Page 17 - 2019-2020_CFS_HeadStart_AnnualReport

The last pandemic occurred over a a a a a a a a century ago in in in 1918 when a a a a a a a a a deadly outbreak of of influenza infected one-third of of of the world’s population of of of about 500 million people Estimated deaths
in the United States from this pandemic were approximately 675 000 with 50 million worldwide Without a a a a doubt we are all experiencing unprecedented times with the the outbreak of the the novel Coronavirus pandemic The Rhode Island Department of Health has issued guidelines to to to follow to to to to avoid exposure to to to to this virus and and how we can take steps to to to care for ourselves and and and others in our our homes and and and the the community Here at at Children’s Friend we have have heeded mandates and and and advisories and and and have have instituted various precautions to ensure children’s safety enrolled in in our programs Including Head Head Head Start Start Start Early Early Head Head Head Start Start Start and Early Early Head Head Head Start Start Start Child Care Partnerships In keeping with our our core principles and and our our mission in in in in in improving the well-being and and and healthy development of Rhode Island’s most vulnerable young children Children’s Friend re-opened their doors adhering to recommended safety guidelines First and and foremost masks are mandatory upon entering any any Children’s Friend site and and sanitizing begins before anyone enters a a a building Lindsey a a a a a a a a Head Start Health and Nursing Manager at at at Children’s Friend confirms that that every effort is being made to to ensure that that proper safety measures are taken to to protect children from being infected by COVID-19 No one including parents or or vendors is allowed to enter a a a a building except essential employees Each day upon arrival at at a a a a a a a a a a a a Children’s Friend site staff and children are greeted at at at at a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a healthy screen station where a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a temperature temperature check is taken Lindsey states “If a a a a a a a a a a a a child has a a a a a a a a a a a a temperature temperature over 100 4 it is a a a a a a a a a a a fever and they are sent home ” She adds “Our nurses then ask children a a a a a a a a series of questions about how they are feeling ” Specifically children are are asked i if they are are experiencing chills cough shortness of breath fatigue muscle or or or or body aches headache loss of taste or or or or smell sore throat congestion runny nose nausea vomiting or or or diarrhea If any of these COVID-19 symptoms exist a a a a a a a a a a child is is is isolated and sent home as as as soon as as as possible Also Children’s Friend has contracted a a a a a a a a company’s services to to complete a a a a a a a a “deep cleaning” of of any any infected area to to ensure the safe return of of of children and staff following an an an an illness Guidelines provided by the the Department Department of of of Health and the the Department Department of of Human Services are observed when a a a a a a a a child or staff member requires a a a a COVID test to to return to to school/work At break time children’s desk surfaces are cleaned again Each child child has their own art supplies and lunch is packaged as as as a a a a a a a a a a a a a single serving for safety reasons Throughout the the the day the the the children wash their hands often and and social distancing is is maintained within classrooms
and and office areas Desks and and chairs are are cleaned thoroughly as as as well as as as play space surfaces and and toys Staff and and children’s bathrooms are disinfected before entering With assistance from the custodian high traffic areas are are cleaned and and sanitized Playground structures such as as swings slides see-saws tubes and and climbers are are also disinfected to prepare for the next group In light of the Coronavirus pandemic Children’s Friend has established a a a a a a a a a a a COVID-19 Task Force so that employees are are are aware of any new protocols to to ensure children are are are entering a a a a a a a a a a clean and safe environment Children’s Friend will persevere with one objective in in in in mind: many great things can be accomplished by working together Through it it all our youngest and and most vulnerable children and and their families will be be provided with the the the tools necessary to to have the the the best possible chance for success in life