This is a working document; I have done my best to address every requirement put in place by the State of Illinois, DCFS, IDHP and the CDC as well as to anticipate situations that might arise and how they will be handled. The Reopening Plan will be updated weekly to reflect any new policies, rules, situations and clarifications. Each week all staff members will receive an updated copy. All questions, suggestions, clarifications and concerns are welcomed.
Classrooms will operate under the following maximum group size
10 children ages 2 and up
Children must be assigned to one room where they will stay all day including for meals and snacks
Children may leave their assigned classroom to use the bathrooms and play outside
Only one group can be on each playground at one time
Large playground equipment will be sanitized between use by different groups
Whenever possible playground toys should be assigned to a classroom
Children may not change rooms/groups and groups may not be mixed at any time of the day
Regular staff may not switch groups
No one may walk through a room to get to another location
A designated “floater” can go into two different classrooms provided that they wear a smock that they change for each room
Qualified substitutes are allowed to fill in for regular staff that are out sick or on vacation
When possible programs should staff at least 2 adults per classroom
One staff is permissible at the start/end of the day as long as ratios are maintained
It may be necessary to restrict hours of operation or enrollments in order to assure proper staffing
Programs may increase to 70% capacity if the following conditions are met
Program directors must review the Reopening Plan with DCFS
A minimum of 50 sq ft of space per child is available for all children 2 years and older
Program can provide additional 4 sq ft—beyond regular licensing—of sleeping space per child for infants and toddlers to ensure cribs and cots can't be placed 6 feet apart
The expanded group size limit per room after 4 weeks without disease transmission is as follows
10 two year olds
15 three year olds
15 four year olds
Ratios will remain the same as per licensing regulations
Any child who becomes ill while at FNS will be isolated in one of the classrooms that is currently unoccupied
The child’s parent will be notified and expected to immediately pick up the child
The child will be excluded from care until after 24 hours without symptoms while free from medication
The parent will be required to send an email when symptoms cease without the use of medication so that we can begin the 24 hour countdown. The countdown will not start until we hear from the parent, forgetting to notify FNS will extend the amount of time the child is excluded from care. The countdown will NOT be retroactively started.
The program director will monitor absenteeism for staff and children, confirming the reason for absence by phone no later than noon and follow up with the health department as needed.
If any staff or child who tests positive for COVID-19 the program director will:
immediately notify CDC and DCFS by phone and follow up in writing by the end of day
notify every staff member and enrolled family either in person or by phone
assist the health department with contact tracing
Everyone will undergo a health screening upon arrival at the center
A visual check for symptoms such as flushed cheeks or cough
A verbal confirmation that everyone in their household is healthy and symptom free
A touch-less temperature scan
Child with a fever of 100.4 or higher cannot be taken in for care
Any adult with a fever of 100.4 or higher may not leave a child for care
Any staff member with a fever of 100’4 or higher may not work
1. Household must remain out of the center if any member of household has or has been in close contact with anyone who has:
(a) A confirmed case of COVID19
(b) Traveled from an area which is experiencing widespread community transmission of Covid19
(c) Should you or any household member have any of the following symptoms, we ask you to remain out and notify the center.
* Fewer of 100.4 or higher
* Cough, Sore Throat, Difficulty Breathing
*Muscle Aches
*Loss of Smell or Taste
Each child attending Fairyland is required to bring 2 face masks from home
Everyone, adult or child over the age of 2, entering the building must wear a face mask when arriving, departing and in common areas
In self contained classrooms all staff will wear either a face mask or a face shield
In self contained classrooms all children aged 2 and up will wear a face mask when practicable
Face covering are optional when outside for both staff and children
Face coverings for children are not allowed during naptime
A safe storage option for staff and child face masks will be provided by FNS
Children and staff will wash hands every time their face covering is put on or taken off
Every classroom will be sanitized thoroughly prior to opening each day
Every classroom will be sanitized thoroughly at least once each morning, during nap time and each afternoon
Every classroom will be sanitized thoroughly prior to closing each day
Playground equipment will be sanitized after each use
Bathrooms, sinks and “waiting” chairs will be sanitized after every use
Commonly touched surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches and countertops will be thoroughly sanitized repeatedly throughout the day
Whenever possible sanitizing will be done when the children are not present
Parents will be strongly encouraged to drop off and pick up at the front doors without coming inside the center. If a parent feels like they must come in they may not enter any classroom and they must wear facemask and shoe covers
All children will be released into the care of the assigned receiving staff at the front door
Receiving staff will conduct the visual & verbal health check and temperature screening
Staff will record on the sign in sheet the child’s name, drop off time, the answers to the health check screening and the adult & child temperatures
Receiving staff will take the child inside and immediately supervise hand washing
Receiving staff will take the child to their classroom
Classroom staff will supervise the children in putting on their “school” shoes
All children must arrive by 9:00 am at the latest
Arriving staff must use the front door
Arriving staff must pass a visual & verbal health check and a temperature screening
Arriving staff will record all information from the health check and temperature screening with a own pen
Arriving staff will remove their “home” shoes before entering the building.
Arriving staff will immediately wash hands upon entering the building
Arriving staff will change into their “school” shoes and may change into “school” clothes if they wis
All personal items will be stored in the teachers’ lounge
Arriving staff will then go immediately to their assigned area
Designated departures hours are 3:30-5:30 pm
If parents need to pick up outside of the designated departure hours they must call to make arrangements for their child to be brought to them at the front doors
Designated departure staff will ID parents at the front door as needed before they go to get the child from the classroom
Staff will sign the child out
Designated departure staff will notify the classroom staff that the child is leaving
Classroom staff will assist the child in removing their “school” shoes and putting them away
Classroom staff will assist the child washing hands and then put on their facemask
Designated departure staff will walk the child to the front door and release them to the parent
Staff will be notified when they are relieved for the day
Staff will clock out ( time cards)
Staff will remove their “school” shoes and may change into “home” clothes if they wish
Staff will wash hands
Staff Lunch breaks
Classroom staff will be relieved for their lunch break by the second classroom staff member or by the assigned “floater”
Staff will wash hands
Staff will sign out ( clock out)
Staff who are staying on site for their lunch break can eat/drink only in the designated lounge area
Staff should maintain a 6’ distance in the lounge area
At the end of their break staff should wash hands
To resume duties staff should sign in ( clock in)
Staff member who are leaving the building for lunch must change into “home” shoes and may change into “home” clothes before leaving the building
Upon arrival back at the center staff must change into “school” shoes and may change into “school” clothes
After lunch staff should immediately return to assigned area
All soft and/or hard to clean items such as stuffed animals & dress up clothes will be removed/or not used during the day from all classrooms
Classrooms are set up to the extent that it is possible to maintain 6’ between the children
There is only one chair/space at each table/activity except that tables that are at least 6’ long may have a chair at each end
No tables, chairs or equipment can be moved from its current placement, if necessary staff may put tape on the floor to designate where each piece belongs
Children may take their choice of activity to their seat regardless of which shelf it came off of unless it is inappropriate such as a paint being taken to a seat that is on the carpet
Assigned seating may be used if feasible
Food will be brought into the room by cook or the designated “floater”
All food will be served by the classroom teacher, no family style serving
Classroom teachers will clear all dishes and sanitize tables as the children finish eating
Leftover food, trash and dirty dishes will be removed from the room by the secondary classroom teacher or designated “floater”
Children will nap in their assigned classrooms
The maximum space possible will be left between cots and the children will be placed either toe to toe or head to toe
Children will never be allowed to sleep head to head
No water fountains are to be used
No field trips are allowed
Twos will use the diaper change stations and/or bathrooms individually as needed
Classroom staff will sanitize the diaper change station/bathroom after each use
Children 3 and up will go to the designated “bathroom
If one classroom staff member is with 10 children they will each sit in a chair and take turns using the bathrooms and washing hands
Classroom staff will sanitize toilets and sinks between each use
Classroom staff will utilize stories, songs and finger plays to keep the children occupied while all children finish using the bathroom
If two classroom staff member are present then one staff member will remain in the classroom with 8 children while the second staff member takes 2 children out to use the bathroom and then return them to the classroom
After the staff member sanitizes the bathroom she will take 2 more children out to use the bathroom and wash hands repeating this sequence until all children have gone
All staff member will be vigilant with their own hand washing as well as with the children’s hand washing
Children will wash their hands at all times required by DCFS
Upon arrival at the center
Before and after each meal or snack
Before and after cooking or other food experiences
After using the toilet or having diapers changed
After wiping or blowing his/her nose
After touching items soiled with body fluids or wastes (e.g. blood, drool, urine, stool or vomit), even when gloves are used
After handling pets or other animals
After outdoor play or returning from a field trip
Before and after using the water table
Staff will wash their hands at all times required by DCFS
Upon arrival at the center
Before and after eating or drinking
Before preparing, handling or serving food
After using the bathroom or helping a child to use the bathroom
Before and after changing a diaper
After wiping or blowing own nose or helping a child to use the bathroom
After handling items soiled with body fluids or wastes (e.g. blood, drool, urine, stool or vomit), even when gloves are used
After handling pets or other animals
After outdoor play or returning from a field trip
Before and after assisting the children at the water table
Before and after dispensing any medication
Before and after administering first aid
After caring for a sick child
When changing rooms or caring for a different group
Staff and children will wash hands using the DCFS required procedures
Turn on faucet, wet hands under the warm running water
Apply sufficient liquid soap to develop a good lather
Lather the fronts, backs, between fingers, under fingernails, and up to the forearm areas of the hands and scrub vigorously for at least 15 seconds
Rinse hands thoroughly under the warm running water, holding the hands downward so that water runs off the fingertips. Unless using a foot-operated valve or the water automatically turns off, leave the water running
Use a disposable towel to dry hands thoroughly
For hand faucets, turn water off by using the disposable towel instead of bare hands to avoid recontamination of clean hands
Discard the towel in a covered waste receptacle
Modification for infants and young toddlers: for children that are too young to wash hands by themselves, staff will wash their hands for them using the above techniques. As they are developmentally ready, staff will teach children proper hand-washing techniques and assist and supervise the procedure as needed
Visitors will be kept to an absolute minimum and they may not enter any classroom being used by children
All visitors must wear a facemask and shoe covers at all times
This includes delivery drivers, repair people and anyone else that has to enter the building to work or monitor
There will be no parent tours conducted. Parents will be referred to our website to view classrooms and watch our promotional tour.
Children should go outside whenever possible and stay out as long as possible
Windows should be opened whenever possible
Curriculum activities should be done outside whenever possible
Block play, dramatic play and gross motor should be provided outside to allow for more space in the classrooms
Staff should encourage children to play spread apart and to take turns on the playground equipment whenever possible
Whenever possible put limits on the number of children that can play in one area or one piece of equipment at a time
Inside
All bulletin boards should be set up in assigned classroom
If we have enough children to have more than one classroom per department then each room will do a different unit and then trade so a full set of curriculum material is available
Science, math, fine motor, art, reading and music should be provided in each classroom
“Group circle time” will be done with children seated individually at tables
Program directors will make a good faith effort to reach every family and find out when they will need care and what days/times they will need care
Program directors in consultation with the executive director will make decisions on how many and which children can return at this time
Program directors will prepare a staffing plan
Program directors will contact all staff and confirm work schedules
Program directors will attend and participate in all training sessions both virtually and onsite
Program directors will go shopping and stock the center with all of the groceries needed to resume food service
Program directors will oversee the set up of an arrival/departure station at the front door
Executive director will oversee the set up of all classrooms to meet the new restrictions
Executive director will order an necessary equipment and supplies to meet new requirements
Executive director will write and continually update the Reopening Plan and share updates weekly with all staff and with DCFS
Executive director will meet with program directors to go over all new rules, regulations, policies and procedures
Executive director will conduct a meeting to address any employee concerns or anxieties about returning to work
Executive director will conduct a series of onsite trainings for all staff to go over specific changes in rules, regulations, policies and procedures
Two business day before reopening all staff will return to a regular number of work hours and attend training sessions and work on preparing the environment for the return of the children
Notifications may be: in-person, text message, phone call, email or print form
Executive director will arrange for the following supplies & equipment to be purchased and made available in addition to any and all regularly available supplies and equipment
3 washable, reusable faces masks for each employee
Mask storage containers(bags) for staff and children
A washable, reusable face shield for each employee
Smocks for “floaters”
A supply of pens for sign in sufficient number to last one day without being reused until after they are sanitized
Shoe covers for any visitors
Chemical sanitizer for the environment
Hand sanitizer for arrival/departure station, classrooms and staff
Misters for sanitizing playground equipment
Visual signage will be posted throughout facilities regarding hygiene, social distancing, mask and more.
Monday through Friday
6:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m
During Covid-19 6:30 a.m to 5:30 p.m
Saturday
By Appointment Only