Monthly News and Updates from IdahoSTARS

COVID-19 Contingency Plan

We are working hard to maintain continuity for our children and families while maintaining adherence to public health advisories. We have developed a staged plan of response that is based on what we know about COVID-19. 

Phase 1 What we know is that like all other viruses the most effective way to reduce spread is to actively practice proper handwashing, cough etiquette and staying home when sick.

• Increased sanitization and disinfecting of all spaces in our program.
• Continue to adhere to our strict handwashing policies for children and staff entering the program.
• Closely monitoring staff and clients for illness. The following exclusion guidelines from the CDC will apply to all families and staff in our program effective immediately:
  • If an individual has a fever of 100.4 or more they will be excluded from work or attending the program for 24 hours after fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicines;
  • If an individual has a fever of 99.0 or more paired with coughing or sneezing will be excluded from work or attending the program for 24 hours after fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicines;
• Staff will sign children in and sign children out to avoid the potential spread through shared  pens.

Phase 2 Reducing exposure in large groups. This phase will be implemented immediately if there is a positive test of an individual with COVID-19 in the surrounding area.

• Restriction of attendance for children that attend the program. Families will choose if their child will attend child care. If a parent chooses for their child to attend, we cannot control the spread of viruses given the large amount of children despite our best intentions.
• Restriction of use of open air parks and nature areas where the child and staff can be at least 6 feet away from other people– no other public areas (ie. field trips, library or stores) to reduce exposure.
• All staff and children will have their temperature checked upon arrival.

Phase 3 – Closure. This phase will be implemented if ordered by public health officials or if there is a report of exposure by staff or child to COVID-19. Every effort will be made to give notice of this but we are limited to the timeframes in which were are informed of requirements.

• We will not provide childcare in this phase.

The most challenging aspect of this issue is the feeling of complete lack of control. There are some things that we can all do to maintain our health and the health of others:

• WASH, WASH, WASH YOUR HANDS! This cannot be promoted enough and is the most effective step towards preventing the spread of any virus.
• Do not touch your face, particularly your eyes, nose or mouth. These are the most vulnerable areas to viral infection. If you must touch your face use a clean cloth or disposable tissue and wash your hands afterwards. We are teaching the children about this important step, please reinforce this at home and/or when in the community.
• You and your child must get plenty of rest and hydrate so that you have a strong immune system. Consider limiting extra-curricular or work at home activities that cause your or your child’s bedtime routines to shift. Children need 12 hours of sleep a day for optimum health.
• Exercise. Your bodies need fresh air and movement to keep lungs healthy. Go to the park, hike, walk around the block, play in the back yard. Nature is our friend in this situation, choose natural play settings over commercial play settings such as bouncy houses, indoor play areas or gyms.
• Be sure to wash your outerwear more frequently. We are all using our sleeves to cough or open doors which is great but it is important to know that coronavirus lives on fabric for up to 3 days. When you get home throw your outerwear into the dryer on high for 20 minutes to sanitize it.
• Help others! I cannot encourage you enough to help your neighbors. Check in on that elderly or housebound neighbor. Maybe offer to get things for them at the store to limit their exposure, check in to see that they have food or better yet – toilet paper!
• Do not hoard, we do not have food or supply shortages in the U.S. unless people buy all of the toilet paper or rice at a store. The CDC is recommending a 2-week supply on hand, our system of manufacturing is not designed for 350 million people to all buy toilet paper in the same day. Supply chains will be able to meet everyone’s needs if everyone buys groceries and supplies just like they did in December before anyone had heard of the coronavirus.

As always, we are committed to our staff and families and will do everything we can to ensure continuity and a safe, healthy place for your child(ren). Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.