Please stay at home when you are sick, even when symptoms are mild.
We require your cooperation in maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment.
Masks:
Masks are voluntary, yet continue to be recommended for all participants aged 2+ attending an EarlyON program within a school. Masks are not recommended for children under the age of 2.
COVID-19 Screening:
All individuals including children, families, visitors and staff attending the EarlyON program must self-screen each day before participating and follow the guidance from public health.
Screening at home:
Please continue to complete daily screening at home for each participant before attending our programs.
https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/
For more information for those who have symptoms, test positive, isolation and high risk contacts please visit:
Isolation instructions for COVID-19 - Ottawa Public Health
Following Public Health Guidelines:
Throughout the pandemic, the OCDSB has followed public health guidelines and we continue to do so. Ottawa Public Health has developed a Notice of Risk for attending an early years program and launched a new webpage about evaluating risk. This is a helpful resource in assessing risk and making the best decision for you and your family. Stay at home when you are sick, even when symptoms are mild. Staying home helps prevent transmitting an illness to others. Here are some important key messages for parents and caregivers to review with their child before attending child care and early years programs:
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper arm, not your hands! Throw the tissue away and wash your hands right away.
- If you don’t feel well, tell someone.
- Avoid touching your face. We can easily spread germs from our hands to our mask or face.
- Bring your own water bottle from home to stay hydrated throughout the day.
Anyone who is symptomatic, does not pass screening, or has been advised
to self isolate by the local public health unit will not be allowed to attend an
EarlyON program and need to follow OPH requirements.
Attendance:
Attendance will be collected by the electronic registration and attendance system. If you have not been issued an EarlyON keg tag with barcode, please see a Program Facilitator to complete the registration process, or to update an existing profile.
Indoor shoes:
During the fall and winter months, we ask that all adults and children attending EarlyON indoor playgroups bring a pair of indoor shoes to wear in the school for safety and comfort, if possible.
Shared Spaces and Objects:
The risk associated with transmission with shared objects is low. Instead of regular cleaning of shared objects, the focus will be on regular hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette to reduce the risk of infection related to shared equipment. This is especially the case for young children where shared equipment is important for learning.
Mouthed toys will be cleaned and disinfected immediately after the child is finished using it. Please place any mouthed toys in the marked bins. We appreciate and require your cooperation in maintaining a safe and healthy environment.
Cleaning of Surfaces:
Frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, faucets, lightswitches will be cleaned twice a day in cooperation with the school custodians and program facilitators.
Food & Drink:
Participants will practice hand hygiene before and after eating. Baby bottles, sippy cups, water bottles and travel mugs may be brought into the centre. Please label belongings clearly and avoid sharing with others. You may bring your own nut and peanut free snacks from home while following the above policies.
Coffee and tea will be provided, please consider bringing your own travel mug.
Washrooms:
Washrooms have been designated for EarlyON family use.
Travel through the school:
Our program times are coordinated with the school schedule. Please arrive at program start time no earlier than 5 minutes beforehand to reduce crowding at entry ways. Once inside the school, please limit your travel through the hallways.
Personal Belongings:
You may bring a bag for your personal items into the EarlyON Centre. It is asked that non-essential personal items not be brought into EarlyON centres and instead left in a vehicle or locked outside. Personal belongings should be minimized and not shared during programming. If brought, belongings should be labeled and kept out of reach of all participating children.
Guiding Documents:
We are guided by Ottawa Public Health and the Ministry of Education. Please consult Supporting Child Care and Early Years for more information.
If you have further questions, please contact the Program Facilitator at your school or email the Program Supervisor [email protected]