Kirkland Preschool

OUR COVID-19 HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS

July 1, 2020                                   

In this time of COVID-19, Kirkland Preschool is doing our best to follow guidelines in order to provide excellent early childhood education in the safest way possible. We have a track record of great attention and care for members of our school community who have allergies or compromised immune systems. Building on those experiences, here are some of our general procedures for COVID-19 safety. Families attending our school will get more detailed information.

To limit contacts:

·       No adults other than staff can be in our buildings for the immediate future.  This is a difficult decision for us because family participation is a key part of our school experience.  We hope to be able to have our family helpers with us as soon as possible.

·       We are not trying to fill our classes this year, until the situation changes and restrictions are lifted.  As a small, independent non-profit, this has a big impact on our budget.

·       Arrival will be very different.  Appropriate distances will be marked on sidewalk, stairs, deck & ramp behind rambler.  We will check in each student individually, following State mandated health check procedures.  There will be staggered entry times to avoid long lines.  After saying good-bye, adults will continue on a one-way route back to their cars.

·       Departures will also be spaced out and will follow a one-way direction.

·       Staff will wear masks/shields.  Closer to September, we will follow any new guidance about children, who are not over 5, wearing masks during school.  We do suggest that it is very important for children to see others’ facial expressions as part of social learning.

Personal cleanliness, environmental cleaning and sanitizing:

·       Even before this, we have greatly stressed handwashing, and now we’re emphasizing it even more.  We are adding touchless soap dispensers at all our sinks.  We even have added a camping sink outside, so children can immediately wash hands after playing in the sandbox.  Of course, on returning into the building, they will wash again.

·       We have added very efficient air purifiers to each of the areas in our school.

·       Our daily cleaning and end-of-week cleaning continues to be as thorough as always.  Toys and other equipment are appropriately cleaned daily.

·       This year, we are providing individual supply boxes filled with tools for writing, drawing, cutting, etc.)

·       We are also providing “carry bags” for all children so they can efficiently bring what they need and get their projects home without other people touching them.

·       Our snacks are pre-apportioned on individual dishes, so children are not touching serving utensils.  As always, we take great care with those whose dietary needs require extra attention.

If anyone starts to exhibit symptoms after arriving at school:

·       We will follow the very specific State guidelines to isolate any child with a staff member, as we notify the family.  An adult will be expected to immediately come to pick up their child, and then to follow State mandated protocols.