Preschool: Age 3 to 5

Maintaining a distance of 2 metres between two or more children can be challenging and not always feasible in a preschool setting. However, the following physical distancing strategies will be implemented where possible.

• Masks are optional for educators that will be in the classroom. 
• Educators will regularly remind children to “keep your hands to yourself”
• Educators will use outdoor space as much as possible
• Educators will continue to use “Open snack” instead of group snack. Open snack allows children to eat when they feel hungry. This will allow for a staggered snack transition time and minimize larger groups of children eating at the tables.
• All pick up and drop off will be taking place at the preschool room and exterior entrances will be used where possible. Otherwise, parents will enter facility through the usual doors.

The physical space requirements for licensed child care settings set out in the Child Care Licensing Regulation mean that child care centres already have sufficient space to support the physical distancing recommendations of the Provincial Health Officer.

1. Symptomatic children are immediately separated from others and taken to the isolation room until they can go home. A staff member will remain with the child at all times.
2. The parent or emergency contact will be notified to pick up the child immediately. 
3. Educator will get our “isolation package/comfort kit” which includes gloves, mask. Hygiene and respiratory etiquette will be practiced while the child is waiting to be picked up.
4. Our staff will at this point be wearing a gown, gloves and mask. The space the child was isolated in will be disinfected once the child has been picked up.
5. The local public health unit (8-1-1) will be contacted and notified of a potential case and seek input regarding the information that will be shared with other parents of children in the childcare centre.

Of course! Sometimes a new environment can be scary. Each child has a different way of dealing with separation. To ensure a healthy attachment, your presence may be required. A parent is welcome to stay and make this transition positive for everyone. As per the current Provincial Health Order, masks are mandatory in indoor public spaces.

Exercise, play, and other activities will be done outdoors as much as possible. In the event of extreme weather, we have scheduled gym time in our gymnasium.

Group play activities will be organized in a thoughtful way, taking into consideration physical distancing. Hand hygiene will be encouraged before and after play.

Please contact the Call Centre at 604-501-5100 on Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Our $50 program withdrawal fee applies within seven days of the start of the program or anytime during the preschool year.

If your child is unable to fully participate in the program due to illness, parents are asked to keep children at home. A Health and Illness Procedure is in place to maintain the health and safety of all children. Please also notify the child’s educator if your child has an illness, will be late or absent, or picked up early on a particular day.

If your address, phone number or payment information has changed, please contact the Call Centre at 604-501-5100 on Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm. We also ask that you inform your child’s educator of any changes to personal information.

Please ensure your child has a complete change of clothes and a healthy snack in their backpack. Parents should provide a nutritious snack for your child each day of class. More information on snacks will be provided by your child’s educator.

We have toys and items that encourage individual play. Toys and items will be cleaned to reduce hand-to-hand-contact and cross contamination.

We will provide adequate amounts of high touch materials, such as art supplies, to minimize sharing between children. There is no evidence that the COVID-19 virus transmits via books, paper or other paper-based products. As such, there is no need to limit sharing of books or paper based resources to children.

Supplies and materials (such as writing utensils) will be placed in a “To be cleaned” bin.

Sand and water can be used for play provided that children wash their hands before and after play. 

COVID-19 does not survive well on surfaces, other than hard surfaces. There is no evidence showing that the virus survives on sand, in water, or on playdough.

Yes, all children entering preschool should be toilet trained before the first day of class.

All licensed childcare programs in the province must ensure children have daily access to outdoor play. In the City of Surrey our Active Play Policy mandates a minimum of 30 minutes of outdoor play per day, rain or shine. These outdoor play times vary depending on the length of the preschool program. In extreme weather conditions (thunder and lightning, high winds) indoor active play may be an alternative.

With our Active Play Policy in mind, please ensure your child has appropriate clothes and protection for the weather (for example: sunscreen, rain jacket, hat, boots, gloves, etc.). When children are dressed properly the barrier of discomfort is removed, allowing everyone to freely enjoy the outdoor experience. Part of the outdoor learning experience of preschool is assessing and properly dressing for the weather.