New Jersey Department of Health
COVID-19 Guidance for Reopening Childcare
September 29, 2020
The health and wellness of our children, families and staff is of the utmost importance for The Comet Care program. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have modified our operating procedures and enhanced our health policy in order to take precautions to provide an appropriate environment for children and staff.
Along with our pre-existing health and safety protocols, our enhanced health practices in response to COVD-19 are guided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Our goal is to provide our community with information that will help guide decisions and ease children throughout the school year.
The following policies and procedures are continually being evaluated and updated based on the latest recommendations from the CDC and local and state agencies. They may change as we navigate through the pandemic and the information on this page will be updated accordingly.
THE COMET CARE ENHANCED HEALTH PRACTICES IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 INCLUDE:
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MODIFIED DROP OFF/PICK-UP PROCEDURES
Drop off and pick-up will be handled at exterior screening stations to limit access to the building by additional people. Only one parent per family will be permitted to the screening station and only one family unit at a time. Parents will call or text Comet Care to inform them that they are here for pickup/drop off. After a cleared health screening, the child(ren) will be escorted to his/her classroom by one of our staff members.
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HEALTH SCREENING
Upon arrival, all children and staff will go through a daily health screen before being permitted into our schools. Health screenings will include a pre-screening form that will be filled in by the parents. Parents will no longer need to fill out a PM form if the students are coming from the S/W classroom and entering Comet Care. |
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SOCIAL DISTANCING IN THE CLASSROOM
Social distancing our young friends is a bit different in a child care setting. Comet Care will have the children in cohorts of 30. They will not be able to commingle with the other groups. We will try our best to social distance but there maybe times when that isn’t possible.. |
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FACE MASKS AT SCHOOL
Our staff will wear both cloth face masks and shields along with gloves when present inside the building. All students will wear masks throughout the day inside the building (except when eating). When they are outside, they will be permitted to take a mask break as long as they are practicing social distancing. |
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CLEANLINESS AND SANITIZING PRACTICES
Our school buildings will continue to be cleaned and disinfected by the cleaning service on a nightly basis. In addition, a UV light was purchased and will be used throughout the week in the classrooms. Our playgrounds are not to be used when the children are outside. |
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HAND WASHING
Hand washing has always been a frequent activity throughout the day. With CDC guidance, we have updated the regular times that hands will be washed. In addition, children will wash their hands before entering the classroom. There will be hand sanitizer available in the classrooms too. Staff will wash their hands before serving snacks. |
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MEAL TIME PRECAUTIONS
Snack will be served in the afternoon. Students will need to wash their hands before they eat. |
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY CHILD IS SICK OR A FAMILY MEMBER HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH COVID-19?
For the safety of children, families and faculty at Comet Care, anyone who is ill must stay home. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with COVID-19, immediately alert the Comet Care owner and stay home. Please follow the CDC’s recommendations if you’re unwell or if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
Positive test: 10 day and you will need a letter from the doctor stating that your child may come back to school.
Exposed by a household member: 24 day
Exposed by someone outside of the house: 14 days