Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  health screenings

    Posted 08-10-2020 08:08 AM
    Dear Friends in the ECE field,  We are a private preschool which follows our school district schedule.  Which means we have had our doors physically closed since March but provided online services for our students March - June.  We are getting ready to re-open our doors in a couple of weeks.  We have been working on implementing all the COVID guidelines and requirements listed by the OEC.  However, we are somewhat paralyzed about health screening questions and how to ask. I attended most of the OEC webinars offered and I spoke with our licensing agent but  it still seems vague to me, as there seems to be much allowance for centers to make their own standards.  So I am hoping those of you who have already done this might be able to share what is working. Parents will be dropping children off at the doors.  Would anyone who has been open or will be opening soon be willing to share how they address screening at the door?  What questions do you ask?  Do you take temperatures? What are your guidelines for excluding a child?  I am just thinking about all the little colds children get and the runny noses and coughs, do you exclude children with any symptoms or do you discern  on the spot?  How many days do they have to be clear of symptoms? Any help, suggestions at all would be very much appreciated.

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    Sharon Culbertson
    Head Teacher/Director
    Trinity Community Preschool
    Woodbridge CT
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  • 2.  RE: health screenings

    Posted 08-11-2020 08:38 AM
    My center is not opened yet but we plan on having QR codes where staff and families can answers health screening questions at home or have a QR code at the door for those who don't have a cell or don't know how to do the codes.  You can ask how has the child been at home, Is the child showing any signs of illness,has the child been eating/drinking nomrally,has there been unusual events or concerns, has child been in close or proximate contact with someone who has tested positive or shown symptoms of COVID-19 in the past 14 days, Does the child have any sores or rashes,child recently traveled (within the past 14 days) from states with a high rate of COVID-19 infection? Check out this website. They have tool kit with a health check template. You can use that or make up your own questions.

    http://qualitystarsny.org/reopening.php?fbclid=IwAR1WWqufaw7Vufab5uHZv0gcEHotOuEZPokVS3ZzkQ1g1yIKIHJq6ejFoKQ

    https://www.pinterest.com/pin/550002173249566273/



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    Jennifer Goldson
    Teacher Assistant
    Bronx NY
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  • 3.  RE: health screenings

    Posted 08-12-2020 04:29 PM
    Thank you Jennifer for sharing the link.  It was very helpful!  Has anyone seen a similar link that has the resource tool kit similar to this for Missouri?

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    Lynda Klosterman
    Director
    St. Lucas Preschool
    Saint Louis MO
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  • 4.  RE: health screenings

    Posted 08-11-2020 10:27 AM
    We greet all families outside while the weather is nice and go though our check list.  We are straight forward. We take their temperature (anything over 100, we turn away). We ask if the child has been given any medication within the last 24 hrs, if they have been in contact with anyone that has tested positive or waiting for a result. We are also strict about returning back to the center if they were sent home the day before. These question lead to a natural conversation and have become routine to the families and our staff.

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    Judith Crowder
    Little JEMS Children's Center
    Croydon PA
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  • 5.  RE: health screenings

    Posted 08-11-2020 11:24 AM
    Hello, We re-opened our private center here in Michigan for summer camp for preschoolers and their older school-aged siblings at the beginning of July. We limited enrollment in order to utilize the space we have for creating smaller pods of kids with consistent staff and limiting shared spaces and are doing again for the fall school year. Our screenings clear for symptoms like shortness of breath, fever, cough, diarrhea, headaches, sore throat, change in taste or smell, and/or fatigue and/or having come in close contact with someone who has Covid-19. We scan for fevers 100.4 or above and recheck temps midday. Our Covid-19 Response and Preparedness Plan clearly states that if a child has a fever they must be excluded until they have been fever free for 72 hours. If they have a persistent cough, they cannot return until a clearance from their physician. If they experience multiple symptoms above or are positive for COVID-19 they must be excluded until 10 days have passed, symptoms have subsided and/or have received a negative covid-19 test. It will be tricky for sure this winter as common colds pop up but parents understand and sign our Preparedness Plan knowing full well their child may have to be excluded due to common symptoms as we go forward in keeping schools safe for everyone. They also feel good that this is being done across the board as they entrust their children into our care. So far so good :)  There is a nice template for creating your Response and Preparedness Plan by the Early Childhood Investment Corporation using LARA guidelines (which are based off the CDC). It really helped me lay out the plan using the latest guidelines for safe opening. Hope this helps!

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    Lisa Moen
    Director
    Grosse Pointe Nursery School
    Grosse Pointe Woods MI
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