COVID-19 - Our Preparations And Protocols
The health and safety of all of our children, staff, and families continues to be our first priority in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
There are a number of actions we have taken and many things you can do to keep our communities safe. The most important action you can take is to stay home if you are sick.
Entering the building
Anyone entering the Eureka Kids building will be asked to use hand sanitizer before completing a temperature check on their child (both available at the front desk).
School Cleaning & Hygiene
We continue to work in close partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health to enhance cleaning protocols here at Eureka Kids. These include:
- Performing deep cleanings at least once a week, and daily sanitizing of surface areas with approved cleaning disinfectants as recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Providing adequate hygiene materials and supporting children and staff to ensure they are using them appropriately. Bathrooms and hand washing sinks are continuously available and stocked with soap and paper towels
- Reminding children and staff to regularly wash their hands throughout the day, particularly before and after meal time, before and after toileting and diaper changes, after outdoor play time, or any time hands are soiled; and to make changes as needed to assure children have the time.
Attendance
Children who are sick must stay home. Families must keep programs informed about the nature of the absence.
In the event a child is sick, complaining of fever, cough, or shortness of breath, that child will be taken to an area away from other children. A staff member will evaluate the child’s condition, and will call for parental pick up, and recommend calling a medical provider for instructions as needed. Any child with respiratory symptoms and fever will wait in a supervised setting with a closed door, under adult supervision, away from other children. In these cases, the child may be asked to wear a facemask.
What if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 at Eureka Kids?
- In the event that there is a confirmed case, all individuals who were considered to be in close contact (within 6ft for a total of 15 minutes or more) will be notified directly. There will also be a notice sent to all enrolled families to inform them of the potential of a low risk exposure.
- Cleaning and disinfecting of the classroom and any shared items the person may have touched or come in contact with will be completed immediately.
- We are constantly working with the state to provide as much up-to-date information on COVID as possible. The following links are resources from the MN Department of Health. We use these pages are resources for any children, staff, or family member who has tested positive for COVID-19.
If you Feel Sick
- Stay home and call your doctor if you have symptoms including but not limited to coughing, shortness of breath, fever, sore throat
- If you do not feel better in 24-48 hours, seek care from your doctor
- Avoid going out in public. Do not go to school or work until you have been fever free at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing drugs like Tylenol or ibuprofen
- If you need help getting medical care, call 911
If you have traveled recently
Anyone who has traveled internationally and returned, must get tested 3-5 days after travel and before returning to work or school and continue to monitor for symptoms for 14 days after their last day in that country.
If returning travelers from affected countries develop fever, cough, or trouble breathing, they should call their medical provider and tell them about their symptoms and history of travel.
Continue to practice general viral infection prevention measures including
- Wash your hands with soap and water often.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when sneezing or coughing
- Do not touch your face with unwashed hands.
- Do not shake hands. Instead wave or elbow bump.
- Monitor your health more closely than usual for cold or flu symptoms
The health and safety of our children continues to be our chief priority, and we will continue to follow all guidance and take all appropriate measures accordingly, and stay in consistent communication with all of our families