Child care programs in BC are licensed and regulated through the Fraser Health Authority, The Ministry Of Health, and The Ministry Of Children & Family Development. As a result, C&S Childcare Inc. may be directed by a child care licensing officer or other governing body to close operations during a pandemic or other communicable disease outbreak. C&S will follow all directives provided from the Ministry of Health. The legal authority to close a child care program for public health reasons falls under the purview of the local Medical Health Officer and the Provincial Health Officer and their decision overrules any decision to stay open that an individual daycare or parents may wish to make.
The goals of B.C.’s COVID-19 response is first, to minimize serious illness and overall deaths, and second, to minimize societal disruption due to COVID-19. Child care programs are important for children’s social, emotional, behavioral, and early learning development, and are vital for working parents. These guidelines aim to support child care service providers to manage respiratory infections, including COVID-19.
Most exposures happen 48 hours prior to symptom onset, when we do not know we are yet sick. In the unvaccinated and young children continuous mask wearing is not always possible even when trying to be consistent. Children naturally play together in close proximity and social distancing is not possible in child care programs.
Child care ratios are required during operation, regardless of a pandemic or communicable disease outbreak. In the event that enough employees are unable to come into work or are in a quarantine and ratio is not able to be met, C&S may require reduced operational hours or rotating days off between children. This decision would be made as required, and would be communicated with parents in writing, via email.
Personal Measures
People can take personal measures to protect themselves and others. Examples include physical distancing, minimizing physical contact, frequent hand washing, practicing respiratory etiquette, and staying home if sick. When COVID-19 is present in the community, the risk of introducing COVID-19 into child care settings is reduced if staff, children and parents/caregivers:
Follow public health recommendations and Orders;
Self-isolate if required by law or public health;
Perform a daily health check; and
Stay at home when sick. Use the When to get a COVID-19 test or the B.C. Self-Assessment Tool to determine if testing for COVID-19 is needed.
Health And Wellness Policy
Our health and wellness policy continues to apply during a pandemic or communicable disease outbreak, however, additional restrictions may apply, based on government / licensing officer directives. This may include, but is not limited to, extending our required at-home “symptom free” time period following any symptoms or requiring children with symptoms – even if they are feeling well and have plenty of energy – to remain at home. Any temporary changes to our health and wellness policy during a pandemic / outbreak will be communicated in writing, via email, and will link to the authorized source of information that our temporary change is based on.
Please note the additional sanitizing, cleaning, & hand-washing procedures:
Hand-Washing
C&S will be following hand-washing guidelines for both children and staff. Our program will
engage in frequent hand-washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds at the following
times:
• at the start of the day and before going home
• after going to the washroom
• before eating
• after getting hands dirty
• after coughing, sneezing, using a tissue, and blowing nose
C&S staff will help young children to ensure hand-washing is done correctly. If hands are not
visibly dirty, we may use an alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol should
soap and water not be readily available.
Cleaning And Disinfecting
C&S Child Care will be engaging in frequent thorough cleaning every day, using routine
practices that follow regulations for cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting. We will be routinely
cleaning surfaces and objects that are frequently touched, especially toys and games. This
includes surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, classroom sink handles, countertops,
desks, chairs, cubbies, and playground structures.
Illness Policy
Children may not attend C&S programs if they exhibit any symptoms of respiratory illness,
fever, or other illnesses. There are no exceptions to this illness policy. Children who are not
well enough to participate in the normal daily program or who have an infectious disease
must remain at home. Please continue to do a wellness check on your child(ren) each morning before drop off to assess for symptoms. https://bc.thrive.
Should your child become ill while at “C&S Child Care Inc.” or staff feels that the child can
not participate in our regular routine, including outdoor play, we will ask that you pick up your
child immediately. In the event that you cannot be reached, the alternate contact person will
be called. Please ensure that someone is available at all times in case of emergency. Any and all children with cold or flu symptoms while in our program will be isolated and called for immediate pick up.
Children may not attend child care programs while they have any of the following symptoms:
• Unusual, unexplained loss of appetite, fatigue, irritability, or headache
• Eye infections
• Unexplained rashes or any rash that is not confirmed by doctor to be non-contagious known or suspected communicable diseases
• Ear infection
• Temperature, forehead 38 + / 100.5 + (Fever)
• nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea in the last 48 hours
Any child, parent, staff or visitor must not enter the child care space if they are sick, even if
symptoms resemble a mild cold.
Symptoms to look for include:
* Fever or chills
* Cough
* Loss of sense of smell or taste
* Difficulty breathing
* Sore throat
* Loss of appetite
* Runny nose
* Sneezing
* Extreme fatigue or tiredness
* Headache
* Body aches
* Nausea or vomiting
* Diarrhea
COVID-19 symptoms can range from mild to severe. Sometimes people with COVID-19 have mild illness, but their symptoms may suddenly worsen in a few days.
While not required by public health, child care operators may notify people who may have been exposed to COVID-19 without breaching individual privacy.
| Symptom | May return when |
|---|---|
| Temperature of 100 F / 37.8 C or higher (orally) or 99 F / 37.2 C or higher (under the arm) |
Children who are not recommended to get a COVID-19 test can return to child care settings when they feel well enough to participate in activities. If a COVID-19 test is recommended, the person must stay home until they receive their test result: If the test is negative, they can return when they feel well enough to participate in activities. If the test is positive, follow the guidance on If You Have COVID-19. |
| Runny nose | Children who are not recommended to get a COVID-19 test can return to child care settings when they feel well enough to participate in activities. If a COVID-19 test is recommended, the person must stay home until they receive their test result: If the test is negative, they can return when they feel well enough to participate in activities. If the test is positive, follow the guidance on If You Have COVID-19. Note: Runny nose must be CLEAR and NOT Green or Yellow. |
| Cough | Children who are not recommended to get a COVID-19 test can return to child care settings when they feel well enough to participate in activities. If a COVID-19 test is recommended, the person must stay home until they receive their test result: If the test is negative, they can return when they feel well enough to participate in activities. If the test is positive, follow the guidance on If You Have COVID-19. |
| Sore throat | Children who are not recommended to get a COVID-19 test can return to child care settings when they feel well enough to participate in activities. If a COVID-19 test is recommended, the person must stay home until they receive their test result: If the test is negative, they can return when they feel well enough to participate in activities. If the test is positive, follow the guidance on If You Have COVID-19. |
| Difficulty breathing or wheezing | Children who are not recommended to get a COVID-19 test can return to child care settings when they feel well enough to participate in activities. If a COVID-19 test is recommended, the person must stay home until they receive their test result: If the test is negative, they can return when they feel well enough to participate in activities. If the test is positive, follow the guidance on If You Have COVID-19. |
| Unexplained fatigue, aches or cold/flu-like symptoms |
Children who are not recommended to get a COVID-19 test can return to child care settings when they feel well enough to participate in activities. If a COVID-19 test is recommended, the person must stay home until they receive their test result: If the test is negative, they can return when they feel well enough to participate in activities. If the test is positive, follow the guidance on If You Have COVID-19. |
| Sinus congestion | Children who are not recommended to get a COVID-19 test can return to child care settings when they feel well enough to participate in activities. If a COVID-19 test is recommended, the person must stay home until they receive their test result: If the test is negative, they can return when they feel well enough to participate in activities. If the test is positive, follow the guidance on If You Have COVID-19. |
| Children who have, or children with others living in the same home who have been identified as at risk of potential Covid-19 exposure | Children can attend child care if someone in their household is sick, as long as they don’t have any symptoms of illness themselves. |
What happens if a child exhibits symptoms of COVID-19?
If a child develops symptoms while at C&S the child will be isolated in a separate room. Parents will be notified to come and pick up the child immediately. Parents or guardians will then need to contact Health Links or the child’s physician for direction, if required. If a child who attended a child care centre, or their family member, is being investigated by public health to confirm whether they have COVID-19, or if public health has confirmed a case of COVID-19, direction will be provided by regional health authority nurses.
Returning after sickness
For most staff and children with mild symptoms, a COVID-19 test will not be recommended. Staff and children who are not recommended to get a COVID-19 test can return to child care settings when they feel well enough to participate in activities.
If a COVID-19 test is recommended, the person must stay home until they receive their test result:
If the test is negative, they can return when they feel well enough to participate in activities.
If the test is positive, follow the guidance on If You Have COVID-19.
The When to Get Tested for COVID-19 resource or the B.C. Self-Assessment Tool to provide more information on whether you should get a test for COVID-19.
If someone who attended child care tests positive for COVID-19
Other staff or children in the child care may continue to attend the facility, regardless of vaccination status, unless they develop symptoms and/or test positive for COVID-19. They should self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms.
If someone who attends child care lives with someone who is sick
Staff and children can attend child care if someone in their household is sick, as long as they don’t have any symptoms of illness themselves. The person who is sick can use the When to get tested for COVID-19 resource or the BC Self-Assessment Tool to see if they need to get tested.
For more information on living with someone with COVID-19, visit the BCCDC Self-Isolation page.
Dr. Henry maintains that child care centres can safely care for children if they are following the prescribed health protocols.
Day To Day Prevention
Staff will employ all necessary actions to limit the spread of COVID- 19. Some of these actions
& policies are already part of the quality care provided through our programs. However,
special attention will be paid to ensuring they are followed at this time.
Several health and safety measures are in place to limit the spread of COVID-19 and other communicable diseases in child care settings.
These include:
Ensuring ventilation systems are working effectively
Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces
Providing regular opportunities for hand cleaning
Requiring the wearing of masks as appropriate
Communicating the requirement for daily health checks and staying home if sick
Having procedures for those who become sick while at child care
Following public health Orders and recommendations as applicable.
Contact Information
Centre Landline: 604-946-4060 Email: cschildcareinc@gmail.com
Centre Hours
(OSC) Out of School Care Operating hours: 7am – 5:50pm (6pm closing) Monday to Friday
Closed during all Statutory Holidays, including Easter Monday as well as the week between Christmas and New Years. We are also closed the Summer months of July and August.
(PS) Preschool Operating hours: 9:00am – 1:00pm Monday to Friday
Closed for Pro D Day’s, Winter Break and Spring Break.
A Non-biased, Inclusive Approach
Fear-based responses in times of pandemic or communicable disease, have historically led
to actions stemming from bias and self-protective measures. Not only can these measures
lead to conflict between parents, child care educators, and community members, but they
can also lead to actions rooted in racism. C&S Childcare Inc. has an inclusive-based approach
and works to be a safe space for all families and children; we will not tolerate acts of
racism or bigotry towards any parent, child, employee, or community member. Any such
acts may be subject to an immediate dismissal from our program.
Download Agreement Here: