January 2022

To ensure the safety of the children, staff, families and community, Nurture Early Childhood Education Centre Ltd. will continue to follow all recommendations and requirements set forth by the B.C. Centre for Disease Control and WorkSafe B.C until COVID-19 virus is completely eradicated in Canada and poses no imminent risk to the public. The current public health order requires parents/guardians to keep children home if they are exhibiting signs of illness. We acknowledge our shared responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the children and staff at our centre. We also ask that if any family members residing in your home are diagnosed with COVID-19, that your children are kept at home. We ask parents to be diligent and cautious out of respect and consideration for the other children in our centre. It is each family's responsibility to stay up to date on current public health orders. 

COVID-19 Safety Plan 

• High-touch areas at the centre include but are not limited to all safety gates, doorknobs, chairs, bathroom step stools, toilets, changing table, nap cots, and toys. 
• ​The aforementioned high-touch areas will be cleaned by staff daily using Sani-Kleen (Island Health approved) and toys will be cleaned regularly using hot, soapy water. 
• If a child is seen putting a toy in their mouth, do not allow another child to play with that toy until it has been cleaned. 
• ​The Manager or additional staff will be available as an extra staff member to assist with sanitation measures as needed. 
• Hand sanitizer stations have been installed at both entrances (front and back) of Nurture. 
• ​Staff are to regularly wash their hands and ensure children’s hands are washed regularly. When returning from community outings, staff are required to have all children wash their hands. 
• Parents/Guardians are advised to pick up and drop off outdoors when possible. If entering the building, all visitors must wear a mask. 
• ​The BCCDC has recommended that all staff wear masks indoors as per the Public Health Guidance for Child Care Settings. Staff are required to wear masks at all times when parents are picking up and dropping off children. 
• Daily Health checks are performed each day by staff and for all families. A Daily Health check form is printed on both entrances of Nurture and staff are instructed to ask families that they have performed a daily health check before dropping their children off at Nurture.  
• ​The BCCDC strongly recommends all staff to be immunized against Covid-19. This includes second vaccination and booster shots. Nurture will keep on file vaccination records of all employees. 
• There will be an Occupancy Limit of one family drop off at a time inside Nurture, and staff will ensure that 2 meter distance is maintained. Parents will be instructed to follow specific protocols set in place for drop off and pick up. An Occupancy Limit sign has been posted on the door. 
• ​Parents have each signed agreements relating to policies and health recommendations related to COVID-19 and have been sent via email updated information from the BC Centre for Disease Control on Public Health Guidance for Child Care Settings. 
• All staff are provided with updated information from the BCCDC related to Covid-19 in childcare. 
• ​Hand washing signs have been posted in the bathroom and kitchen. 
• Bed sheets for children are provided by parents and are placed after each nap in a seperated bag and placed on their personal cubby hanger. Bed sheets are brought home and washed every Friday by parents. 
  
  WorkSafe
  The provincial health officer and the BC Centre for Disease Control have issued the following guidance around self-isolation. The following individuals should not come into the workplace:
  
  
• Anyone who has had symptoms of COVID-19 must self-isolate at home until they receive a negative Covid-19 test; symptoms include fever, chills, new or worsening cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, and new muscle aches or headache.
• ​Anyone under the direction of the provincial health officer to self-isolate must follow those instructions.
• 
  ​Workers who have been exposed to anyone confirmed to have COVID-19, or to anyone with possible symptoms of COVID-19, should call HealthLink BC at 811 for an assessment and to determine any necessary next steps.
  Take other preventative measures while at work
  If entering the workplace, everyone should:
  
  
• Comply with the employer’s instructions around minimizing exposure to COVID-19.
• Wash their hands frequently, and/or use hand sanitizer.
• ​Take steps to minimize exposure to COVID-19 while away from work.
• 
  Prohibition of workers who are sick 
• Workers who are displaying symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, sore throat, sneezing), whether or not the illness has been confirmed as COVID-19.
• ​Workers who live in the same household as a confirmed or clinical COVID-19 case who is self- isolating, or who have been exposed to a confirmed COVID-19 infected person and advised by 811 (public health) to self-isolate.