Health and Safety

Health and Safety guidance

We are closely following guidance from state and local officials and health authorities as we take extreme care to maintain our safe, healthy school environment. Procedures are subject to change as state regulations, federal guidance, and best practices continue to evolve in response to new developments in the pandemic. Some locations may have different protocols as a result. Please check with your local school to confirm guidelines.


Health

When you walk into CHCC Daycare, you notice the signs of a safe, nurturing environment: the smiling faces of the other families, the excited chatter of children eager to learn and the cheery voices of the teachers as they welcome your child. It is the perfect atmosphere for learning because it encourages your child to explore and discover his or her interests while building friendships that can last a lifetime.

Safety

From first aid training for emergency situations to sanitation and ensuring a clean and healthy environment for children, we have more than 15 years of experience ensuring that every child is happy and healthy. Although scraped knees are a part of growing up, you can have confidence that your child is cared for in a secure, nurturing environment every day.

Prevent the Spread of COVID-19


DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP PROCEDURES

Our new routines for drop-off and pick-up are designed to ensure everyone in our School stays healthy and safe. Only one family at a time will be permitted inside the foyer, where our administration will conduct a quick health screening to ensure your child does not have a fever above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or other flu-like symptoms. A designated teacher will take your child to and from the classroom. For pick-up, a teacher will bring your child to the foyer. Please be mindful of keeping a six-foot distance from others during drop-off and pick-up.


PRACTICING SOCIAL DISTANCING

We will practice social distancing in the classroom throughout the day. Your children will remain in the classroom or on the playground with their teachers and classmates. For added safety, different classes will not interact with one another, and all special events and visitors will be postponed until further notice.


KEEPING AREAS CLEAN

Our teachers will implement an even more rigorous cleaning routine, and all high-touch surfaces and objects will be sanitized regularly throughout the day. These include, but are not limited to, all learning materials, playground structures, light switches and door handles.

  • We clean our centers each day with safe, non-toxic cleaning products.

  • Cleaning supplies are locked safely out of reach of children.

  • While other child care providers clean toys each evening, CHCC sanitizes toys throughout the day to help prevent the spread of germs.

  • We encourage children to wash their hands throughout the day by singing songs and teaching lessons about health and hygiene.


FACE COVERINGS

We have provided all Schools with guidance and best practices about wearing face coverings at School. Along with our guidance, Schools must follow local health and state guidelines to ensure they’re compliant with health and safety orders. For example, it’s mandatory for schools to provide face coverings to their employees, which must be worn at all times while on-site.

Our teachers will help familiarize children with the idea of seeing them wearing face masks.



WELLNESS

  • We assess every child’s health by talking with parents and monitoring for symptoms during the course of each child’s day with us. We increase assessment during flu season.

  • We notify parents when a child does not feel well to help prevent an illness from spreading.



SECURITY

  • Our centers are secured so that only authorized staff and families may enter.

  • Safe, secure perimeters ensure that children can enjoy outdoor play safely.

  • We use safety gates, window guards (except fire escapes) and cap electrical outlets.

  • Our centers include smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.

  • Radiators and heaters are covered to prevent your child from touching something hot.


MEDICATION

  • We have strict policies for administering medication to your child to ensure they are protected.

  • Based on new research about healthy practices for infants and toddlers, we require a doctor’s note for any medication, prescription or over the counter, given to a child under 2 years to ensure safety.


AUTHORIZATION

  • Only pre-approved people with photo identification may pick-up your child.


Covid outbreak protocals

The health and safety of the children in our care is our top priority. Child Care Centers follow special COVID-19 health and safety protocols which are developed based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, direction from state and local public authorities

The Claire Heureuse Community Center, Inc. has always operated its child care centers with stringent health and hygiene, cleaning and disinfecting, and illness exclusion policies because regular health and hygiene practices provide some of the best defenses against the spread of contagious illnesses. In response to the increased challenges of COVID-19, we have implemented the following enhanced protocols at our centers:

Enhanced Operating Protocols:

  • Nonessential visitors are not permitted in the center

  • Posted health notice restricting entry

  • Drop-offs/pick-ups are restricted to the lobby or outside the center

  • Reduced class sizes – determined with reference to applicable local guidance

  • Consistent groupings in separate classrooms

  • Outdoor time limited to one group at a time, with limited back-to-back use of the play area

Enhanced Health and Hygiene Protocols:

  • Daily temperature and health check conducted on arrival

  • Social distancing is practiced as much as possible

  • Claire Heureuse staff wear face masks/coverings

  • Frequent cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces, toys, and laundered items

  • Enhanced COVID-19 exclusion policy restricting center access in the event of a suspected or known exposure.

napping

During naps, the lights are never turned off. To ensure nap time safety, children in cribs are always under visual contact and listened to. Children sleep on their backs with age-appropriate bedding.

meals

Our meals are planned by a registered dietitian nutritionist, to ensure healthy food options for growing little ones. Food is prepared on-premises, in our kitchen, while we follow strict standards to cut food to appropriate sizes, based on age group. Staff members supervise all meals and snack times, to make sure our children are eating healthy—and safely.

playground and toys

Regular inspections ensure our outdoor equipment is always safe and play-ready. Toys are checked rigorously for broken or loose parts, monitored for choking hazards, and disinfected according to a regular schedule.