space between children

• using visual cues to promote physical distancing (markings on the floor)

• planning activities that do not involve shared objects or toys – individual use of or labelled containers for playdough, sand or water

• When possible, moving activities outside to allow for more space

 

In children’s bathrooms, only every second toilet or sink should be used, and where possible, a washable barrier should be used (when possible) to separate every other toilet and sink. If more than one cohort uses the same washroom, thorough disinfection must be performed between cohorts.

 

Infection Prevention

• All staff, children and caregivers will be screened prior to entering the child care centre and mid day (See Screening Standard Operating Procedure). Any person who fails the screen will not be permitted into the centre.

• Stroller/wagon storage can be used, but practicing physical distance should be considered.

• No visitors will be permitted into the centre during the pandemic. New families will not tour the centre. An online option/video/photos can be arranged through centre supervisor.

• Delivery items can be brought into the centre as long as the person passing the screening and wears requires PPE.

• Children will spend additional time outdoors weather permitting.

• The use of communal sensory play materials will not be permitted.

• Staff will regularly engage in proper hand hygiene protocol, which includes but is not limited to entering and leaving a room. Hand washing with soap and water is the preferred method, hand sanitizer is also acceptable. (See Infection Control Standard Operating Procedure).

• Cleaning in the form of disinfecting will take place regularly throughout the day on high traffic touch spots.  General thorough cleaning of the rooms will take place at least once daily. All cleaning products used will meet Public Health guidelines. (See Infection Control Standard Operating Procedure).

• Children will bring their own sunscreen and it will not be shared. Staff will provide assistance to apply sunscreen to any child requiring help. Staff will exercise proper hand hygiene when applying sunscreen to children (washing hands before and after each application).

• Every effort will be made for physical distancing between staff to staff, child to child and for all other people in the centre.

• Cooks and support staff will avoid entering program rooms and working between the centres that are open.

• Every reasonable effort will be made to limit the number of staff that enter a room, as such staff schedules may be altered to minimize the number of different individuals entering a program room for break coverage, lunch coverage, and beginning and end of day.

• Where a child becomes symptomatic mid program, an Incident Report, will be completed for the employees that were potentially exposed to the child. Potentially exposed would be defined as those individuals that could not maintain <2 metres or 6 feet of physical distance.

 

See Infection Control Protocol for additional measures in place.

 

REFERENCES:

• Screening Policy

• Infection Control Standard Operating Procedure

• Isolation Protocol Standard Operating Procedure​

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Covid-19 Pandemic Care Plan - Infection Control Protocol

 

POLICY

In addition to routine practices for dealing with blood/body fluids and blood/body fluid by-products, all staff must strictly adhere to sanitary precautions in all aspects of the program.

 

PROCEDURES

Refer to Public Health Ontario Cleaning and Disinfection for Public Settings and the ROW Safe and Healthy Children: A Public Health Resource Manual for Child Care Providers for detailed information on proper cleaning protocol. Centres will be cleaned and disinfected thoroughly prior to being re-opened. Once the centre is operational, cleaning and disinfection must be performed at least once a day before opening for the day and whenever contaminated during daily operation on an ongoing basis. High touch surfaces must be cleaned and disinfected at a minimum of twice daily.

 

Cleaning products used must have a Drug Identification Number (DIN) and statement of capacity to kill viruses (contains a virucide).

 

Prior to re-opening, all staff will read and sign off on new Covid-19 Pandemic Care Plan policies and be trained and will follow the Health and Safety Protocols.

 

Each centre will maintain a cleaning and disinfection log to track and demonstrate daily and weekly cleaning.

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Hand Hygiene

Disposable Gloves:

Gloves must be worn in the following circumstances and disposed after use:

• Administering first aid

• Cleaning up blood and body fluid e.g. vomitus spills and disinfecting surfaces

• Rinsing wet clothing or linen

• Contact with diarrhea e.g. cleaning/disinfecting contaminated surfaces, diaper changing

• Handling dirty laundry

• Staff must adhere to proper don/doffing of gloves, see video link.

 

Hand Washing:

Staff must wash their hands with soap and warm water in the following situations:

• Before handling food, drinks or medication

• Before and after eating

• Before and after diaper check and change

• Before and after toileting

• Before and after contact with bodily fluids

• Before and after using gloves

• Before and after touching theirs or someone else’s face

• Before entering and leaving a classroom

• After touching contaminated articles such as toys that have been mouthed or personal care items such as toothbrushes

• Immediately following the disposal or laundering of any contaminated personal protective equipment (PPE)

 

If staff cannot access soap and water, alcohol based hand sanitizer containing a minimum of 60% alcohol can be used, only if the hands are not visibly soiled.

 

The removal of all hand jewelry and nail polish is recommended to ensure thorough hand sanitizing and hand hygiene.

 

Children must be encouraged to wash their hands with warm soapy water:

• Before handling food

• Before and after eating

• Before and after toileting, including after a diaper change

• After putting their hands in their mouths

• At arrival time, and when coming inside from outdoor play

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Close Contact

Efforts should be made to maintain physical distancing between staff to staff, and staff to children (2m minimum or 6 feet).

 

Avoid getting close to the faces of children whenever possible.

 

When physical distancing is not possible with holding toddlers or infants, staff may use blankets or cloths (can be a gowns) over childcare providers/Educators clothing and change the blanket between children. Gowns, blankets or cloths will need to be laundered between each use. Disposable gowns will not be reused. Blankets, cloths or lab coats should not be worn outside the program room, into the kitchen or into the staff room.

 

It is recommended that staff don a mask and eye protection when in close contact with any person. See Public Health Ontario When and How to Wear a Mask

 

Staff are to adhere to proper don/doffing of any mandatory or optional personal protective equipment and practice hand hygiene immediately following the disposal or laundering of any contaminated PPE.

 

Staff on breaks and lunch need to maintain 2m physical distancing from staff working in other areas of the centre. Shared spaces, including lunch tables, microwave, taps, etc. will be disinfected between users. Each staff room will have a maximum capacity posted on the entryway and furniture will be arranged to support physical distancing.

 

No more than one person should be in the kitchen at a time to ensure physical distancing is maintained. Where possible, dedicate staff for kitchen duties. Ideally, do not assign housekeeping staff to be involved with food preparation or food service.

 

All staff must complete a Daily Close Contact Log to keep track of who they have been in close contact with throughout their shift. These logs will be filed in a designated location at each centre by the end of each shift. This information will be needed in the event of a positive COVID-19 case to support contact tracing.

 

Sleeping/Resting

Children will have a crib, cot, or mattress assigned to them. Beds will be placed to support social distancing practices (2 metre separation). If 2m separation is not possible, children will be placed head-to-toe or toe-to toe.

 

Bedding must be changed between each user. Bedding, if used by same user, must be cleaned weekly or more frequently as needed.

 

Beds must be cleaned and sanitized between each user if they are shared among children.

 

Beds must be cleaned and sanitized weekly or more frequently as needed.

 

Staff will record all cleaning and sanitizing of beds and linens on the daily cleaning log.

 

Cleaning Toys and Play Equipment

Staff must wear gloves when cleaning / disinfecting any toys, equipment or furnishings. Staff must ensure that all toys and equipment are in good repair, clean and sanitary.

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Shared spaces and structures that cannot be cleaned and disinfected between cohorts will not be used.

 

The Supervisor or designate must be advised of any concerns regarding toys and equipment.

 

Plush toys will be removed from classrooms and outdoor spaces as they can not be readily cleaned and disinfected. Personal comfort toys can be brought to centre and used during sleep/rest time. They must be placed back in a bag in the child’s cubby after sleep/rest time. All of children’s personal belongings should be labelled with their name.

 

It is recommended that books, puzzles, cardboard/boxboard, etc. that are absorbent and cannot be easily cleaned and disinfected are limited or removed.

 

Sensory materials commonly shared such as sand, water, playdough are not permitted. If sensory materials (e.g., playdough, water, sand, etc.) are offered, they should be provided for single-use and dedicated for same child all day and labelled with child’s name.

 

Standard Cleaning protocols will be followed when children in care are asymptomatic:

• Toys and other materials that are being shared between cohorts must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected in between use. This includes all outdoor toys, materials and structures.

• Preschool and toddler toys must be cleaned at least every week and more frequently as needed.

• Mouthed toys must immediately be cleaned and sanitized after every use.

• Large equipment and shelving must be cleaned and disinfected every week.

• Toys needing to go through the dishwasher will be washed at a time which does not conflict with the work of the kitchen staff as a way to prevent staff from crossing into work areas. Sand toys may not be washed in the dishwasher.

• Encourage increased physical space between children by spreading out activities and staggering lunch and playtimes.

• Floors must be kept clean and dry throughout the day. They must be damp mopped as necessary by staff. Do not sweep as this spreads bacteria and virus into the air.

• Tables, including underside, and chairs being used are to be cleaned and disinfected twice daily and more often as needed.

• Tables used to eat meals should be cleaned and disinfected before and after each meal.

• Re-inforce not sharing food amongst the children.

• Ensure sippy cups, bottles, soothers are labelled to avoid accidental sharing.

• Food should be served by one person rather than letting children help themselves.

• Children’s cubbies are to be kept neat and checked daily by staff.

• If outdoor equipment is accessed it must be cleaned and disinfected before each use.

• The cleaning schedule for toys and equipment will be posted in all playrooms.

 

Centre cleaners will thoroughly clean and disinfect bathrooms, damp mop floors, spot clean glass, vacuum carpets, dust furniture and shelves, empty garbage and disinfect containers daily.

 

All common areas and high touch surfaces (e.g., door knobs, hand rails, light switches, tabletops, sinks, faucets, toilet handles, on-site playground equipment) will be cleaned and disinfected at a minimum of twice daily and when soiled.

 

The Supervisor or designate will maintain contact with the cleaning staff using a communication log. Any specific tasks or concerns should be documented. For serious concerns, the Supervisor or designate should contact the Facilities Maintenance Supervisor.

 

Cleaning Post Symptomatic Child

A sign will be posted on the door of the isolation room indicating that the room is closed until a thorough cleaning can be done.

 

Staff who are not sent home will be responsible to thoroughly clean the isolation room while donning the appropriate PPE.

 

The classroom where a symptomatic child or staff member has been will undergo a thorough cleaning and disinfection before being opened to program participants again. The part of the room closed will be cleaned by staff (if available) or the evening cleaning staff. Staff cleaning this area must don the appropriate PPE. This section of the room will be closed until the cleaning is done. A sign will be posted to notify others that the area is closed.

 

Cleaning will include disinfection of all toys and surfaces including tabletops, chairs, washrooms, cots, and equipment.

 

All bedding will be laundered.

 

Items unable to be disinfected will either be disposed off or quarantined in a sealed storage area for 7 days.

 

Laundry for post Symptomatic Child

Gloves and gown will be worn when doing laundry.

 

All laundry should be washed with regular soap and hot water (60°C - 90°C) and dried thoroughly.

 

Clothing and linen from an unwell/infected child can be washed with other laundry.

 

Linens and children’s clothing soiled with fecal material should be sent home. Fecal matter can be disposed in the toilet before bagging the items. Rinsing of these items is not permitted as per Public Health direction.

 

Staff must use appropriate PPE when handling laundry from a symptomatic person (e.g. gloves, eye protection, gowns).

 

Laundry hampers will be clearly labelled ‘dirty’ or ‘clean’ and be disinfected once a day or more often if needed.

 

Inventory of Supplies

Each centre will provide a weekly inventory (Friday PM) to the Supervisor or designate of current count of necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) and disinfectant supplies (cleaner, hand sanitizer, paper towel/wipes).

 

The Supervisor or designate will escalate supply needs to Health and Safety, Office Manager or Executive Director. 

 

Cleaning of Shared Staff Spaces

Staff will regularly clean commonly used spaces. This will include, but is not limited to, staff lunchroom, washroom, office space and shared equipment.

 

See ROW HS Infection Control Fact Sheet for more information.

 

Additional References:

 

ROW HS Infection Control Fact Sheet

Covid-19 Pandemic Care Plan

Screening SOP

Ministry of Education Operational Guidance During COVID-19 Outbreak

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COVID-19 Pandemic Care Plan – Personal Protective Equipment

 

Policy

To prevent the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the potential risk of exposure at all Creative Beginnings Childcare Centres (CBCC), screening questions will be required for all individuals prior to entry. Screening requirements apply to every CBCC employee, caregiver and child at the beginning of the day. In addition to this, children will be screened mid day.

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Operating Details​

Greeting and Explanation

 

1. A greeting and explanation will be posted on the entrance for every children’s centre notifying caregivers and staff of the requirements for screening prior to entry.

2. Screening stations will be created in consultation with Health and Safety and Management for best location.

3. Standard notification / signage

4. Screening criteria with questions will be provided to parents/guardians and staff in advance of coming to the childcare centre.

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Screening Details

1. Pick-up and drop-off of children should happen outside the centre if possible or at the recommended screening location as determined by Supervisor and/or Health and Safety.

2. Ground markings or pylons may be used to indicate appropriate physical distancing where parents may be waiting.

3. Any child, parent/guardian who answers yes to the screening criteria will result in the child(ren) not be able to enter the building.  CBCC will follow up with Region of Waterloo Public Health for further direction.  The child may not be able to return until Public Health indicates.

4. Parents / guardians and staff should be encouraged to check their temperatures (and children’s temperatures) daily before coming to the centre.

   1. If the temperature is equal or greater than 37.8 degrees Celsius or if the child/children have any cold-like symptoms or vomiting and/or diarrhea, the child should not be brought to program.

5. Staff will also do a visual check of anyone entering the facility. Where a child or adult is obviously ill, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, runny nose, sore throat, staff must refuse entry into the facility to promote health and wellness at the centre.

6. Staff who are experiencing any of the symptoms or who will answer “yes” to any of the questions on the active screening sheets are expected to stay at home and report their absence to their supervisor. The supervisor will notify Public Health and Executive Director for follow-up.

7. The supervisor or designate will assign the active screening schedule for each day.

8. Cleaners, people doing maintenance work, people providing supports for children with special needs, those delivering food may be permitted to enter the centre at the screening station. Screening and records must be maintained for each person including name, contact information, time of arrival/departure, screening completion/result and logged in the centre log book. They must be wearing a mask while in the centre. Medical Grade masks will be used for supporting children and non-medical grade masks can be used for supporting program i.e. Food delivery workers.

9. The staff doing the health screening will remain 2 meters apart at the screening booth until both the parent and the child have passed the screening. This staff member will wear PPE (a surgical/procedure mask and face shield).

10. Parent/guardian and children will have their temperature taken at the screen station.  Follow temperature taking policy.

    1. They will use the temporal artery thermometer provided. If they are unable to use the temporal artery thermometer they will be offered a digital ear thermometer with a disposable ear cover to use.

    2. Either thermometer used will be disinfected between each use.

11.  Information obtained during the screening process must be recorded on the screening form.

12. Upon passing the screening, the dedicated childcare teacher or screener will leave any items brought into the centre on the sanitizing table, and walk the child to their designated classroom. If less than 6 feet of distance cannot be maintained between the staff member and the child, the staff member will don a medical face mask.

    1. If close contact for child transfer is required, the childcare teacher will don a mask and may use a blanket/ cloth barrier/gown to carry the child. The blanket/cloth barrier must be laundered after use with each child.

    2. The screener or designated staff will disinfect, spray or wipe all items that the child has brought and deliver to the child’s cubby or classroom. It is recommended that backpacks not be brought into the centre. Children’s extra clothing can be stored in a ziplock bag in the child’s basket, cubby area, or washroom, whichever is most convenient.

13. The child/children will be asked to complete hand hygiene with the hand sanitizer before going into the program room.

14. If a child or staff member has been absent from the program due a positive case of COVID-19, the child or staff cannot return to program until 14 days post symptom onset and the absence of any symptoms.

15. The person screening will verify with the supervisor or designate that the child or staff is eligible to return.

 

 

Screening Questions

The following questions are to be asked of all individuals at the screening station. Only Region of Waterloo staff and children in attendance at the centre may enter the building.

1. Have you travelled outside of Ontario in the last 14 days?

2. Do you have any new or worsened cough or difficulty breathing?

3. Do you have a sore throat or difficult swallowing?

4. Do you have a fever?

5. Do you have a runny nose, nasal congestion– in absence of underlying reason for these symptoms such as seasonal allergies, post nasal drip, etc.?

6. Are you experiencing any of the other symptoms as listed in the most current Ministry of Health Guidance Document on COVID-19 Symptoms?

7. Has your children taken any medication in the last 24 hours, if yes, what and when?

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/coronavirus/2019_guidanc e.aspx

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/coronavirus/docs/2019_pat ient_screening_guidance.pdf

Other symptoms and signs to look for include but are not limited to:

• Fever

• Cough

• Difficulty breathing

• Runny nose or nasal congestion

• Red eyes (conjunctivitis)

• Nausea/vomiting

• Diarrhea

• New loss of taste or smell

• Headache and a general feeling of being unwell

• Tired or sore muscles, chills

• Headache and lethargy or difficulty feeding in infants (if no diagnosis)

 

Steps to Screening for Children mid day:

1. The child care teacher will take the temperature of each child under her/his care.

   1. The thermometer used will be either temporal artery thermometer or ear thermometer with disposable protective cover.

   2. A new cover will be put on for each child.

   3. The thermometer will be disinfected in between each read.

   4. The end of the thermometer needs to be dry for an accurate reading.

2. Throughout the day, teachers will monitor children’s general conditions, including all symptoms per the most recent Ministry of Health COVID-19 Symptoms guidance document. This would include, but is not limited to:

• New or existing cough

• Difficulty breathing

• Fever

• Runny nose

• Red Eyes (Conjunctivitis)

• Headache and a general feeling of being unwell or lethargy or difficulty feeding in infants

• Diarrhea, vomiting

• Tired or sore muscles, chills

• Sore throat

• Muscle fatigue

1. If the child fails the mid day screen, or if their condition changes at anytime throughout the day, the childcare teacher will notify the supervisor or designate immediately so the caregivers can arrange to have the child picked up.

2. The child will be isolated until pick up. The Supervisor or designate will contact Public Health to report the concern and for further direction on next steps.

See Isolation and Report of Symptomatic Cases Policy for further information

 

Additional References

• Covid-10 Pandemic Care Infection Control Protocol COVID-19 Covid-19 Pandemic Care Plan

• Active Screening Log

• Covid-19 Pandemic Care Plan - Isolation Protocol/Reporting of Symptomatic Persons

• Temperature taking Standard Operating Procedure​

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COVID-19 Pandemic Care Plan

Isolation Protocol and Reporting for Symptomatic Persons Operating Details

To ensure the health and well being of children within the Creative Beginnings Childcare Centres, children and staff who become ill while attending the program will be required to leave the program.

 

Staff must assess the situation to determine the need for when a child needs to be picked up by the parent. This can be determined through either the noticeable onset of symptoms, or from the mid-day screening activity. Staff will self monitor their own health throughout the day.

 

Close contact is defined as:

• Providing direct care for and including healthcare workers, family members or other caregivers, or who had other similar close physical contact (e.g., intimate partner) without consistent and appropriate use of personal protective equipment, OR

• living with or otherwise had close face to face contact (within 2 metres) with a probable or confirmed case for more than 15 minutes (may be cumulative, i.e., multiple interactions) up to 48 hours prior to symptom onset, OR

• has had direct contact with infectious body fluids of a probable or confirmed case (e.g., was coughed or sneezed on) while not wearing recommended PPE, OR

• has been identified by the local Public Health as a possible contact.

 

PROCEDURES

1. Any child or staff who develops symptoms of ill health including symptoms of ill health related to COVID-19 must follow the direction below.

 

1. The childcare teacher will notify the supervisor or designate immediately for contact to be made to the parent /caregiver and Public Health. Pick-up shall be arranged for the child. If the parent cannot be reached, the emergency contact person will be contacted to pick up the child.

 

Information taken from Child Care Centre Reopening Guidance Document – June 2020 Region of Waterloo, Public Health and Emergency Services and Ministry of Education document “Operational Guidance During COVID-19, Child Care Re- Opening”

 

COVID-19 symptoms are as defined in the most recent version of the Ministry of Health COVID-19 Reference Document for Symptoms. http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/coronavirus/2019_guid ance.aspx#symptoms

 

Child Care Centres

Symptomatic Child/Staff Case Details

Isolation/monitoring recommendation

Symptomatic child/staff undergoing testing with NO KNOWN exposure to confirmed COVID case

• Child or staff member self-isolates and get tested

• Any one who was in close contact, staff and other children should self-monitor

Symptomatic child/ Staff undergoing testing with KNOWN exposure to confirmed COVID case

• Child or staff self-isolate and get tested

• All close contacts (children, parent, staff) need to self-isolate.

• If able to cohort where other groups of children and staff did not have contact, such as no shared lunch area, shared facilities or play areas, these areas can remain open.

• If there are shared spaces, shared facilities and there is close contact, then centre must close.

 

Confirmed Case

Case Details

Isolation/monitoring recommendation

 

Confirmed COVID case child/staff

• All close contacts (children, parent, staff) need to self-isolate.

• If able to cohort where other groups of children and staff did not have contact, such as no shared lunch area, shared facilities or play areas, these areas can remain open.

 

1. Symptomatic children are immediately separated from others in a supervised area until they can go home. A childcare teacher from the program room will accompany the child and provide supervision at all times. If the child is over the age of 2 and willing, the child will don a mask. If the symptomatic child has any siblings at the centre they will also be sent home at this time.

 

2. Staff should wear a surgical/procedure mask, eye protection and gowns at all times while supervising a symptomatic child. Every effort should be made for physical distancing to be maintained between the staff and symptomatic child.

 

3. If the symptomatic child is in a room with other family members from the same household only, the child may not need to be removed from the program room. Efforts will be made to encourage the child to maintain physical distancing from other children and childcare teachers. If the child is over the age of 2 and willing, the child will don a mask.

 

4. Every effort will be made to keep the child comfortable until someone arrives to take him or her home.

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5. Hygiene and respiratory etiquette should be practiced while the child is waiting to be picked up. The designated room should be supplied with either a hand sink with hot and cold running water, liquid soap and single-use paper towels or hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol content. Tissues should be provided to the child for proper respiratory etiquette, with proper disposal of the tissues and proper hand hygiene. ** Hand sanitizer that is Technical Grade will not be used in a Child Care Center**

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6. Once the child and siblings have been picked up, the childcare teacher will remove and dispose of appropriate PPE, according to the Public Health Ontario Don/Doffing PPE Fact Sheet

 

7. Reusable PPE such as blanket, cloth or gown should be laundered immediately. Clothing and linen from an unwell/infected child can be washed with other laundry. The child’s personal items must be bagged and sent home and not washed.

 

8. Reusable PPE such as a face shield will be disinfected per the ROW Health and Safety Cleaning PPE Fact Sheet.

 

9. Disinfecting of both the program space and isolation space will be cleaned as per the Covid-19 Pandemic Care Plan- Infection Control Protocol.

 

10. Any items used by the sick person should be cleaned and disinfected. All items that cannot be cleaned (paper, books, cardboard puzzles) should be removed and stored in a sealed container for a minimum of 7 days.

 

11. The supervisor will complete an Incident Report for any childcare teacher that was in close contact (<2m) with the symptomatic person for a cumulative time of more than 15 minutes during their shift.

 

12. The centre supervisor will contact Region of Waterloo Public Health to report a symptomatic person: 519-575-4400. Further direction about isolation and/or testing of others at the centre will be provided by Region of Waterloo Public Health if the child is COVID-19 positive or in close contact of a case. The supervisor will follow all direction provided by Public Health. The following information will be shared with Public Health

 

• Child Care Centre Name, address, contact person, phone number

• Persons name

• Persons contact information

• For staff members, date of birth

 

13. Symptomatic persons will go for COVID-19 testing and be advised to remain home until they are known to be COVID-19 negative and 24 hours symptom free. The symptomatic child’s sibling is also to be excluded until this time.

 

Serious Occurrence Reporting

1. Where a child, parent, staff is suspected (has symptoms and has been tested) of having or has a confirmed case of COVID-19, the centre must report this to the ministry as a serious occurrence within 24 hours of being notified. Initial notification could be through an email to the Ministry Program Advisor.

 

2. Where a room, centre or premises closes due to COVID-19, the centre must report this to the ministry as a serious occurrence.

 

3. The centre is required to post the serious occurrence notification form as required under the CCEYA, unless the local public health advises otherwise.

 

4. The centre is required to notify the Executive Director ASAP.

 

5. The Supervisor will notify the parents/guardians and staff when a symptomatic person in their/ their child’s cohort or at the childcare centre is sent home along with any direction provided from Public Health.

 

6. For illnesses not COVID-19 related, children must be 24 hours’ symptom free (without medication) before returning.

 

Staff Illness

1. Any staff person who suspects that they have an infectious disease should not attend the child care program if they are not well, particularly if their symptoms include any outlined in the most recent Ministry of Health COVID-19 Reference Document for Symptoms. Staff must pass the active screen process to work at the centre. If a staff member becomes ill while at the centre they should let their supervisor know, don a face mask and remove themselves from program as soon as possible.

 

2. Disinfecting of the program space that the symptomatic staff member was in will be cleaned as per the Emergency Care Pandemic Plan- Infection Control Protocol.

 

3. Repeat steps 1-15 above for case management.

 

4. The supervisor will notify Executive Director for any illnesses that are believed to be the result of exposure to infectious disease through the course of work. Executive Director will file notification with the appropriate bodies (MOL).

 

5. For illnesses not COVID-19 related, staff must be 24 hours’ symptom free before returning.

 

Confirmed Positive COVID-19 Case for Staff or Child

1. Child care centres must consider a simple, symptomatic, laboratory confirmed case of COVID-19 in a staff member or child as a confirmed COVID-19 outbreak in consultation with the local Public Health Unit. Outbreaks should be declared in collaboration between the centre and the local Public Health Unit to ensure an outbreak number is provided.

 

2. Those who test positive for COVID-19 must be excluded for 14 days after the onset of symptoms.

 

3. Children or staff who have been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19 should be excluded from the child care setting for 14 days. Additional testing may be required as per direction from Public Health.

 

4. Region of Waterloo Public Health will provide ongoing support for a confirmed COVID outbreak including providing direction on the operation of the centre and outbreak management. Region of Waterloo Public Health will provide direction regarding the length/duration of an outbreak depending on laboratory findings (if an organism is identified), evidence of continued spread and resolution of illness.

 

Additional References:

 

Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services COVID-19 Guidance for Child Care Centre re-opening.

https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/health-and-wellness/resources/Documents/COVID- 19-Guidelines-for-Child-Care-Centres-Reopening-June-2020.pdf