Policies

PICK UP:

Please ensure you have read the centres polices. We try our best to make our transistions as smooth as possible. Our pick up and drop is in place so we may continue to offer both out of school care programs as well as a preschool program to server our community.

The scheduling between groups of children is tight but works smoothly with your cooperation. Please ensure you are here promptly at dismissal time for pick up. In the beginning it will help us if returning families hold back for one minute to allow new children to see their parent/caregiver first; it can be upsetting to some children if they do not see you right away. It is a big responsibility to watch the departing children at the door, please wait and ask any questions of the staff who are not manning the door. Introduce someone new who will be picking up your child or inform us at drop off time that someone new will pick up that day. This name needs to be on your registration form. You can add or delete names or information to your registration form if there are any changes throughout the school year.

Preschool Program Policies
Out of School Care Policies

PARKCREST CHILDREN’S CENTRE - OCTOBER 2023

This policy was developed in consultation with the/ and under the guidance of Fraser Health Authority and Burnaby School District 41. Parkcrest Children’s Centre retains the right to update and amend the policy as required by the BC Ministry of Health, Provincial Health Office, Fraser Health Authority and Burnaby School District 41.

ACCESS TO AND USE OF SCHOOL PROPERTY

• Parkcrest Children’s Centre families will access the Centre using Winch Street only, unless a sibling is attending Parkcrest Elementary School.
• Parkcrest Children’s Centre families will be asked to limit playground use between 9am and 3pm on school days.
• Parkcrest Children’s Centre families will be encouraged to arrive during designated program times only.
• Parkcrest Children’s Centre will coordinate with Parkcrest Elementary School and Aubrey Elementary School, pick up and drop off locations for the Out of School (OOSC) children. 
• Parkcrest Children’s Centre will coordinate with Parkcrest Elementary School and Aubrey Elementary School regarding use of outdoor undercover space for early dismissals.
• Parkcrest Children’s Centre will coordinate use of playground with Parkcrest Elementary School.

DAILY AT HOME HEALTH CHECKS FOR PRESCHOOL AND OUT OF SCHOOL CARE

Families are required to follow Parkcrest Children’s Centre Covid-19 policies for the health and safety of all staff, children and families. Our policy includes health checks for all staff and children prior to entering the Centre. Anyone returning to Canada from international travel, are asked to monitor for symptoms such as cough, fever, runny nose, vomiting, diarrhea and shortness of breath. You are asked to stay home if ANY of these symptoms are present upon your return from international travel.

Staff

All staff must self-assess daily for symptoms of common cold, influenza, COVID-19, or other infectious respiratory disease before prior to coming to work. 

• Assess for fevers, chills, cough, runny nose, shortness of breath, vomiting, diarrhea, or tiredness.  If any of these symptoms are present, staff are required to stay home and call in immediately for replacement. 
• If staff to child ratio cannot be met, programs may close until ratio can be met.

Children and families

Parents and caregivers must assess their child daily, for symptoms of common cold, influenza, COVID-19, or other infectious respiratory disease before sending them for child care.

• Assess for fevers, chills, cough, runny nose, shortness of breath, vomiting, diarrhoea, or tiredness.  If any of these symptoms are present, children must stay home.
• Parents and caregivers should not bring symptomatic children to the Centre.

ANYONE PRESENTING THE ABOVE MENTIONED SYMPTOMS MUST NOT COME TO THE CENTRE.  CHILDREN SHOULD BE ABLE TO FULLY PARTICIPATE IN ALL AREAS OF THE PROGRAM PRIOR TO RETURNING TO THE CENTRE.

DO NOT GIVE MEDICATION TO A CHILD WHO PRESENTS SYMPTOMS IN HOPES THAT WE WON’T FIND OUT.  LEVEL OF PARTICIPATION, BEHAVIOUR AND ACTIVITY LEVEL CAN DETERMINE IF A CHILD IS WELL ENOUGH TO ATTEND. 

RECEIVING SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN

• Drop off times are between 7am and 8:15am.  Children arriving after 8:15 will need to be dropped off directly to child’s designated school.
• Parent or guardian should allow enough time for a quick health check in.
• Staff are required to ask each family follow up questions set out by Centre Director to ensure child is free of symptoms.
• Attendance will be marked after check in.

TRANSITIONING SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN TO AND FROM THE CENTRE

Parkcrest Children’s Centre Out Of School Care staff will conduct daily health assessments of all OOSC children prior to drop off and prior to return. 

• One designated staff member will be assigned pick up and drop off children from Parkcrest Elementary School.
• One or two designated staff members will be assigned pick up and drop off children from Aubrey Elementary School.
• Children presenting symptoms before leaving the Centre, will remain at the Centre for immediate pick up. Children will be separated from symptomatic child and the parents or guardian will be notified immediately.
• Children presenting symptoms prior to leaving the School, will remain at the School.  Children will be separated from symptomatic child and the school administrator will be notified immediately. School will follow individual care plan for symptomatic children.

OUT OF SCHOOL CARE PICK UP

• Pick up is no later than 6pm. 
• Staff will ensure all children wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds prior to gathering belongings and leaving the Centre.   
• Staff will sign out all children.

FUNCTIONAL CLOSURE

Functional closures will not impact childcare/preschool programs when they are due to a lack of staff to provide the required level of teaching, supervision and support to ensure the health and safety of students.  However, in the rare case that a school might have a high absenteeism of custodial staff, a functional closure will impact childcare/preschool services located in a school building or a district owned portable/modular unit. If a functional closure occurs we will do our best to notify you in a timely manner so that preparations can be made.

Schools may also be closed as the result of a health closure determined by local health authorities. In this case childcare/preschool programs located in a school building or on school grounds may be closed due to COVID-19 case counts in, or related to, a school. This direction would come directly from our local health authority.

RECEIVING PRESCHOOL CHILDREN

• Parents/guardians can drop off child to the Centre using Winch Street.

Anyone above 2 years of age, returning to Canada from international travel, are asked to monitor for symptoms such as cough, fever, runny nose, vomiting, diarrhea and shortness of breath. You are asked to stay home if ANY of these symptoms are present upon your return from international travel.

• Drop off times are at 9:10am for morning classes or 12:15pm for afternoon classes.  .
• All families should allow enough time for a quick health check in.
• Staff are required to conduct daily health check ins.
• Attendance will be marked after check in.

PRESCHOOL PICK UP

• Parent/guardian will pick up child promptly at 11:40am for the morning classes and at 2:45 for the afternoon classes. 
• Staff will ensure all children wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds prior to gathering belongings and leaving the Centre. 
• Children will be seated until staff calls child’s name.
• Staff will remain by the door and call children as parents arrive.

PRIVACY POLICY

At all times, the identity of the individual is to be protected.  It is strongly recommended that the individual not openly share with others if they have been instructed to get tested and the results of the test. This will prevent panic and protect privacy.

It is the responsibility of Fraser Health to follow up with contact tracing, not the childcare or the District.

HAND HYGIENE

• Handwashing will occur during all transition points between the preschool and the school (OOSC).
• Handwashing will occur during all transition points between home and the childcare.
• Handwashing will occur before and after meals.
• Handwashing will occur when returning from outside.
• Handwashing will occur after coughing, sneezing, cleaning of nose and use of washroom.

CLEANING

Staff will maintain the health and safety of the Centre at all times. 

• Frequent sanitization of high touch surfaces during program transitions (e.g. handles, door knobs, cubbies, tables, chairs, art materials).
• Disinfection of tables before and after meals.
• Washroom and sink disinfection between programs.
• Kitchen disinfection before and preparing and serving food. (e.g. handles, taps, counters)
• FOOD SAFE PROTOCOLS must be reviewed and followed while preparing and serving food.
• Toy disinfection between programs.
• General sanitization and disinfection before closing.

FIRST AID

This section outlines the procedure for staff to follow while performing first aid to either children or staff at the centre during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure safety. 

PROCEDURE

Standard First Aid:

• Perform hand washing, put on gloves and gather appropriate first aid supplies.
• Perform injury assessment verbally and visually prior to administering first aid. 
• Administer appropriate first aid.
• Remove gloves by grasping palm area of gloved hand and peel off first glove. Slide fingers of hand under other glove at wrist and peel off. Discard in regular waste. 
• Wash hands.
• Complete first aid record to be kept at the centre, file and submit reports to licensing officer when required.
• Sanitize supplies and areas used.

FOOD HANDLING

Staff must use good hygiene practices when handling food. This section outlines the protocols for the safe and healthy handling of all food items at the centre during COVID-19 pandemic. Regular safe food handling practices must be followed.

Serving Food to Children

When required, staff will serve food on a plate, napkin or bowl while using serving utensils such as large spoons, tongs, or single-use food service gloves. Children will be provided with clean utensils and napkins to avoid contact with the food.  All leftovers on children’s plates will be discarded into a lined compost bin.

Snack Time

Handwashing is required for children before and after eating any food. Staff will monitor handwashing. Children will be seated with a reasonable distance between each other and will remain seated while eating.  Talking during snack time will be avoided. There will be no food sharing between children or staff.  

Any food coming into the Centre will need to be provided in a clean container (e.g. PRO D DAYS).

School aged children should eat lunches at school. The Centre will provide all snacks.

SAFE WALKING FOR SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN

Ensuring children arriving and departing school safely is a priority. Children are supervised by staff when walking to and from school to the Centre. Children should practice general pedestrian safety skills:

- Walk on the sidewalk.
- Keeping to the right.
- Being aware of vehicles coming in and out of driveways.
- Not being led or distracted by friends.
- Showing respect to other pedestrians.
- Always use a safe place to cross the road such as a pedestrian crossing, traffic lights or a school crossing, if available.
- Check for turning vehicles before they cross the road and driveways.
- Make eye contact with a driver so they know the driver has seen them.
- Wait till the driver has completely stopped their vehicle before they cross the road or driveway.

TRANSPORTATION FOR SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centre will avoid using public transportation for field trips. If school buses are used, all students and staff are required to wear a mask. Staff will accompany children on the school bus.

SUPPORT STAFF

Children who require extra support will be welcome in the program according to the enrollment policies.  An orientation will be arranged with the supervisor, director/manager, family, and any professionals as required to share information.  A care plan will be developed in consultation with the parents, health professionals, and any person requested by the parents.

Personal Care Plan

Any child who requires extra support will need a current Personal Care Plan.
The Personal Care Plan needs to:

• Inform the staff of the diagnoses of the child as made by health care professionals.
• Outline the courses of action recommended by health care professionals to address the needs of the child.
• Include the resources to be made available to the child requiring extra support from our center.
• Include adaptations to our facility necessary to ensure the child’s safety and comfort.
• Explain any modification to our program or activities necessary to enable the child to participate in or benefit from the program.
• Review documentation from supported childcare to make sure it addresses all these requirements for the child.
• Review the Personal Care Plan at least once each school year as well as when any changes occur.
• It is staff’s responsibility to record compliance with the Personal Care Plan of a child requiring extra support in respect of each of the following that are applicable to the child:
• Any therapeutic diet given to the child by the staff.
• Any medication administered to the child by the staff, including the amount and the time at which the medication was administered.
• Any modification to the program of activities for the child’s benefit.
• Any behavioural guidance provided to the child, and its effect. Any other matter for which the licensee has agreed with the parent of the child to record compliance.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Dependent on Personal Care Plan, the same personal protective equipment (PPE) needed before COVID-19, for implementing a student’s Personal Care Plan, continues to be required during this time of concern due to COVID-19. No additional personal protective equipment (PPE) is required for personal care unless identified on a case by case basis by the health authority. For particularly complex cases, for example, feeding tubes.

Recommendations when student exhibits any of the following behaviour:

Although these behaviors are challenging, if the student is asymptomatic and healthy, the risk of transmission is low, especially if the behavior is paired with hand washing and cleaning.

Self-injurious Behaviours

• Use a verbal prompt to the student.
• Staff request assistance.

Spitting
• Wipe down any area that has possible saliva with disinfectant.
• If in contact with saliva, wash hands and/or affected areas.

Mouthing
• Provide a sensory chew tool alternative if a student mouths non-edible items.
• Remove the item from the play area and wash non-edible items with soap, water and
spray bleach solution. 

Biting

• If in contact with saliva, wash hands and/or affected areas
• If skin is broken seek first aid and follow universal precautions
• Wear Kevlar sleeves or other Kevlar products, as necessary

Lunging

• Move self out of way

Pinching

• If in contact with skin, wash hands and/or affected areas.
• If skin is broken seek first aid and follow universal precautions.
• Wear Kevlar sleeves or other Kevlar products, as necessary.

References:
Province of British Columbia – Safe & Healthy Schools
BC Centre for Disease Control
Fraser Health Authority
Burnaby School District 41 Return to School Handbook