Day care centers and nannies should reduce the number of children per room to maximize the distance between them, but without compromising the normal functioning of playful-pedagogical activities, according to guidance from the General Directorate of Health (DGS) published today.
To avoid crossing people, the guideline also establishes the definition of out-of-date entry and exit times and the definition of entry and exit circuits for the activities room for each group.
These are some of the prevention and control measures to be adopted in day care centers, family day care centers and childminders, in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, which are included in the guideline.
DGS states that the guidance was discussed with sector partners.
Before the opening scheduled for May 18, all spaces must activate and update their contingency plans, which must include the procedures to be adopted in the face of a suspected case of Covid-19 and the definition of an isolation area.
According to the guideline, "those responsible for day care centers, family day care centers and nannies must ensure a reduction in the number of children per room in order to maximize the distance between them, without compromising the normal functioning of playful-pedagogical activities."
When children are at tables, cribs or loungers, the physical distance between them must be maximized.
"Children and employees must be organized in fixed rooms, and each employee must correspond to only one group, and spaces must be defined according to the division, so that there is no contact between people from different groups", states the document .
In case there are spaces that are not being used due to the suspension of activities or the closure of social responses, the DGS states that «the expansion of the crèche to these spaces may be considered».
In rooms where children sit or lie on the floor, shoes must be left at the entrance, and guardians may be asked to bring extra shoes (for the exclusive use of the nursery), a recommendation that also applies to employees of the space. .
Among other measures, employees should ask guardians not to let children take toys or other unnecessary objects from home to the day care center and ensure that toys are washed regularly.
"Ensuring that the safety of children is not compromised, the doors and/or windows of the rooms must be kept open, to promote air circulation", asks the DGS.
At nap time, there must be a mattress for each child and ensure that they always use the same mattress, separating the mattresses from each other and maintaining the position of the feet and heads alternated.
During meals, travel to the room should be phased to reduce the crossing of children and places must be marked.
Among other measures, the guidance establishes that all employees must wear a surgical mask properly and that the space should be cleaned according to the DGS recommendations.
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