COVID19: If You're Staying Open, What are You Doing to Keep You & Your Group Healthy?

[twirlerzmom]

I just posted a message this morning updating families on my new policies. All drop offs and pick ups are at the door, I will bring the kids up and down. Parents are not entering my home. I'm also taking temps at drop off and if it's over 100 the child must go back home. Illness policy states unwell for ANY reason they can't come, and cannot come back until 48 hours after symptoms subside WITHOUT meds. I also added that I may enforce a child to stay home if more than 2 household members are sick. I've deep cleaned and sanitized everything yesterday. Rotated toys in and out. Eliminated some toys to make daily cleaning easier. (Really, who needs 2 totes of legos?? ) I also had an air purifier filter and UV lamps installed in my furnace. The UV bulbs will kill any bacteria, fungi and virus in my home. I am blessed to have one of my families be in the HVAC field and was awarded the top dealer in the nation this year. They had it installed within 20 mins of me calling and asking to buy a new regular filter. He wanted my house to be as safe as possible.

[MomBoss]

Beginning of my letter..how does it sound?

To help with social distancing as recommended by the governor, i would like to start implementing quick drop off and pick ups. Parents can say their goodbyes at the door/car and ring the bell when ready. I can then take your child and help them with their coats and shoes. Parents arriving to pick up can text me when they are on their way and i can have child dressed and ready to go. This should help avoid the amount of people coming and going in the home.

[Unregistered]

Beginning of my letter..how does it sound?

To help with social distancing as recommended by the governor, i would like to start implementing quick drop off and pick ups. Parents can say their goodbyes at the door/car and ring the bell when ready. I can then take your child and help them with their coats and shoes. Parents arriving to pick up can text me when they are on their way and i can have child dressed and ready to go. This should help avoid the amount of people coming and going in the home.

Here's what I sent out: Use what you like:

Dear Parents, in light of the state of emergency announcements from the Governor and President yesterday, I am expecting that some of us in our group or extended family will have COVID-19 at some point. It seems the virus behaves different for different age groups and while most of us will have mild symptoms, the key in our efforts is: to make sure we do not all get it at the same time and risk overwhelming our health care system.

I want to make you aware of some additional steps I am taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19 with our connected group. I know this is an unprecedented situation for all of us and a very annoying interruption to our normal lives. I want to assure you I am following guidance from the State and CDC in taking these additional steps below along with additional standard precautions during this time. I hope they help us all weather this pandemic with better outcomes:

Every family is unique and I respect your decisions and discretion in the choices you are making for you families at this time, but for the health of our whole group and extended families I want to encourage you all to practice social distancing, hygiene precautions, and limit outings to essential ones only.
Next week I will implement drop off's / pick up's at the front porch and I will be signing children in and out for parents. I feel this will interrupt / slow down transmission if any of us do happen to get COVID-19.

It's not developmentally appropriate or even possible to ask children to practice social distancing (staying 6 feet apart) OR to expect them to adhere to the hygiene practices adults are using (not touching your face). Because of this I need to temporarily change our health policies related to cough/cold: For the next few months I will exclude children from care who have any signs of cough and/or fever over 99.5.

Additionally, for the health of the whole group I am asking parents to closely monitor their children and keep them home if they have any signs of cough with or without fever. Thankfully there have only been a few pediatric cases of COVID-19 but the ones reported quickly progress from morning cough to afternoon fevers.

These policies will be in effect for the next few months or until it's deemed the peak of this virus activity has passed.

I know you may have questions about how tuition will will work in the case I need to close for a 14 day quarantine.....(address that here)

Again, I want to stress these steps are necessary to slow down transmission, so if we do get COVID-19, we do not all get sick at the same time and risk overwhelming our health care system. I do not believe we need to be fearful but instead understand these steps are necessary to protect our health care system for those who are vulnerable to severe symptoms. I think most of us at this point know of extended family or friends with suspected cases who are recovering fine at home. I am hoping there will be a vaccine soon but want to make sure we are being responsible right now.

In closing please know I appreciate you all, your understanding, thoughtfulness and vigilance at this time. As always, please do not hesitate to let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

[Blackcat31]

^^ this is basically exactly what I did as well.

I let parents know everything I could upfront and included my plans for tuition requirements as well.

I am hoping to get ahead of the “do we still pay?” questions before they are asked.

[Annalee]

^^ this is basically exactly what I did as well.

I let parents know everything I could upfront and included my plans for tuition requirements as well.

I am hoping to get ahead of the “do we still pay?” questions before they are asked.

Yes; being proactive helps!

[Gemma]

I am also prepared to shelter in place with all 6 kids for up to three weeks in a worse case scenario.

That was my first thought, and all the parents would've been on board, but hubby said "Hell no"!

So I tighten my illness policy, removed toys that are not easily sanitized, brought the disinfecting way up, and only allow parents at the entrance for quick pick up and drop off.

I don't know what else to do.

[Gemma]

^^ this is basically exactly what I did as well.

I let parents know everything I could upfront and included my plans for tuition requirements as well.

I am hoping to get ahead of the “do we still pay?” questions before they are asked.

Lucky you! I verbally stated,I followed up with written notification that all parents signed....and I still got that question::

[AmyKidsCo]

^^ this is basically exactly what I did as well.

I let parents know everything I could upfront and included my plans for tuition requirements as well.

I am hoping to get ahead of the “do we still pay?” questions before they are asked.

I sent home a long letter last night too. I'm disinfecting more than usual, signing the kids in/out instead of parents doing it, no more toys from home, parents text at pick up so I can get the child ready, quick drop offs, more frequent hand washing and hygiene reminders, etc. And I added that children unwilling to follow good hygiene may be excluded from care because I have one who will go through a container of toys and lick each one, on purpose, after being reminded to keep toys out of his mouth. I get that kids are kids, but I need to think of the others' health too.

[Cat Herder]

I was going to write up a statement outlining everything, but the reality is my clients won't read it and they really could care less. Their hands are full with working from home and homeschooling. They see me as one thing they don't have to do.

As long as I am open they will bring their kids. It would just create more work for me. If they ask a question, I will answer it. Hasn't happened yet other than "are you staying open"?

[TomCopeland]

Free Webinar: Dealing with the Financial Side of the Coronavirus

I'm offering a free webinar on "Dealing with the Financial Side of the Coronavirus" on Monday, March 23rd starting at 8pm Eastern Time.
To register: https://register.gotowebinar.com/reg...15680744315403

This webinar will help you cope with the financial impact of the virus crisis
• Can you get covered by insurance for loss of business income?
• Are you eligible for unemployment benefits if you shut down?
• Can you exclude children if you think they are too sick to attend?
• How to change your contract/policies to cover you when parents temporarily keep their children home
• What can you do financially if you shut down temporarily?

The webinar is sponsored by the National Association for Family Child Care.

[Annalee]

I was going to write up a statement outlining everything, but the reality is my clients won't read it and they really could care less. Their hands are full with working from home and homeschooling. They see me as one thing they don't have to do.

As long as I am open they will bring their kids. It would just create more work for me. If they ask a question, I will answer it. Hasn't happened yet other than "are you staying open"?

::so true!

I have, though, passed on every state email I have received....clients know they will have to pay me, so they are really hoping I don't have to close even though they are working at home.:confused:

[CenterTeacher20]

I'm offering a free webinar on "Dealing with the Financial Side of the Coronavirus" on Monday, March 23rd starting at 8pm Eastern Time.
To register: https://register.gotowebinar.com/reg...15680744315403

Dang, I guess I'm too late for this one. Not surprised the webinar filled up fast, though!

[Gemma]

Dang, I guess I'm too late for this one. Not surprised the webinar filled up fast, though!

me too, I guess!
Maybe there will be threads following this webinar and we can learn from those

[Firefly]

Will it be recorded where we can listen to it later?

[Snowmom]

It's so surreal to see how processes have changed in such a short time!

Like everyone else, I asked IF families are able to stay home with their kids, they do it (I'm open- tuition still due).
I've still had a kid or two randomly this week.

Right now:
I meet them at the door armed with gloves and my thermometer. Temps taken, once over health check done. NO illness symptoms allowed whatsoever. Shoes and coat go in a clear tote at my front door (outside). Child's hands wiped with sanitizer and washed after entering. No adults allowed in at all.
Only one arrival allowed at a time. All others wait at in their car until the other parent leaves.

I do have masks left in my stash that I always used on kids that had anything. They are now being used BY ME.
I have asthma. I'm on corticosteriods for it- so I'm basically doomed when I get it.