Odyssey Early Learning Academy places the utmost priority on the health and safety of the children in our care, our team members, and the families we serve... that’s why a key part of our overall COVID-19 response has been the careful and thoughtful implementation of several new guidelines set by Massachusetts' Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). EEC has a set of standard operating procedures that Odyssey is following to help mitigate the spread of potential infection throughout our program. These new enhanced regulations expand upon existing disinfection and health protocols that offer parents and staff peace of mind and demonstrates our commitment to creating a healthy and safe environment for learning and working.
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Please be assured that we are continuing to monitor this health issue closely and have preventative measures in place to keep our Odyssey children and teachers safe. These preventative measures include:
Our COVID-19 Response
DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP PROCEDURES
Our new routines for drop-off and pick-up are designed to ensure everyone in our School stays healthy and safe. Parents must complete a health attestation daily via brightwheel, prior to drop-off. Drop-off and pick-up will now take place outside at our front door, where our staff will conduct a quick health check to ensure your child does not have a fever above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or other flu-like symptoms. A designated teacher will take your child to and from the classroom. For pick-up, a teacher will bring your child to the front door. Please be mindful of using the social distancing stickers on the walkway to ensure you're keeping a safe distance from others during drop-off and pick-up.
PRACTICING SOCIAL DISTANCING
We will practice social distancing in the classroom throughout the day. Your children will remain in the classroom or on the playground with their teachers and classmates. For added safety, different classes will not interact with one another, and all special events and visitors will be postponed until further notice.
KEEPING ALL AREAS CLEAN
Our teachers will implement an even more rigorous cleaning routine, using our kid-safe, eco-friendly cleaning system, Force of Nature. All high-touch surfaces and objects will be sanitized regularly throughout the day. These include, but are not limited to, all learning materials, playground structures, light switches and door handles. We will continue to implement our handwashing procedures frequently throughout the day using soap and water and scrubbing vigorously for at least 20 seconds. All materials will be sanitized between uses.
FACE COVERINGS
In compliance with EEC's updated regulations, face coverings are required for our staff and strongly encouraged for all children 2 years of age and older. If you do not have a mask for your child, please let us know and we will be happy to provide them with a disposable one.
In addition to the above, we are strictly enforcing our health and safety policy for all children and staff. We are making no exceptions to the COVID-19 exclusion criteria. No children or staff who have presented with any symptoms of COVID-19 will be permitted to return to the program until we are provided with a doctor's note or negative COVID-19 test.