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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Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2020 12:31 AM
From: Vera Chang-Garcia
Subject: Reopening - Photo of classroom layout
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
Original Message:
Sent: 05-14-2020 09:13 AM
From: Christine Heer
Subject: Reopening - Photo of classroom layout
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]
Original Message:
Sent: 05-14-2020 09:04 AM
From: Pamela Post
Subject: Reopening - Photo of classroom layout
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
Original Message:
Sent: 05-13-2020 12:28 AM
From: Janie Ho
Subject: Reopening - Photo of classroom layout
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 the CA CCLD guidelines ready to welcome our children back on June 1st. 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. 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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