The safety and well-being of our children and staff is of utmost importance at Westdale Co-operative Preschool, and we will continue to update our policies and procedures as necessary.

Our preschool shares a space within a church, and every organizer and user is working closely together to ensure the protection of every person. Registered families will receive a copy of our COVID and Pandemic Policy, and is also available upon request. Our guidelines and policies follow all Ministry of Education and Hamilton Public Health recommendations and requirements. The guidelines below were in place at different stages of the pandemic and can be re-implemented at any time, along with any changes made by the Ministry of Education and Hamilton Public Health.

drop-off and Pick-up

• We have set in place a socially distanced system to protect our children and families during drop-off and pick-up

• Children are screened by one of our teachers in PPE before entering the classroom each morning

• All family members who enter the building must sanitize their hands at a station provided, and wear a mask

Our classroom

• Our classroom and playareas will remain a secure bubble during preschool that only the children and teachers may enter

• We have strict new cleaning and sanitizing protocols for our classroom, play areas and toys

• Stations will be set up in the classroom that enable children to play and learn parallel to one another whilst providing distancing as required

• Any sensory items provided will be single use items or individually labelled and contained to a child

• Snack will be prepared served by a teacher onto individual plates

• Snack tables will be distanced and set up to minimize and cross-contamination between children

Cleaning and sanitizing

• All spaces within the building will be thoroughly sanitized by a designated cleaning personnel

• Spare clothes and diapering essentials will remain at the preschool in an individually labelled drawer

• No outside toys, food or items are currently permitted at preschool

• No visitors are allowed in the preschool spaces

If an illness is presented

• We have clear and stringent protocols in place if and illness or symptom is presented at either screening or during preschool

• Children with symptoms will be isolated with a dedicated member of staff until a family member arrives

• All families will be well informed and up-to-date of any COVID/sickness related concerns whilst maintaining privacy of personal information