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 A. Meals and Snacks

We use the USDA food program and breakfast, lunch, and snacks are provided. All snacks will consist of a healthy protein or carbohydrate and a fruit or vegetable.  Meals will always include protein, cereal or grain, fruit and vegetables, and water, juice or milk.  Menus will be provided through Brightwheel.

 

B. Allergies or Special Dietary Requirements

Please let the staff know if your child has allergies or special dietary requirements. We will do everything within our means to accommodate the child’s dietary requirements while following the UDSA food program requirements. Meals are prepared in a kitchen that serves wheat flour, dairy products, and eggs therefore there is a risk for cross-contamination.  Please inform us if your child has a severe food allergy or dietary need and we can discuss if our facility can meet their needs.     

 

C. Illness Policies

We operate our services in an outdoor environment where children encounter cold and wet weather and situations that require a lot of physical activity.  Therefore, it is even more imperative that you keep your children at home when they are not feeling well.  We also wish to protect our staff from illness so we can prevent staff shortages and keep services running consistently.  We ask that you follow a more rigorous determination than the current state requirements when deciding whether or not to keep your child at home.  If your child is showing signs of illness and they are acting under the weather, we would ask that you keep them home.  Signs of illness that could impact a child’s ability to participate in forest school and could potentially infect others are:

• A fever that is over one-hundred degrees Fahrenheit.

• Nasal discharge that green or yellow in color

• Any type of vomiting, especially if this out of the norm for your child

• Diarrhea or runny stools, especially if that is out of the norm for your child

• Any rash that is not associated with heat or an allergic reaction

• Sore throat, earache, deep cough, wheezing, significant stomach pain, or significant headache

• Lice, ringworm, scabies, pinworm, or another contagious parasite

• Has lethargy, consistent crying, difficulty breathing, or a significant change in behavior or activity level indicative of illness.

 

 Please do not medicate your child to cover up the symptoms of an illness.       

 

If a child becomes ill at school, our staff will determine whether the child should be sent home and separated from others. We will supervise the child to reasonably prevent contact between the ill child and healthy children. Staff will separate a child if:

 

• The illness or condition requires more care and attention than staff can give. 

• The required amount of care for the ill child compromises or places at risk the health and the safety of other children in our care. 

• There is a risk that the child’s illness or condition will spread to other children or individuals. An ill child will be sent home or isolated from children in care if they have: 

• A fever over one-hundred- degrees Fahrenheit

• Repetitively expressing discomfort to staff concerning a sore throat, earache, headache, or stomach pain. 

• If the child vomits while at school.

• Runny/watery stools

• A rash not associated with heat or an allergic reaction. 

• Open sores or wounds discharging bodily fluids that cannot be adequately covered with a waterproof dressing or mouth sores with drooling.

• Lice, ringworm, or scabies. Individuals with head lice, ringworm, or scabies will be excluded from the premises beginning from the end of the day the head lice or scabies was discovered. 

• Appears severely ill, which may include lethargy, persistent crying, difficulty breathing, or a significant change in behavior or activity level indicative of illness. 

 

If a parent cannot be reached, we will contact designated people on the Emergency Card. It is important for sick children to be picked up promptly. If a teacher or Director calls a parent to report that their child is sick, it is critical that all efforts are made to come to the school to pick up the child as soon as possible.

Please know that before we make that call, we have done everything in our power to make the child comfortable and meet the child’s needs. When we make the decision to call the parent, we do so know that we are asking the parent to leave their work or other responsibilities. While we understand the difficulties this causes, it is our job to keep all our children safe and healthy, including the child who is not feeling well. If it is going to be more than one hour before you can arrive to pick up your child, we ask that you plan for another person on your authorized pick-up list to come for the child. A child must be symptom-free, without a fever for 24 hours and well enough to participate in all activities, especially for outdoor play, before returning to school. 

We ask that parents use good judgment and common sense when considering bringing their child back to school after an illness. For example, if a child is sent home in the afternoon due to illness, it is best for the child to stay at home the entire next day and return in the morning of the following day. In addition, if a child is sick with a contagious illness, it is best practice for parents to also keep siblings at home to try to limit further exposure. 

We work very hard to keep the school germ free by washing our hands a lot, disinfecting toys, and teaching the children healthy practices such as coughing into their elbow and wiping noses with a tissue. We ask our families to support our efforts by always washing hands upon arrival, informing us about illnesses, and maintaining healthy practices in their homes. 

Parents are asked to notify the school if a child is going to be absent from school, particularly if this is due to a contagious illness such as pink eye or chicken pox, etc. In these cases, parents of the child’s classmates will be notified that there is an illness at the school, but your child’s privacy will be respected, and names will not be used. 

 

D. Lice Policy 

If a child is found to have head lice while attending school, the child’s parents will be contacted and asked to pick up their child immediately. Because lice are considered contagious, we must look after the best interests of all children attending our program. In the event a child is found to have lice or nits, all children will have their hair checked for nits by a staff member. Children found to have nits will be sent home with instructions for removal. Children will not be allowed to return to school until they are nit-free. Staff will be checked also. When lice are found, care-site dramatic-play clothes will be bagged up for a period of time exceeding the incubation period for lice. It is important that we have your cooperation in this matter. 

 

E. Medications 

When children attending Forest Friends of the KP forest school require prescription medications, written instructions from a physician and signature of parent or guardian must be on file. Our school is not allowed to administer over-the-counter medications without a physician’s written order. No medications can ever be left at the school in a cubby at any time.

An “Instructions for Medication” form must be completed for each medication given. All medications must be stored in their original containers and will be kept in a specific sealed container with the first aid supplies. Medications will not be administered if the expiration date has passed. The medication must be clearly marked with the following: (1) child’s name; (2) physician’s name and number; (3) name and strength of medication; and (4) directions, time and method of administration; and (5) in its original label and packaging. Staff members will sign a medication form and log it in the first aid book after administrating the medication. 

Although Forest Friends of the KP staff periodically check the expiration dates on all medicines, it is the parent's responsibility throughout the school year to make sure medicines kept at our school are current.  The school applies sunscreen once a day in the summer months. Parents are asked to apply sunscreen in the morning before arriving to school. 

 

D. Immunizations

Every child attending Forest Friends of the Key Peninsula Children is required to be vaccinated or show proof of acquired immunity against the following vaccine-preventable diseases:

• Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP/DT)

• Polio (IPV)

• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)

• Hepatitis B

• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) until age 5

• Varicella (Chickenpox)

• Pneumococcal bacteria (PCV) until age 5

To attend Forest Friends each child must have all the required vaccine doses they are eligible to receive, AND The parent/guardian has submitted a Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS) form on or before the first day of attendance to provide proof of vaccination or immunity from certain vaccine preventable diseases.

Valid Proof of Immunization can be provide several ways:

• A licensed health care provider can print and sign a copy of the child's CIS

• A parent/guardian can print a CIS by signing up with MyIR.

• Registration instructions can be found on DOH's Access your Family's Immunization Information web page, or by visiting https://MyIRmobile.com

• Programs can assist families by providing them with this brief MyIR handout (English and Spanish).

• For additional support, call: 360-236-3595 or email: MyIR@doh.wa.gov

• Families can complete the CIS form themselves, however they must attach all vaccination records from their child's health care provider.

• The child care/early learning program administrator must confirm that the information on the CIS matches the child's vaccination records.

• The CIS must be signed by the parent and program administrator.

• A parent/guardian can request a copy of their child's CIS from the DOH Office of Immunization by calling 360-236-3595 or 1-866-397-0337, or emailing: WAIISRecords@doh.wa.gov

• DOH will inform the family as to whether they have an immunization record for the child, and if they do, the family will need to submit an Authorization to Release Immunization Records (PDF) or an Autorización para entregar documentos de vacunaciones (PDF) in order to obtain the CIS.

• Families can ask their school to print out a CIS form. Not all schools can do this, so make sure to ask ahead of time.

Teachers and staff at Forest Friends are required to show that they have received the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine.  We are able to allow a person to be employed or volunteer on the premises for up to thirty calendar days if he or she signs a written attestation that he or she has received the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine or is immune from measles, but requires additional time to obtain and provide the records required in subsection.  Forest Friends may also hire staff with a written certification signed by a health care practitioner, as defined in RCW 28A.210.090, that the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine is, in the practitioner's judgment, not advisable for the person.

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E. Toileting 

For toileting we will take bathroom breaks and bring the children in to use the restrooms in McColley Hall on a regular schedule.  If a child needs to use the restroom between bathroom breaks, we will have a compostable toilet in a privacy tent that children can use.  We understand that every child develops at their own pace, and we are happy to assist children with toilet training.  Since we are conducting school in a forest setting, if your child is not yet toilet trained, we ask that you send them in a pull-up so they can practice going potty during classroom bathroom breaks.  If a child has a wet or soiled diaper staff will use a stand-up diaper changing procedure.  Please provide at least 5 pull-ups and wipes in the child’s backpack every day.    

During bathroom breaks (both indoors and in the forest compostable toilet) we ask staff members to place themselves in a position where the bathroom can be supervised.  We ask that at least two staff are present to accompany students to McColley Hall during group bathroom breaks.  Staff members will be aware of who leaves to use the restroom and when the child has rejoined the group. 

 

F. Hand Washing 

Children are to use both indoor and outdoor hand washing facilities before and after meals, after using the restroom, after outdoor activities, and after any animal encounters. Children may need assistance with the foot pump to activate the sink or may need assistance climbing onto the stepstool. 

 

G. Dental Hygiene

Dental hygiene will be conducted using the Tooth Brushing Procedure below: 

• Children will have the opportunity to brush their teeth after lunch, before rest time. 

• Parents will have a form with the option to opt in or opt out of the dental hygiene program. 

• Each child will have their own toothbrush, marked with their name.  Each child’s toothbrush will be stored in their sanitary kit, which they will put into their backpack every morning before going into the forest.  No sharing or borrowing of toothbrushes will be allowed. 

• Following use, toothbrushes will be separately air dried before being returned to individual toothbrush containers. 

• Toothbrushes will be protected from dirt and cross contamination by being placed in individual carrying cases which will be kept in each child’s  

• Storage containers will be cleaned once a week with mild soap and hot water. Toothbrushes will remain separated and not allowed to contact one another during this cleaning.

• Toothbrushes will never be decontaminated. We will not use bleach or disinfectants on toothbrushes. If a toothbrush becomes contaminated through contact with another brush or use by another child, it will be thrown away and replaced with a new one.

• Toothbrushes will be replaced when the bristles are flattened or splayed. Depending on the wear, brushes will be replaced about every three to five months.

 

H. Prevention of Bloodborne Illnesses

Even healthy people can spread infection through direct contact with body fluids.  Body fluids include blood, urine, stool (feces), drool (saliva), vomit, drainage from sores/rashes (pus), etc.  All body fluids may be infected with contagious disease.  Nonporous gloves are always used when blood or wound drainage is present. To limit risk associated with potentially infectious blood/body fluids, the following precautions are always taken:

          1. Any open cuts or sores on children or staff are kept covered.  

         2. Whenever a child or staff comes into contact with any body fluids, the               exposed area is washed immediately with soap and warm water,                         rinsed, and dried with paper towels.

         3. All surfaces in contact with body fluids are cleaned immediately with                   soap and water, rinsed, and disinfected with an agent such as bleach                 in the concentration used for disinfecting body fluids (1/4 cup bleach                   per gallon of water or 1 Tablespoon/quart).

         4. Gloves and paper towels or other material used to wipe up body fluids               are put in a plastic bag, tied closed, and placed in a covered waste                     container.  Any brushes, brooms, dustpans, mops, etc. used to clean-up               body fluids are washed in soap and water or detergent, rinsed, and                     soaked in a disinfecting solution for at least 2 minutes and air dried.                  Machine washable items, such as mop heads, are washed with hot                        water and soap in the washing machine.  All items are hung off the                      floor or ground to dry.  Equipment used for cleaning is stored safely                    out of children’s reach in an area ventilated to the outside.

        5. A child’s clothes soiled with body fluids are put into a closed plastic bag             and sent home with the child’s parent/guardian.  A change of clothing is             available for children in care, as well as for staff.

        6. Hands are always washed after handling soiled laundry or equipment,                and after removing gloves. Blood Contact or Exposure When a staff                   person or child comes into contact with blood (e.g. staff provides first                 aid for a child who is bleeding) or is exposed to blood (e.g. blood from                 one person enters the cut or mucous membrane of another person), the             staff person informs the director immediately.  

 

I. Animals 

Forest Friends of the KP will house farm animals such as chickens, ducks, and rabbits on school property.  Parents must sign an animal consent form to allow children to interact with the animals.  The animals will be held within a fenced area and children will not be able to approach the fence or access these animals without adult support.  Children may help provide farm animals with fresh food and water. Our school intends on increasing the number of animals, when this happens a new consent form will be administered. 

 

J. Emergency Plans

We practice emergency preparedness with regular stop and return exercises, earthquake drills, fire drills, and animal encounter response.  The school is stocked with emergency supplies.  During our monthly drills, we practice evacuating McColley Hall, if the practice event includes a danger that would be encountered in the forest.  We also practice evacuating from McColley hall to the far side of the parking lot in the scenario where the danger originates from within McColley Hall.  In case of an actual emergency, parents or guardians will be contacted promptly by a phone call, text message, and/or email. In the case parents or guardians are not able to respond, staff will refer to the emergency card that is filed for each child and contact the next emergency contact listed on the card. Parents or guardians will be reunited with the children in our designated safe place, which is the western side of the parking lot, or in McColley Hall if the emergency had nothing to do with the safety of the building structure such as a fire or earthquake. 

 

K. Pesticides Policy

 

Pesticides are occasionally used by the Key Peninsula Lutheran Church with whom we share the property.  The Lutheran Church will only apply pesticides on the weekends and they will inform us of when they will be applied.  We will provide a written notice to families 24 hours in advance when we receive any notification that pesticides could be used in any space the children inhabit.

 

L. Pest Control  

Forest Friends of the Key Peninsula utilizes pest control services who visit the school grounds quarterly.  They use methods that are chemical free to protect the site from rodents.  Forest Friends also makes every effort to keep the site clean and free from food scraps or debris that could attract insects and rodents.

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M. Medical emergencies, injury treatment and reporting

Forest Friends of the Key Peninsula ensures that every staff member is First Aid/CPR Certified and will use these skills to treat any unforeseen medical emergency or injury.  Forest Friends of the Key Peninsula will provide incident reports for any incident requiring the use of first aid/CPR.