Kid Venture Children’s Ministry Reopening Policies and Procedures 2020
With reopening churches during the current situation of COVID-19, we are carefully considering the risk to the health of children and staff/volunteers in regards to the risk of getting sick and mental, spiritual, and emotional health.
Current evidence supports that children can return to social activities in a manner that maximizes children and staff/volunteer health while reducing risk. This document will provide a guideline of how KVCM will operate.
We will address the following:
1. Screening to prevent symptomatic individuals from entering the location
2. Hand hygiene
3. Non-medical and medical face masks for children
4. Physical distancing
5. Environmental cleaning
6. Special Considerations for children and youth with medical and/or behavioral complexities
7. Protection of staff and at-risk persons or families
8. Food & Drink
1. Screening to prevent symptomatic individuals from entering the building
In order to prevent the spread of infection, children, teachers, caregivers and other staff/volunteers who have signs/symptoms of COVID-19 should stay home and decisions about testing and returning to church should be guided by Contra Costa County Health Department in consultation with local Public Health protocols.
On site temperature will be taken at the discretion of the admin. Every child and/or parent will be asked health screening questions.
Symptomatic children and staff will be quarantined and sent home as soon as possible, and asked to be symptom free for 48 hours before attending church again.
2. Hand hygiene
Hand washing with soap and water will be encouraged at specific times in addition to extra hand sanitizers being available and used in key locations, including upon entrance to a classroom and outdoors as well.
3. Non-medical and medical face masks for children
We understand that masks are a hot topic and can be useful when used correctly. However, if worn incorrectly, it could lead to increased risk of infection and it is not practical for a child to wear a mask properly and can be very dangerous. We will not be requiring face masks to be worn the entire time, although for those who would like to wear them, he/she will not be discouraged from their use. Children will need to enter the facility with face mask or shield, if capable, and can remove it at an appropriate time, when leader allows.
4. Physical distancing
Close interaction, such as playing and socializing is central to child development and should not be discouraged. However, efforts will be made to encourage social distance including seating further away, having class outdoors or in larger area, and limiting number of children in a particular room. Group activities, outdoor play and other situations where children will be sharing and touching the same surfaces, the children will wash or clean their hands before and after the play time/activity and the items themselves will be cleaned. Other activities will be held in a way to accommodate social distancing and/or proper hygiene, depending on feasibility. Children will use hand sanitizer upon entering the CMC. Snack breaks will have hand sanitizing/washing done before and after.
5. Environmental cleaning
One or more of the staff/volunteers will have the tasks of cleaning high touch areas, including the bathroom and drinking fountain, multiple times a day, and teachers/staff/volunteers will also have cleaning supplies. There will be reinforcement of no sharing of food/drink, and items used need to be easy to clean. Shared blankets, pillows, etc will be removed/not used.
6. Special Considerations for children and youth with medical and/or behavioral complexities
Children with underlying conditions, behavioral issues, and other considerations where social distancing will need to be violated to assist a child, he/she may attend as they would per usual. Teachers/staff/parents will work towards proper hygiene during situations where he/she must touch a child for health, assistance or safety reasons.
7. Protection of staff and at-risk persons or families
Masks/face shields are required of the staff/volunteers unless social distancing can be maintained. Face masks should be worn by children and adults when entering/exiting during a high traffic time period. Parents need to drop off and pick up at the front door, one family inside the building at a time for drop off or pick up. Social distance markings are on the ground for reference.
8. Food and drink
Food or snacks need to be individually wrapped (can be done ahead of time, with proper hand cleaning, glove use while sorting snack into zip-lock bags). If children will be helping to prepare food (BBQ hotdogs, baking cookies), kids will need to wear mask and wash hands before and during preparing/cooking, and then can remove mask for eating. Water bottles and cups are preferred over drinking fountain. Leader should be the one to distribute food or beverage.