Policies and Procedures Pertaining to COVID-19

Last Updated March 3, 2022

The health and safety of our students and staff is our highest priority. We have implemented policies and procedures to minimize the risk of disease transmission. Because of the ever-changing nature of this pandemic, these procedures are subject to change as we respond to new recommendations from health officials.  At present, these are the policies we have implemented.

Even with the best restrictions and practices listed below, it is impossible to remove 100% of the risk associated with COVID-19 as the virus can be transmitted by asymptomatic individuals. Therefore, every member of our preschool community (teachers, management, janitorial staff, students, parents) plays a crucial role in keeping everyone safe by agreeing to abide by these policies.  

Health Policies & Vaccination

  1. All current staff have been vaccinated and all new hires will be required to show proof of vaccination as a condition of employment. Vaccination of eligible children is strongly recommended.
  2. All students and staff are required to pass daily health screenings to make sure nobody is permitted in the building who shows signs of or has potentially been exposed to COVID-19.
  3. Please do not give your child any fever or cough reducing medication before school as these could mask symptoms and invalidate our health screening results.
  4. If your child develops potential COVID-19 symptoms (cough, fever, shortness of breath, chills, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, muscle aches), we require your child be symptom free without medications for 24 hours. A doctor's note and or covid testing may be required clearing the child to safely return to school. All staff are required to adhere to the same health standards as the children.
  5. All staff and families agree to notify the school management if they become aware that they have been potentially exposed to COVID-19 and agree to self-quarantine to protect the health of the school. They agree to self-quarantine if any household member or close contact has a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 diagnosis.
  6. Preschool management will promptly notify the entire school if there are any COVID-19 related cases in any classroom without disclosing the identity of the infected individual(s).
  7. If an outbreak of COVID-19 occurs in the school, individual classrooms or the entire school may close without notice to protect the health of the preschool community. The duration of the closure may depend on staffing levels, community outbreak levels, and the severity of the illness in the affected individual(s). We will follow the advice of health officials. No tuition or fees will be refunded during closures.

Masks & Social Distancing

  1. To limit to the extent possible everyone’s risk of exposure, parents and visitors are not routinely permitted in the building. 
  2. We limit the mixing of assigned pods and each pod is fully self-contained throughout the day. 
  3. Staff are required to follow the CDC, VDSS, and governor’s orders pertaining face coverings while indoors. Children younger than 2 years are not required to wear masks. Children ages 2-5 will wear masks indoors except during snack/meal and nap times. Prior to the first day of school we ask parents to work with their children at home to teach mask wearing to support our infection control efforts at school.

Cleaning, Sanitization, & Ventilation

  1. We have obtained cleaning and disinfecting products which have been certified by the EPA to kill emerging pathogens (COVID-19).
  2. Our teachers follow a rigorous cleaning schedule throughout the school day. We also employ a professional janitor who cleans and disinfects classrooms and common areas prior to each school day.
  3. We require children to wash their hands both upon arrival and frequently throughout the day. Teachers supervise or assist them to make sure they are washing thoroughly.
  4. Each classroom has its own heating and cooling wall unit which means there is very little cross ventilation between rooms. 
  5. To improve ventilation even further, we open windows whenever possible to allow fresh air to circulate.
If a student or staff member presents with any signs of illness, our illness policy will be strictly enforced.