The Corona Virus has spread throughout the United States rapidly and unpredictably. I want to assure you that we are monitoring the situation closely. We will operate The Preparatory Academy in conjunction with state-wide mandates. Should TPA have to close again, we will notify you as soon as possible.
Effective immediately and for the foreseeable future, we will be taking extra precautions to ward off Corona virus. We are taking these extra steps to support the health and safety of your children, your family and our staff.
Please take note of some of the following changes to our policies and procedures:
Check-In and Pick-Up
Families will be greeted at the door or curb where a staff member will greet the child(ren). Parents and other family members will not be allowed inside the school. Prior to parents leaving TPA, a trained staff member will take the temperature of their child(ren) and ask parents the following questions:
Any fever reducing medication given?
Any close contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 14 days?
Any symptoms of a cough, shortness of breath and/or trouble breathing?
Any symptoms of headache, fever, muscle pain, chills, repeated shaking with chills and/or new loss of taste or smell?
A household member with a cough, shortness of breath and/or trouble breathing?
A household member with a headache, fever, muscle pain, chills, repeated shaking with chills and/or new loss of taste or smell?
Children and staff will be required to wash their hands immediately upon entering the building and hourly throughout the day. When children are received for drop-off, they will be escorted into the nearest bathroom where their hands will be washed prior to being brought to their classroom. They will wash their hands after outside time, after using the bathroom, before and after meals and when leaving for the day.
Upon your arrival to pick up your child, a staff member will bring your child out to you. We will follow this process to limit direct contact and help us to maintain social distancing.
Healthy Environment
We will separate children into smaller groups that fall within state or local guidelines.
We will not share equipment and will clean equipment between uses.
All classrooms will remain separated to reduce the number of children in one area and to reduce the possibility of viral transmission.
Staff will disinfect high-touch surfaces: door handles, light switches, faucets, toys and games
We will perform an enhanced deep cleaning every night in all areas
Staff will have access to anti-bacterial hand sanitizers and disposable gloves
No program tours will be given until further notice to reduce the number of visitors in the building.
Meal Preparation & Service
All surfaces will be disinfected before meal preparation and feedings using CDC- or EPA-approved products.
All staff will wash hands before and after meal preparation and feeding.
Please provide lunch and snack in disposable bags.
All warm food should be in a thermos and cold food with an ice pack.
Child Health
Children 2 and older should wear cloth masks except when eating or sleeping.
Children should come each day with at least 3 masks.
Children should have at least 2 sets of clothing to be kept at TPA in case they need to be changed.
Children who start to experience symptoms of respiratory illness (including a fever of >100.4F) while at childcare, will be isolated from other children until they can be picked up.
Until further notice, all field trips will be suspended.
Staff Health & Wellness
Staff will be required to wear cloth masks.
Staff will receive additional training on infection control and workplace disinfection.
Staff will receive education on Corona Virus symptoms as well as preventative measures.
Staff will not share their phone, devices, meal or utensils with one another or children.
Staff temperature will be checked and recorded at the beginning of each shift (they will also monitor themselves for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and notify their supervisor if any develop (fever or respiratory symptoms)).
Staff will not be allowed to work if they are feeling ill or experiencing respiratory symptoms.
Children or staff members who test positive for COVID-19
Child care centers that become aware of a COVID-19 positive case in their facility shall contact their local health department for guidance.
Health officials will provide direction on whether a center should cease operations following the identification of a positive case in the facility. The duration may be dependent on staffing levels, outbreak levels in the community and severity of illness in the infected individual. Symptom-free children and staff should not attend or work at another facility during the closure.
All rooms and equipment used by the infected person, and persons potentially exposed to that person, should be cleaned and disinfected in accordance with CDC guidance referenced above. Centers uncertain about the extent of potential exposure shall clean and sanitize all rooms.
Tuition
As long as we are open and your child is registered to attend, tuition will be due in full.
This includes if we are only open for a portion of a month and need to close for the remainder of the month. No refunds will be given for closures or if the state forces a closure for an extended period.
Communication
If the current situation changes and it becomes necessary to update our procedures or close our program temporarily, we will notify the family via Remind text messages and e-mail.
What You Can Do To Help
Please wear a mask when dropping off or picking up your child(ren).
Do not bring your child to school if he/she has a temperature higher than 100.4F
Seek immediate medical care and testing if communicable disease symptoms are present in your child or other family members
If diagnosed with Corona Virus, notify us immediately, as we are required to notify the public health authorities.
Keep all children home until cleared by a doctor to return to school.
Please remember to wash hands as often as possible.
Items from home, like toys and comfort items should not be brought to school
Sleep items (one sheet and one blanket) need to be washed weekly.
Consider a backup childcare plan in the event that our facility is required to close.
Before and After Care Students
We will offer child care for students on their shortened days and their remote learning days.
Space is limited
As always, we are here to collaborate with you in the education and care or your child. We are so happy we will back together again. Thank you for your understanding and patience as we implement these new procedures.