Valley Kids Health and Safety Plan

The following guidelines, based on recommendations from the Office of Child Development and Early Education, are implemented and being followed in Valley Kids’ classes.

Transmission and Symptoms of COVID-19

The spread of COVID-19 happens primarily through respiratory droplets released when people talk, cough, or sneeze. Current thinking is the virus may spread to hands from a contaminated surface and then to the nose or mouth, causing infection. People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with the following symptoms may have COVID-19: People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

  • Fever or chills

  • Cough

  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

  • Fatigue

  • Muscle or body aches

  • Headache

  • New loss of taste or smell

  • Sore throat

  • Congestion or runny nose

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Diarrhea

If your child or anyone in your family shows signs of COVID-19 please do not send your child to Valley Kids. If you have tested positive, you must inform VK Staff. If you or anyone in your family has come in contact with someone who has tested positive, you must inform VK Staff.

Drop Off/Pick Up Procedures

Signage will be posted in the drop-off/arrival area to remind staff and children to keep six feet of distance whenever feasible.

  • Ideally, the same parent or designated person should drop off and pick up the child each week. If possible, individuals with serious underlying medical conditions should not pick up children because they are more at risk.

  • Hand hygiene stations will be set up at the entrance of the facility so that children, staff, and parents can clean their hands before they enter.

Check-In/Screening Procedures

The best way to avoid the spread of COVID-19 is to prevent the virus from getting inside a facility. Upon arrival on Sunday morning, church staff, volunteers, children, and parents are screened by a temperature and wellness check. In addition to the initial screening, periodic monitoring of children and preschool teachers occurs throughout the school day.

If a child or anyone in the child’s family shows signs of COVID-19, they should not come to church.

During the time children are in VK classes, should a child or volunteer develop symptoms of COVID-19, as listed above, the Children’s Pastor will ask the volunteer to return home and contact the child’s parent/designated person. A designated caregiver will wait with the child for pick up. The caregiver will remain as far away from the child as safely possible (preferably 6 feet) while maintaining supervision. The caregiver will wear a cloth face covering. If the child is over the age of 2 and can tolerate a face covering, the child should also wear a cloth face covering.

Social Distancing in Children’s Ministry

While social distancing is almost impossible for our youngest children, the Valley Kids staff will do its best to implement safe practices.

  • All classes will include the same group of children each week, and the same volunteers will remain with the same group each week.

  • While in the classrooms, staff and volunteers will strive to maintain between 3 and 6 feet of social distancing as recommended.

  • Valley Kids implemented “airplane arms” to teach children to use their airplane arms while playing, walking in the hallway, working at tables, etc.

  • Limiting mixing of children is in place by staggering playground times and keeping groups separate for special activities such as worship, lesson, and small group.

Face Masks

All those caring for children are required to wear cloth face coverings. Children 2 years old and older are required to wear a face-covering as described in the Order of the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health Order for Universal Face Coverings UNLESS. The person fits into one of the exceptions included in Section 3 of the Order.

  • If a child is outdoors and consistently maintains a social distance of at least 6 feet from individuals who are not a part of their household, they do not need to wear a mask.

  • If a parent, guardian, or responsible person has been unable to place a face-covering on the child's face in a safe manner, they should not do so.

  • If a child 2 years old or older cannot remove a face covering without assistance, the child is not required to wear one.

The Department of Health recognizes that getting younger children comfortable wearing face coverings and keeping them on may create some difficulties. Under these circumstances, they recommend considering prioritizing the wearing of face coverings to times when it is difficult for the child to maintain a social distance of at least 6 feet from others who are not a part of their household (e.g., during drop off or pick up, or when standing in line at school). Ensuring proper face-covering size and fit and providing children with frequent reminders and education on the importance and proper wearing of cloth face coverings may help address these issues.

Facility Cleaning/Disinfecting

Cleaning/disinfecting efforts are intensified and Valley Kids developed a schedule for routinely sanitizing the children’s building.

  • Staff and volunteers routinely clean, sanitize, and disinfect surfaces and objects that are frequently touched, especially toys and games. This also includes cleaning objects/surfaces that may not ordinarily be cleaned daily such as doorknobs, light switches, classroom sink handles, countertops, chairs, cubbies, and playground structures. We use all cleaning products that are EPA-registered for use against the virus that causes COVID-19.

  • All cleaning materials are kept secure and out of reach of children per regulations.

  • Cleaning products will not be used near children, and staff will ensure that there is adequate ventilation.

Cleaning/Sanitizing Toys

The sharing of toys is a very challenging aspect of early education to control. Valley Kids sets up play centers cleaned before each rotation, using all cleaning and sanitizing CDC guidelines.

Free play is more challenging, resulting in a more structured playtime in the classroom. Please note:

  • If toys cannot be cleaned and sanitized, children will not use them.

  • The use of machine washable cloth toys is not allowed in the classrooms.

  • Toys will not be shared with other classrooms and will rotate daily.

Positive COVID-19 Case Protocol

Parents must inform the CCV’s Children’s Pastor if a child or someone in the child’s family tests positive for COVID-19. After following the CDC guidelines for home isolation, Valley Kids will accept a child back after following any of the strategies listed below depending on whether the child is symptomatic or asymptomatic.

For persons who tested positive and have had COVID-19 symptoms in home isolation:

Symptom-Based Strategy: Individuals who had COVID-19 symptoms and were directed to care for themselves at home may discontinue isolation under the following conditions:

At least three days (72 hours) have passed since recovery, defined as fever resolution without using fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath). 

At least ten days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

Test-Based Strategy: Individuals who had COVID-19 symptoms and were directed to care for themselves at home may discontinue isolation under the following conditions:

Without the use of fever-reducing medications and improved respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath), there is a resolution of fever.

Negative COVID-19 test results from at least two consecutive respiratory specimens collected 24 hours or more apart (total of two negative specimens). 

For persons who tested positive but have not had COVID-19 symptoms in home isolation:

Test-Based Strategy: Individuals with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19who have not had any symptoms and were directed to care for themselves at home may discontinue isolation under the following conditions: 

Negative COVID-19 results from at least two consecutive respiratory specimens collected 24 hours or more apart (total of two negative specimens). 

Time-Based Strategy: Individuals with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who have not had any symptoms, and were directed to care for themselves at home, may discontinue isolation under the following conditions: 

At least ten days have passed since the date of the first positive COVID-19 diagnostic test, assuming the person has not subsequently developed symptoms since the positive test. If symptoms develop, then use symptom-based or test-based strategies. 

The symptom-based, time-based, and test-based strategies may result in different timeframes for discontinuation of isolation post-recovery. Any individual who becomes ill should contact their medical provider for advice or testing. 

If an individual is exposed to COVID-19 as described above or tests positive for COVID-19, follow the information outlined above.