COVID-19 Protection Plan

Child First Academy completely reimagined the standard for cleanliness and sanitation in an early childhood setting.

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Advanced Coronavirus Protection at CFA

CFA completed a total renovation of the premises. Everything within the Academy is brand new… HVAC systems, plumbing, electrical, walls, fixtures, lighting, etc. Everything is clean and has been untouched. All of the classroom furniture is brand new and out of the box clean. All soap, hand sanitizer, and paper towel dispensers are touchless.

CFA spared no expense in investing and installing hospital grade UV light technology in each of our four new HVAC units. This advanced air cleaning system ensures that all of the air, both heating and cooling, that enters the school and is circulating throughout the school is bacteria and virus free. Using the same concentrated germicidal light technology employed by hospitals to sanitize high-risk rooms we are killing all microorganisms, including COVID-19, by destroying their DNA. The system is running 24/7 within the facility. Children, staff, and families are breathing the purest air possible.

CFA has contracted with a company that specializes in complete coronavirus sanitation services…they are EPA approved and tested. Using specialized equipment, the sanitation experts disinfect from floor to ceiling and wall to wall, giving special attention to all the locations commonly touched where the virus is most frequently transmitted. All areas are sprayed with a fine mist, so every surface is properly treated reducing and eliminating all infectious risk. After each application, CFA, is completely decontaminated. The spray is completely odorless and safe for people, pets, equipment, electronics, wood, tile, clothes, fabrics, and the environment. The products used are proven to kill the human coronavirus and other pathogens, providing the most comprehensive safeguard against the transmission of the coronavirus. This is the most complete, robust approach for defending our facility and preventing our children, staff, and families from getting sick.

NOTE: While it is a topic that no one wants to discuss…CFA wants you to know that we are prepared. If a staff member or child tests positive for the Coronavirus, we stand ready to immediately sanitize/disinfect the entire facility so that we will be able to safely reopen in a very short period of time.

In addition to this comprehensive sanitation procedure, CFA also uses on a daily and regular basis, a disinfectant that is government approved and tested to kill the coronavirus. This product has been formulated to aid in the reduction of cross-contamination in hospitals, schools, institutions, and many other various industries. It meets the AOAC testing standards for hospitals. This disinfectant will be used frequently on a daily basis to treat surfaces and the "hotspots" (i.e. doorknobs, faucet handles, etc.), as well as the local playground equipment prior to the children's usage.

Finally, for an extra measure of cleaning and sanitizing, CFA has contracted with a cleaning service to deep clean and sanitize the facility on a weekly basis.

Advanced Coronavirus Protection and The CFA Staff

CFA's entire staff is tested regularly for COVID-19. Everyone has tested negative. We will be testing on a regular basis to ensure that parents can have great confidence in knowing that the entire CFA staff is Covid free.

All CFA staff have received their seasonal flu shot. All staff is required to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.

All CFA staff have completed the American Red Cross Certification Class for Returning To Work During COVID-19: Safe Work Practices.

All CFA staff are wearing nurse’s scrubs. The scrubs are brand new. A clean set of nurse’s scrubs will be used each day. The staff will not wear the scrubs while traveling to CFA. An extra pair of clean scrubs will be kept at the school.

All CFA staff will keep a clean pair of sneakers at the school, only to be used at CFA.

All CFA staff will wear masks while at the school.

All CFA staff will be responsible for cleaning and sanitizing their room on a regular and frequent basis throughout the day. All toys and manipulatives will be sanitized/disinfected after each child’s use. The item will be taken out of circulation until it can be sanitized/disinfected.

Daily temperature checks (hospital grade touchless thermometers are used) will be taken every day upon entering, per CDC guidelines.

NOTE: While the CDC guideline considers 100.4 degrees to be a high temperature, our standard will be 99.9 degrees. (A logbook will be maintained in the office in order to detect any significant fluctuations in temperature from day-to-day).

Advanced Coronavirus Protection and the CFA Families

There will be a staggered drop off and pick up time (Procedures will be detailed with families directly).

All families will adhere to CFA policies and procedures for coronavirus protection.

Daily temperature checks, per CDC guidelines, during drop off and pick up.

NOTE: While the CDC guideline considers 100.4 degrees to be a high temperature, our standard will be 99.9 degrees. (A logbook will be maintained in the office in order to detect any significant fluctuations in temperature from day-to-day).

There will be one CFA staff member posted at the entrance to receive every child and take them to their classroom.

All children two years and older will wear a face mask, (with the exception of nap time and mealtime). The use of singsong, roll play, games, stories, etc. will be used to help children learn to wear their face mask. Children will not be forced to wear a mask if it causes them undue distress.

Until further notice, family members will not be permitted to walk through the school. The only exception will be nursing moms on a case-by-case basis (Specific safety measures will be put in place for mom and child).

There will be complete and detailed contact tracing in the event of any non-family member, friend, etc. who has tested positive for COVID-19.

A virtual tour will be provided for prospective families.

In the event that a family travels, CFA will follow the current CDC guidelines for Covid-19 restrictions, based on location of travel. CFA will take note of those that have received the full dose of the Covid-19 vaccine and evaluate those families on a case-by-case basis.

Advanced Coronavirus Protection and The DCFS

The Illinois Department of Child and Family Services issued a document entitled Restore Illinois Licensed Daycare Guidance, released June 24, 2020. CFA has not only met but has exceeded these standards for health and safety. CFA exceeds the requirements for grouping/ratios for classroom size and staffing, the screening and monitoring of children and staff, and preparing for isolation and discharge of sick children and staff.

Child First Academy completely reimagined the standard for cleanliness and sanitation in an early childhood setting.

CFA researched for countless hours, keeping one thing in mind, we do not have customers, we have families. This distinction is very important to us. We want everyone to be treated as a family member with the utmost urgency for safety and protection from the Coronavirus. We are a family and unlike a customer, our families also share in a sense of community and responsibility with us, with a mutual commitment to follow our Coronavirus Protection Plan. Working together, you can have the confidence of knowing that your child will be safe and secure at CFA!