This blog post follows the series on reopening ECIs safely during the COVID-19 outbreak. The information outlined in this post is taken directly from the Reopening Early Childhood Institutions For Children Ages 0-5 Specific Protocols document which can be found on the ECC’s website.

Protocols for Activities at Early Childhood Institutions to Keep Children Safe:

• For gate/entrance pick-up and drop-off of children
• 1-2 employees should operate child pick-up and drop-off by escorting all children to and from their classroom
• ECIs should limit parent and visitor entry into the facility
• Children should be observed for signs or symptoms of illness, such as cough, sore throat, flushed cheeks fatigue or extreme fussiness.
• Temperature should be taken of ill children and they should be isolated immediately until parents can collect the child.
• Records and logs of the child’s temperature and symptoms taken each day
• Children should be frequently supervised while sanitising and/or washing their hands throughout the day
• ECIs should have fun and engaging daily hygiene lessons to teach children:
  • how to wash their hands properly for 20 seconds
  • how to use sanitizer
  • how to cough or sneeze into their elbow or into a tissue which is discarded into a closed bin
  • how to wash their hands and/or sanitise immediately after coughing or sneezing;
  • how to avoid touching mouth, eyes and nose
  • how to avoid touching other children and their belongings
• ECIs should eliminate center-wide family events and field trips
• Children must not be allowed to share toys they can put in their mouth, as required by ECC
• standards
• Personal toys that are mouthed should be taken home daily for cleaning
• Toys that are accidentally mouthed must be washed and disinfected, as required by ECC standards
• ECIs should remove toys that cannot be sanitized, example, stuffed animals, fabric toys, cardboard puzzles etc.
• ECIs should discard sensory play items, such as cornmeal and water, after single use.
• ECIs should temporarily eliminate the use of play dough and sand pits
• ECIs should eliminate high contact sports or activities such as hand games
• Each group of children should have designated equipment (e.g., balls, loose equipment) or equipment should be cleaned and sanitised between group use.

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