Health & Safety OLD
At Bridge Community Playschool, the health and safety of children and staff has always been our top priority. Our attitude remains steadfast and unchanged as we maintain diligence in creating a safe school environment that will ensure the well-being of our students and staff.
SAFETY PRACTICES
- BCPS strictly adheres to all NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene regulations, as well as state government agencies and CDC guidelines.
- All faculty and staff are trained regularly in CPR, First aid, and Child Abuse Awareness & Prevention.
- Our staff are also trained to carry out evacuations, lockdowns, and other fire and emergency procedures. Drills with the children are practiced regularly throughout the school year.
- While children are allowed autonomy in the large play area, teachers consistently monitor their play to ensure their safety.
- Large motor toys are inspected daily for loose parts and other potential safety hazards.
- A first-aid kit is in the school director’s office and is checked at the beginning of each new school year and restocked as needed. There is also an AED defibrillator located in the kitchen area of the building.
- A written and agreed upon safety and treatment plan is in place for children with food allergies or medical conditions.
- All teachers are well versed in looking for signs and symptoms of food allergic reactions and all have epinephrine injection training.
SECURITY STANDARDS
- Stringent school arrival and dismissal procedures are put in place for parents and visitors. Parents escort their child to class each morning and sign him/her in. Teachers bring the class up to the main door at pick-up, releasing only one child at time once contact is made with the parent or caregiver.
- A low teacher/child ratio in each classroom always helps ensure safe supervision.
- Class rosters are consistent with the same teachers and classmates for the entire school year.
- Daily schedules are planned around safe and effective transitions for each class to travel from their classrooms to the large play area and/or bathroom. At each transition, teachers take a name to face count to ensure all are accounted for.
- Video surveillance cameras are placed at all entrance points, in the corridors and on the building exterior. They are monitored throughout the day.
A CLEAN SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT
- Teachers arrange their classes to create a safe and secure environment for the children, including keeping the class clutter-free to reduce slips, trips, falls and injuries.
- Air purifiers are placed in every classroom to keep the air fresh and help destroy allergens.
- Throughout the school day, teachers wipe down high touch surfaces and toys using a mild bleach solution. A cleaning schedule log is maintained in each class ensuring that this is done regularly.
- Classrooms are thoroughly cleaned at the end of each school day by our custodian.
- Toys that are mouthed are removed and then disinfected at the end of the school day.
- Fantasy costumes are worn only once and then placed in a bin to be washed at the end of each week.
- Sleep mats are sprayed with disinfecting solution after each use. Blankets and sheets are assigned to be used by only one child and are washed at the end of each week.
- Shelving and storage units are child-safety secured. Items placed on them are checked to ensure they are secure from falling objects.
- Teachers’ personal belongings are always stored out of the reach of children.
COMBATTING THE SPEAD OF ILLNESS
- Parents must check their child for potential symptoms each morning before setting off for school. Stay home when sick or with a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher. Staff must do the same.
- As part of the regular morning routine teachers also make a visual inspection of each child to ensure that they are symptom free.
- Throughout the day, teachers routinely look for any symptoms that may arise. If a child appears sick, their temperature will be taken and if necessary isolated from others while they wait for pick up from a parent or caregiver.
- Regular hand washing is practiced. This includes upon arrival, before and after snack/lunch, after playing in the large play area, after toileting and as needed throughout the day.
- All staff are trained on how to control and prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS
- All adults working at BCPS must have a current health exam and provide proof of immunization or immunity for MMR, Varicella, Tdap. All staff have a minimum of two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
- Children must also provide documentation of having a current health exam and immunization records must be up to date. There are no longer any allowances made for not being immunized. An influenza vaccine is also mandatory by December 31 of each school year.
The BCPS Family Handbook distributed to families at enrollment outlines all safety practices in more comprehensive detail.
BCPS Update – Director’s Letter – 9.06.2022
BCPS Update- Director’s Letter – 6.13.2022
BCPS Update – Director’s Letter – 5.18.2022
BCPS Update – Director’s Letter – 4.3.2022
BCPS Update- Director’s Letter– 3.4.2022
If-Then Covid-19 Guidance Sheet UPDATED – 2.04.2022
If-Then Covid-19 Guidance Sheet – 1.03.2022
BCPS Update – Director’s Letter – 12.20.2021
BCPS Update – Director’s Letter – 8.23.2021
BCPS Update – Directors’ Letter – 6.07.2021
BCPS Update – Directors’ Letter – 5.01.2021
BCPS Update – Directors’ Letter – 4.09.2021
BCPS Update – Directors’ Letter – 3.05.2021
BCPS Update – Directors’ Letter – 2.04.2021
BCPS Update – Directors’ Letter – 1.11.2021
BCPS Update – Directors’ Letter – 11.04.2020
BCPS Update – Directors’ Letter – 9.01.2020
NYC DOHMH Covid-19 What Parents & Caregivers Need to Know – 9.01.2020
BCPS Update – Directors’ Letter – 8.11.2020
BCPS Update – Directors’ Letter – 7.29.2020
BCPS Update – 7.20.2020 – As per NYC DOHMH & NY State Requirements, children ages 2-5 are not mandated to wear masks while in class. Children should wear masks to and from school as the CDC continues to encourage masks for children over the age of two. If children are able to tolerate a mask for extended periods without constantly touching their face or mask, we also encourage wear. Adults ARE required to wear masks while on school premises.
BCPS Update – 7.08.2020 – Our air conditioning systems were serviced this week and MERV filters suggested by CDC are in place. We have also been working these past few weeks to clean, sanitize and reorganize toys and equipment in anticipation for September.
BCPS Healthy Practices for September 2020 – 6.01.2020
Covid-19 Fact Sheet for Parents
Covid-19 Symptoms Poster – CDC
Stop the Spread of Germs Poster – CDC
Quarantine-vs-Isolation Poster – CDC