The strain of coronavirus currently in the news and causing such serious health concern is COVID-19 (the new coronavirus), initially called 2019nCoV. We understand from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control that this strain spreads easily and can be fatal, most often in the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. From our understanding, there are other strains of coronavirus that have different attributes and may not be as dangerous. We are told that it is not uncommon for individuals to be diagnosed with one of these other strains of coronavirus, especially during flu season. COVID-19 is the one we are addressing on this this page.

For the latest information from the CDC, please visit:
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

CDC fact sheets:

Resources for Families

For helpful tips when talking to you children, click here to access NPR’s “Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus”

Center Policy*

As of March 12, 2020

We are continuing to monitor the rapidly evolving public health situation around COVID-19, the new coronavirus. All updates and guidance will be available below; this information will supersede any previous communications or policies.

Notice to the Center
Please inform center leadership as soon as possible if you, or any family or staff member in your household, has traveled or has plans to travel to or from a CDC Level 3, or CDC Level 2 area (as designated by the Centers for Disease Control). These designations are available on the CDC website and are updated regularly by the CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html). [As of February 29, CDC Level 3 includes China, Iran, South Korea, and Italy. CDC Level 2 includes Japan.]

Precautionary Measures
The health and well-being of our families and staff are our highest priorities. In the interest of limiting the opportunity for transmission to our vulnerable community, we are taking the following precautionary measures:

  • Returning Travelers – Any individual returning from any Level 3 area and any Level 2 area must remain out of the center for 14 days after returning to the U.S. This includes any individual with pick-up and/or drop-off privileges at the center. If, at the end of this 14-day period, the traveler has not experienced any symptoms, a return to the center is allowed. If the traveler has experienced symptoms, you will need to notify center leadership and obtain medical clearance before a return to the center can be allowed.
  • Suspected or Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 – Any individual with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 must remain out of the center until receiving medical clearance to return. This includes any individual with pick-up and/or drop-off privileges.
  • School/Office Closures – Any individual who has attended or worked in schools or offices that have closed due to a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 in that school/office must remain out of the center for 14 days.
  • Close Contacts – Individuals in the same household, including individuals who may not live in the household but may be staying there or are otherwise present in the household on a regular basis (e.g. nannies, caregivers, home health workers, contractors, etc.) are considered to be in close contact.
    1. Individuals who are in close contact with Returning Travelers must also remain out of the center for 14 days after the traveler’s return to the U.S. If, at the end of this 14-day period, the traveler has not experienced any symptoms, these individuals may return to the center. If the traveler has experienced symptoms, you will need to notify center leadership and these individuals will need to obtain medical clearance before they can return to the center.
    2. Individuals, who are in close contact with anyone having a suspected/confirmed case of COVID-19, must also remain out of our center for 14 days after the contact ceases. If, at the end of this 14-day period, these individuals have not experienced any symptoms, these individuals may return to the center. If these individuals have experienced symptoms, you will need to notify center leadership and these individuals will need to obtain medical clearance before they can return to the center.

Our regular Child Illness Policy** remains in place, which states, in part:

  • Exclusion from the center is sometimes necessary to reduce the transmission of illness. For your child’s comfort, and to reduce the risk of contagion, we ask that children be picked up within 1 hour of notification. Until then, your child will be kept comfortable and will continue to be observed for symptoms.
  • Children need to remain home for 24 hours without symptoms before returning to the program, unless the center receives a note from the child’s medical provider stating that the child is not contagious and may return to the center. In the case of a (suspected) contagious disease, rash, or continuing symptoms, a note from the child’s medical provider may be required before the child can return.

Health and Hygiene Practices

Our regular health and hygiene practices provide some of the best defenses against the spread of most contagious illnesses. In addition to regular and thorough cleaning of classrooms, surfaces and toys, we teach children good hand-washing practices and ensure that children and staff take important precautions against the spread of germs.

You can work with your children to practice some of these same steps at home:

  • Wash hands often with soap and water – See guide below
  • Sneeze or cough into your elbow; or cover mouth and nose with a tissue before sneezing or coughing, then immediately discard the tissue. Print out the visual below to show children how.
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
  • Avoid kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are ill
  • Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, especially if someone is sick
Hand-Washing_posterDownload
Cough_PosterDownload