Given the concerns about the safety of children and families, parents will look at daycare centres that will take all the necessary steps to mitigate the spread of viruses. As there is progress in working to implement new health and safety measures, childcare pick-up and drop-off is definitely a primary focus. In the pre-Covid world, the pick-up and drop-off exchange would encourage friendly conversations and engagement, times have changed, and modifications of the procedure should be enforced. Here are some best practices during Coronavirus.

1. Protect Childcare Staff and families with Personal Protective Equipment

Your staff will need basic personal protective equipment (PPE) to perform their jobs safely. Childcare providers must always wear face coverings during the pick-up and drop-off exchange to protect themselves and avoid spreading germs.

2. Separate Pick-up and Drop-off times

Separating the pick-up and drop-off times by even a few minutes will automatically reduce crowding around your centre during high-traffic times. Centres will have to do a bit more work by communicating this to parents, and not all parents will have the chance to modify their schedules. Childcare providers can meet parents outside, perform the health screen and check temperatures.

3. Label Waiting Spots

Centres can promote social distancing by emphasizing these measures through posters, stickers, and signs. Put out stickers on the floor 6ft apart from each other to designate waiting spots. You can get creative and experiment with arrows, or duct tape to direct traffic from outside to inside and vice-versa.

4. Hygiene Stations

Have hand sanitizer and wipes at the entrance/exit of your building for all staff, parents and children to use when coming in and out of your centre. Have multiple stations set up for areas with high interaction, washing and sanitizing hands should be a learning skill for children.

These best practices will ensure your child care centre is maintaining peak quality of safety and is proactive in mitigating any spread of diseases or viruses. Not only will your centre look much more attractive, but ease the safety concerns of both your staff and families.