In response to Executive Order 20-40, Heartwood Montessori School will provide child care for currently enrolled students and children of Critical Sector workers beginning May 4. In coordination and cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Human Services and the Minnesota Department of Health, HMS will help families who are working on the front lines access child care.
During the outbreak and until instructed otherwise, HMS will implement the following:
- Child care will be carried out in groups of 10 or fewer children per day;
- If more than one group of children is cared for at one facility, each group will be in a separate room.
- Child care providers will remain solely with one group of children;
- Child care staff will work a maximum of 8 hours in a 24-hour period;
- All staff and children are compliant with up-to-date CDC Guidance about health and behavioral instructions as related to COVID-19.
In addition, we will implement the following practices:
- Drop off and pick up will be done at the back gate;
- Children must arrive between 8:00 and 9:00 am;
- No parents or visitors will be admitted to the building;
- Children and staff entering the building will be excluded if
- temperature is 99.4°F or higher
- show signs or symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as a cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, and low-grade fever
- in the previous 14 days has had contact with someone with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19; is under investigation for COVID-19; or is ill with a respiratory illness
- in the previous 14 days has traveled internationally to countries with widespread, sustained community transmission
- Reduce on-site hours: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
- Provide individual snacks;
- Continue to follow existing procedures for reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses among children and staff including frequent hand washing and cough etiquette (coughing and sneezing into your elbow);
- Encourage children to spread out during story and circle times;
- Discourage children from touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands;
- Allow for no less than three feet between cots. We will place cots so that children rest “head to toe” rather than “face to face”;
- Extend outdoor play and get plenty of fresh air;
- Implement more frequent disinfecting of commonly touched surfaces like handrails, doorknobs, countertops, sinks, etc.;
If a child or staff member has been exposed to COVID-19 by someone with the virus in their immediate household, we will notify Minnesota and Minneapolis Departments of Public Health and DHS to determine the best course of action.
If it is confirmed that someone with COVID-19 has been in the school, we will dismiss everyone immediately and notify Minnesota and Minneapolis Departments of Public Health and DHS. We will work with these agencies to determine the best course of action.
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