COVID-19 INFORMATION

We want to assure you that CASPA has a strong plan in place around COVID-19 which includes keeping our tamariki, families and staff safe.  We will continue to update you as information comes to hand.

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Effective communication relies upon us having your up-to-date contact details.  Please take this opportunity to update your mobile number and/or email address on your Enrolmy profile.  You can do this by logging in to your parent dashboard:

https://mashkids.enrolmy.com/

 

How is COVID-19 spread?

Health experts are still learning more about the spread. Currently it’s thought the virus is spread through respiratory droplets made when people with the virus cough, sneeze or talk. Droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs of people who are in close contact with one another (within about 2 metres). The virus can also spread when a person touches a surface that has the novel coronavirus on it and then touches their own mouth, eyes, or nose.

 

 

What is CASPA doing to help?

The most important thing we can do right now is plan and prepare.

At CASPA we will be taking the following steps to help prepare for cases of COVID-19 in all of our programme's, as well as more widespread community transmission, during which educational/childcare facility closures might be recommended or required by the Ministry of Health.

 

How CASPA can help to prevent widespread illness: 

• We are constantly educating our children in the use of healthy hygiene practises, promote hand washing and drying, use of hand sanitiser and coughing into crook of the arm.

• We will implement social distancing measures to limit close contact between students and staff, such as choosing activities that minimize close contact and allow for more physical space between children.

• We will be closely monitoring absenteeism and responding as per our company policies and procedures.

• We require students and staff to stay home if they are displaying cold and flu like symptoms AND have been overseas OR in close contact with any individual that has been overseas in the last 14 days OR any individual who has contracted COVID-19. 

• We have established procedures for identifying and sending home children and staff who are sick at our programmes (please see below).

• We will perform regular environmental cleaning.

• We have created communication plans for use with our programme communities. (Fact sheets, Posters, Emails)

• We will be regularly reviewing, updating, and implementing our relevant Policies and Procedures as information continues to be communicated to us.

If we have a case of COVID-19 in our programme community. What should we do?

We will consider closing if:

• The individual infected with COVID-19 spent time in the programme setting and had close contact with others while ill. Close contact includes scenarios like being within 2 metres of a confirmed case for about 10 minutes, or if someone with COVID-19 has coughed on you, kissed you, shared utensils with you or you have had direct contact with their body secretions.

• We are observing that high rates of absenteeism among staff and/or children hinders our ability to meet or provide adequate services to our community.

 

We will consider operating Holiday Programmes if:

• Advised by the Ministry of Health and/or Ministry of Education that this is acceptable

• It is vitally important that CASPA is here for our communities, whether that means we close to protect our community, or to open Holiday Programmes to support our families.  The priority from our perspective is to do what is BEST for our communities, and whether that is to open or close is yet to be decided.

 

When there is substantial community transmission?

Additional strategies will be considered when there is substantial transmission in the local community in addition to those implemented when there is no, minimal, or moderate transmission. These strategies may include:

• Coordinating with local health officials. If local health officials have determined there is substantial transmission of COVID-19 within the community, they will provide guidance to us on the best course of action for all childcare programmes and schools. These strategies are expected to extend across multiple programmes, schools, or school districts within the community, as they are not necessarily tied to cases within schools or childcare facilities.

• Consider extended programme closures. In collaboration with local health officials, implement extended programme closures (e.g., closures for longer than two weeks). This longer-term, and likely broader-reaching, closure strategy is intended to slow transmission rates of COVID-19 in the community.

 

Frequently Asked Questions from Parents:

Q:  What is the risk of my child becoming sick with COVID-19?

A: Based on available evidence, children do not appear to be at higher risk for COVID-19 than adults. While some children and infants have been sick with COVID-19, adults make up most of the known cases to date.

 

Q: How can I protect my child from COVID-19 infection?

A: You can encourage your child to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by teaching them to do the same things everyone should do to stay healthy.

Clean hands often using soap and water (for 20 seconds) or alcohol-based hand sanitizer

Avoid people who are sick (coughing and sneezing)

Encourage your children and those around them to cough/sneeze into their elbow

Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily in household common areas (e.g. tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, desks, toilets, sinks)

Launder items including washable plush toys as appropriate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely. Dirty laundry from an ill person can be washed with other people’s items.

 

Q: Are the symptoms of COVID-19 different in children than in adults?

A:  No. The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar in children and adults. However, children with confirmed COVID-19 have generally presented with mild symptoms. Reported symptoms in children include cold-like symptoms, such as fever, runny nose, and cough. Vomiting and diarrhea have also been reported. It’s not known yet whether some children may be at higher risk for severe illness, for example, children with underlying medical conditions and special healthcare needs. There is much more to be learned about how the disease impacts children.

 

Q: Should children wear masks?

A: No. If your child is healthy, there is no need for them to wear a facemask. Only people who have symptoms of illness or who are providing care to those who are ill should wear masks.

 

Q: If I’m receiving WINZ, and my CASPA closes, do I still get the subsidy?

A: We currently are awaiting advice from the Ministry of Social Development and will update families as soon as information comes in.

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Q: How will I know if my CASPA programme is still open or closed?

A: We will be emailing all parents/caregivers with updated information as it comes to hand, as well as updating our website.