We have been in contact with LARA, the Ottawa County Health Department, and North Ottawa Community Hospital. We are reassured that these businesses have been planning and training for what may come, and are following their recommendations.
In the meantime, we have ramped up our cleaning efforts of our center, including surfaces that everyone comes into contact with daily. We have ordered extra supplies needed to stay open in case these items are in short supply in the coming weeks. Our staff is reinforcing frequent handwashing throughout the classrooms, reminding children to cough and sneeze into their elbow, and continuing their diligence with toy and equipment sanitizing.
At this time, our infant room is closed to anyone other than primary caregiving teachers and infants. We want to protect our youngest children from any unnecessary exposure to germs, being this has been a particularly challenging season for illness.
If you or your child(ren) become ill, please stay home until fully recovered. We are always willing to bring a child out to the parking lot if you or another child is ill.
*Our staff will no longer be attending our annual MiAEYC conference in Grand Rapids on March 26-27. Joyful Noise is planning to be open both days.
While all Michigan K-12 schools begin closures Monday, March 16-April 6, Joyful Noise plans to remain open at this time. We will communicate any new information as it becomes available and will send out details after our JN Advisory Committee meeting on Monday, 3/16.
Parents, please be sure to keep us informed of any changes in your work schedules or plans for childcare. All attendance information should be directed to the office email. Also, be thinking of alternate childcare arrangements in the event JN gets closed by the State of Michigan for any period of time. We are hoping this won't happen, but want to be prepared if it does. We surely hope we will be able to remain open, so parents and our teachers can work.
