COVID-19 Preparedness
We are so pleased to be opening this fall and offering a program in compliance with the NJ Guidance for Child Care Facilities. We are confident in our plan and our ability to offer a safe and welcoming space.
The state licensing regulations have provided us with the information necessary to offer the utmost safety for children and teachers to return to school. In addition to the detailed regulations from the state we have also received financial support in the form of a Health & Safety Grant. The grant helped facilitate the purchase of all necessary supplies related to facilities adjustments, health monitoring procedures and enhanced cleaning and disinfection requirements.
Healthy Environment
Group sizes are limited to 10-15 children per class.
To establish social distancing parameters, the same group of children will be together throughout the week with the same staff members. Under the Department of Children and Families (DCF) guidelines, groups of children may not commingle.
Classes will have separate outdoor play times. Outdoor time will be extended for each class while the weather allows.
The playground will be sanitized in between groups.
Staff are required to wear cloth face masks upon entering the school building and whenever students are present whether indoors or outside. A face shield may be worn by staff in place of a mask when social distance can be maintained. This will allow for visible facial expressions and language clarity during critical periods of instruction.
Children should be sent to school wearing a cloth face mask. Parents will send two extra masks for the week in case a child soils their mask.
Regulations require that the children be encouraged to wear face masks where feasible inside the classroom, but not outside on the playground.
SMP has child-sized disposable masks on hand for backup.
We have enhanced our cleaning and sanitizing procedures according to the DCF COVID-19 guidelines.
We will continue to promote healthy hygiene. Children and staff will wash their hands for 20 seconds when they enter the building, before snack, after outdoor play, after using a tissue, after using the bathroom and prior to leaving for home.
Hand sanitizer may now be used for in-between hand washing but will not be used as a substitute for normal hand washing procedures.
The temperature and symptom records for all the staff and children are to be reported daily to a state database. Should there be any incidence of COVID infection, our response will be guided by the local Health Department.
Our Mission & Philosophy
St. Matthew’s Preschool will provide our students with a safe and nurturing environment that supports each child’s individual growth and development while following all health and safety guidelines.
We at St. Matthew's Preschool believe that play is the most valuable form of learning for all young children. Our program curriculum is based on structured-play and includes interactive lessons that support each child’s social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development. Children are encouraged to explore, discover, create, question, and invent. Each child is valued as a contributing member of our school community.