Southwest Academies

Health and Safety Policy during COVID-19

During the COVID-19 season the Center: 

  • Prohibits any person from entering the facility except for the following: Center staff; persons with legal authority to enter, including law enforcement officers, HHSC Child Care Licensing staff, and Department of Family and Protective Services staff; professionals providing services to children; children enrolled at the Center; and parents of the enrolled/present children during the operation
  • Requires all Center staff, visitors, parents and enrolled children older than 10 years to wear cloth face coverings/masks (over the nose and mouth) while in the Center and in public places. Cloth face coverings should not be put on babies and children under age of two due to danger of suffocation
  • Screens all of the individuals mentioned above before allowing entry into the Center. The procedure include taking the temperature of each person upon arrival at the operation each day, and deny the entry of any individual who meets any of the following criteria:
  •  a temperature of 100.4F;
  •  signs or symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, and low grade fever; 
  •  in the previous 14 days has had contact with someone with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID- 19; or is ill with a respiratory illness; or 
  •  in the previous 14 days has travelled internationally to countries with widespread, sustained community transmission. Visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/travelers/index.html for updated information on affected countries.
  • Immediately sends home children and staff that show symptoms and requires doctor clearance before returning to work
  • Requires sick children and staff to stay home
  • Separates sick children and staff from well children and staff until they are sent home
  • Cleans and disinfects surfaces in the isolation area after a sick child or staff has gone home.
  • Requires pick up and drop off of children at the front entrance/office of the building
  • Ensures that each child is provided individual meals and snacks; and does not serve family-style meals
  • Sanitizes and disinfects frequently touched surfaces and objects such as toys and doorknobs constantly throughout the day
  • Requires children and staff to comply with CDC recommendations, as follows
  • Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds.
  •  If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based sanitizer of at least 60% alcohol
  • Avoid touching the face particularly the eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Wash hands after coughing, sneezing, or blowing the nose.
  • Cough and sneeze into a tissue, then throw it in a trash container immediately. During coughing and sneezing completely cover the mouth and nose.
  • Follows social distancing by
  • Implementing the modified child care ratio (no more than 10 individuals including children and teacher in an activity or room). Group sizes are stable, with the same children and teachers in the same group every day. The same children are in the same rooms that they use. 
  • Keeping a distance of six feet and not sharing items like pens, paper, phones, etc.
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