Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  New Normal

    Posted 08-30-2020 12:10 PM
    How has everyone been doing during this new normal? How have your operations changed since the covid situation came about? Will you keep the same level of caution even after the covid situation has gone away?

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    Temesha (Ms. Tessie) Ragan
    Co-Family Child Care IF Facilitator
    Perfect Start Learning
    Family Child Care Provider
    Edwards, CA
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  • 2.  RE: New Normal

    Posted 08-31-2020 12:39 AM
    Awesome questions! I've been doing amazing, its unfortunate that our world is going through this pandemic. The only thing that has changed for me, I would have to say is abiding by the federal regulations on staying safe within our communities. When we take levels of caution, we not only protect ourselves but others around us.

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    Marissa Ridgley
    Anchorage AK
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  • 3.  RE: New Normal

    Posted 08-31-2020 08:56 AM
    I would love to hear from those that have opened to know what changes you have made?  Masks?  Moved outdoors?  Physical distancing?

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    Debbie Markland
    Early Childhood Educator
    Learn As You Play
    Roswell GA
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  • 4.  RE: New Normal

    Posted 08-31-2020 12:28 PM
    Hi Debbie:

    We reopened June 8th, after being closed since March 16th.  We have reduced class sizes with no more than 12 children in each cohort.  Temperatures are taken at drop off as well a visual health screenings and general health questions.   We reduced program hours so that the same teacher can be with the same group of children for the entire duration of the day.  We do not mix groups at all.  Parents are not currently allowed inside the building, which was strange at first, but we have all adapted.  The children are required to wear face masks indoors, not during outside play, meal times or rest.  They have done very well with this.  We talk a lot about why we wear the masks.  We do try to spend as much time outside all possible, since we are in California this was a challenge due to poor air quality from the fires the last couple of weeks.  Luckily air quality is starting to improve, but when it was poor, we kept the a/c running and air purifiers going and it was good indoors.  We encourage social distancing and it is easier to implement indoors than outdoors for sure.  To help with outdoor social distancing we try to set up as many one person areas as possible, but it can be challenging and we need to give lots of reminders.  At nap we space the mats out 6 feet apart.  
    We have enhanced all cleaning and sanitization procedures and our janitorial staff is extra diligent when they clean at night.
    It has been a lot of work, however we have not had any incidents of anyone getting sick, which makes all the extra work worth it.  
    Good luck to you as you move forward with reopening.  

    Sharon Caesare
    Program Director
    St. Eugene's Preschool 
    Santa Rosa, CA

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    Sharon Caesare
    Program Director
    St. Eugene Cathedral Preschool
    Santa Rosa CA
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  • 5.  RE: New Normal

    Posted 09-01-2020 08:58 AM
    We're a part time co-op ECE center, set to re-open in one week.  We were required to reduce class size by state regulations.  And then class size reduced further by families choosing to opt out.  We responded by offering a virtual option for those families.  Our in person classes have shifted to all outside at the request of the families who choose to stay.  We are using staggered start times to reduce mixing of classes at drop off and pick up and give each class longer periods on the playground, which we are sectioning into two areas.  We will be washing the playground equipment in between classes and sanitizing all material used on our "patios" at the end of each day.  We are encouraging kids to wear masks, though state regulations are clear that we can not require a child who is resistant to wear one.  All adults will be wearing masks.  On the beneficial side, I have looked really hard at all of the materials (toys) that we offer historically and see the opportunity to pair it down as a good effort.

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    James Mitchell
    Teacher
    Silver Spring Nursery School
    Takoma Park MD
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