COVID-19 Information

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CA Preschool Licensing Requirements for COVID-19

We Follow CA Guidance

The newest California State Guidance has made face coverings a recommendation rather than a requirement in California schools as of March 12, 2022, regardless of vaccination status. Turlock Nursery School does not require masks at this time. We will respect the personal choice of each family to wear or not wear a mask. We can assist children and we have face coverings available for adults and children on site.

As we move forward, State Licensing requires that we follow recommendations from the local health department when they are more restrictive than state guidance. Currently masks are strongly recommended to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by both the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), better known as Cal/OSHA.

CA Preschool COVID-19 Guidance

To find out more about why we've put these new policies and stipulations in place, click the link below to visit our licensing provider's website.

Find out more

COVID-19 Updates + Policy Changes

Turlock Nursery School is located in Turlock CA for preschool age children.

Policy Changes

As requirements and recommendations continue to change, updates will be visible here and made official through updates to our Parent Handbook.

COVID-19 FAQs

Q: What happens if my child tests positive for COVID-19 or develops symptoms while at home or when at school?

A: TNS will not allow any individual who has a COVID-19 positive test result or COVID-19 symptoms to enter the school until they have completed their isolation period. Currently, COVID-19 testing is not required in order to return to a California preschool at the completion of the isolation period, but they must meet the requirements outlined below.

If a child develops symptoms during a school day, TNS staff will separate the child from others in an established isolation area, while being supervised by an adult (staff member or parent volunteer). TNS staff will then notify the family to pick up the child right away.

If a parent volunteer develops COVID-19 symptoms while at the school, they should be sent home immediately and instructed to follow up with their health care provider.

Parent participants and children may return to school when:

It has been 10 days since their symptoms first appeared; AND
It has been 24 hours without a fever and without the use of fever reducing medications; AND
A negative COVID-19 test
Other COVID-19 symptoms are improving.*

*Loss of taste and small may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation.

*The Turlock Nursery School Board of Directors will review the most current state regulations and will make a decision based on current recommendations on a case by case basis.

Q: What practices will TNS put in place to help mitigate the effect of potential exposure/transmission of COVID-19 at the school?

A: TNS will require all staff and other adults at the school wear masks, and practice frequent hand washing. TNS will teach students the best ways to wash and sanitize their hands, how to sneeze without spreading germs, and all other practices in which to reduce the spread of germs.

TNS will teach children to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing their nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
TNS will also teach children to use hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer will contain at least 60% alcohol and will be supervised during use to prevent the consumption of sanitizer.

TNS will also follow the Step-By-Step Cleaning and Disinfecting for Nursery School Program recommendations provided by the California Department of Pesticide Regulations (CDPR), which include the routine cleaning of toys, floors, play equipment, refrigerators, counters, and other high touch areas (e.g. tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, desks, toilets, sinks).

For a full list of the day-to-day cleaning regulations that TNS follows, please refer to the CDPR licensing communications, found here: https://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/schoolipm/training/step-by-step_cleaning_for_child_care_providers.pdf

Q: What cleaning and disinfecting supplies will TNS utilize to clean and disinfect the school?

A: TNS will abide by the acceptable list of products that are EPA-approved for use against the virus that causes COVID-19, available here: https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/guidance-cleaning-and-disinfecting-public-spaces-workplaces-businesses-schools-and-homes

Additionally, diluted household bleach solutions may be used if appropriate for the surface. TNS follows all manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation.

Q: What will happen if a COVID-19 confirmed case is reported at TNS?

A: As required by TNS' licensing, if a COVID-19 confirmed case is reported, the school must:

Identify and contact all individuals who were exposed, meaning those who were within 6 feet of the infected person for 15 cumulative minutes.
Treat the entire cohort, classroom, or other group as exposed—particularly if they have spent time together indoors. This is a best practice for all child care settings operating with a license.
Not allow anyone into the school program who has been identified as a COVID-19 case who is still isolated or anyone who was exposed to COVID-19 who is still in their quarantine period.
Inform exposed individuals to quarantine at home per local health department recommendations.
Consult the local public health department for their advice on taking any public health actions beyond removing sick or exposed children or adults from the school.
Review COVID-19 current mitigation strategies to prevent exposure and determine gaps and implement necessary improvements to prevent future exposures.

Additionally TNS will:

Close off areas used by the person confirmed to have COVID-19 until the area has been cleaned and disinfected.
Open outside doors and windows to increase air circulation in the areas.
Wait as long as possible before you clean or disinfect to allow respiratory droplets to settle before cleaning and disinfecting.
Clean and disinfect all areas used by the person confirmed to have COVID-19, such as offices, bathrooms, and common areas.

COVID-19 Liability Release

COVID-19 Liability Release Statement

All parents are required to sign acknowledgment and agreement to this release of liability statement in order for their children to register and attend TNS.

I acknowledge the contagious nature of COVID-19 and that the CDC and many other public health authorities still recommend practicing social distancing. I further acknowledge that Turlock Nursery School (TNS) has put in place preventative measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

I further acknowledge that TNS can not guarantee that my child(ren) will not become infected with the COVID-19. I understand that the risk of becoming exposed to and/or infected by COVID-19 may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of myself and others, including, but not limited to, teachers, students and other parent participants.

I voluntarily seek preschool education for my child provided by Turlock Nursery School and acknowledge that I am increasing my child(ren)’s risk of exposure to the COVID-19 by engaging in participation and instruction at the school. I acknowledge that my child must comply with all set procedures to reduce the spread while on school property.

While on school property I attest that:

My child is not experiencing any symptoms of illness such as cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell.
My child has not traveled internationally within the last 14 days.
My child has not traveled to a highly impacted area within the United States of America in the last 14 days.
I do not believe my child has been exposed to someone with a suspected and/or confirmed case of COVID-19.
My child has not been diagnosed with COVID-19 and not yet cleared as non contagious by state or local public health authorities.
My child is following all CDC recommended guidelines as much as possible and I am limiting his/her exposure to the COVID-19.
My child will submit to daily temperature checks.
My child will wash his/her hands frequently.
I will notify the school Director in an instance of presumed COVID-19 exposure and/or testing positive for COVID-19 concerning myself or anyone in my household so TNS can complete necessary in-school contact tracing and monitor/mitigate further exposure.

I hereby release and agree to hold Turlock Nursery School harmless from, and waive on behalf of myself, my child(ren), and any personal representatives any and all causes of action, claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses and compensation for damage or loss to myself and/or property that may be caused by any act, or failure to act of the school, or that may otherwise arise in any way in connection with any interactions at Turlock Nursery School. I understand that this release discharges Turlock Nursery School from any liability or claim that I, my child(ren), or any personal representatives may have against the school with respect to any bodily injury, illness, death, medical treatment, or property damage that may arise from, or in connection to, any participation at Turlock Nursery School. This liability waiver and release extends to the entirety of the school together with all employees, students, and parent participants/volunteers.