Helpful Resources and Tips:
- DC Government Coronavirus Response and Resources
- List of Food Resources
- DC’s Children Law Center: Available Resources and Support for DC Families
- DC Action for Children: Policy, Guidance, and Resources
UPDATE:
9/22/2021
With the start of the new school year on August 23rd, we officially ended our remote learning with all students returning to school in person. We are immensely proud of the ingenuity and creativity of our teachers throughout remote learning, however, developmentally, in person learning is much more effective, and developmentally appropriate, for very young children.
We know this year will look different from past school years, but we are excited to be back together for our “new normal.” In order to protect the health of our staff, students, and families, we have implemented many different health and safety policies:
• Increased cleaning: Educare DC already meets rigorous Head Start and state licensing standards for cleaning and is also conducting enhanced cleaning during this time. This includes enhanced cleaning of individual items (i.e. toys), rooms (for example, gross motor room is cleaned after each use), and common areas of the building – particularly high-touch surfaces. We have also added high-quality air purifiers to all spaces, including all classrooms and offices.
• Universal masking: All adults – including staff and families – at Educare DC wear masks covering the mouth and nose. Children above the age of 2 wear masks except when eating and sleeping.
• Daily health screening: Our team greets children and their families outside the building, asks questions about the health of the child and the household, takes the child’s temperature, and has the child wash their hands.
• Staff screening and testing: Our staff follow similar health screening procedure as our students, conducted when they report to work each day. In addition to our daily monitoring, our staff are tested for COVID-19 on a weekly basis.
• Limited entry: Parents and guardians drop off and pick up their children outside their respective classrooms, and only Educare DC staff and essential partners are permitted in the building.
• Ready with supplies: Educare DC has gloves, masks, barriers, cleaning supplies, and masks for children.
______________________________
4/12/2021
Educare DC’s onsite program is open for all children of families who express a readiness to return. COVID-related health and safety protocols remain in place as detailed below, including all mask protocols. Our remote learning programming is scheduled to end on August 6th, with all children returning to Educare DC’s high-quality early learning program in our state-of-the-art facilities for the 2021-22 school year.
8/07/2020
As of Tuesday, August 4, Educare DC has reopened to a small number of families. We are continuing to monitor local guidance and the overall public health situation to determine when and how we might be able to serve more children onsite. In the meantime, all children enrolled at Educare DC have access to our remote learning program and other enrichment opportunities.
In order to protect the health of our staff, students, and families, we have modified much of our onsite programming. These changes include:
• Increased cleaning: Educare DC already exceeds Head Start and state standards for cleaning and will be conducting enhanced cleaning during this time, including cleaning individual items (i.e. toys), rooms (for example, gross motor room will be cleaned after each use), and the building – particularly high-touch surfaces.
• Masks: All adults – including staff and families – at Educare DC will always wear masks covering the mouth and nose. Children above the age of 2 will wear masks in all public places.
• Modified schedule: Our on-site classrooms will be open Monday – Thursday. The building will be closed for deep cleaning on Fridays. Families will be assigned staggered drop off and pick-up times, with drop off from 7:00-9:00 am and pick up from 3:00-5:00pm.
• Health screening at drop off: Our team will greet children and their families outside the building, ask questions about the health of the child and the household, take the child’s temperature, and have the child wash their hands. Educare DC staff will walk children into the building and directly to their classrooms.
• Social distancing: Educare DC will continue to have 3 teachers in each classroom, with a maximum of 7 children per classroom, and children will be given opportunities to follow their own interests within the classroom.
• Only essential staff in the building: Parents and guardians will drop off and pick up children outside, and any Educare DC staff not essential for running on-site classrooms will continue to work from home.
• Staff screening: Our staff will be following the same health screenings as children – checking their temperature daily, monitoring themselves for any symptoms, and communicating with school leadership about any potential exposure they may experience.
• Ready with supplies: Educare DC has gloves, masks, barriers, cleaning supplies, and masks for children.
Read our 2020-2021 school year kick off letter to our families here.
______________________________
6/05/2020
Based on guidance received from OSSE, Educare DC will remain closed for families, children, and staff. Our reopening will be determined by local guidance at a latter date. Members of our team including your family engagements specialist and your child’s teacher should be in regular contact with you, but please let Mr. Truesdale or Ms. White know if you have other questions or needs.
______________________________
4/21/2020
Based on guidance received from OSSE this morning, Educare DC will remain closed for families, children, and staff through May 29th. Members of our team including your family engagements specialist and your child’s teacher should be in regular contact with you, but please let Mr. Truesdale or Ms. White know if you have other questions or needs.
Read the full letter to our families here.
______________________________
4/14/2020
Read our latest donor email featuring Ms. Baylor’s heart warming story!
______________________________
3/24/2020
In order to support continued efforts in the DC region to contain the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure the health and safety of Educare DC’s children, families, and staff, we have decided that Educare DC will remain closed to children and families until April 27th.
Staff will be working remotely to support children and families during this period. Our Educare DC Parent Hotline continues to be open, so please call 202-929-0206 if you need support.
Below, you can find a list of food resources, and health tips for protecting yourself and your family. Please continue to follow public health directives related to social distancing and hand washing, and please call your doctor if you feel sick. For more information on how to protect yourself and your family visit: coronavirus.dc.gov
______________________________
3/13/2020
Dear Educare DC Community,
In order to support efforts in the DC region to contain the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure the health and safety of Educare DC’s children, families, and staff, we have decided to close Educare DC to children and families effective Monday, March 16, with plans to reopen on Wednesday, April 1. There will no longer be a Spring Break period in April.
We hope that by closing during this period when most surrounding schools are closed will allow families to avoid close contact with others as much as possible, slowing the spread of the virus.
Read our letter to families here.
How to Protect Yourself
• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds multiple times a day. This is the best method of prevention. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used if soap and water are not available
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Stay home as much as possible, especially when feeling sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
• Note that during the closure, Educare DC’s facility will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
If I have Symptoms, What Should I Do?
• The symptoms that are currently being seen with COVID-19 are fever and respiratory symptoms such as cough and shortness of breath.
• Stay home until you are free of fever, signs of a fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours and without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medications.
• Seek medical attention if you have reason to believe you have been exposed to coronavirus or influenza. Call your healthcare provider before visiting a healthcare facility.
For additional health information visit: coronavirus.dc.gov