cOVID-19

Update - In addition to the practices already noted below, effective in late November, the Day Nursery of Abilene directors have provided information to all parents strongly recommending that children in the preschool and school age classrooms (3-year-old  children and older) wear masks.  This new practice will alleviate the need to completely close these classrooms where there might be a related exposure.  This mask recommendation is not our preference however a necessity for now.  We appreciate our parents for their assistance with this.  We want to do what we can to combat any further spread of COVID and also eliminate the future closure of at least these classrooms so that our parents may continue working without disruption in their child care at Day Nursery.  CDC advises against the use of masks for any children ages 2 and younger.  Day Nursery will also not be having any holiday parties where food items are brought from home or outside guests attending.  Our staff Christmas parties and annual “make it take it” Elf Extravaganza will not take place at the request of city leadership to eliminate extra holiday gatherings. However, each center will be distributing fun activities with all the required pieces, for parents to do with their children and to be brought back to the center to be placed on our trees.  Before Christmas these will be sent home with your child.  Watch for this information coming from your center.  As always, we invite you to share any concerns with the center’s director and continue to wish you well!

Day Nursery of Abilene continues to follow the COVID-19 recommended practices outlined by the licensing body for our child care program, Texas Health and Human Services/Texas Child Care Licensing/Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS)  as well as those of our City, County and State leadership including our local Abilene Health Department.  In effort to assure the safety of every child, staff and parent, Day Nursery continues its effort to go above and beyond.

Child Care Licensing made the following guidelines which remain in effect:

• Parents are not allowed in the center at this time
• Children and staff must thoroughly wash hands upon arrival and then are escorted by staff to their classrooms
• Continued and ongoing sanitizing and handwashing has been enhanced at Day Nursery throughout the day
• Temperature readings of each child and staff are conducted every time they enter the building and if necessary, throughout the day.
• If anyone is ill, they are required to stay home.
• There is no family style dining allowed

Day Nursery continues to require additional handwashing, use of gloves, and additional sanitizing.  This is being monitored continuously by center leadership.  

Additionally, state licensing representatives continue to make visits to all licensed early care and education facilities ensuring that all health, cleanliness, safety and state licensing regulations are being followed.

Day Nursery also encourages social distancing in each center and has been implementing the recommended group size of no more than 10. These practices are in compliance with all CDC requirements as well. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/guidance-for-schools.html

As new information becomes available, we will communicate that with you in the centers and we encourage you to ask questions too.  We want everyone informed as things continue to change.  Please feel free to talk with your center’s director. You have our commitment that we will remain open to provide child care to our families working in essential jobs in our community for as long as we can or until we are told otherwise that we cannot.  

Thank you for the support, notes and expressions of gratitude shared with our staff.  They are doing a fabulous job and we appreciate you for recognizing those efforts as well as for the support of our community!

Regards,
Cynthia PearsonPresident/CEO
Day Nursery of Abilene