How Preschools are Adapting to Covid-19 Restrictions
The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in monumental changes to education throughout the world. According to UNESCO (2020), nearly 90% of the world’s student population-over 1.5 billion learners in 165 countries-have had their learning experiences disrupted by precautions and policies implemented to reduce the spread of the disease.
With many states setting capacity restrictions and parents cautious of enrolling their students in preschool during this time, we have seen enrollment struggling across all early education programs throughout the country. Below we have identified what facilities have been doing to help drive enrollment and reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19.
Ways to Drive Enrollment Growth
Expand/add kindergarten programs as many schools are shifting to online programs
Providing an outlet for parents who still have to go into work or cannot supervise their children throughout the day are looking for alternative options
Offer a full-day school age childcare program for students enrolled in remote learning at their local elementary school a place to come while parents are working.
Providing a controlled environment for school age children to bring a laptop and participate in their own studies is a great resource and in high demand. Many schools across the US are either fully remote or on some sort of rotation schedule where that are not in school 5 days a week.
Close off rooms are don’t have full enrollment and combine classes with few enrollments to have space available for incoming enrollees in different age groups.
i.e. if you have 3 students enrolled in your 2-year-old program and 5 students enrolled in the 3-year-old program, consolidate these classes (while abiding to state capacity requirements) to make space for an additional kindergarten room where parents may be seeking an alternative to the local elementary school offering remote learning only.
Ways to Reduce the Risk of Spreading Covid-19
Consider staggering arrival and drop off times and/or have child care providers come outside the facility to pick up the children as they arrive.
Your plan for curb side drop off and pick up should limit direct contact between parents and staff members and adhere to social distancing recommendations.
Persons who have a fever of 100.40F (38.00C) or above or other signs of illness should not be admitted to the facility. Encourage parents to be on the alert for signs of illness in their children and to keep them home when they are sick. Screen children upon arrival, if possible.
All teachers wear masks throughout the day and wash their hands upon entering and leaving each room.
Have children wash hands and sanitize upon entering the building and frequently throughout the day.
Provide/cater Lunches, snacks, and diapers are rather than having parents bring it these items to reduce the possible spear of the virus.
Consider whether to alter or halt daily group activities that may promote transmission.
Keep each group of children in a separate room.
Limit the mixing of children, such as staggering playground times and keeping groups separate for special activities such as art, music, and exercising.
If possible, at nap time, ensure that children’s naptime mats (or cribs) are spaced out as much as possible, ideally 6 feet apart. Consider placing children head to toe in order to further reduce the potential for viral spread.
Zoom calls with parents to discuss children’s progress rather than face-to-face discussions at pick-up/drop-off
Conduct site tours to potential clients via zoom calls giving them a tour through the facility through your phone.
If possible, arrange for administrative staff to telework from their homes.