Kispiox Headstart COVID-19 Policies

Culture and Language

The culture and language component allows our children to experience their cultures and learn their languages. Activities give children a sense of belonging and an identity as a First Nations person.

Education

The education component promotes life-long learning with activities that encourage a child’s readiness to learn. Activities also focus on the physical, spiritual, emotional, intellectual and social development needs of children. Community members, including Elders, are involved in helping with early literacy activities, such as printing and recognizing sounds and words.

Health Promotion

The health promotion component encourages children and families to have a healthy lifestyle. Programming promotes physical activity, such as playground activities and traditional games. Staff promote self-care, such as helping children to brush their teeth, and encourage appropriate assessments for children (for example, vision and hearing testing).

Nutrition

Nutrition is an important part of healthy living. Good food can improve an individual’s health and poor or inadequate food can undermine health. Good eating habits established early can lead to better health throughout life.

Enhanced Cleaning

Policy

In order to promote the well-being of children, families and staff and to prevent the spread of COVID-19 the BCCDC and MoH recommends increased cleaning and disinfecting. Our COVID-19 Enhanced Cleaning Policy has been developed to augment our regular cleaning practices.

Procedure

  • Staff will follow regular established cleaning routines
  • Staff will follow the enhanced cleaning recommended by public health
    • General cleaning and disinfecting of the program should occur at least once a day
    • High contact areas will be cleaned twice per day (door knobs, light switches, faucet handles, tables, counters, chairs, toilets, electronic devices and toys)
    • Clean and disinfect any surface that is visibly dirty
    • Empty garbage containers daily or when full
    • Clean and disinfect mats and cribs after each use
    • Launder bed linen each day
    • Continue to wear disposable gloves when cleaning blood or body fluids (wash hands before wearing and after removing gloves)

Child care program staff are already experts at keeping children safe through cleaning and hygiene practices. During this time staff will implement enhanced cleaning practices and be extra conscious of cleaning high contact areas. Staff can utilize the BCACCS Cleaning and Disinfection tools (schedule and chart template) to support regular and enhanced cleaning.