Advanced COVID-19 Protocols

Dear Castle Mountain Families,

Updated procedures and practices are in place in our centre as per directed by Alberta Health. In particular, they are:
Morning Check-In

• Health Questionnaire and temperatures of the children and staff are being taken and documented daily on arrival and departure, before the parent leaves; as stated by Alberta Health, if you say yes to any of the items on the list, you and your child will not be able to enter the program and you must call 811. You will only be allowed to return to the centre once you are symptom-free and with a doctor’s note.
  • For reference, normal temperatures are:
    • Underarm/Forehead: 36.5-37.5 degrees Celsius (97.7-99.5 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Limited/controlled points of entry to the facility. Parents will be dropping children off and picking up children at the following doors. Please note: parents will be asked to remain outside of the building and we also ask that the same parent/guardian pick up/drop-off their children to limit exposure to our centre.  
  • younger children will be in the toddler room using the main door as an entrance/exit; 
  • older children will be in the 3’s room using the 3’s room door as an entrance/exit
• Each room has a capacity of 30 people, including both children and staff, to enable physical distancing;
• Hand sanitizer will be available at all entrances and in classrooms for adult use only.

In the Classrooms

• Physical distancing is modeled and encouraged, and activity that involves physical contact is avoided. Daily activities, both inside and outside, are selected that allow for this;
• Toys and materials are all of a washable surface and they are cleaned continuously, 
• Our educators are empowered to adapt any and all activities as necessary to ensure the well-being of the children and themselves
• Children will be asked to practice hand hygiene throughout the day as hand sanitizer is not recommended for children.
• At this time we are asking that no personal items are to be brought to the daycare (ex. blankets and toys) 
• If a child develops symptoms while at the facility, the child will be isolated in a separate room and the parent will be notified to come and pick up the child immediately. If a separate room is not available, the child will be kept at least 2 meters away from the other children. 

Food

• Fewer children will share the tables during meal times.
• Water will be provided to students but water bottles are encouraged.

Cleaning and Disinfecting 

• More intense health and hygiene practices are in place, role-modeled, and reinforced repeatedly throughout the day, including hand washing, sneezing and coughing into elbows, use of tissues, proper disposal and hand washing after;  
• Intensified cleaning and disinfection practices; high touch surfaces, food surfaces and other solid surfaces are disinfected continuously. All toileting, diapering and washing areas are cleaned and disinfected before and after every use;
• Toys and materials are all of a washable surface and they are cleaned continuously.
• Thermometers will be sanitized between each use.

Staff

• Staff will be provided with PPE such as masks and gloves
• Staff will be asked to practice meticulous hand hygiene as per outlined by Alberta Health;
  • At the start of the day and before going home. 
  • After going to the washroom. 
  • After a diaper change (both children and staff). 
  • Before preparing food. 
  • Before eating. 
  • After getting hands dirty. 
  • After wiping nose or handling dirty tissues. 
  • After blowing nose. 
  • After cleaning tasks (staff). 
• Staff will be provided hand sanitizer 
• Staff will maintain 2 meter distance between each other and other adults
• Staff will be working in the same rooms with the same students each day
• Staff will be continuously cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting throughout the day

Miscellaneous

• There will be no non-essential visitors or volunteers at our program
• We will only be accepting e-transfer for payment of fees. If you require another form of payment, please let us know and we can find a mutual arrangement. 
• Housekeeping activities such as laundry, garbage and dishes will be done daily by the same classroom teachers.
• If your child will not be attending our program on any given day, please inform us at your earliest convenience by calling the daycare at 403-293-5888

These practices will be compared to those forthcoming from health authorities and amended as advised and always with the best interest of staff and children as a priority. The complete list of Guidance from Alberta Health can be viewed here: https://www.alberta.ca/assets/documents/covid-19-relaunch-guidance-daycare-out-of-school-care.pdf 

As welcome our children back, please take this time to role model, encourage and guide physical distancing so that this does not feel strange to them at that time. 

If you have further questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to email or call us.

Sincere regards,


Castle Mountain Child Development Centre Ltd.