LITTLE SCHOOL FAQ FOR COVID-19 RESPONSE
UPDATED September 1, 2021
(Subject to Change at Any Time)
Will students and staff need to wear masks?
We are under a Tri-County Health public health order. All students and staff are wearing masks according to the mandate. For more information, click HERE. Children will be allowed to remove their masks outside on the playground. All children need to come to school with a mask, but we will have back-up masks if you forget one. It is a good idea to have a lanyard or clip for your child's mask.
Will parents or siblings be required to wear masks?
Masks are required for any visitors inside the building regardless of vaccination status. Masks are not required outside.
What if my child does not like wearing masks?
No child will be punished, shamed, embarrassed, or forced to wear a mask. As we have noticed through our research, when mask wearing is made fun and explained at an age appropriate level, many students are happy to wear their masks. If your child has a medical reason for not being able to wear a mask, please let his or her teacher know.
How will bathrooms be cleaned and maintained?
Students will continue to go to the bathroom with their classes and also at any time with their assistant teacher when they need to. After each class goes to the bathroom, an adult will wipe down the handles, faucets, soap dispensers, and paper towel dispensers with the appropriate disinfectant. This will help prevent the spread of any illnesses between classrooms.
Will there be social distancing?
Students will be encouraged to social distance inside and outside as appropriate, and still be able to play freely and socialize with their friends. Given our classroom sizes and age of students we serve, this is difficult. During circle time and eating time, we will do our best to socially distance the students. However, we will work hard to make sure social distancing does not hinder the development of social skills. Our goal is to keep our students safe while not making them feel fearful or nervous to socialize with others.
Will students be sharing toys and materials?
We will be reducing the sharing of toys and materials when possible. Each child will have their own pencil box, provided by the school, that will hold markers, crayons, scissors, etc. for that child only. Those will be disinfected weekly. Students will share some toys, but will wash hands before and after toy use. Toys will be disinfected daily.
What is Little School doing to help increase ventilation in the classrooms?
Every classroom has a HEPA filtration unit that will filter the air multiple times an hour to help reduce the spread of the illness in each classroom. Furnace filters have been upgraded throughout the building.
What happens if a child or staff member tests positive for Covid?
Each situation is unique and will be handled accordingly. All cases will be reported to licensing, our school nurse consultant, the Tri-County Health Department, and the church. All quarantines, isolations, and contact tracing will be guided by Tri-County Health.
Will I be notified if someone at Little School tests positive for Covid?
We will follow the advice of Tri-County Health on who needs to be notified. A student or family member’s personal information and name will never be shared. We will respect confidentiality and HIPPA laws.
What happens if my child gets sick at school?
We have a health office that allows us to properly care for any sick children. We understand that not all illnesses will be Covid related, but we need to provide a safe place to handle illnesses. The child will be fully supervised by an adult at all times. We will call the parents when a child becomes ill, and if we have not heard from a parent or guardian within 30 minutes, we will begin to call the emergency contacts listed in the registration paperwork.
If my child isn't feeling well, when should I keep them home?
Please refer to this document from the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, How Sick is Too Sick?
What if my child or another child has a fever not related to Covid? When can he or she return to school?
Children can return to school when they are fever free for 24 hours.
If my child is out sick, when can they return to school?
Again, each case is different and will be handled accordingly. If your child is absent from school for two or more school days, please contact the director to discuss your child's return to school.
What will drop-off look like in the morning?
Each class will have a location assigned to them outside for drop off. You will park your car, walk your child to their class line-up location, and use Smartcare’s touchless check-in option to check them in. In the event you are late, ring our video doorbell at either the north or south entrance and we will come let your child in.
What will pick-up look like in the afternoon?
Approved pick-up people will park their cars, walk to their child’s classroom line-up location (same as the morning), use the SmartCare touchless check out app, and then take their child back to their car.
What if I need to speak to the office staff?
Please call us at 303-791-1982 or ring one of our video doorbells at the north or south entrance.
What happens if I need to pick my child up early, or drop something off. Can I enter the church?
Please ring one of our video doorbells at the north or south entrance. We will come greet you at the door to further assist you. Any visitor entering the building when children are present must wear a mask.
How will SmartCare check-in happen?
Please download the SmartCare for Parents app. Each adult will use their app to do touchless check-in or have a unique QR code associated with the child they are allowed to pick up.
As a tuition paying parent/guardian, how will I be compensated in the event my child’s classroom or the school needs to close for a short period of time?
We will offer e-learning to any student who is quarantined. Supplies will be provided for you to use at home as needed along with an excellent e-learning experience directly related to our curriculum and taught by your child’s teacher.
What is the policy for withdrawing my child?
We have a 30 day withdraw policy. If you want to withdraw your child, you must send the director a written notice stating the date of withdrawal. At that time, you will be responsible for 30 days of tuition regardless of whether your child continues to attend during that 30 days or not. The 30 days of tuition begins from the date of your cancelation notice, not your withdraw date. Most families who need to withdraw, notify us a month before they move and their child continues to attend for the 30 days they have paid for.
How many children will be in each class?
While exact enrollment numbers fluctuate, we maintain the legal requirements for teacher student ratios. Our 2.5-year-old classes will not have more than six children per one adult, our 3-year-old classes will not have more than 10 children per one adult, and our 4 and 5-year-old classes will not have more than 12 children per one adult.
How will snack time work?
Parents will provide their own child with a snack each day.
How will lunchtime work?
Parents will provide their own child with a lunch each day. Lunch boxes and bags will not touch other children’s items. Children will wash hands before eating and after eating. With warm weather, classes may have outdoor picnics.
What cleaning protocols are in place to ensure the safety of the children and staff?
We use a line of cleaning products that have been approved by Tri-County Health called Buckeye. Buckeye provides us both a sanitizer and disinfectant that are used properly according to their labels. We have a professional cleaning company who cleans every night. In addition, teachers will be disinfecting toys, materials, and surfaces as necessary daily.
Is hand sanitizer going to be used in the classrooms?
Our licensing department allows us to use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not readily available. Hand sanitizer will be locked up when not in use, and will never be easily accessible to children. If you do not want hand sanitizer used on your child, please let your child’s teacher know.
Are you altering any activities such as obstacle course, chapel, Thanksgiving Feasts, parades, etc.?
We will address each activity based on what is happening with Covid at the time.
When does registration open and close?
We accept new registration all year! Registration for the following school year opens in January of each year.
Who are the governing bodies who have influenced these policies?
Little School administration, St. Luke’s staff, The Mountain Sky Conference of the United Methodist Church, Tri-County Health, and the Office of Early Childhood of the State of Colorado.
If your child has a unique situation or requirement, please reach out to your child’s teacher. We are here to help make your child’s preschool experience the best it can be.
We are under a Tri-County Health public health order. All students and staff are wearing masks according to the mandate. For more information, click HERE. Children will be allowed to remove their masks outside on the playground. All children need to come to school with a mask, but we will have back-up masks if you forget one. It is a good idea to have a lanyard or clip for your child's mask.
Will parents or siblings be required to wear masks?
Masks are required for any visitors inside the building regardless of vaccination status. Masks are not required outside.
What if my child does not like wearing masks?
No child will be punished, shamed, embarrassed, or forced to wear a mask. As we have noticed through our research, when mask wearing is made fun and explained at an age appropriate level, many students are happy to wear their masks. If your child has a medical reason for not being able to wear a mask, please let his or her teacher know.
How will bathrooms be cleaned and maintained?
Students will continue to go to the bathroom with their classes and also at any time with their assistant teacher when they need to. After each class goes to the bathroom, an adult will wipe down the handles, faucets, soap dispensers, and paper towel dispensers with the appropriate disinfectant. This will help prevent the spread of any illnesses between classrooms.
Will there be social distancing?
Students will be encouraged to social distance inside and outside as appropriate, and still be able to play freely and socialize with their friends. Given our classroom sizes and age of students we serve, this is difficult. During circle time and eating time, we will do our best to socially distance the students. However, we will work hard to make sure social distancing does not hinder the development of social skills. Our goal is to keep our students safe while not making them feel fearful or nervous to socialize with others.
Will students be sharing toys and materials?
We will be reducing the sharing of toys and materials when possible. Each child will have their own pencil box, provided by the school, that will hold markers, crayons, scissors, etc. for that child only. Those will be disinfected weekly. Students will share some toys, but will wash hands before and after toy use. Toys will be disinfected daily.
What is Little School doing to help increase ventilation in the classrooms?
Every classroom has a HEPA filtration unit that will filter the air multiple times an hour to help reduce the spread of the illness in each classroom. Furnace filters have been upgraded throughout the building.
What happens if a child or staff member tests positive for Covid?
Each situation is unique and will be handled accordingly. All cases will be reported to licensing, our school nurse consultant, the Tri-County Health Department, and the church. All quarantines, isolations, and contact tracing will be guided by Tri-County Health.
Will I be notified if someone at Little School tests positive for Covid?
We will follow the advice of Tri-County Health on who needs to be notified. A student or family member’s personal information and name will never be shared. We will respect confidentiality and HIPPA laws.
What happens if my child gets sick at school?
We have a health office that allows us to properly care for any sick children. We understand that not all illnesses will be Covid related, but we need to provide a safe place to handle illnesses. The child will be fully supervised by an adult at all times. We will call the parents when a child becomes ill, and if we have not heard from a parent or guardian within 30 minutes, we will begin to call the emergency contacts listed in the registration paperwork.
If my child isn't feeling well, when should I keep them home?
Please refer to this document from the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, How Sick is Too Sick?
What if my child or another child has a fever not related to Covid? When can he or she return to school?
Children can return to school when they are fever free for 24 hours.
If my child is out sick, when can they return to school?
Again, each case is different and will be handled accordingly. If your child is absent from school for two or more school days, please contact the director to discuss your child's return to school.
What will drop-off look like in the morning?
Each class will have a location assigned to them outside for drop off. You will park your car, walk your child to their class line-up location, and use Smartcare’s touchless check-in option to check them in. In the event you are late, ring our video doorbell at either the north or south entrance and we will come let your child in.
What will pick-up look like in the afternoon?
Approved pick-up people will park their cars, walk to their child’s classroom line-up location (same as the morning), use the SmartCare touchless check out app, and then take their child back to their car.
What if I need to speak to the office staff?
Please call us at 303-791-1982 or ring one of our video doorbells at the north or south entrance.
What happens if I need to pick my child up early, or drop something off. Can I enter the church?
Please ring one of our video doorbells at the north or south entrance. We will come greet you at the door to further assist you. Any visitor entering the building when children are present must wear a mask.
How will SmartCare check-in happen?
Please download the SmartCare for Parents app. Each adult will use their app to do touchless check-in or have a unique QR code associated with the child they are allowed to pick up.
As a tuition paying parent/guardian, how will I be compensated in the event my child’s classroom or the school needs to close for a short period of time?
We will offer e-learning to any student who is quarantined. Supplies will be provided for you to use at home as needed along with an excellent e-learning experience directly related to our curriculum and taught by your child’s teacher.
What is the policy for withdrawing my child?
We have a 30 day withdraw policy. If you want to withdraw your child, you must send the director a written notice stating the date of withdrawal. At that time, you will be responsible for 30 days of tuition regardless of whether your child continues to attend during that 30 days or not. The 30 days of tuition begins from the date of your cancelation notice, not your withdraw date. Most families who need to withdraw, notify us a month before they move and their child continues to attend for the 30 days they have paid for.
How many children will be in each class?
While exact enrollment numbers fluctuate, we maintain the legal requirements for teacher student ratios. Our 2.5-year-old classes will not have more than six children per one adult, our 3-year-old classes will not have more than 10 children per one adult, and our 4 and 5-year-old classes will not have more than 12 children per one adult.
How will snack time work?
Parents will provide their own child with a snack each day.
How will lunchtime work?
Parents will provide their own child with a lunch each day. Lunch boxes and bags will not touch other children’s items. Children will wash hands before eating and after eating. With warm weather, classes may have outdoor picnics.
What cleaning protocols are in place to ensure the safety of the children and staff?
We use a line of cleaning products that have been approved by Tri-County Health called Buckeye. Buckeye provides us both a sanitizer and disinfectant that are used properly according to their labels. We have a professional cleaning company who cleans every night. In addition, teachers will be disinfecting toys, materials, and surfaces as necessary daily.
Is hand sanitizer going to be used in the classrooms?
Our licensing department allows us to use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not readily available. Hand sanitizer will be locked up when not in use, and will never be easily accessible to children. If you do not want hand sanitizer used on your child, please let your child’s teacher know.
Are you altering any activities such as obstacle course, chapel, Thanksgiving Feasts, parades, etc.?
We will address each activity based on what is happening with Covid at the time.
When does registration open and close?
We accept new registration all year! Registration for the following school year opens in January of each year.
Who are the governing bodies who have influenced these policies?
Little School administration, St. Luke’s staff, The Mountain Sky Conference of the United Methodist Church, Tri-County Health, and the Office of Early Childhood of the State of Colorado.
If your child has a unique situation or requirement, please reach out to your child’s teacher. We are here to help make your child’s preschool experience the best it can be.