Health and Safety FAQ

The health and safety of our students and teachers is our number one priority – we are working closely with Fairfax County to make sure we comply with all COVID-related health regulations and have adapted the CDC recommendations for our learning environment.

United Community ELC is following and promoting a layered prevention strategy to prevent the spread of COVID-19 recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which includes:

  • Washing hands often
  • Wearing a mask to cover your mouth and nose when around others
  • Covering coughs and sneezes
  • Cleaning and disinfecting
  • Monitoring health daily

Changes you will notice at the Early Learning Center include heightened sanitation procedures, daily health temperature screenings for teachers, parents, and students, increased focus on hand washing and social distancing of students, and increased parent-teacher communication.

The following are some of the most common questions we have heard regarding the Center’s reopening process. If you have additional questions or concerns, please send them to elc@unitedcommunity.org.

  • The Early Learning Center is working with Fairfax County to adapt CDC guidelines for child care centers that will enhance the safety of our students and teachers.
  • All teachers will receive COVID prevention training before the start of school. All teachers and staff will undergo a health screening before the start of every school day and use personal protective equipment throughout the school day.
  • All individuals entering the center will be required to pass a temperature and health screening prior to entering the building.
  • Students over the age of 3 will be encouraged to wear masks; all adults will be required to wear masks while interacting with children and/or while inside the building. Hand sanitization and good hygiene will be strongly emphasized and encouraged.
  • Our pick-up and drop-off procedures have been modified to accommodate required screenings.
  • Classrooms have been deep cleaned, and all soft toys removed.  All classrooms and common spaces have been modified to allow for social distancing.
  • Lunchtime routines have been modified to encourage distancing.
  • Playground equipment that cannot be easily cleaned will be made unavailable during playtimes.

Students over the age of 3 will be encouraged to wear masks. We understand that students may initially have problems keeping their masks on. Our teachers will work with students to help them adapt to this routine.

Temperature checks and health screenings will be required for all teachers, staff, adults, and students entering the building. These screenings will take place daily.

Classrooms will also be modified to promote distancing. Our teachers will work with students to help them understand the importance of distancing during this time and to get them comfortable with our new procedures.

We currently have procedures in place for notification of sickness in a classroom, which will also apply to any known exposure to COVID or other communicable diseases either by a teacher or student. Parents are encouraged to download and use the Procare app for easy communication with center staff.

What measures will you be taking to increase the safety of students?

  • The Early Learning Center is working with Fairfax County to adapt CDC guidelines for child care centers that will enhance the safety of our students and teachers.
  • All teachers will receive COVID prevention training before the start of school. All teachers and staff will undergo a health screening before the start of every school day and use personal protective equipment throughout the school day.
  • All individuals entering the center will be required to pass a temperature and health screening prior to entering the building.
  • Students over the age of 3 will be encouraged to wear masks; all adults will be required to wear masks while interacting with children and/or while inside the building. Hand sanitization and good hygiene will be strongly emphasized and encouraged.
  • Our pick-up and drop-off procedures have been modified to accommodate required screenings.
  • Classrooms have been deep cleaned, and all soft toys removed.  All classrooms and common spaces have been modified to allow for social distancing.
  • Lunchtime routines have been modified to encourage distancing.
  • Playground equipment that cannot be easily cleaned will be made unavailable during playtimes.

Will the students be expected to wear masks?

Students over the age of 3 will be encouraged to wear masks.  We understand that students may initially have problems keeping their masks on. Our teachers will work with students to help them adapt to this routine.

Will you be taking temperatures?

Temperature checks and health screenings will be required for all teachers, staff, adults, and students entering the building.  These screenings will take place daily.

Will the students be allowed to play on the playground?

Students will be encouraged to play outside depending on the weather.  We will close down all playground equipment that cannot be easily cleaned, such as the large playground equipment.

How will you encourage social distancing?

Classrooms will also be modified to promote distancing. Our teachers will work with students to help them understand the importance of distancing during this time and to get them comfortable with our new procedures.

How will parents be notified if there is a concern regarding the health of a student or teacher?

We currently have procedures in place for notification of sickness in a classroom, which will also apply to any known exposure to COVID or other communicable diseases either by a teacher or student. Parents are encouraged to download and use the Procare app for easy communication with center staff.

*ELC is following the latest guidance from the CDC for early childhood centers and will make modifications as new guidelines are issued.