Given the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) crisis that continues to spread throughout our country, we want to assure you that we are monitoring the situation closely.

Effective June 1, 2020 and for the foreseeable future, we will be taking extra precautions to ward off Coronavirus. We are committed to providing a safe environment for our children, families, and our staff. Below, you will see what we, at SGMCC, have modified due to COVID-19.

• School will only be open from 8 am – 3 p.m. to avoid mixing of groups as teachers go home for the day. The last hour of their shift will be used for cleaning, disinfecting, and preparing the classroom for the next day.
• Families are greeted outside the building. Parents and other family members are NOT allowed inside our preschool during school hours.
  1. Prior to parent/adult leaving SGMCC, a staff member takes their child’s temperature with a no touch thermometer and asks the parent/caregiver a series of questions DAILY regarding exposure, symptoms, and medications used for their household and their child.
  2. If the thermometer reads a temperature of 100.4 or higher, the parent/caregiver will be asked to take their child back home (See exclusion criteria about returning to school).
  3. Children are then escorted into the bathroom, where their hands are washed prior to being brought into the classroom.
  4. Children (3 and up) are encouraged to put on a clean mask (provided by parents) prior to entering the classroom.
• Upon arrival for pick up, a staff member helps the children gather their items, wash their hands and brings them outside.
• Parents/Caregivers are to follow social/physical distancing guidelines of 6 feet apart, while waiting.

• Children are separated into smaller groups that fall within Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and Department of Social Services Guidelines.
• We try not share equipment/toys/objects and if equipment/toys/objects are shared, they are cleaned and disinfected between uses.
• The sandbox and climbing structure are currently closed to ensure that we are not using materials we cannot clean and disinfect properly and to ensure that we are practicing social/physical distancing.
• The classroom and yard are sectioned off into “pods” using furniture and tape, to practice social/physical distancing as recommended by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and the Department of Social Services. Each child has their own “pod”.
• When children are indoors, classroom is well ventilated by keeping our doors open.
• Children are spending most of their day outdoors.
• Staff will encourage children to remain 6 feet apart from other children and staff and staff does so to the best of their ability.
• Staff disinfects high-touch surfaces, such as door handles, light switches, faucets, and toys that children play with at least once daily.
• Staff cleans and disinfect the children’s bathroom toilets and faucets after each use.
• Staff performs an enhanced deep cleaning and disinfecting every afternoon in all areas of the classroom, yard and shared toys that were used that day.
• Staff has access to anti-bacterial hand sanitizers and disposable gloves and use them as needed.
• Staff wash their hands and children’s hands a minimum of hourly and as needed.
• Items that can be individualized, such as art materials, are placed in a Ziploc bag/container and labeled with child’s name.
• Each child has their own bin with art materials, toys, books, and paper that they use for the week.
• Nap Time: If children cannot be spaced 6 feet apart, cots are placed in a head-to-toe alternating position. 
• No program tours are given during school hours (when children and teachers are present).
• MASKS – Our staff members are wearing masks while at SGMCC and children 3+ years of age are encouraged BUT not forced to wear masks while at SGMCC.

• All surfaces are cleaned and disinfected before and after meal preparation and feedings using CDC- or EPA-approved products.
• All staff washes hands before and after meal preparation and feeding.
• All staff uses disposable gloves while preparing of meals and feeding.
• Each child’s meals and water/milk are plated and served by staff using disposable plates/bowls/utensils, instead of served family-style. Their meals are served to them in their individual pods.
• Children will not be sitting together family-style during meals.

• Staff received education on COVID-19 symptoms as well as preventive measures.
• Children who start to experience symptoms of respiratory illness, including a fever of >100.4 while at SGMCC, will be isolated, in the Director’s office, from other children and staff until they can be picked up.
• If your child is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms while at school, parent/caregive will be notified immediately and expected to pick up  their child(ren) immediately.
• Staff is taking children’s temperature after lunch time daily and as needed.
• We are asking that if you, any family member in your household or your child are mildly ill, please stay home.
• Please carefully read our Exclusion Criteria below. Effective June 1, 2020, and the foreseeable future, there will be NO EXCEPTIONS to the Exclusion Criteria below. The Exclusion Criteria is based upon the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health recommendations. This is to keep our children, families, and staff healthy and safe.

• Staff received additional training on infection control and workplace disinfection.
• Staff has their temperature checked at the beginning of each shift and will not be allowed to stay if it is >100.4
• Staff is asked to self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and notify the Director if any develop (fever or respiratory symptoms).
• Staff wash their hands immediately upon entering the program and immediately prior to leaving.
• Staff will not be allowed to work if they are feeling ill or experiencing respiratory symptoms.

• In the event that we have a family/child/staff test positive for COVID-19, we will be contacting the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health for guidance and contacting all families about the exposure to a positive case for COVID-19.