Health & Safety at BCPS – Bridge Community Playschool

At Bridge Community Playschool, health and safety is our top priority and we strictly adhere to all NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene regulations, as well as state government agencies and CDC guidelines. Our attitude is steadfast in creating a safe school environment that will ensure first and foremost the well-being of our BCPS students and staff.

Our Family Handbook given to BCPS families outlines all safety practices in more comprehensive detail.

Creating a Safe Environment

Teachers arrange their classes to create a setting for children to safely explore, including keeping the room clutter-free to reduce slips, trips, and falls. Shelving and storage units are safety-fastened.
A low teacher/child ratio in each classroom always helps ensure safe supervision.
While children are allowed autonomy in the large play area, teachers consistently monitor their play to ensure their safety.
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.
Large motor toys are inspected daily for loose parts and other potential hazards.
A first-aid kit is always on hand and checked regularly to be restocked as needed. An AED defibrillator is 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.

Maintaining Security Standards

Stringent school arrival and dismissal procedures are put in place. 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.
Class rosters are consistent with the same teachers and classmates for the entire school year.
Daily schedules are planned around safe transitions for each class to travel from classrooms to the large play area and bathroom. At each transition, teachers take a count to ensure all are present.
Video surveillance cameras are placed at all entrance points, in the corridors and on the building exterior. They are monitored throughout the day.
The main door is secured from the inside. Anyone needing access must call the school and then wait outside for our administrative assistant to let them in. A log is kept with the name of person and time of visit recorded. When ready to leave, they will be escorted up to the door to exit.

A Clean School Setting

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 are assigned to be used by only one child and are washed at the end of each week.

Combating the Spread of Illness

Parents check their child for potential symptoms each morning before setting off for school. 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.
Teachers routinely look for any symptoms that may arise during the day. If a child appears sick, their temperature is taken and if necessary isolated while waiting 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.
Above all, stay home when sick or with a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher. Wait a minimum of 24 hours without fever before returning to school.

Vaccination Requirements

All adults working at BCPS must have a current health exam and provide proof of immunization or immunity for MMR, Varicella, Tdap.
Children must also provide documentation of a current health exam and immunization records must be up to date. There are no allowances made for not being immunized. An influenza vaccine is also mandatory for all children by December 31 of each school year.