In response to COVID-19 infection rates in our community, the following health and safety procedures will remain in place until it is deemed safe to return to normal operating practices by state, local and/or national health officials.

 

This policy may be update periodically to reflect updated guidance from public health officials and to address emergent program needs and concerns.  

Daily Health Screening

Please conduct a daily health screen prior to arrival at my home.  Please keep your child(ren) home if they, or any member of the household have exhibited the following symptoms within the past 24 hours:

1 or more Class A symptoms  

 

• Fever of 100.4 degrees or higher or chills

• Loss of taste or smell

• Shortness of breath

• Cough

• Muscle or body aches

2 or more Class B symptoms

 

• Fatigue

• Headache

• Sore throat

• Congestion or runny nose

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhea

The attached COVID Screening Flowchart is a friendly, visual support in determining how to proceed when COVID related symptoms are present. Please keep your child at home if they or any member of the household is exhibiting signs of illness.

Exclusion Policies 

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• If a child or immediate household member is excluded for exhibiting 1 Class A symptom or 2 or more Class B symptoms, DOES NOT get tested or tests positive for COVID-19, then the child(ren) must remain out of school for a minimum of 10 days after symptom onset, and at least an additional 48 hours after a fever has resolved. I will accept a doctor’s note to return before the 10-day period stating the symptomatic individual has been diagnosed with a different illness and has been symptom free for 48 hours.

 

• If a child or immediate household member is excluded for exhibiting 1 Class A or 2 or more Class B symptoms and DOES get tested for COVID-19 and the test is negative, then the child(ren) must stay out until 48 hours after the symptoms resolve, AND must have a doctor’s note stating that the symptomatic individual has been tested and the results were negative.

 

• If an immediate family member of a child/children enrolled tests positive for COVID-19, OR is quarantining due to a close contact or possible exposure to COVID-19, then ALL children enrolled will need to remain at home until the quarantine period has ended, or the family member has tested negative for COVID-19.

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​Close Contact

Close contact with an individual with a confirmed positive case of COVID-19 includes:

 

• Being within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more within a 24 hour period.​

• Providing care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19.

• Direct physical contact with the person (hugged or kissed them).

• Sharing eating or drinking utensils.

• They sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on you.

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In the event a child or immediate household member has close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 positive individual, the following exclusion policies will apply:

 

• Without a COVID-19 test, 14 days after the last contact with the person who has COVID-19.

• With a negative COVID-19 test, 7 days after the last contact with the person who has COVID-19 (test must occur on day 5 or later).

Community Agreements

If anyone in the household is feeling ill enough to stay home from school or work for the day, it is my preference that your child not attend Sunflower until the entire household is healthy.  

The Center for Disease Control periodically updates travel advisors based on the evolving spread of COVID.  Please see www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/faqs.html prior to travel for the most current recommendations related to precautions and recommended quarantine periods.

While these are not policies that I am able to strictly enforce, I request your support and cooperation in order to maintain a safe and healthy learning environment for all children and families.

Program Closure and Billing Policy

In the event an enrolled child or member of my household tests positive for COVID-19 or suspects exposure to COVID-19, I will be in contact with local public health officials and follow all recommendations for program closure and will work diligently to reopen as soon as safely possible. All families will be notified of the possibility of any exposure and the potential for program closure. 

 

• In the event of closure due to COVID outbreak within the program, tuition will continue to be billed at 50% of the regular rate through the duration of the closure.  

• If your child is excluded from care due to close contact and/or a confirmed case of COVID that does not result in program closure, regular sick billing policies will apply.  Tuition will continue to be billed at the regular rate through the duration of the exclusion.  

I recognize the financial impact it can have when I parent has to miss work to care for an ill child or due to the temporary loss of childcare.  If the above stated billing policies become a financial hardship on your household, please connect with me individually and I will consider alternate tuition arrangements on a case-by-case basis.  Please also recognize that a loss of income for me impacts my family’s ability to cover household expenses as well as ongoing expenses related to operating my business and could potentially impact the financial sustainability of business operations.

 

Enhanced Health and Safety Practices

In order to maintain a safe and healthy environment, I will implement the following practices:

 

• High touch surfaces and materials will be cleaned and disinfected daily and more frequently as needed.  Toys and materials will be rotated throughout the day as needed to properly clean and sanitize. 
   

• Surfaces and materials will be cleaned with soapy water and disinfected with an approved solution and/or high temp steam. 

• Sensory play opportunities will be modified to allow for only 1 child at a time, with sensory play materials disposed of or disinfected between uses.

• Family style dining will be eliminated, with snacks and meals served by me, following safe food handling practices.

• Children will be seated to maximize social distancing during meals and snacks.

• Children will be encouraged to social distance and, upon family preference, encouraged to wear a face mask or shield when they are playing in close proximity to one another.

• Children will receive direct instruction on healthy self-care practices including proper handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, social distancing and separating personal belongings. 

• Maximizing periods of play outdoors. 

Thank you for your support and cooperation in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all families.

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