Health and Safety Plan

Updated: 03/21/22

 

First and foremost, STEMful’s highest priority is to safeguard our staff, parents and children. We are committed to providing a safe and fun environment for our community.

We are following the guidance set by the Center for Disease Control and Preventions, along with state and local policy to ensure we are meeting proper social distancing and have implemented an increased cleaning measures and air circulation filtration systems. You can read more on the new directives provided by the Department of Public Health for out of school providers.

We will continue to update our policies and procedures as we get updated information.

  • All staff members are fully vaccinated and boosted.
  • Anyone showing signs of illness of any kind, or who may have been exposed to COVID-19 should not be at the studio, no exceptions.

  • Symptoms of COVID-19: fever*, cough, and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Other symptoms include chills and new loss of taste or smell.  Children may exhibit vomiting/diarrhea. 

    *Fever is determined by a thermometer reading 100.4 or higher (100.0 or higher if using a contactless thermometer) or by subjective signs such as flushed cheeks, fatigue, extreme fussiness, chills, shivering, sweating, achiness, headache, not eating or drinking. 

    While symptoms in children are similar to adults, children may have milder symptoms. 

    Drop-off Procedure and Mask Requirements

    Pre-arrival: Please check your child(ren) for any symptoms of COVID-19 or other illness and to keep them home if they are showing any signs of illness.

    Upon Arrival: Only 1 caregiver and 1 child will be allowed in the entryway during drop-off; unless specified.All others are encouraged to wait outside.

    While we love an open-door policy, for now you will need to say quick goodbyes at the door and not enter STEMful beyond the entryway. Caregivers will not be allowed into the main space or classroom. Lingering is strongly discouraged in order to limit contact with other family groups.

    Indoor Mask Recommendation: Children in grades TK-12 are no longer required to wear a mask while they are indoors. At this time, we will leave it to the caregiver’s discretion to decide what is best for their family. 

    STEMful Program Group Assignment, Set-Up and Food

    Our education studio has two levels. Each level has a bathroom. Children will be assigned to a small group of 8-16 kids and will remain on their assigned level throughout their sessions. 

    Snacks and lunch, and a water bottle will be provided by the caregiver. We asked caregivers to pack items that are easy for their child(ren) to open with minimal assistance from our staff.

    Snack and lunch will be held outdoors most days.

    Any indoor eating will be monitored and limited to only two children eating at a time.

    Additional Covid-19 Protection, Hygiene Practice and Cleaning Procedures

    STEMful has a central HVAC system with HEPA filters that are changed on a regular basis.

    Each room and level within our facility has an individual, portable HEPA filter and a carbon dioxide (CO2) monitor. CO2 is monitored throughout the day and air ventilation is adjusted to meet our CO2 and air exchange ratio.

    You can read more about our indoor safety practice by clicking HERE.

    STEMful has always had a NO SHOE, ONLY SOCKs policy. This policy will continue and children will be asked to remove their shoes upon arrival, and placed in an assigned cubby before going to their assigned room.

    A contactless hand sanitizing station will be set up at the front entrance, so that staff and children can clean their hands before they join their group. We will be encouraging children and staff to clean their hands using soap and water throughout the day. 

    Contactless hand sanitizer stations will also be placed at various areas throughout our studio for easy access. Contactless hand soap dispensers are already available in our bathrooms on both levels.

    All children must wear a well-fitted double layer mask with a filter, or KN95 or N95 during their time with us.

    Common areas and highly touched areas such as the bathrooms, sink handles, door knobs, handrails, tables, chairs, gates, and light switches will be disinfected regularly throughout the day and at the end of the day.

    Emergency Procedures

    Children or staff who develop symptoms during the day: if a child or staff member develops any symptoms of illness during the day, the child or staff member will be sent home as soon as possible.

    STEMful will contact parents as soon as symptoms are noted and will wait with the child for the parent to arrive. While waiting for a sick child to be picked up, staff will stay with the child isolated from others.

    Air Quality

    STEMful will close if the AQI reaches 150 or above for a sustained period, as well if the forecast predicts it will remain above 151. If your child is especially sensitive to pollution and you have concerns about the exposure to air in the “orange” 101-150 range, we will contact you. We recommend sending your children with KN95 or N95 masks on poor air quality days