Supporting Children and Families During the Pandemic

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have added many new practices to our center to continue joyful learning while providing a safe environment for students and staff.

Prior to re-opening in 2020, we gave thorough consideration to each of the recommendations provided by the CDC and DOH. Balancing the most important and achievable precautionary measures with the need for a warm and inviting learning environment has resulted in physical changes to our center along with updated daily practices. These measures are based in science -both medical and developmental- and we will continue to update and improve them in response to emerging recommendations from the CDC and DOH. Please see below for more information about these measures.

Changes to environment:

  • Class ratios have been reduced to 8:1, resulting in classes of up to 16 students with two teachers to maintain precautionary measures and practices while continuing direct support for students
  • Separate entrances for classrooms to limit exposure amongst households
  • Each entrance has a check-in/out station with plexiglass partitions, sanitizing materials and health check screenings
  • Each class is self-contained. There is no mixing of students or adults throughout the day.

 

Updated practices:

  • Limited entrance- parents now drop off/pick up students at their designated class entrance and do not proceed into the center
  • Staff and students undergo daily health screenings upon arrival which includes temperature checks and health questions
  • Increased hand washing
  • Increased cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing of all surfaces and materials
  • All staff & students are required to wear masks – At this time, March 22nd, 2022, KIDSPACE has elected to keep the mask mandate in place. The health and well-being of our student community is vitally important to us, especially those too young to be vaccinated. We will reassess this policy at the end of the school year, and are looking forward to a potentially mask free summer!
  • Practices and protocols are in place for ill students and staff

 

If you were able to walk into a classroom at KIDSPACE, your first observation would be of happy children playing and interacting. Upon closer examination you’d notice children wearing masks as if it was as normal as wearing hats on their heads or shoes on their feet. You’d notice some see-through acrylic stands on the tables which to adults seems cold and isolating, but not to the children. They are an invitation for playing together. If you paused and listened, you’d hear laughter, stories interwoven, collaboration and problem-solving. The pandemic has not robbed children of their freedoms of childhood, only given them reason to use and enhance their skills of adaptability and flexibility. We must never underestimate the power of children.

Kidspace will continue to pursue these measures and adapt as necessary throughout the school year. We thank our families for supporting the need to keep our community safe and trusting us, at KIDSPACE, to provide their children opportunities to safely play, learn, and grow with their peers.

Here is link to our Parent Procedural Guide for Pandemic Protocols.