Covid-19 Response

---

For your child's comfort, and to reduce the risk of contagion, we ask that children be picked up within 1 hour of notification of illness. Until then, your child will be kept comfortable and will continue to be observed for symptoms. 

A full copy of the Health Check and Illness Policy will be included in your enrollment packet.

DAILY HEALTH CHECK:
All staff, families, children and their household members must conduct a daily health check before coming into the center. Should you or any household member have any of the following COVID-19-like symptoms during the preceding 72 hours**, we ask you to remain out of the center and notify the center.

• Cough
• Sore Throat
• Muscle Aches
• Difficulty Breathing
• New Loss of Taste or Smell
• Fever at or above the threshold temperature of 100.4° F* (or would have, but for the use of fever-reducing medicine).*

Consistent with our COVID-19 Policy, a symptomatic household will be required to remain out of the center for 10 days, unless clearance to return is provided. Where a medical provider assesses the symptomatic individual and can determine (i) that there is an alternate diagnosis causing the COVID-like symptoms (e.g., an ear infection is causing a fever), or (ii) the individual has tested negative, has been fever-free for at least 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medicines) and symptoms are resolving, the individual will be cleared to return and the ten (10) day exclusion period will not apply. In the case of clearance for an alternate diagnosis, if the medical provider cannot affirmatively identify an alternate diagnosis which causes the presenting symptoms, any unspecified diagnosis is presumed to be COVID, and the exclusion will continue.  Clearance to return cannot be provided by a family member.

REPORTING SUSPECTED OR CONFIRMED CASE IN HOUSEHOLD:
Notify us immediately if you become aware of any suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 in your household occurring within 14 days before or after any member of your household has been in present at the center.
 

CAREGIVERS AND FAMILIES MUST COMPLY WITH STATE AND LOCAL REGULATIONS REGARDING MASKS/FACE COVERINGS

Families using Gifted Minds Learning Center must comply with all mask/face covering protocols in place at the center.  

Adults:  Adults must wear masks/face coverings while in the center, even if the adult is not in close contact with the caregiver. 

Caregivers: Caregivers must wear masks/face coverings at all times, except during a break or while eating (in each case, provided proper social distancing can be maintained). 

Children:  This guidance does NOT apply to children 5 or under, or to those who are advised not to wear a face covering for other health reasons.  Parents should consult with their child’s health care provider if necessary (e.g., for children with certain conditions such as asthma), to determine if an individual child age 5 years and older is able to safely and consistently wear a cloth face covering while in care. 

Children 5 and over should wear masks/face coverings when in the presence of the caregiver unless:

• The child is interacting in on-line schooling activities, provided proper social distance from the caregiver and other children is maintained 
• The child has severe asthma or other breathing difficulties or safety concerns
• The child has special educational or healthcare needs, including intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, and sensory concerns or tactile sensitivity

Face coverings should NOT be worn, but proper social distancing should be maintained:

• While engaged in physical activities outside (unless otherwise required under local regulation)
• If the face covering is wet or if the child is engaged in activities that may cause the face covering to become wet (e.g., swimming) 
• While eating at least 6’ apart from the caregiver

Masks/face coverings are NOT a substitute for social distancing, hand washing or other everyday preventative actions.

We are taking extraordinary precautions beyond what  is normally recommended to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Our goal is to reduce the risk for getting and spreading viral respiratory  infections, by taking these critical steps: 

• Mandating social distancing and keeping children in small groups (no  more than 10 children clustered in an activity): absolutely no large  group activities.
• Instructing staff to monitor for symptoms, and stay home if they are sick.
• Instructing parents/guardians to keep children home if they or any member of the household exhibits symptoms.
• Mandating frequent hand washing with soap and water for at least 20  seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and  after blowing one’s nose. Teachers should help young children do the  same. If hands are visibly dirty, use soap and water to clean hands.
• Providing children with  soap and water to wash hands; adults may  use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, but this  is very toxic to children.
• Advising persons to avoid touching their face (especially eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands).
• Increasing the early childhood program’s cleaning and disinfection  routine to multiple times per day, while being careful with children in  the near vicinity. Emphasizing cleaning and disinfecting frequently  touched objects and surfaces.
• Covering coughs or sneezes with a tissue, then throwing the tissue  in the trash and cleaning hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer  (if soap and water are not readily available).
• Providing adequate supplies for good hygiene, including clean and  functional handwashing stations, soap, paper towels, and alcohol‐based  hand sanitizer.
• Restricting field trips.
• Restricting outside visitors and volunteers

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Douglas County Health Department

Food Bank for the Heartland

United Way of the Midlands