Childcare programs in BC are licensed and regulated through the Ministry of Health, childcare licensing. As a result, Mongio Early Learning Center may be directed by a childcare licensing officer to close operations during a pandemic or other communicable disease outbreak.
Mongio Early Learning Center will follow all directives provided from the Ministry of Health. The legal authority to close a childcare program for public health reasons falls under the discretion of the local Medical Health Officer and the Provincial Health Officer; their decision overrules any decision to stay open that an individual daycare or parents may wish to make.
Childcare ratios are required during operation, regardless of a pandemic or communicable disease outbreak. If we do not have enough staff available to come into work and ratio is not able to be met, we may be forced to change our hours of operation or limit the number of hours children are able to attend. This decision would be made as required, and would be communicated with parents in writing, via email or HiMama.
Health and Wellness Policy
Our health and wellness policy will apply during a pandemic or communicable disease outbreak. HOWEVER, additional restrictions may be added based on government / licensing officer directives. This may include extending our required at-home “symptom free” time period following any symptoms or requiring children with symptoms (even if they are feeling well and have plenty of energy) to remain at home. Any temporary changes to our health and wellness policy during a pandemic / outbreak will be communicated in writing, via email or HiMama, and will link to the authorized source of information that our temporary change is based on.
Assessing the Risk of COVID at Mongio
Knowing the risk of COVID spreading through droplets from coughs and sneezes, as well as touching contaminated surfaces and touching your face. It also increases the closer people are to each other and more time spent together. Surface transmission increases when many people touch the same areas over a short period of time.
Areas at Mongio that may be high risk of transmission are our front desk area, classrooms, staffroom and bathrooms, elevator, and offices.
Protocols we have put in place are:
- We are limiting the number of people in our building at one time.
- One parent per family only in the building at drop off and pick up
- Three parents maximum at drop off and pick up.
- Tours have been cancelled during this time – virtual tours are available online
- Virtual meetings are being held as much as possible
- Our staff room will be limited to 3 staff persons at a time and they will sanitize after themselves. Signage is posted indicating this.
- Staff have been notified / trained and supported in cleaning and sanitizing to help prevent the spread of COVID symptoms.
- To help limit the spread of transmission, we have a plexiglass barrier on our front desk.
- Parents / visitors are wearing masks when entering our building
- Front desk staff are wearing masks when greeting parents
Cleaning and Sanitizing
During the pandemic, Mongio staff, while in operation, will follow additional cleaning measures. This includes:
- Using a Ministry of Health-approved sanitizing solution within the program twice a day, to sanitize the facility and all equipment. Information about approved sanitizing solutions can be found here
2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) BC public health guidance for schools and childcare programs (page 10)
- Any food provided by our program will be served directly to children by staff who will wear gloves and use serving utensils.
- Increasing handwashing and using social stories and direct teacher instruction with children to promote healthy handwashing habits
Regular cleaning and disinfection are important to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 from contaminated objects and surfaces. Childcare settings should be cleaned and disinfected in accordance with BCCDC’s guidance on Cleaning and Disinfectants for Public Settings, using a product from Health Canada’s hard-surface disinfectants for use against the virus that causes COVID-19, to:
- Clean and disinfect the premises at least once every 24 hours.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at least twice every 24 hours, including door knobs, light switches, toilet handles, and toys used by multiple children.
- Clean and disinfect any surface that is visibly dirty.
- Clean and disinfect cots, cribs, and changing stations after each use.
Measures to support effective cleaning and disinfection:
- Consider limiting the use of frequently touched items that cannot be easily cleaned.
- Wash bed linens after each use.
- Empty garbage containers daily and when full.
- Wear disposable gloves when cleaning blood or body fluids; wash hands before wearing and after removing gloves.
Additional Cleaning Measures:
- Remove toys from the classrooms that are not easily cleaned such as plush stuffed animals
- Ask parents to only bring personal comfort items (ex. Stuffed animals) if they are clean and laundered at the end of each day.
- Remove items from your classroom that are not used daily to reduce the surfaces that could be contaminated.
- Refer to the Cleaning Disinfecting Checklist (COVID -19 Pandemic) *Appendix 1 and follow for daily cleaning and disinfecting.
- Store children’s belongings separately
- Personal items (cups, soothers, bottles etc) are not to be shared.
- Parents put water / milk bottles in labelled Ziploc bags in the morning and staff will return the bottles in the same manner.
- Bedding will be stored in sealed plastic bags.
- Extra clothing is to be kept in a sealed plastic bag as well.
- Have children outside whenever possible, including play time, snack and for learning activities.
- Ensure children have appropriate clothing for the weather for prolonged periods of outdoor play
Fees during Pandemic / Communicable Disease Closures
In the event of a short-term closure due to a pandemic or communicable disease outbreak (less than 30 days), fees are due and payable as per usual operations. Fees payable during closures exceeding 30 days will be determined on a case by case basis.
If a family chooses to withdraw during a pandemic, Mongio will follow our withdrawal policy of giving a 2 month notice. Refunds will not be given during this time, however a credit will be applied to family accounts.
Fee reductions such as the CCFRI or ACCB are provided through MCFD and may or may not be provided during required pandemic or communicable disease closures. Parents may directly contact the MCFD office at 1 888 338-6622, to discuss MCFD’s policy regarding CCFRI or ACCB payments; this decision is outside of Mongio Early Learning Center’s authority.
Individual exclusions
In the event that the Ministry of Health provides a regional or provincial quarantine recommendation for individuals – be it due to international travel, linked to potential exposures, or linked to individual symptoms, Mongio Early Learning Center will require all families and children to comply with this recommendation. In the event this occurs, the Ministry of Health will provide our childcare program with written information; this recommendation will be shared directly with families. These exclusions will apply equally to all children, families, and employees.
Authorized sources of information
A pandemic or localized communicable disease outbreak is subject to governance by official sources: our childcare licensing officers, the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Children and Families, and the federal government. While we appreciate that social media and news sources provide an extensive amount of information, we will respond to official, authorized sources of information only.
A non-biased, inclusive approach
Fear-based responses in times of pandemic or communicable disease, have historically led to actions stemming from bias and self-protective measures. Not only can these measures lead to conflict between parents, childcare educators, and community members, but they can also lead to actions rooted in racism. Mongio Early Learning Center has an inclusive-based approach and works to be a safe space for all families and children; we will not tolerate acts of racism or bigotry towards any parent, child, employee, or community member. Any such acts may be subject to an immediate dismissal from our program.
COVID – 19
Information about COVID-19, including advice and guidance to schools, is regularly updated on the BC Centre for Disease Control site. Information on Covid2019 and current recommendations from the health authority are found here:
2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) BC public health guidance for schools and childcare programs
The provincial pandemic plan can be found here:
British Columbia Pandemic Provincial Coordination Plan
Physical Distancing:
Staff:
- Staff should maintain a distance of 2 metres from each other. If this is not possible, talk with coworkers to find a way to ensure that time in close proximity is limited.
- Staff Room should only have maximum of 3 staff at a time. Staff are able to use upstairs classrooms as well as long as distancing is kept.
- Common areas such as laundry room, kitchen areas, storage rooms and elevator, staff should try to maintain distance between them or limiting the time in close proximity.
- Items in the common staff areas (kettle, coffee pot, microwave, printer etc) will be cleaned and sanitized twice daily.
- Staff will sanitize the staff room and staff kitchen area after they use it.
- Staff are aware that they need to follow physical distancing, handwashing and other measures to prevent the spread of COVID.
Children:
- Try and incorporate activities that encourage physical distancing
- Art activities set up over two tables to allow spacing
- Snack and lunch having one child per side of the tables.
- Nap time set up space between mats or staggering mats head to toe side by side or toe to toe across from one another
- Include the use of outdoors for various activities including snack
- Staff will pour children’s water into water bottles.
- Water bottles will not touch each other.
Children / Staff with Symptoms:
- Parents and staff are given a copy of the Ministry’s Daily Health Check and the onus is on the family to determine if their child is well enough to attend Mongio.
- This is also posted on our front door.
Daily Health Check
This is our copy of a daily health check to determine if you or your child should attend Mongio Early Learning Center each day. Remember, if you think your child is ill, please keep them at home.
Daily Health Check
- Key Symptoms of illness
|
Do you have of the following new key symptoms? |
CIRCLE ONE
|
|
Fever |
YES |
NO |
| Chills |
YES |
NO |
| Cough or worsening of chronic cough |
YES |
NO |
| Breathing difficulties (breathing fast or working hard to breathe) |
YES |
NO |
| Loss of smell or taste |
YES |
NO |
| Diarrhea |
YES |
NO |
| Nausea or vomiting |
YES |
NO |
- International Travel
|
Have you returned from outside Canada in the last 14 days? |
YES |
NO |
- Confirmed Contact
|
Are you a confirmed contact of a person confirmed to have COVID-19? |
YES |
NO |
If you answered “YES” to two or more of the questions included under “Key Symptoms of Illness”, or you have a fever or difficulty breathing, seek a health assessment. A health assessment includes calling 8-1-1, or a primary care provider like a doctor or nurse practitioner. If a health assessment is required, you should not return to Mongio until COVID-19 has been excluded and your symptoms have improved.
If you answered “YES” to any one of the questions included under “Key Symptoms of Illness” (excluding fever and difficulty breathing), you should stay home for 24 hours from when the symptom started. If the symptom improves, you may return to Mongio when you feel well enough. If the symptom persists or worsens, seek a health assessment. A health assessment includes calling 8-1-1, or a primary care giver like a physician or nurse practitioner.
If you answered “YES” to questions 2 or 3, use the COVID-19 Self Assessment Tool to determine if you should seek testing for COVID-19.
If a COVID-19 test is recommended because of the health assessment, self-isolate while waiting for results.
- If the COVID-19 test is positive, self-isolate and follow the direction of public health.
- If the COVID-19 test is negative, return to Mongio once well enough to participate.
- If a COVID-19 test is recommended but not done, self-isolate for 10 days after the onset of the symptoms and return when you or the child are well enough to participate.
If a COVID-19 test is not recommended, staff or children may return when well enough to participate.
A health-care provider note (i.e., a doctor’s note) should not be required to confirm the health status of any individual.
If families are being testing for COVID-19, results of these tests are to be sent to Gina’s email and not shared on HiMama.
STAFF:
- Staff are required to sign the health check verifying they are COVID symptom free when they arrive at Mongio. This is posted on the bulletin board near the front desk.
| Child with Symptoms of COVID-19 |
Staff with Symptoms of COVID-19
|
| IF CHILD DEVELOPS SYMPTOMS AT HOME:
Parent or caregivers must keep their child at home for a minimum of 10 days from the onset of the symptoms AND until symptoms resolve, whichever is longer.
IF CHILD DEVELOPS SYMPTOMS AT CHILD CARE:
Staff must take the following steps:
- Immediately separate the symptomatic child from others in a supervised area.
- Contact the child’s parent or caregiver to pick them up as soon as possible.
- Where possible, maintain a distance of 2 metres from the ill child. If this is not possible, the staff member should use a non-medical mask or face covering if available and tolerated, or use a tissue to cover their nose and mouth.
- Provide the child with tissues to cover their coughs and sneezes. Throw away used tissues as soon as possible and perform hand hygiene.
- Avoid touching the child’s body fluids. If you do, wash your hands.
- Once the child is picked up, wash your hands.
- Clean and disinfect the space where the child was separated and any areas used by the child (i.e. bathroom, common areas).
Parents or caregivers must pick up their child as soon as possible once notified that their child is ill.
|
IF STAFF DEVELOPS SYMPTOMS AT HOME:
Staff must be excluded from work, stay home and self-isolate for a minimum of 10 days from the onset of symptoms AND until all symptoms resolve, whichever is longer.
IF STAFF DEVELOPS SYMPTOMS AT CHILD CARE:
Staff should go home as soon as possible.
If unable to leave immediately, the symptomatic staff person should:
- Separate themselves into an area away from others.
- Maintain a distance of 2 metres from others.
- Use a tissue or non-medical mask to cover their nose and mouth while they wait for a replacement or to be picked up.
- Remaining staff must clean and disinfect the space where staff was separated and any areas used by them (i.e. office, bathroom, common areas).
|
| Children and staff should return to the child care facility according to the guidance in this document.
A health care provider note should not be required for children or staff to return. |
| Children should perform hand hygiene: |
Staff should perform hand hygiene: |
- When they arrive at Mongio and before they go home
- Before and after eating and drinking
- After a diaper change
- After using the toilet
- After playing outside
- After handing pets and animals
- After sneezing or coughing
- Whenever hands are visibly dirty
|
- When they arrive at Mongio and before going home
- Before and after handling food (raw, cooked or pre-packaged), preparing bottles or feeding children
- Before and after giving or applying medication or ointment to a child or to self
- After changing diapers
- After assisting child using the toilet
- After using the toilet
- After contact with bodily fluids (runny noses, spit, vomit, blood)
- After cleaning tasks
- After removing gloves
- After handling garbage
- Whenever hands are visibly dirty
|
Self Monitoring:
If a family or staff have been directed by the health authority, doctor or other medical professional to self monitor, they must stay home until given the direction to return.
From Fraser Health website:
“Self-monitoring means monitoring your health for symptoms of COVID-19 such as fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or feeling unwell.
To self-monitor, you should: Take and record temperature daily
- As much as possible, avoid the use of fever reducing medications (e.g., acetaminophen, ibuprofen), because these medications may mask early symptoms of COVID-19. If these must be taken, please let your healthcare provider know.
- Call 8-1-1, your family doctor, or an Urgent and Primary Care Centre if you are having worsening symptoms or if they are not improving after 5 or 6 days of illness.
- Call 9-1-1 if you feel very unwell and are concerned about a medical emergency.”
Self Isolation:
If a family or staff have been directed by the health authority, doctor or other medical professional to self isolate, they must stay home for 14 days.
From Fraser Health website:
“Self-isolation is done by people who have confirmed COVID-19 or are likely to have it. It means separating yourself from others, including staying at home, to avoiding situations where you could infect other people. The goal of self-isolation is to lower the chance of spreading the virus.
We are currently asking the following groups to self-isolate:
- anyone with new onset symptoms, however mild (Cough, fever, sore throat, difficulty breathing, muscle aches, fatigue, sore throat, headache, loss of appetite, chills, runny nose, and loss of sense of smell or taste).
- people diagnosed with COVID-19,
- people who are waiting for COVID-19 test results
- returning travellers, and
- close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases (who have been instructed by Public Health)
If you are a returning traveller from outside of Canada or a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case, please self-isolate for 14 days even if you do not have symptoms. Please note, if you are a returning traveller, you are required to self-isolate for 14 days under the Federal Quarantine Act.
This is because 14 days is the time it can take for COVID-19 to go from initially infecting you to making you feel sick. This is called the incubation period. There is a chance that you can spread germs in the incubation period, and so people who do not have symptoms but are at higher risk of having been exposed to the illness are asked to self-isolate in addition to those who are showing symptoms”
Drop off and Pick Up Procedure:
- Families are to maintain physical distancing of 2 meters when dropping off and picking up their children.
- Only one adult per family to enter the building
- There will only be 3 families allowed to enter the building at a time to drop off or pick up their child. During busy times (drop off and pick up, staff may say 2 families inside only.
- Upon entering the facility, parents need to wash their hands at the sink in staff kitchen area.
- They are to wash their child’s hands as well before dropping them off and before taking them from the building.
- Parents are to stay in the reception / MPR area.
Transportation:
- Limit transportation to the transport of children to and from care. Recreational travel is discouraged at this time. (June 2020)
- Clean and disinfect the high touch areas of the bus at the start of your shift and after drop-off.
- Buses used for transporting students should be cleaned and disinfected according to the guidance provided in the BC CDC’s Cleaning and Disinfecting for Public Settings document.
- Have students in their own seats whenever possible.
- Students from the same house can share seats if space is limited.
- If safe distances cannot be maintained between student and bus driver, plexiglass barriers may be erected provided they do not obstruct the view of the driver or the safe operation of the vehicle.
PPE / Handwashing:
- Parents and visitors must wear masks and wash hands upon entering the building.
- Staff are required to wear masks at Mongio.
- Children, parents, visitors, and staff are required to wash their hands or use the hand sanitizer provided at the front desk.
- Mongio has extra masks and disposable gloves are available if needed.
- Children are not required to wear masks at this time.
Appendix 1:
Cleaning Disinfecting Checklist (COVID -19 Pandemic
Cleaning removes germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces or objects. Cleaning works by using soap (or detergent) and water to physically remove germs from surfaces. This process does not necessarily kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.
Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces or objects. Disinfecting works by using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces or objects. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection. For disinfection, common household disinfectants such as ready-to-use disinfecting wipes and pre-made solutions (no dilution needed) can be used. Ensure disinfectant products you used have a Drug Identification Number (DIN) and are approved for disinfecting by Childcare Licensing. Bleach diluted with water (a 1:9 ratio) is an effective and inexpensive disinfectant, but it is sensitive to light and must be remade each day.
| Area/ Item to be
Cleaned |
Frequency of cleaning |
Method |
Days of the Week |
|
|
| Mon |
Tues |
Wed |
Thurs |
Fri |
Sat |
Sun |
| Sample |
Opening, after use and prior to food being served |
Clean, disinfect and air dry |
✔ initials |
✔ initials |
✔ initials |
✔ initials |
✔ initials |
|
|
| General Surface Cleaning |
|
|
| Tables |
Daily, after use and prior to food being served |
Clean, disinfect and air dry |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Chairs |
Daily, after use and prior to food being served |
Clean, disinfect and air dry |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Windowsills |
Morning, Nap and end of day |
Clean, disinfect and air dry |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Door Handles |
Morning, Nap and end of day |
Clean, disinfect and air dry |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Cabinet Handles |
Morning, Nap and end of day |
Clean, disinfect and air dry |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Light Switches |
Morning, Nap and end of day |
Clean, disinfect and air dry |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Handrails |
Morning, Nap and end of day |
Clean, disinfect and air dry |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Washable Floor Coverings
(linoleum) |
At least 2x/day – naptime and at the end of each day. |
Sweep then mop with a bleach water solution (end of day). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Carpets |
Vacuum at the end of each day. |
Vacuum (spot clean areas as needed) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Small Rugs & Floor Mats |
Vacuum at the end of each day/ wash weekly. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Garbage Bins/Cans |
Empty and wash / disinfect daily |
Wash with soapy water then disinfect and dry with paper towels. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Bathrooms & Toileting Areas |
|
|
| Toilet bowls |
Disinfect daily |
Clean with a toilet bowl cleaner. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Both sides of toilet seat, toilet handles, door knobs
or cubicle handles and light switches. |
At least twice/day and immediately if soiled. |
Clean, disinfect and air dry |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Wash hand basins, taps, surrounding counters, soap dispensers. |
At least twice/day and immediately if soiled. |
Clean, disinfect and air dry |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Change Tables |
Immediately after each use. |
Clean, disinfect and air dry |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Potty training seats. |
Immediately after each use. |
Rinse, disinfect, wipe to dry and hang up. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Toy Cleaning Program |
| Hard toys/items that go into the mouth or have
been in contact with salvia or other body fluids. |
Taken out of use and place in a separate
bucket. |
These toys are washed, rinsed and disinfected daily. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Other hard toys e.g. dolls house, light table, projector etc. |
|
Cleaned and disinfected twice daily |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Dress-up clothes |
NOT IN USE.
Remove from the program |
NOT IN USE.
Remove from the program |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Soft Toys |
NOT IN USE.
Remove from the program |
NOT IN USE.
Remove from the program |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Arts & Crafts Supplies: crayons, felts, scissor etc. |
Single use then cleaned and
disinfected |
Spray and wipe with disinfectant and air dry |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Painting Supplies: brushes, paint cups |
Single use then rinsed, soaked, cleaned and disinfected. |
Soapy water clean, disinfect and air dry |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Naptime Bedding Cleaning Program |
| Cots and cot mattresses |
Disinfected daily |
Disinfected daily |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bedding
|
Sent home weekly for cleaning unless soiled (sent home when soiled) |
Sent home weekly for cleaning unless soiled (sent home when soiled) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Outdoor Play Areas |
| Tonka Trucks |
Clean and
Disinfect weekly
Unless bodily fluids are on |
Spray with soapy water, hose down then spray with disinfectant |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Tires, Wooden Planks and
Risky Play Building Props |
Clean and
Disinfect weekly
Unless bodily fluids are on |
Spray with soapy water, hose down then spray with disinfectant |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Tables |
Clean and
Disinfect weekly
Unless bodily fluids are on |
Spray with soapy water, hose down then spray with disinfectant |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Chairs |
Clean and
Disinfect weekly
Unless bodily fluids are on |
Spray with soapy water, hose down then spray with disinfectant |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Outdoor Caddy and
Supplies |
Clean and
Disinfect weekly
Unless bodily fluids are on |
Spray with soapy water, hose down then spray with disinfectant |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
