EXCERPTS
Protocol for Emergency Child Care Plan during Covid-19 Pandemic
This Procedure is in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic as part of the requirements for Compass Early Learning and Care to establish an Emergency Child Care Plan for the provision of care for essential service workers. This Operational Practice adheres to the advice of Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, the experts at the COVID-19 Command Table and the local Medical Officer of Health to keep people safe.
The purpose of this Operational Practice is to keep all persons entering the facility safe and to outline all required procedures to be strictly implemented and adhered to daily. This Operational Practice also outlines what to do in the event that a child, parent or staff member at the site is exposed to COVID-19.
This Procedure applies to:
- All persons entering the Emergency Child Care Facility – including children, parents/guardians, staff (including cooks, cleaners)
Definitions/Acronyms
- COVID-19 – is a disease caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus
- ECC – Emergency Child Care Facility
- MOH – Medical Officer of Health
- PPE - Personal Protective Equipment
- PPH – Peterborough Public Health
1. Procedure
Screening Posters
All ECC facilities shall keep the Screening Posters, provided by the PHU visible on the exterior entrance and on the interior of the building visible to all individuals entering the facility. Upon entry the designated screener will administer the COVID-19 Active Screen Tracking Checklist form (Excel spreadsheet) for all individuals (child, parent/caregiver, staff) entering the facility. Staff must refuse to allow anyone who answers “yes” to any of the COVID-19 screening questions for staff, children and parents/guardians. This also includes accepting any child whose parent/guardian has answered “yes” to any of the COVID-19 screening questions.
Screening Symptoms
COVID-19 Symptoms for children could include:
- Sore throat
- Diarrhea
- Look to see if exhibiting a Runny nose
COVID-19 Symptoms for adults include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing
In addition, ask staff, parent/guardian of child if they have or other adults they live with are exhibiting signs of a respiratory illness.
If the individual answers yes, to any of the questions on the Screening Tool, exclude from the ECC facility. Direct the individual to arrange for further assessment by calling PPH at (705)743-1000.
If the individual answers no to all questions on the Screening Tool, admittance into the ECC site will be allowed. If symptoms of any illness develop while the individual is on-site follow the directions for
isolation listed on the Screening Tool.
If staff, children or parent/guardian have been excluded from the ECC facility they must not return until 24 hours (or as per policy if longer) after their symptoms have resolved.
If staff, children or visitors are confirmed or suspected of having COVID-19, contact PPH for further assessment at (705) 743-1000.
Risk may be higher if the individual has a weakened immune system. This may be the case for older people and people with chronic disease (e.g. diabetes, cancer, heart, renal or chronic lung disease).
All persons over 70 years of age and individuals who are immunocompromised are advised to self-isolate for a period of 14 days. Emergency child care staff are strongly encouraged to find alternative arrangements for any such family members during a time of heightened risk of exposure to COVID-19, such as caring for the children of front-line emergency staff.
This definition of what forms the screening questions may change as more information about the virus becomes available. In this case screening posters, questions and checklist will be updated as advised by the local Medical Officer of Health.
Daily Screening
Staff will conduct a visual check of anyone entering the facility. Where a child or adult is exhibiting any symptoms of illness as listed on the Screening Tool for Staff, Children and Parents/Guardians, staff must refuse entry into the facility. If symptoms are not COVID-19 related and present as enteric and respiratory in nature the individual must remain away for 48 hours and be symptom free before entering the facility.
Staff will use the COVID-19 Active Screen Tracking Checklist form to document the results for all persons screened when they arrive. The first staff to arrive in the facility each day will answer the questions on the COVID-19 Active Screen Tracking Checklist form in writing and then actively screen the second staff entering the building.
The second staff to arrive will confirm the first staff persons answers once their own screening is complete. The supervisor or delegate will assign the Active Screen Schedule for each day.
Staff who are experiencing any of the symptoms or who will answer “yes” to any of the questions on the active screening sheets are expected to stay at home and report their absence to their supervisor. Staff confirmed or suspected of having COVID-19, contact PPH for further assessment at (705) 743-1000 and follow the direction from PPH and their respective Human Resource department for medical clearance to return to work.
Documentation
Documentation of the information received during active screen must be recorded on the active screen sheet each day of operation. At the time of arrival each day, all staff must review the active screen sheet and enter confirmation of the review into the Daily Communication Log. The Supervisor or designate is responsible for ensuring that this information is managed and recorded as required. If a child presents with COVID-19 symptoms at any time, this information must also be documented in the child’s file on their personal Health Record.
Protecting Yourself from COVID-19
To prevent and control the transmission of microorganisms staff must focus on the
following principles:
- Risk Assessment
- Hand Hygiene
- Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Control of the Environment
- Administrative Controls
For a more detailed account of protocols see here.