Preamble: 

Lulu’s Kids Corp is committed to the ongoing health and safety of our staff and families . In this time of Covid-19 panedemic we have undertaken the task of reviewing all relevant policies, protocols and processes  to ensure they are robust and reflective of Public Health guidance.  In doing this we have utilized a number of resource documents including those on the WorkSafeBC site;  BC CDC and MCFD sites. Further, we have sought the opinion and input of our front line workers in the creation of our plan.  

We have ensured that staff have received the information and training required to continue to work safely and have an open door policy for questions and comments. Staff will be actively supported in their work by their supervisor and we will make necessary changes together as we go in order to create and sustain  an atmosphere where we feel we can work safely and  comfortably. 

This is a novel virus and an unprecedented situation and  as such we will continue to carefully monitor and heed the advice of our Public Health officials and our regulatory bodies as we learn together.

Protocols 

We have reviewed the guidelines Issued by the provincial health officer and incorporated these into our planning and protocols.

COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for Child Care Settings

We have solicited feedback and input  from our front line workers in the development of our plan.

Parents and visitors may not enter the centre if they are unwell.

All parents and visitors must wear a well fitting mask when dropping off, picking up or any time entering the centre is necessary.

All parents must sanitize their hands as they enter and exit the centre. Hand Sanitizer stations are located near the main entrance and outside of the classrooms.

Using masks 

We maintain a policy requiring all employees or visitors to the centre to wear masks at the centre in any location where they are in a shared space with other workers or families.

 This policy has been communicated clearly through email and direct conversation.

 Measures are in place to ensure that all workplace policies, including the mandatory mask requirement, are functioning correctly at the workplace.

  Staff must abide by the workplace policies around mask usage. Unless they have a medical condition or other reason that prohibits them from wearing a mask

Hand Hygiene:

Frequent handwashing and good hygiene practices are essential to reduce the spread of the virus. Our workplace has enough handwashing facilities/ hand hygiene stations on site for all our workers. Handwashing locations/ hand hygiene stations are visible and easily accessed. We have policies that specify when workers must wash their hands and we have communicated good hygiene practices to workers. We are well stocked with supplies.

Gloves are available and will be worn by staff if  the task we are doing is one where we would  normally wear gloves i.e. removing garbage; changing diapers; cleaning up bodily fluids.  Gloves do not replace good hand hygiene and all staff will wash their hands before donning gloves and  after properly removing gloves.

Cleaning and Disinfection:

 We will be at a minimum following the BC CDC  guidelines for cleaning and disinfection.

Please find these below. Our products are hydrogen peroxide based; as well we have a high temp commercial dishwasher for dishes, cups, cutlery and hard plastic toys and on site laundry facilities for linens etc.

http://www.bccdc.ca/Health-Info-Site/Documents/CleaningDisinfecting_PublicSettings.pdf

In addition to our daily cleaning and disinfection practices, we employ a cleaning company that attends each night and does a full clean of the centre.

We have implemented cleaning protocols for all common areas and surfaces — e.g., washrooms, classrooms, toys and programme supplies, strollers, shared tables, desks, light switches, and door handles. This includes the frequency that these items must be cleaned (number of times per day) as well as the timing

Staying home when sick is one of the most important ways to reduce the spread of communicable diseases, including COVID-19. This is why it is important for anyone who is sick to stay home. Staff or children who are experiencing symptoms of a previously diagnosed health condition do not need to stay home and should not be required to provide a doctor’s note to attend a child care facility. Asymptomatic staff and children may still attend child care settings if a member of their household develops new symptoms of illness.

If a child develops a fever, displays symptoms of illness or is unable to participate in regular daily activities an educator will contact the parent/guardian to arrange for them to be picked up right away. 

Parents will be asked to assess their child/ren daily for symptoms/ signs of illness before sending them to childcare  as per the most recent guidance document

We have a training plan to ensure everyone is trained in workplace policies and procedures. All educators  have received the policies for staying home when sick. Should a staff member become ill during the day they will be separated from the other staff and sent home. 

We will make changes to our policies and procedures as necessary.