TOSS Covid-19 Safety Protocols Fall 2020

We are following the guidelines set out by the BCCDC Covid-19 Public Health Guidance for Childcare Settings.
The BCCDC sets a Hierarchy for Infection Prevention and Exposure Control Measures for Communicable Disease. We expect families to adhere to Public Health Measures at set out by the Public Health Officer, concerning Mass Gatherings, Self-Isolation and Quarantine.
We will take environmental, administrative and personal measures to reduce the transmission of Covid-19.

Environmental Measures:
  • We will be outside as much as possible, rain or shine, so please make sure your child is prepared for the weather.
  • We anticipate having our snack time outside. Snacks will be individual, portable and served by staff only each day.
  • Whenever we are inside the doors at both the north and south ends of the centre will be propped open to allow for good air flow.
  • We will provide toys (blocks, Duplo, Lego, K’Nex, etc) to encourage individual play.
  • We will not be serving breakfast for the foreseeable future, but will provide a space for children to enjoy breakfast they have brought from home.
  • All staff use universal precautions when providing a child with first aid.
Cleaning Protocols
We have identified 3 optimum times for cleaning and sanitizing the centre:
  • Early AM - before the children arrive. We will clean and sanitize tables, chairs, shelving
         units, light switches, doorknobs.
  • AM - after the children go the class. Cleaning will be as above, with the addition of equipment and supplies they have used that morning. Early morning care will offer table (colouring, rainbow loom, beading, etc) activities only.
  • PM - before children arrive afterschool. As above.
We will also clean and sanitize throughout the day as necessary. At the end of the day all equipment (floor toys) used will be cleaned and sanitized.

Administrative Measures:
  • T.O.S.S. will remain a “no-go” zone for parents/guardians and visitors to the centre.
  • T.O.S.S. staff will sign in and sign out children daily. We will encourage and assist children as necessary to pack up their belongings when it is time to go.
  • We encourage children to bring their own book from home for reading time.
  • We encourage children to keep a “take-home” bag in their backpack for crafts, etc.
  • For the foreseeable future all fieldtrips will be within walking distance of T.O.S.S. and will be to local parks only. We do not anticipate using public transit or charter buses at this time.
  • For the foreseeable future we will remain at the centre for all non-instructional days.
  • Staff will maintain 2 metres distance from one another at all times.
  • We will follow the Protocol for child or staff with symptoms of Covid-19 in a child care setting as set out in the Covid-19 Public Health Guidance for Child Care Settings.

Personal Measures:
  • We ask you to assess your child daily for symptoms before sending them to care.
  • We may ask you to confirm that your child does not have symptoms of a common cold, influenza, Covid-19 or other respiratory disease.
  • Children and staff will practice respiratory etiquette, including coughing or sneezing into their elbow or a tissue and immediately practicing hand hygiene; and not touching their eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
Children will be asked to wash hands upon arrival at T.O.S.S. and frequently throughout the day, before and after outside play, before and after snack time, after using the bathroom, and before moving to a new activity. And of course if their hands are visibly dirty! If hand-washing is not possible we will use hand sanitizing spray and hand sanitizing wipes.