Updated 8-24-2020

Dear YMCA PreK students and families,

Our classes held at Bradie Shrum and the YMCA will again be delayed through September 4th because of COVID-19 precautions. As you may have heard, Salem Community Schools moved all of their students to Virtual Learning through Sept 4. Because our BSE and YMCA locations follow the Salem Calendar, we will follow SCS directives.

West Washington Schools have also gone to a 5 day virtual schedule beginning 8/24. This could possibly be longer after consultation with the Health department. West Washington YMCA Preschool will not start until the Schools are allowed to return. We want to make sure to stay connected with our students using the online Seesaw app.

We encourage all Parents and Guardians to connect ASAP to the Seesaw program so that in the future we can offer virtual lessons to your students. Instructions for Seesaw were sent home in your orientation packet. If you need more information, contact your assigned teacher or Preschool Director, Ms. Robin Deaton at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We thank you for entrusting us with your children and we promise to honor our commitment to serving your family through the Y’s early learning program.

Download the Seesaw Class App

Download the SeeSaw Class App on the AppStore

Download the SeeSaw App for Android Devices

Sincerely,

Kristy Purlee
Chief Executive Officer

Updated 7-20-2020

The Y is working diligently with safety as our guide in order to provide a healthy environment in all of our child-serving programs. We have been working with internal experts, as well as local and state officials to address issues related to social distancing, sanitizing requirements and wellness checks for staff and participants. Please keep in mind, these guidelines are subject to change based on new information or additional guidance from health officials.

Preschool: What you can expect

GENERAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES

  • Daily wellness screenings, including temperature checks at check-in and throughout the day, for staff and participants. Children or staff with a fever or symptoms of illness will not be permitted to stay.
  • Each child is required to have a face covering to assist in prevention of disease spread
  • If your child has experienced flu-like symptoms, or have been in contact with someone who has symptoms, please keep them home.
  • Social and cohort (group) distancing implemented to the extent possible.
  • Significantly increased attention to hygiene practices, including more frequent hand washing.
  • Routine cleaning and sanitizing of hard surfaces, high traffic areas, and touch points throughout the day.
  • Staff will be required to wear appropriate face covering. Staff are required to wear gloves while assisting during lunch and snack and cleaning/sanitizing.
  • Additional hand sanitizing stations will be added throughout sites.
  • Children who develop a fever or symptoms of illness will be isolated and a parent/guardian will be contacted for immediate pick-up. Cleaning protocols will be immediately implemented in any area the child was in.
  • Parents/Guardians should social distance during pick up and drop off.

 

FACILITY

  • In classrooms located within a school, the school procedures will be followed.
  • Enhanced, deep cleaning of the facility will occur nightly.
  • Touch points will be sanitized along the travel route after each transition.
  • No toys or blankets from home will be permitted.
  • Children’s items such as extra clothing must be sealed in a re-sealable bag and brought to school each day in the child’s backpack.
  • All classrooms will be equipped for hand washing/hand sanitizing. Where sinks are available, we will use hand washing.
     

PROGRAMMING MEASURES

  • Teach and encourage good handwashing practices. Frequent hand-washing breaks will be built into the daily schedule.
  • Games and activities will be limited to those that promote social distancing.
  • Toys, once used, will be sanitized before being placed back into rotation. Only toys that can be disinfected will be permitted. Machine washable toys may not be used at any time.
  • No program-wide events or field trips will be held.
     

SOCIAL/COHORT DISTANCING

  • Encourage and teach, in an age-appropriate way, social distancing best practices for preschoolers.
  • Children will remain in the same group all day, without interaction with other groups.
  • Rooms and activities, such as nap time and meals, will be set-up to promote social distancing.
  • Access to the facility will be limited to authorized staff and officials. No visitors or volunteers will be permitted. Necessary visitors will be required to follow all YMCA health and safety procedures.
  • Face coverings will be incorporated into daily routines as appropriate.
  • We will continue to follow guidance from government and health officials to evaluate and update guidelines as needed.