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Reopening - Photo of classroom layout

  • 1.  Reopening - Photo of classroom layout

    Posted 05-13-2020 12:29 AM

    Pandemic Planning... How to set up for a new normal in our classrooms? 

    We will be setting up 5 preschool classrooms (infants to 5yr) to adhere to a Phased-in re-opening following strict CA CCLD guidelines ready to welcome our children back in early June. Would anyone be willing to share photos of your classroom layout of how to support and encourage social distancing while still giving quality care? I've read using ribbon or tape to measure spaces, rearranging shelves and tables to create individual play spaces, etc. We will utilize our outdoor space as much as possible, however it can get up to 100 degrees these days. Any ideas will be helpful in our phase in opening and pandemic planning.

    Thank you in advance!





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    Janie Ho
    Preschool teacher
    Pasadena Children's Center
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  • 2.  RE: Reopening - Photo of classroom layout

    Posted 05-14-2020 12:15 AM
    Hi Janie. I hope the images attached help!

    Best,


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    Melissa Joiner
    Orientation Coordinator
    Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance
    Memphis, TN
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  • 3.  RE: Reopening - Photo of classroom layout

    Posted 05-14-2020 12:54 AM
    Hi Janie.  Can you please nudge me in the direction of the CA ccld guidelines? I looked and didn't find anything.

    Thank you so much!

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    Yalda Modabber
    Golestan Education
    El Cerrito CA
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  • 4.  RE: Reopening - Photo of classroom layout

    Posted 05-14-2020 02:32 AM
    Hi Yalda, I'm reading the PINS on how to re-open with a pandemic planning in mind. There are so many webinars and articles but no actual photo of how we would really set up to serve and care for 10 children and keep them 6 feet apart.  

    https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/PINs/2020/CCP/PIN_20-06-CCP.pdf
    http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/docs/education/GuidanceEarlyChildhoodEducation.pdf

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    Janie Ho
    Pasadena CA
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  • 5.  RE: Reopening - Photo of classroom layout

    Posted 05-14-2020 08:42 AM
    I would like to suggest that we all re-think how we are going to offer our high quality early childhood Programs. I love the rearrangement of furniture to have safe space inside, but I would only use inside space when absolutely necessary.  Re-assess your outdoor space and whatever you can do inside know that you can do outside.  Having children outside is much safer and healthier than any inside space.  Fresh air and plenty of dirt are what they need to help build immunities.  Consider (depending on your class size)- half the class outside while half the class is inside and then switch- however it can work best in your individual situation I implore all educators to get all children from infants through school age, OUTSIDE, EVERY DAY - for as much time as possible.

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    [Christine] [Heer, M.Ed.]
    [Director; Co-Owner]
    [Grow, Bloom & Thrive, LLC]
    [Dover] [MA]
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  • 6.  RE: Reopening - Photo of classroom layout

    Posted 05-20-2020 09:00 AM
    Hi Christine

    I totally agree with getting the kids outside as much as possible and setting up learning spaces in your outdoor area just like you would set up inside ( I actually think that is good practice anyway). ​Now that the weather is getting better it just makes sense. We conducted our summer program all outside and only came in because of bad weather and rest time.

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    Dorothy McDevitt
    Educator training and support
    Child Care Network
    Hyannis MA
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  • 7.  RE: Reopening - Photo of classroom layout

    Posted 05-14-2020 09:04 AM
    We are also making plans to open this summer.  However, we are really looking to re-invent it.  I think it will be very difficult to maintain the level of quality we are known for while implementing most of the CDC guidelines.  As a result, we are looking to create outdoor learning areas where kids and staff will be safe and learn in interactive ways that will look quite different from what they did inside.  If anyone else is doing something similar, I'd be interested is hearing/seeing what you're doing.

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    Pamela Post
    Chelten Child Development Center
    Dresher PA
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  • 8.  RE: Reopening - Photo of classroom layout

    Posted 05-14-2020 09:13 AM
    I am the co-owner and director of the first licensed farm and forest kindergarten in Massachusetts. We have the model! Of course every early ed. Program will be unique in what they can offer in terms of outside learning; depending upon the space and geographic location.  My business partner and I are putting our heads together now to see how we can help other programs with this re-think and process for much more outside time in all types of programs. 
     If all we are focused on is sterilizing and taking temperatures the stress levels will be high and the children will certainly feel that.  We can do this together.  With great admiration for all !  Christine Heer, M.Ed. Director of Sprouts Farm and Forest Kindergarten (ages 3-6 years)

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    [Christine] [Heer, M.Ed.]
    [Director; Co-Owner]
    [Grow, Bloom & Thrive, LLC]
    [Dover] [MA]
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  • 9.  RE: Reopening - Photo of classroom layout

    Posted 05-14-2020 02:49 PM
    Can you email me a picture/pictures of your moadel and send any other protocol you have alread set up?   Thanks so much.  joanie

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    Joanie Waldman
    Director
    Congregation Beth-El Zedeck Early Childhood Program
    Indianapolis IN
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  • 10.  RE: Reopening - Photo of classroom layout

    Posted 05-14-2020 05:18 PM
    Hi Joanie,

    I would love to help.  Please take a look at our website...there are some pictures there that may be of help.  My business partner and I are putting together a video and talk that will be on the website hopefully next week with an over view.  Everyone's program will be unique in their needs and abilities.  We are a nature-immersive school so it will look different from a traditional outdoor play space.

    Once you have a look at the website email me with any specific questions and I would be glad to go from there.

    Best,
    Christine Heer, M.Ed., Director
    Sprouts Farm and Forest Kindergarten @ Tangerini's Spring Street Farm 
    508-259-1761
    www.growbloomandthrive.com





  • 11.  RE: Reopening - Photo of classroom layout

    Posted 05-16-2020 12:32 AM

    Our classroom is in a public park and the outdoor play equipment is shared by the "public."  Don't see how we are going to re-open unless we stay strictly indoors .  The indoor area is big with lots of natural light as we have wall to wall glass. 
    Ideal or not ideal it is better than doing zoom and stay at home.  
    We will probably have to implement two shifts and less hours.  Not ideal for full-time moms. I would be interested to know what all are doing . 



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    Vera Chang-Garcia
    Teacher
    Beyond Pre-K in Spanish
    Culver City CA
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  • 12.  RE: Reopening - Photo of classroom layout

    Posted 05-16-2020 05:14 PM
    Some of the things we are doing on top of ramping up the disinfecting/handwashing, etc.:
    1.  Staggering our drop off and pick up times 
    2.  Screen each child and all staff upon arrival.
    3.  Creating multi-age classroom so all kids whose parents are health care workers are in separate classes/siblings are in classes together.
    4.  Our kids will be outside 4-6 hours a day - this is creating a LOT of work for us but we are creating areas with shade, handwashing, water, and a variety of activities.
    5.  Teachers are wearing masks to start; we back down on this as things improve in our county.
    6.  Children will not be wearing masks.
    7.  We are defining social distancing in early childhood education as limiting the number of people a child is exposed to.  So we won't be doing large group activities like field trips or our weekly "campfire" or sharing spaces (like the playground).  Only one class will be in a particular area at a time.  We will disinfect before the next class comes in.
    8.  We are not restricting circle time, hugs or snuggling while reading together within the classroom.

    We primarily used the CDC guidelines for creating our plan, but also relied on what we know about what is important to a child's development.  We realize there are health risks at this time, but know that there are also risks to a child's development and emotional well-being.  If we are going to be implementing these policies for the next 12-18 months, we need to take those risks into consideration too.  I keep asking myself, "What does quality look like during a health emergency?" because I'm not going to give up quality.

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    Pamela Post
    Chelten Child Development Center
    Dresher PA
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