Dear Families of Trinity Early Childhood Center

Dear Families of Trinity Early Childhood Center,

I’m happy to share with you that Trinity Early Childhood Center has been thriving while being open under government and DCFS policies and protocol! I would like to invite you to read through this letter of what we are currently doing and what to expect into the fall. Please understand that things may change as the government and DCFS continue to work through the phases of restoring Illinois

1. Trinity Early Childhood Center will now be open Monday through Friday 8:00am-5:00pm. Preschool hours remain the same of 9:00am-2:00pm. Your child will stay in their class the whole day; classes will not be combined at all and will have the same teacher(s).

2. Arrival/Departure Plans and Daily Health Checks:

-One family at a time in the foyer; please wait outside if someone is already there.

-All parents/guardians/persons will be required to wear a facemark when dropping off and picking up.

-Trinity Early Childhood Center will provide a face mask for every child that will be labeled with their name and kept at school.

-One parent or caregiver can bring their child(ren) into the center; they will both have their temperatures taken and recorded upon arrival. 

-Visual inspection; check signed of illness, which could include flushed cheeks, rapid breathing or difficulty breathing (without recent activity), fatigue, or extreme fussiness, and confirm that the child is not experiencing coughing or shortness of breath.

-If a person or child has a temperature of 100.4 or above, they cannot come into the center.

-During drop off and pick-up, there will be no handshaking or physical contact between parents, staff, and other adults. Enhanced written risk management plan that identifies potential operational risks, specifies ways to reduce or eliminate risks, and establishes procedures in the event of emergency or crisis.

*I want the emphasize that although the children need to wear masks (2 and over), we will be helping them do so by teaching them and reminding them throughout their day. A mask would never be forced onto a child.

3. Exclusion policies for staff and children who are ill: 

-Trinity Early Childhood Center has a separate room that’s called our “teacher work room”. At this time it is now designated for if a staff member or child were to be sick, they would go there. If it’s a child, either the Director or Assistant Director would sit right outside the door so they would not be alone.

-If a child is suspected of having COVID-19, diagnosed with COVID-19, or having been in contact with persons suspected of or diagnosed with COVID-19 shall be excluded from the center until written documentation is provided by their child’s physician that the child is no longer communicable and may return to child care (405.605(i))

-If a child or staff member were to test positive for COVID-19 we would close off areas used by the person who is sick. Open up the outside doors (if applicable) to increase air circulation. Wait up to 24 hours and then clean and disinfect.

-How he Center will notify of all parents or legal guardians: While being in accordance with confidentiality in section 407.80(b), Trinity Early Childhood Center will release a “disease letter” to the center.

-Signage will be posted outside all entrances restricting entry to anyone with symptoms of illness/respiratory infection.

**If a child is sent home with a fever or is not allowed in due to a fever, they have to be fever free for 72 hours without medication. A doctor’s note will not be accepted to return earlier than the 72 hours**

4. General Information:

-All of children’s belongings must be in a ziplock bag with a label of their first and last name.

-Any topical ointment for a child must stay at the center.

-For those who nap; blanket and pillow must stay at the center (will be cleaned on site).

-NO outside food (including birthday celebrations) is allowed.

 

Reminder: Trinity Early Childhood Center’s Preschool year starts on Monday, August 24 2020. We look forward to seeing everyone again! 

 

Sincerely,

Cassandra Sund

TECC Director